I’ve always celebrated Valentine’s Day. When I was younger, it was flowers from my dad and treats from my friends at school. Now, with three small children, we try to do more family things rather than a fancy restaurant dinner. Usually we have something I know the kids love – Chick-fil-A, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, etc. – and a fabulous dessert. Today I am sharing two desserts I made last week and a link to a great website for healthy and delicious treats.
My granny made this dessert for almost all our family gatherings, but it just screams Valentine’s Day to me with the red and white. And, it’s appropriate because my granny’s birthday was February 14. I’m sure she would be happy to know that I am sharing it with you today.
Cherry Delight
4 cups of graham cracker crumbs (reserve 2-3 Tbsp in a small bowl)
1 stick of butter
1 1/2 (12 oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup of sugar
1 container of Cool Whip, thawed
1 cup of milk
2 cans of cherry pie filling
In a large bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs (minus the reserved). Melt butter and pour into the bowl of graham cracker crumbs and combine. Press crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and cream cheese. If you have a stand mixer, I recommend using it here. It is very important that the cream cheese is soft or it will become lumpy. When sugar and cream cheese is combined, slowly add milk. If it is not added slowly, the milk will also cause lumping. Mix until smooth, the fold in the Cool Whip with a spoon until combined.
Add half of the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Layer one can of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese mix. Layer the remaining cream cheese mixture, then the final can of cherry pie filling. Take the reserved graham cracker crumbs and sprinkle over the top. Refrigerate.
Seriously, it’s a valentine on a plate.
Helpful hint – if you have to cover with plastic wrap like I did, try sticking a few toothpicks in to dessert to hold the wrap off the cherries. When you are ready to serve, pull the toothpicks out and no one will be able to tell.
Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake
And the other dessert I made this past week was a Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake. It was ooey, gooey, decadent, and delicious. I found it on Pinterest and here is the link.
The only thing different from the recipe is that I had to add an extra hour (on high) to the cooking time once the recommended 3 1/2 hours on low were up. But, my Crock Pot is almost 15 years old, so it may be in it’s golden years. I’d recommend cooking per the recipe instructions, but know you might have to do an extra hour (on high) if the cake has not set up.
And if you’ve made it this far and are saying “But I’m watching my weight.” Never fear – go to Skinnytaste. This website not only has great desserts, my favorite is the PB2 flourless chocolate brownies, but also delicious, healthy meals for your Valentine’s Day.
Happy Valentine’s Day!! May your day be filled with love and sweets.
