Rustic Valentines Day Recipes
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CapriSunParties #CollectiveBias
For my daughter and I, Valentine’s Day has always been about some sort of heart shaped baked cookie – that we get to eat for breakfast. Okay – so that cookie might be a tad on the healthy side with some beets or lignans or hemp in there to balance things off – but, it was a heart-shaped cookie – with chocolate, y’all!
Traditions are funny things – we carry them on without any rhyme or reason other than the fact that we love them and the bond they happen to create between the people that indulge in them – together.
This year, seeing Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, I figured we would veer away from our traditional heart shaped cookie breakfast and do things a tad differently. As my daughter and her friends had been trying (unsuccessfully) to co-ordinate a time to meet, I suggested a little Valentine’s Day party with heart shaped cookies and other snacks; and, my daughter looked at me and sighed…and said…“We don’t have “parties” mom; “parties” are for 12 year olds (P.S. she was 12 only 4 years ago) – we have “hangouts”!” Say what??? “YAAASSSS mom, a hangout sounds great -specially if you can throw in some of those Beet Grilled Cheeses and some Capri Sun for my friends – maybe?“
YAAASSS!!! oh daughter of mine – when you speak the language of beets – it’s all a can do!
So, I threw together a mini menu for a little taste testing – with a simple and rustic table-setting because “rustic” is how we roll!
We planned on having a teen friendly menu consisting of:
1) White Chocolate Dipped Pretzels with Sprinkles
2) Jet Puffed Marshmallows Dipped in Dark Chocolate
3) Popcorn
4) Red Velvet Cookies
5) Beet Grilled Cheese “Discs”
6) Strawberries and Marshmallows with Chocolate Sauce & Kraft Cool Whip
7) Peanuts and Almonds in little take home boxes
8) Chocolate & Strawberry Milk
9) And Capri Sun
And my daughter made some cards out of construction paper so her friends and her could play “Fact or Fiction” aka “Two Truths & A Lie”; and, I set out some rolled paper which would double as a tablecloth for them to doodle or write or plat tic tac toe on.
I picked up most of my ingredients at my neighborhood Sam’s Club where I came across the new Capri Sun Variety 40 Count Pack with their new Clear Bottom Pouch “so you can ‘see the goodness”. As Capri Sun is said to have NO artificial sweeteners, Colors, Flavors, or Preservatives and is said to have 25% less sugar than other leading juice drinks, I figured it would be a good choice for this little “hangout”.
The Capri Sun Variety Pack 40 Count features 10 of each of the following favorite flavors: Fruit Punch, Pacific Cooler, Wild Cherry, Strawberry Kiwi
So, I am curious, do you happen to have any simple Valentine’s Day traditions of your own?
[Tweet “Naturally Colored Red Velvet Cookies with Chocolate Chips @RunninSrilankan #CapriSunParties #CollectiveBias #ad”]
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 stick butter melted
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips melted
- 1/3 cup beet puree
- 1/2 cup + 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup + 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 365
- Double line a baking tray with parchment paper
- First mix the chickpea flour, brown rice flour, baking powder, brown sugar and salt
- Then add in the melted butter, melted chocolate and beet puree
- Stir in the 1/2 cups of white and dark chocolate
- The dough will be very wet
- Roughly spoon into heart shapes on tray and bake for 10 minutes
- Let cool
- Melt the remaining 1/3 cups of white and dark chocolate in separate bowls and drizzle on top of cookies
Love the cookies! I did not know Capri Sun still existed. Have not seen them since I was in school. Every year Dave and I go out for dinner 🙂
Aww – I hope you and Dave have a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner, Tandy!
Btw, thanks so much! The cookies are my favorite too!
Those cookies look so cute and I love that they are actually healthy! I haven’t had a Capri Sun in probably 15 years but boy did I have a lot throughout my childhood! Glad that they’re adding less sugar now!
Thanks so much Elizabeth!
I’ve been throwing the idea of using beets for red velvet around my taste buds…but now you have done the hard work for me! Those cookies are SO cute…and I kind of want to come to your party…totally diggin’ that menu! Pinned!
