Madison Schettler ’17 and Cassidy Quinn ’17, Staff Writers

Valentine’s Day is a holiday filled with romance, cheesy romantic comedies and of course, delicious desserts. So, if you’re feeling creative, here are a few easy, sweet treats to whip up this month!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 box of strawberry cake mix
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable/canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Combine cake mix and baking powder in a large bowl.
4. Mix together eggs, oil and vanilla in a different bowl.
5. Combine both mixtures until a smooth dough is formed.
6. Mix in the chocolate chips.
7. Form balls of dough on the baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10 minutes. Take cookies out before they turn brown.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, try this next recipe!

Valentine’s Heart Oreo Truffles

Ingredients:

• 24 Oreo cookies-crushed into fine crumbs
• 5 oz. softened cream cheese
• 12-14 oz. white chocolate
• Heart shaped sprinkles (optional)
• Heart shaped cookie cutter

Yield: 16-20 small (about 1.5 inch) hearts

Instructions:

1. Line a tray with baking paper.
2. Crush whole Oreos into fine crumbs and combine it with softened cream cheese. You can do this by hand, press it with a back of the spoon, or use a mixer with paddle attachment.
3. When it’s evenly combined, transfer the mixture onto the baking paper and spread it in an even layer about ½ inch thick (or more, depending how large is your cookie cutter).
4. Place the tray in the freezer for 45 mins (or more) until it’s hardened enough to cut.
5. Cut out the truffles with a heart shaped cookie cutter and place them back in the freezer for 20-30 mins(truffles must be frozen before dipping into chocolate).
6. Line another tray with baking paper and set aside.
7. Take a few hearts from the freezer (so the rest won’t soften while you are working) and dip one frozen heart at the time into melted white chocolate with a fork. Tap off the excess chocolate, and place the chocolate covered hearts in the freezer to harden the chocolate. Then, repeat the dipping process once more before transferring the hearts onto baking paper and topping them with sprinkles.
8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge(or freezer for longer storage).