3 No Bake Valentine’s Day Desserts + Other ‘Funny’ Ways We Show Love
This weekend, after my terribly failed “heart shaped” pancake attempt.. (still trying to work that one out) I switched to something I do know how to tackle: no bake desserts!
Valentine’s Day has definitely become very commercialized, but I still think a few fun treats can still be a way to enjoy the holiday with someone you love. Plus we just can’t resist an excuse to eat chocolate around here. If you’re not a fan of any form of chocolate… welllll, I have to say all three of these desserts include it in some form or the other (indulge a little!!) They also are all extremely easy to make, have simple ingredients, and look pretty on the counter when you’re finished. 🙂
I read a funny post this weekend titled “Ways to Say ‘I love you'” (that doesn’t include gifts) from one of my favorite bloggers, Cup of Jo. I gotta say, it was so nice to read something that wasn’t titled “Valentine’s Day Gift Guides” or “The Best Dates for Valentine’s Day” etc. etc. because it shows how we love others in our life every day, without having a holiday to show it. I won’t give any spoiler alerts but my the ice cream one and the booth especially made me laugh. 🙂 Go take a look here, and tell me which one is your favorite! It also made me think of how my husband and I always have a thing for the aisle seat on airplanes.. we both use the bathroom (a lot) but usually give in to whoever wants it more.. haha. I’m pretty sure we came to the conclusion last time we flew that I use the bathroom way more therefore I should probably be on the end. But I still let him have it every once in a while too. 😉
Coming back to the desserts, if you’re in need of something fun to do on Valentine’s Day that requires very little baking skills, try one of these three recipes out! They’re totally delicious and a perfect way to say I love you, even if you do it every day.
Coconut White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Coconut White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients
- 10 strawberries washed & dried
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp canned coconut milk or cream
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes unsweetened
Instructions
- Set up a work station on a counter by the stove: tear a piece of parchment paper and line a rack over the top. Add the coconut flakes to a small shallow bowl and set aside.
- Heat a small saucepan over low heat until warm. Stir in the white chocolate chips and coconut oil until it starts to melt. Once the mixture starts to clump together, remove from heat and stir in the coconut milk. Whisk until smooth and no clumps remain.
- Immerse each strawberry in to the chocolate mixture, then in to the bowl with the coconut flakes. Place on the rack to cool. Repeat until no strawberries remain. Enjoy!
Chocolate Almond Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Chocolate Almond Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp creamy almond butter, divided (or peanut butter)
- 6 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 3/4 cups chocolate rice cereal (low sugar)
- 1 strawberry sliced thinly
Instructions
- Line a square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with coconut oil (or other cooking spray).
- Combine 1/2 cup almond butter, maple syrup, ghee, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Whisk until creamy and slightly bubbling.
- Remove from heat and stir in the rice cereal.
- Press in to the prepared baking dish.
- Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of almond butter and lay the strawberry slices on top.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour until set. Cut in to squares. Enjoy!
Strawberry Chocolate Freezer Squares
Psst… try my Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola in this recipe!
Strawberry Chocolate Freezer Squares
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup granola (homemade or store bought)
- 2 tsp coconut oil
Almond Butter Caramel
- 1/3 cup creamy almond butter
- 1 tsp coconut flour
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 pitted date
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1-2 tbsp almond milk unsweetened
Chocolate Layer
- 1 2.5 oz dark chocolate bar chopped
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1-2 strawberries sliced
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the crust: combine the granola and coconut oil in a food processor and pulse until a crust forms (about 5 minutes).
- Press the mixture evenly in to the prepared loaf pan. Place in the freezer to set for 15 minutes.
- Make the almond butter caramel: combine the almond butter, coconut flour, coconut oil, date, maple syrup, and almond milk in to a high powered blender until creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add more almond milk (starting with 1 tbsp) to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Take the loaf pan out of the freezer and spread the almond butter caramel over the crust, pressing down in one even layer. Place back in the freezer for another 15 minutes.
- Make the chocolate layer: combine the dark chocolate bar and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Take the loaf pan back out of the freezer and pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer.
- Place the sliced strawberries on top of the chocolate and set in freezer to freeze completely (about 30 minutes).
- Once frozen, pull on both sides of the parchment paper to release from the loaf pan. Cut in to squares. Enjoy!
[…] so many ways love manifests in our life without having a holiday to tell us so (like maybe eating rice krispie treats?!) just an […]