I know it’s one month early but the rules of the internet say you must stay ahead of these things. Four years into blogging and I finally understand the importance of an editorial calendar. Do you know how fast Pinterest fills up with Valentine’s Day fodder? Best to make a heart shaped cookie before everyone else does. Capture that heart shaped cookie traffic. The future of Mommy Shorts depends on it!

I know I’m not qualified to bring you amazingly simple recipes that look insanely gorgeous on a plate. That would be a task best left in the hands of Aunt Debi (aka @simplybeautifuleating on Instagram). She makes baked goods that involve buying Oreos and Fortune Cookies at the store and then doing fancy stuff to them that you can’t screw up. SIGN ME UP.

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Four Easy Sweets for Valentine's Day, Including Oreo Cookie Pops, Chocolate-Dipped Fortune Cookies, Heart-Shaped Cookies and White Chocolate Bark with Pink Swirls

For some, Valentine’s Day is just another day of the week. But for me, it’s all about making something simple and sweet for the people that you love. Whether you are single, married, looking, not looking or just celebrating with the kids… these four easy treats will make everyone’s heart go KABOOM.

Oreo Cookie Pops

Awesome (and easy!) Oreo Cookie Pops Dipped in Chocolate with Pink, Red and White Sprinkles for Valentine's Day

Who in their right mind doesn’t love an Oreo? My favorite part is twisting them open. These pops are super easy and so fun to make, you can get the kids involved if you don’t mind sprinkles flying around your kitchen.

What you need:

1 pkg of double stuffed Oreos
2 cups chocolate chips or melting chocolate (any color will do)
2 tbsps coconut, vegetable or canola oil
cute sprinkles
lollipop sticks
wax paper

How to throw these together:

Grab your Oreos and gently twist off the top part of the cookie. You will have one half with the stuffing on it. 

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Take your lollipop stick and make a small indentation in the stuffing. Melt your chocolate and oil in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and place back into oven for 30 second increments until the chocolate is glossy and nicely melted. Now take your lollipop stick and dip one end in chocolate. Place the stick in the indent you made in the cookie and place the top of the cookie back on to make a sandwich.

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Repeat with all the cookies and place on wax paper for at least 5 minutes. This allows the chocolate to harden. If your bowl of melted chocolate is starting to harden, just pop it back in the microwave for 10 – 20 seconds and give it a stir. Now you are ready to dip. Take your Oreo pops and dip to coat them in the warm melted chocolate. Let the excess drip off before rolling in your sprinkles.

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Once they are rolled in the sprinkles, place on wax paper and let them completely harden.  About 30 minutes. Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.

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Pink Swirl White Chocolate Bark

My white chocolate bark is the prettiest edible gift you will ever make. It’s also the quickest way to someone’s heart. Including your own.

Super Easy to make White Chocolate Bark with Pink Swirls for Valentine's Day

What you need:

2 cups melting chocolate in one color or any flavor.
1/2 cup melting chocolate in another color
Coconut oil or vegetable oil
Toppings of your choice: Sprinkles, nuts, dried cranberries…whatever the heck you want to throw on will work.

….THAT IS IT.

Ready?

How to throw this together:

Place your two colors of chocolate in separate microwave safe bowls. Now add 1 tablespoon of oil into the 2 cups of chocolate and 1 teaspoon of oil into the 1/2 cup of chocolate. Microwave in 30 second increments until melted, smooth and glossy.

Next spread the 2 cups of chocolate on a 9 x 9 inch baking pan lined with wax paper. I use the baking tray that comes with my toaster oven – it’s a perfect size! Don’t forget the wax paper… it will save you lots of clean up time and the chocolate will release easily when you are  cracking it apart.

Once the first layer is spread, dot the second color onto the chocolate with a chopstick. You want to make swirls (this is called marbleizing). Quickly top with your topping goodies and pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to set. 

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Once it has hardened, peel off the wax paper and break into pieces. This is the best part!

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Look how pretty! I love this so much I have considered quitting my job to make chocolate bark for a living.

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Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

There is something so sweet and simple about a sugar cookie. You can cut them into any shape you desire, but I always opt for hearts. Even when it isn’t Valentine’s Day.

Best Heart-Shaped Sweetheart Cookies for Valentine's Day

What you need to make the cookies:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, (2 sticks) at room temperature
3/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

What you need to make the icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 – 3 tablespoons milk or water
Food coloring, optional

How to throw these together:

In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt).

In a second bowl using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and beat until light and fluffy – about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture until just incorporated. The dough will be stiff. Shape into a disk, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 3 days.

When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F. On a floured surface, roll out disk into 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Pop back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes until firm. Bake 12 -15 minutes or just until they begin to brown.

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Cool completely on wire rack while you make your icing. Mix all ingredients for icing and use a spatula to spread onto each cookie. Top with sprinkles if desired.

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Oh, be still my heart, these are so good.

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Love Fortunes

I love Chinese food— partly because I love to open my fortune cookie at the end of my meal. These cuties are perfect for Valentine’s Day, especially if you stuff them with a personalized note!

Easy Chocolate-Dipped Love Fortune Cookies for Valentine's Day

What you need:

24 store bought fortune cookies (If you want them personalized, you can order online to customize the notes)
1 bag white chocolate chips (350 grams)
Assorted Valentine sprinkles
Wax paper

How to throw these together:

Set out a large piece of wax paper on your counter.

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In a microwave safe glass bowl, melt the white chocolate at 30 second intervals stirring each time until smooth and glossy.

Dip 1/2 of one fortune cookie into the melted white chocolate. With the cookie in one hand, gently tap the cookie with your other hand to let the excess chocolate drip off.

Once the extra chocolate has fallen off, sprinkle the chocolate with Valentine sprinkles. Set on the wax paper until the chocolate has hardened. Repeat this with 2 dozen fortune cookies.

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NOTE: You may need to reheat the chocolate if it has become too firm to dip in. Store in airtight container.

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Confuscious say, “He who opens empty cookie, must open another one to find love.”

Now, you have everything you need for a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Good luck fitting into your pants one month from now.

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To see more of Aunt Debi’s gorgeously simple food photography, follow @simplybeautifuleating on Instagram.