Valentine's Day Treats for Non-Chocolate Lovers
Personally, I don't understand people who dislike chocolate. Alas, they're out there and I always think about them this time of year. Valentine's Day is a chocolate-lover's dream! But what if your someone special doesn't find something special about a beautiful box of chocolate or handmade truffles?
No need to panic. I'm faced with this question every February, as my dashing boyfriend is not a chocolate eater. Here are some chocolate-free Valentine's Day treat ideas I've accrued over time. Whip up 1 (or 3!) to show your sweetheart just how much you love them…weird food aversions and all!
1. Giant Rice Krispies Treat Heart (my personal favorite!)
Melt 1/2 stick unsalted butter in a large pot. Add 1 bag mini marshmallows and cook until melted. Remove from heat. Fold in 6 to 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal. Pour out onto a parchment paper-lined surface and shape/flatten into a giant heart with greased hands. Decorate as desired. Mine was 15-inches wide at the top!
2. Mini Cheesecakes
Tweak the recipe for this rich-and-tangy cheesecake slightly to make cute single-serving treats. Divide the crust between paper-lined muffin tin and bake until golden. Fill each with batter about three-quarters of the way and bake about 20 to 30 minutes or until mostly set (but a little wobbly in the center). Top with raspberries. Feed to your beau!
Related: Best Chocolates for Valentine's Day
3. Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Soft, comforting and totally sentimental-these time-tested peanut butter cookies are the perfect choice for the classic guy or gal next door. Package them in a heart-shaped box or in a personalized jar, for a little something extra.
4. Customized Candy Bags
For a sweet and simple last-minute gift, decorate a goodie bag-I embellished this one with a heart stamp I made out of a carrot-and fill it with your special person's favorite (non-chocolate) candies. Get them from a local grocery store or order online from a candy supplier like Economy Candy or The Sweet Factory
Related: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes
5. Personalized Chewy Blondies
These blondies are dense and moist-like brownies without any chocolate! Stir in pecans as the recipe directs or mix-in one of your Valentine's preferred treats (like crushed pretzels, chopped amaretti cookies, honey-roasted peanuts, butterscotch chips, etc). You can also leave them plain. Cut out hearts using a cookie cutter once cool.
6. Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Wake your mate up with warm
! This super-easy recipe only takes 30 minutes to put together (using store-bought biscuit dough). Bake each bun in a paper-lined muffin tin for easy clean up and/or packaging.
-By Erin Phraner
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