Thanks so much Taylor! If you are not a huge fan of beets, you won’t really taste them in the cookies with chocolate – instead of me telling you – lady, you better come on down and taste test them for your “face hole”! 🙂
I knew I could count on you making red velvet the authentic way…with beets! I’ve never tried this route, but I think I might eventually be inspired by all the beet-liciousness that you keep throwing my way. I love that Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, too! Time to party like it’s 1999! 🙂
Thanks David – but I don’t have red food coloring in the house – so beets will have to do!;)
In the process of my daughter “helping” me with these beet dishes – she had this idea to use beets and cocoa to make it look like she cut her hand – she took a picture and sent it to friends and family and within seconds both our phones started blowing up – and she couldn’t stop laughing!
What a feast! The hangout sounds like so much fun and the food looks amazing! My daughter recently had her first Capri Sun at a friend’s house and she loved it!
Thanks so much Sonali – I think my daughter had her first Capri Sun at a friends house too – she had her first ice cream at this same friends house…hmmm!!! 🙂
I’m loving the rustic spread! And everything on the menu, too. It’s been a while since I’ve had a “hangout,” but I’d be more than happy to come to one like this 😉 Me and my mom have a tradition of exchanging Valentine’s cards every year… the boxed kind that are meant for school kids 😆 I don’t know how it started, but we’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember along with some chocolate or a bag of candies. It’s nice to have those traditions 🙂
Aww – you are so right, Amanda – I love your’s and your mom’s exchange of boxed V-day cards and chocolate! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
I love everything I see on the table! The grilled cheese-my favorite! Still haven’t tried beets for red velvet, but will do soon!
Thanks so much Mira!
The grilled cheese has been a favorite of my daughters for a long while – my fav are the cookies for sure!
Looks like a swell party to me! I’ll be right over for the leftovers. 🙂
Come on over Melanie – though the last time my daughter had her friends over -there wasn’t much leftover – so you might wanna get here early! 🙂
How fun! I totally want to come!
Come on over Rebecca! 🙂
I am loving all of your beet recipes! Perfect for Valentine’s Day! I used to buy Capri Suns all the time when my kids were little, and every now and then I’d sneak one for myself.
Thanks so much Kristen! I must admit, I sneaked a couple for “taste-testing” too 😉
This is the CUTEST idea I have ever seen for Valentines day! I love how you and you’re daughter have a tradition like that 🙂 And seriously props to you mom of the year for throwing a “hangout” like this LOL I wish I could join! But on another note, my boyfriend is coming into town V-day weekend and I’m loving the idea of doing something like this…just with the addition of wine of course 🙂
Thanks so much Selena!
You know wht, I didn’t even think this would work for grownups too! Thanks lady!
You are the coolest teenage mother I know- and just look at all those delicious recipes. February is definitely the perfect month for beets! #client
Thanks so much Jenna!
Yes, February is a GREAT month for beets – I know I have shared more beet recipes this month than I did in the last 6 months of 2014!
You are the best mom ever! I totally want to come to your party! Everything looks incredible! Love those red velvet cookies and beet grilled cheese – so pretty and creative!
Thanks so much, Kelly! Oh and come on over – I will make extra cookies just for you! 🙂
What a spread of Valentine’s treats, Shashi! You’re an amazing mom for sure!
Aww-thanks so much Marissa!
I’m going to be the wet blanket and tell you that I hate Valentines Day and refuse to spend an inkling buying chocolates or anything in heart or red form 🙂
Ok, so not completely true. I always tell my hubby I don’t want flowers or chocolate on VDay but we end up getting the kids some thing, it’s more of a kids holiday anymore anyway.
Just like this party…..I mean hangout. Totally a fun idea!
Nazneen – I am not a huge fan of Valentine’s day either – but, since my daughter was a toddler, I have loved to see the excitement she feels – us parents, we are always suckers for our kid’s happiness right? 🙂
Those heart shaped cookies are the best!! Such a fun looking party you planned!!
Thanks so much Ami!
