Nutella Stuffed Strawberries for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! The stores are filled with chocolates, flowers, candies, and everything that make this sweet day sweet. There's still time to put together a creative dessert, dipped and cover with - yes, you guessed it - chocolate!

photo courtesy: Tastofhome.com

Thanks to TasteofHome.com for this super easy and delicious recipe. And the best part, this recipe works with your favorite kind of nut or sans nuts. Plus, these can totally be made anytime of the year - did someone say summer shindig?! 

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. + chilling

MAKES: 12 servings

Ingredients

• 12 large fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup Nutella
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips, melted
• 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
• Confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Remove stems from strawberries. Using a paring knife, cut out centers; pipe Nutella into strawberries.
2. Insert a toothpick into the side of each strawberry. Holding toothpick, quickly dip stem end of strawberry into melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle with hazelnuts; place strawberries on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, point side up. Remove toothpicks; refrigerate strawberries until set. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar. Yield: 1 dozen

If you run out of nutella or chocolate or what have you, you can freeze your extra strawberries until you're able to restock. Rinse the extra strawberries, pat (not rub) dry them with kitchen paper towels until mostly dry, lay in a single layer inside a freezer ziplock bag, push all the air out the bag and seal shut,  and place in freezer. Fresh strawberries can be frozen up to 8 months (whole strawberries) or 4 months (sliced strawberries), but I'd recommend eating them within a month of freezing them to still have a I-just-bought-these taste. And if you're not able to stock up soon enough and just love strawberries, slice them up in your smoothie or salad or eat them just as they are!

Let us know how these turned out for you. And do share any insider tricks or tips.

And remember: Joy Designs Homes! 

A Yummy Valentine's Breakfast Dessert!

So I have this love/everyday should be Valentine's Day relationship with Valentine's Day! It's such a sweet day to show your honey or those close to you how much you love them. But enough with the strawberries and roses! Don't get me wrong, totally love the combo of red and fabulous fuchsia, and heart strawberries (especially summertime), but it's always cool to add some spice to the way things are usually done. It makes the day so much more exciting, and gives you kudo points for sure! So let's give this a try - a yummy ... and SUPER easy, breakfast dessert! Yes I said it, dessert for breakfast. Why not start this sweet day with a sweet for your sweetie (don't forget a spoon for you too) ...

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Raspberry-Chocolate Parfait

photo: foodnetwork.com

This is one of the easiest and quickest desserts you'll every make. All you need and all you need to do:

Toss 1/2 cup raspberries with 1 tablespoon chocolate liqueur and layer with crumbled brownies and chocolate ice cream in 2 glasses. Top with whipped cream and more raspberries.

(recipe: foodnetwork.com)

The best part about this recipe, besides my fav raspberries, is that you can totally add a 1/4 cup of your favorite yogurt (I'd recommend vanilla or lemon flavors) in place of the crumble brownies, and you're ready to conquer the day! Please don't forget to use a stem, clear glass dessert bowl.  You can find these at your local home goods store at great prices. It makes the parfait look so elegant and delicious, which means creative point for you! And do serve on your most loved tray. 

For my strawberry-must-include-for-Valentine's Day peep, a strawberry dessert is on the way!

Let us know how yours turned out. And remember: Joy Designs Homes

New Takes on Carrot Cake

Hi everyone! This is a great time to begin thinking about your holiday dinner menu, especially your desserts.  Nothing every beats a good 'ole homemade cake! Absoultely nothing! What holiday dessert spread doesn't include some yummy carrot cake? Check out this new takes on the popular dessert, care of Food & Wine magazine, and give it a shot this holiday season. Remember: baking in a metal pan is best for oven temperatures over 350 degrees. Use a lovely cake stand to show off this holiday treat! Enjoy!

1. With cocoa. Baked in a loaf, this carrot cake is made extra delicious with the addition of cocoa powder and an almond-y streusel topping.

All photos courtesy of Food & Wine magazine

2. With almonds. Instead of using a lot of flour, this simple, unfrosted carrot cake relies on finely ground almonds and whipped egg whites for its structure.

3. As cupcakes. Yep, the classic layer cake makes for equally delicious cupcakes. Top them with the usual cream cheese frosting or upgrade by adding caramel as well.

4. With lemon frosting. Mascarpone, the creamy Italian cheese, is a luscious stand-in for the usual cream cheese. Lemon juice gives the frosting its signature tanginess.

5. With coconut. Coconut flour not only creates a pleasantly dense and flavorful carrot cake, it also makes it fiber-rich and gluten-free!

6. As cookies. Add carrots to your oatmeal cookies and top with cream cheese frosting for a cute riff on carrot cake.

7. As waffles. Make a carrot cake–inspired waffle batter, then top with cream cheese whipped cream. (Feel free to replace the gluten-free flour in the recipe with all-purpose.)

8. As muffins. Feeling like you want to eat something more virtuous? Skip the frosting and add wheat bran to the usual carrot cake.

By Kristin DonnellyPosted November 14, 2015.

Share your comments on how these turned out for your: And Remember: Joy Designs Homes!