A little ingenuity is all that’s needed to make Valentine’s Day feel extra special. From homemade body scrub and lip balm to decadent chocolate desserts, this holiday collection offers something for everyone!
Valentine’s Day is all about showing love to the special people in our lives. In its simplest form, food is one of the many ways we show that love all year round.
To cover all the bases, the following collection includes a few practical homemade gifts along with the holiday-themed food recommendations. We hope you enjoy and that it provides the inspiration needed to put your own special touch on the day!
Crunchy Top Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
A delicious breakfast certainly says I love you. Don’t have fresh strawberries? Frozen berries work just as well in this satisfying breakfast, which offers make-ahead convenience and countless ways to customize.
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Easy Hand & Body Sugar Scrub
This customizable, boutique-worthy scrub is effective, economical, and smells good enough to eat. It also makes a thoughtful gift that can be prepared in minutes.
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How to Make a Chocolate Tasting Board
An interactive way to sample a variety of chocolate and see what you like best, a tasting board offers a festively easy dessert for a Valentine's Day crowd or a special night for two!
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How to Prepare King Crab Legs
Learn the best way to cook tender, juicy king crab legs for fun and festive Valentine's Day meal and “just because” special dinners!
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(Slow Cooker) Chocolate Peanut Clusters with Sea Salt
A big batch of these sweet treats is easy to make in your slow cooker. The portion-controlled bites are hard to resist…and perfect for sharing.
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Lavender Syrup
Simple to make and adds a sweet, floral note to hot and iced coffee and tea, lattes, lemonade, cocktails, desserts, and more. A clever trick makes the syrup a pretty shade of purple!
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Pan-Seared Heart Chicken
A few simple cuts of the knife transform a boneless, skinless chicken breast into a festive meal. Fun for Valentine’s Day…or any time! ❤️
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Homemade Vanilla Extract
Homemade vanilla extract requires just two ingredients — vanilla beans and alcohol — and makes a fabulous gift. Good extract takes baked goods to another level and the sweet aroma is hard to resist!
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Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche
This hands-off recipe yields a decadent result with extraordinary ease. Mason jar packaging makes for a sweet gift – just add a bow. Great for drizzling on ice cream, dipping apple slices, or spreading on toast.
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Pomegranate Martini (with sparkler and mocktail variations)
Fruity yet not overly sweet, this martini is delightfully crisp and refreshing—and not too potent! And ever wonder how to make crushed ice, or better yet, “soft” ice? I’ve included the easy how-to!
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Valentine’s Day Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Nothing says I love you like a soul-warming tomato soup with heart-shaped grilled cheese dippers. As a bonus, the soup provides added protein and fiber thanks to an unexpected pantry ingredient. What's not to love?
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Classic Chocolate Cake
Light, moist, and perfect for any celebration, this classic chocolate cake mixes up quickly in a single bowl with ingredients you likely have on hand. (The recipe works beautifully with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour.)
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Homemade Lip Balm (Happy Chappy)
For its creamy texture and ability to effectively coat chapped lips, this homemade balm has long been my favorite chapstick. It makes a fun project and a great gift, too.
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Homemade Hot Honey
Hot honey is the buzz-worthy condiment that adds spicy-sweet appeal to all sorts of sweet and savory dishes. It’s easy to make at home—and cheaper than store-bought—and makes a great gift!
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Valentine’s Day Heart Brownies
A delicious brownie recipe and a heart-shaped cookie cutter is all that’s needed to make Valentine’s Day feel extra special!
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Homemade Limoncello
Bring the Amalfi Coast to you with this easy-to-make Italian liqueur. The lightly sweet, lemony flavor is delightful as a mixer or after-dinner drink any time of year.
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Valentine’s Day Tic Tac Toe
Tic Tac Toe is fun to make, play with, and eat－especially with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter's Valentine's Day!
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Favorite Flourless Chocolate Cake
Decadent and delicious, this flourless cake will be a special addition to Valentine's Day, especially for those who need a gluten-free dessert.
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Salted Hot Fudge Sauce
This tried-and-true chocolate sauce is thick, velvety, and strikes the right salty-sweet balance. It’s quick and easy to prepare and makes a lovely gift! (Small and big batch recipe cards included.)
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M&M Pretzel Bark
Sometimes you want a little salty with your sweet, and Valentine-colored M&Ms make this easy treat especially festive. With just three simple ingredients, this bark is a breeze to make.
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Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
A popular hostess and holiday gift and a great project for kids to make for friends, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun to bake, give, and eat. Printable labels are included!
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Raspberry Vanilla Muffins
A combination of frozen fruit and pantry staples makes these muffins a convenient year round option as well as a festive Valentine’s Day treat. I love that the recipe uses the whole bag of fruit!
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Homemade Play Dough
Homemade Play Dough is a snap with these simple instructions, and red, pink, and purple will surely please your little Valentines. Great for home play and class parties. As a bonus, the texture is smoother than store-bought play dough and there’s less crumby mess. Hours of fun are waiting to be had! (See recipe tip for the most vibrant colors.)
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