This looks like it is going to be a smashingly fun party. Love your beet cookies of course and a little melted chocolate to dip in some fruit is always a good idea. Have fun! Sharing, of course!
Thanks so much Bobbie! Melted chocolate seems to be requirement for teens and adults alike 🙂
Hang out is right, I would love to have these recipes at a valentines picnic 😀
Those cookies, definitely a fave!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks so much Urwashi! Now a picnic sounds wonderful – I cannot wit for picnic weather here!
What a great Valentine’s themed party… my son requests a Capri Sun in his lunchbox almost every day. So I am very familiar with this four pack of 10. 🙂
Thanks so much Ramona!
Beet grilled cheese..now that is something new! I always crave a grilled cheese and bowl of tomato soup during these chilly months.
Emily – you gotta try a beet grilled cheese – beets and cheese re insanely amazing together!
Beet grilled cheese??? This sounds so strange… in the best way possible!!
Also, I remember capri sun from my school days. I used to LOVE those juices!
Haha – Thanks so much Cathleen!
What a great idea – so fun to have a “hangout” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I want to hear if all the girls (and guys?) like the beet grilled cheese sandwiches!!!
Kim – I was telling Maureen, I’ve fed my daughter’s friends these beet sandwiches before and at first the color weirds them out – but after a bite – i usually don’t hear too many complaints 🙂
Shashi, I can’t imagine anyone complaining about any of your cooking!!!
Aww – thank you Kim – I so appreciate your kind words
Wow, Sashi the spread looks so adorable. Your girl is so lucky, she has a nice sweet mumma to throw a V day party for her with her friends. Your beet collection is amazing sweety and so is this sandwich.
I keep caprisun for the boy’s lunch box…they do like it.
Hope the kiddos love it.
Thanks so very much Asha! We do love beets in this house – beets and chocolate and beets and cheese are favorites! Hope you and your family had a wonderful weekend!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been allowed to play with teenagers – what fun and like Kim, I want to know what they say about the beet cheese sandwiches. 🙂 I think they sound wonderful.
Hahaha – Maureen – anytime you wanna play with teenagers, hop on a plane and skip on over! I have actually made the beet sandwiches before – and fed them to my daughter’s friends – at first quite a few of them were weirded out by the color – but after a bite – i usually don’t hear too many complaints.
haha hangouts … I still sooo call them parties. Guess I’m not so young or hip 🙂
I love this spread you put together and those cookies!! I have so many roasted beets right now … I need to make me some cookies!
You and me both, Ashley! 🙂
Yes – beet cookies are the way to go! Btw – thanks so much!
Isn’t it funny how once they become teenagers, everything changes. Here they’re called ‘Gatherings’ and I used to dread them. Your party sounds very well planned xx
Charlie – you are so right – the biggest change is the lingo – sometimes my daughter texts me stuff I cannot make head or tail of! 🙂
Thanks so much! xx
Oh my gosh – great cookies!! I haven’t had a Capri Sun in so many years – it’s so nostalgic for me.
Can I come over for Valentines- I’ll bring chocolate ;)! My aunt told me she just found a bag of brown rice flour in the store near her place- sending her this recipe, especially as she has been on a baking spree lately! The mention of Capri Sun takes me back to my childhood- I was hooked on the apple flavour…good to know it still exists!
No Valentine’s Day tradition here. Maybe a candlelight dinner? Uhm, I am not sure… your red velvet cookies would be perfect!
Gotta say, I love that your daughter REQUESTED beet grilled cheese! You’ve taught her well. Also, these heart cookies are ADORABLE! You did such a great job with them!
You promised no more beet recipes 😉 But seeing as it was your daughter’s request, I’ll let you off!
haha your daughter is cute. ^.^
Yeah I am into beet too right now. I think so beet is going to be the valentines veggies in the future. People will think that beets are part of the valentines “tradition” in a few years and we bloggers will be the cause of this. 😉
Aw, Valentines traditions sound so nice – unfortunately it isn’t a big thing here in Denmark, so we don’t have any 🙁
But you can have cookies anyway right? 😛