Valentine’s Day Ideas

Overnight French Toast

I hope you have a special Valentine’s Day planned! It doesn’t have to be anything over the top, just a few changes can make everything more special.

I plan on making a few special treats for my “loves” that day! One that I am excited to make is the Overnight French Toast for all three of my boys. You see, Valentine’s Day is just one occasion that can be made more fun and delicious with food color and flavor extracts! From adding a few drops of food color and vanilla extract to brighten up the color and flavor of frosting to making homemade watercolors for a child’s art project. There are many ways to make an occasion like Valentines … or any day for that matter … more special and memorable. Here are more ideas to make Valentine’s Day a “Red Letter Day” from start to finish.

Breakfast/ Brunch Ideas

“Love Bug” Cinnamon Pancakes: Pancake mix and syrup spiced up with Ground Cinnamon and Pure Vanilla Extract, topped with a sprinkle of Red Colored Sugar.

Overnight French Toast: Add delicious red strawberries to this sweet and fruity rendition of a family favorite.

Hot Cocoa with Red Sugar Crusted Marshmallows: Cinnamon-spiced hot cocoa dressed up with marshmallows coated in red colored sugar.

Desserts/ Snacks

Tender Heart Cookies

Tender Heart Cookies: Warm your children’s hearts with delectable pink, heart-shaped cookies

Easy Raspberry Molten Cakes: A hint of raspberry in the cake and a red raspberry sauce to serve alongside adds just a splash of red to this heart-melting dessert.

Very Valentine Glaze: Simple glaze tinted with Red Food Color is perfect for all sorts of Valentine’s treats.

Colorful Crafts

Funny Putty: Start with 1 cup of white glue in a splastic container. Add 1 cup of liquid starch a little at a time stirring constantly along with McCormick Red Food Color. Once the mixture looks rubbery like putty you are done. Store funny putty in an airtight container.

Water Colors: Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Then slowly add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1/4 cup glycerin. Pour 1 inch of the mixture into 6 to 8 paper cups and let dry overnight. Once they are dry add McCormick Red Food Color, making sure to use a lot as the color isn’t as deep when it dries. To use, dip a paint brush into some water, then into the homemade paint.

Funny Putty

Rainbow Dough: Combine 1.5 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water and 1/4 cup of McCormick Cream of Tartar plus 20 drops of McCormick Red Food Color into a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Cool on wax paper, then knead until dough is smooth. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to create personalized valentines! Store in an airtight container.

Tasty Tips

• For Special Deliveries, use heart-shaped molds or cookie cutters
• Personalize snacks and treats with special love notes
• Try using varying amounts of red food color to create different shades of red and pink
• For extra spice, try adding ground cinnamon and/or pure vanilla extract to recipes
• Red colored sugar or glaze is the perfect finishing touch on all sorts of treats
• Add extra red to just about anything by topping with red raspberries, cherries, strawberries or dried cranberries.

You can print out this McCormick Valentine’s PDF with even more tips and ideas! Plus, check out McCormick.com for recipes, tips and fun ideas for Valentine’s Day!

What Valentine’s Day treats, crafts or activities do you have planned?

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz received a Red Letter Day kit from McCormick to assist in some V-Day recipes and crafts.