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!

Willow House - PINK It Up!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I thought it would be appropriate on this day to share some PINK.  Several weeks ago I heard that Pantone's color of the year is Honeysuckle Pink.  Have you seen it yet? 

Don't you love this bright pop of color?  I know I do!  I've seen this color popping up in numerous ways; everything from from clothes to furniture to lamps.  I've even heard of a local gal who painted her fireplace mantel this honeysuckle pink color.

When I heard that honeysuckle pink was Pantone's color for 2011, I had to think of our current Willow House catalog.  Oh.My.Goodness - our Willow House spring/summer catalog has great accents using this color.  It shows again that Willow House is spot on with the trends.  I should say we are ahead of the trends since this catalog was in the making in 2010.  Willow House sets trends.

Check out just a few of the Willow House products from our catalog that feature this beautiful Honeysuckle Pink.

Amelia Beaded Glass Tray and Trio

 
Amelia Thimble Dome                          Hawthorne Trifle

Camile Vases

Eyelet Ribbon Plate

 

Fiona Lattice Shelf

There are numerous other pictures in our catalog that feature this color too; you can see the entire catalog here.  Are you ready to PINK it up and add a pop of Honeysuckle PINK to your decor?

Willow House - Valentine's Day Mantel

Recently I decorated my fireplace mantel for Valentine's Day.  It definitely added that pop of spring color I was looking for and it was fun to use some of my Willow House products in new ways too.

My favorite part of the mantel is the Dress Me Up Glass Platter.  This platter is so popular anyway but I love the ribbon with the Valentine's Day words and well, I just love the whole look of this platter.  Doesn't it look a.dor.a.ble!  Of course this Dress Me Up Glass Platter is great for serving food but I love the decor look here.  You can print out these words and create this look yourself by going here.  I printed out the 8x10 and attached it to the back of the plate with hidden tape at the top and bottom so I can repurpose my platter after Valentine's Day.  Thanks Libby for the printable! My favorite is the LOVE BUG as that is what I called my boys when they were younger (and still do occasionally). 

 

Another small detail that adds a touch of whimsy is the LOVE marker in the plant.  CUTE!  These Must Have Mini Markers are new to Willow House this Spring and I've had so much fun with these already as they come in a set of 6.  Oh the possibilities...  

You cannot go wrong with Gerbera Daisy's (one of my personal favorites).  How easy is this:  simply plop a flower in a vase and use Valentine colored M&M's as the vase filler.  I used the beautiful Camille Vases here.  Easy, simple, colorful and a touch of whimsy too.

I love how it all came together and gave my living room that pop of spring color I wanted.  Have you decorated your mantel for Valentine's Day?  If so, I'd love to hear how you decorated.

Curious about Willow House?

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If you are even a little big curious, I'd love to talk with you about the opportunity to become a Willow House consultant.  I love what I do and enjoy helping others explore if this would be a good fit for them.  My husband gave me great advice 5 1/2 years ago when I was thinking about this opportunity.  He said, "Joy, you have nothing to lose as you will get beautiful products and you will make money right away."  Wow, he was right and I'm so glad I took his advice and explored this great business that we now call Willow House.  Curious?  It would be my pleasure to answer your questions.  If you decide Willow House isn't a good fit, you can still enjoy the products in your home as a customer or even a hostess and of course continue to get decorating ideas right here on my blog.  Maybe you know someone that loves to decorate or simply needs extra income or a mom who wants to stay at home with her kids?  I'd love to help them too.  I can't wait to hear from you!