Tasty Tuesday: Annual Valentine's Dessert

I have a Valentine's Day dessert that has become tradition in our house.  In fact, my boys love it so much that last week my 14 year old asked, "Mom, are you going to make that good dessert next week?"  I knew exactly what he was talking about and he was super excited when I answered Yes!

It all started around 12 years ago when I wanted to make a special dessert for my husband Keith for Valentine's Day.  We loved it so I have continued to make this dessert every year and now my boys LOVE this dessert too.  So, let me share this fantastic recipe - Valentine's Dessert

Ingredients:
8 oz. semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon shortening
6 oz. of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups whipping cream, whipped, divided

Line a 9-inch heart shaped or square baking pan with foil.  Melt approximately 8 oz. of semisweet chocolate along with 1 tablespoon of shortening.  Hint - You can use the coating chocolate that comes in a large bar from the grocery store (no shortening needed then) and sometimes I use more than 8 oz.  Once your chocolate is melted, pour some into the bottom of your foil lined pan and then with a spoon drizzle the sides so it forms a wall on the side.  I like to let it set up and then add a little more melted chocolate for reinforcement.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Once your chocolate is set, you can gently remove the foil and you will be left with a chocolate heart shape or whatever size pan you had used for a mold.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Combine confectioners' sugar and cocoa and add to creamed mixture along with milk and vanilla.  Beat until smooth and then gently fold in approximately 2/3 of the whipped cream.  Once mixed well, spoon this mixture into your chocolate mold.

The leftover whipped cream you can then pip onto the dessert.  By the way, I add a little bit of confectioners' sugar to this left over whipped cream so it is sweet.

Your end result is a fun Valentine's Dessert that your family will love.  You can make this any time of year though, just choose a different shaped pan; ENJOY!!!

Do you have a Valentine's tradition?  If so, I'd love for you to share it!