[Yaelle]

One reason I'll be making a ton of chocolate covered strawberries is that Valentine's Day for us is very important. My son with special needs was born 14 years ago on that day. I'm getting all verklempt just thinking of his beautiful C section birth. Everyone in the room was in a party mood, it was so happy and relaxed, and they showed me his beautiful little face. Poor kid, my first words were "I already HAD this baby!" He looked identical to his older brother. ;)

He's been a challenge and a pleasure for all these years. We will be doing fun things with him Sunday and Wednesday, returning to his favorite haunts, and feeding him his favorite foods (he is pretty fussy too).

Wishing all my cooking buddies a great weekend and a warm tummy and heart for this food and love oriented holiday!

[Library Lady]

This is not a good time to be on low carb. :(

[ConservaTeen]

Bless your special needs son...I was biking so I stopped at the local Panera Bread and there was a family with a special needs son..I think my brother is going to be a doctor specializing in trying to help special needs kids...he said it is a sad sight.

I agree...

[Qiviut]

I hike a lot and one of the groups had a “Chocolate Hike” for Valentines Day - everyone was encouraged to bring something containing chocolate. The hike leader was the judge .... her (admitted) way of getting lots of chocolate on that day. I made these for the chocolate hike two years ago .... better than plain rum balls - just delicious (but strong)!

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Recipe link: http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/chocolate-bourbon-balls.aspx

These deep, dark confections are a bit like truffles (though much quicker to make), with sophisticated, toasty flavors from nuts, coffee, and bourbon.

Ingredients (my notes in parenthesis):

1-1/4 cups crushed chocolate wafer cookies (used oreos, scraped off white filling)
1 cup confectioners sugar
2/3 cup toasted chopped pecans
4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup bourbon
1 tsp instant expresso powder (couldn’t find it - used instant coffee... deep roast)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup white sanding sugar or turbinado sugar (didn’t work for me - resorted to confectioner’s sugar)

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients except for the sanding sugar in a medium bowl. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

Scoop the mixture by the rounded teaspoonful, then roll into 1-inch balls with your hands.

Roll the balls in the sanding sugar to coat, put on a rimmed baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 12 hours and up to 2 weeks.

[Trillian]

Happy Birthday to your son, Yaelle!
When I went to the grocery store yesterday, I was surprised at how much they are charging for chocolate covered strawberries ($17 for a few). They are so easy to make homemade.
I've got heart shaped cupcakes planned, a heart shaped anisette cake with cocoa whipped cream and if I'm feeling up to it, some cookies.

[Trillian]

Here are some recipes on my to make list. They all sound like they’d be great for Valentine’s Day:
http://sugarspiceandfamilylife.com/2017/02/hidden-heart-chocolate-cupcakes-recipe.html
http://www.averiecooks.com/2017/02/peanut-butter-brookies.html
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/double-chocolate-mousse-torte/
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/white-velvet-sugar-cookies/
http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/yeast-donuts-with-fresh-raspberry-glaze-recipe/
http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/strawberry-chocolate-cake/
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/mini-chocolate-pecan-cheesecakes/
http://mystylespot.net/valentines-day-recipe-chocolate-mocha-bundt-cake/