10 Valentine's Day Treats To Make With Your Kids

I'm 90% sure my favorite holiday after Christmas and Thanksgiving is Valentine's Day. And not for the commercial aspect where it is another lame excuse to spend money and buy cheesy gifts like those horribly awesome stuffed bears that sing Elvis Presley songs. And I definitely don't think we need a specific day to tell others we love them—we should do that every day!

BUT. I do love it for the colors, and fun activities for little kids. Pink and red is a color combination that makes me happy. And who doesn't like to splatter hearts on every surface? Okay, a lot of people, but this lady lives for it.

You know what else is awesome about Valentine's Day? The treats! Now, if you don't agree that it is the best holiday for baked goods, you are definitely off your rocker. Nothing is cuter than heart-shaped cookies. NOTHING.

Naturally, I wrote a blog post roundup of 10 Valentine's Day treats you can actually make with your kids. No overly complicated recipes and instructions in sight. And they are all guaranteed to be delicious. Check out the post here!

Also, add my food blog, The Butter Half, to your reading list for more Valentine's Day goodies ideas this month. I have a heart pie I am posting later today. It's adorable and I think you all should make one.

Bon appétit, mes amours!

Image from my Swig sugar cookie recipe on the Butter Half

Delicious Blackberry Curd Filled Donuts

This week has been cold and drizzly, AND we have been battling colds and double ear infections. Naturally, some homemade blackberry curd filled donuts were just what the doctor ordered (alongside the amoxicillin).

The passion fruit curd filled donut I had in San Francisco rocked my world, so I thought I would try my hand at something equally as tasty. We had these blackberries sitting in the fridge, and since they were somewhat bitter I figured they'd make a beautiful curd. I was right! Not to mention the rich and creamy purple color it turns! Tasty and pretty food is always a great combo, isn't it?

These little buggers are a bit time consuming, but they are a wonderful way to pass the time with kids who have cabin fever from being quarantined. Can't wait to eat them for breakfast tomorrow!

Blackberry Curd Filled Donut Recipe
Yields 10 donuts
Prep time: 2 hours
Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Donut Dough
Adapted from this recipe

1 1/4 cups warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast (2 packets)
4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 large eggs
1/2 stick butter
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
8 cups vegetable or canola oil (for frying)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for dusting)

Blackberry Curd

1 cup fresh blackberries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Making the Donut Dough

1. Combine warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a mug to activate the yeast. Allow to proof for 5 minutes in a warm place.

2. Pour 1 cup of the bread flour into a large bowl, and stir in the water and yeast mixture with a whisk to make the starter dough.  Allow to sit for 30 minutes, uncovered, in warm place. (Sidenote: make sure you get bread flour—yes, there is a difference— if you want your dough airy and fluffy. I used all-purpose flour since it was all I had on hand, and they turned out great, but the bread flour will make them a top notch quality donut!)

3. Combine the eggs, sugar, salt and melted butter and mix well. Add the remaining bread flour and stir with a large spatula until it is fully incorporated.

4. Place the dough on a well floured countertop and knead until soft and smooth—the dough will be sticky, but avoid adding too much additional flour.

5. Place in a clean, greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rest in a warm place until double in size (about 1 hour). Meanwhile, prepare the blackberry curd filling (see below).

6. Once doubled in size, place on a lightly oiled and floured countertop and flatten the dough with the palms of your hand until the it is about 3/4" thick.  Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter (I used a mason jar lid because I don't have a biscuit cutter), shape the donuts and place each piece on a baking sheet or parchment paper.  Cover the doughnuts with a kitchen towel and allow to rest for 15 minutes before frying.

Making the Blackberry Curd

1. Puree your blackberries in a blender. Using cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve, strain the seeds from the blackberries into a medium sized bowl.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch and whisk together. Add in the blackberry puree, lemon juice and eggs. Heat on medium until it comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir another minute until it is thick, and then add the butter.

3. Place your curd in a bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour. Make sure you cover it with plastic wrap so it doesn't form a skin.

Frying and Preparing the Donuts

1. In a large pot, heat the oil to 350˚F. Fry 3-4 donuts at a time for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Make sure the oil isn't too hot, or else the dough will burn on the outside and won't be fully cooked on the inside.

2. Place finished donuts on a paper towel to drain and cool. Once they are warm to the touch, generously cover them in granulated sugar on both sides. Then, use a paring knife to make a tiny hole and use a piping tip to insert about 1 tablespoon of blackberry curd per donut.

3. Serve with a big glass of milk and enjoy!

This Banana Bread Recipe Will Change Your Life

Sometimes there are recipes in the world that have the power to change lives. This banana bread recipe is one such recipe. It is practically a thing of legend in the community I grew up in. Really. Just ask anyone at our church about Marie's banana bread and you will get a, "OHMYGOSHSOGOOD!" response. (Or something along those lines.) I tell you, this stuff is incredible and EASY. Like, the only skills (or lack thereof) you need are the ability to measure, mix and turn on an oven. That means you too can be a master of banana bread and potential local legend!


K, here are the magical, secret ingredients to that loaf of bread which will bring much good fortune and many friends into your life. Just make sure you give my mama credit where credit is due, mkay?


Banana Bread Recipe
Yields 4 loaves
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

6-8 ripe bananas, mashed (the more ugly and brown the banana, the sweeter the bread)
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
1 1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 cups sugar
4 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
(Nuts are optional, but I personally like it without them)

(Totally random side thought! I always say the ingredients in my head like the fairies in Sleeping Beauty whenever I type out recipe instructions—you know, when they are making Aurora's birthday cake? I religiously watched that movie twice per day when I was little, and the voice of the green fairy, Fauna, will forever be stuck in my brain. "One tsp ... Tisp?" And then the ever snarky and wonderful Merryweather scolds and points, "One teaspoon." Anyone else do this? Anyone? Bueller?)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, blend all the wet ingredients and sugar with a stand mixer or electric mixer. Once they are thoroughly blended and smooth, add the rest of the ingredients until well mixed.

3. Pour into 4 greased and floured 7 1/2x 3 1/2 inch loaf pans. Bake at 325°F for one hour. Enjoy!