Since Valentine’s Day is coming up you might want to make something special for those close to you. If you want to make the extra effort in celebrating the ones you love then here are three recipes for you to try! These Valentine’s Day treats have flavors that embrace the rosy hues and sweet flavor of raspberries and strawberries.

Raspberry Blondies – A fun twist on a beloved classic!

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil melted and cooled

⅓ cup applesauce

1 cup coconut sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 cup and 3 tbsp white whole wheat flour

1 cup white chocolate chips

3/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit

Grease and line an 8-inch square baking tin with baking or parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, add the coconut oil, applesauce, and coconut sugar and gently whisk together. Add the vanilla extract and stir. Next add the egg and mix until combined.

Stir in the flour and white chocolate chunks. Fold in raspberries. Pour the batter in the prepared tin, smooth the top and place in the oven.

Bake blondies for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave the pan to cool completely. Cut into squares to serve and enjoy.

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats – A crunchy delight!

Ingredients

1.2 ounces freeze dried strawberries

5 tablespoons butter

12 ounce bag marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions

Crush the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder, either by hand or with a food processor. Set aside.

Prepare a 9×13 inch pan by spraying with nonstick spray, or coating with softened butter.

In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows and stir until almost completely melted.

Add powdered freeze-dried strawberries and stir until incorporated.

Remove from heat, and stir in Rice Krispies cereal.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, and then press gently.

Allow the Rice Krispie treats to cool, and then cut into desired shape. Cover tightly until ready to serve.

Chocolate Shortbread Heart Cookies – A simple but delicious treat!

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips melted

Sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

Sift the flour, cocoa and salt together. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract. Slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until combined. Between two sheets of waxed paper, roll the dough 1/4-inch thick as evenly as possible.

Chill for 30 minutes.

Position the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper. Cut out the cookies with a heart shaped or other cookie cutter. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, or until crisp and firm. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for two minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

When the cookies are cool, dip the hearts into the melted chocolate. If you want them to look like the photo, only dip about ¼ of the heart. Sprinkle the chocolate covered section with sprinkles, if desired. Place the heart cookies on wax paper until the chocolate is completely solidified.