The day of loooooove is soon upon us, and although a simple Valentine is sufficient, sometimes we (okay, I) like to go a little further and offer up some treats for the kiddies, as well. Problem is, there are about a zillion allergies out there, so we have to be careful with what we give them. My son is allergic to nuts, and some of his friends are allergic to dairy and eggs, as well, so we always find out what is safe for them before sending anything in to school for them to bring home.
Here are a few allergy-friendly ideas for fun Valentine's Day treats that may work for you, too. Remember that many of your favourite recipes can also be altered to be allergy-friendly by following some of the ideas I posted HERE, as well. Always ask about specific allergies, though, just in case these don't apply. We know one little girl who's allergic to red food colouring, so obviously some of these ideas would be altered to be safe for her. If you ever need ideas on how to accommodate certain allergies, just ask me, I'm happy to help.
(photo and recipe source here, altered recipe to be allergy-friendly.
Ingredients
1 1/2 C dairy-free chocolate chips
1/2 C soy butter
3 tbs powdered sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher salt
Mini muffin pan
24 mini liners
Melt chocolate in double-boiler or in microwave (using short, 30-second bursts, stirring in between until smooth).
Combine soy butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt in a bowl until the consistency is right for rolling it into small balls.
Put liners into the muffin pan.
Spoon 1tsp of chocolate into each liner.
Using 1tsp of the soy butter mixture, roll it into a ball and place in the muffin cups.
Cover with another teaspoon of chocolate.
Place in fridge until set.
(my original recipe here)
Ingredients
6 C Rice Krispies cereal
40 regular-sized marshmallows
4 tbs dairy-free margarine
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 C Merckens pink chocolate melts (Merckens are nut- and gluten-free) or dairy-free chocolate chips (they won't be coloured)
1 tbs virgin coconut oil
Valentine-themed quins/sprinkles (ensure the ones you buy are nut-free)
1 heart-shaped cookie cutter
10 candy sticks
13x9x12" pan, greased with dairy-free margarine
First, make your Rice Krispie treats.
Melt the margarine in the microwave or on the stove, and add the vanilla.
Add the marshmallows. If you’re using the microwave, melt in short, 30-second bursts, stirring in between each melting session. If on the stove, continually stir.
Once melted, add the Rice Krispies and stir until combined.
Spread into an even layer in your greased pan and set aside to firm up (even better—stick the pan in the fridge).
Once firmed up, you can use your heart-shaped cookie cutter. Set aside the hearts and make sure you eat all the leftover bits, because obviously they’re calorie-free, right?
Next, melt the chocolate. I melt mine in the microwave, so I put them in a safe dish and add the coconut oil. In 30-second bursts, I melt them, stirring in between. You can, of course, use a double-boiler to do this.
Once smooth, you can dip the Rice Krispie treats into the chocolate in whatever pattern you choose, then immediately sprinkle the decorative candies onto the wet chocolate.
Set aside to cool, and once hardened, you can poke the stick in and voilà, adorable heart-shaped Rice Krispie treats for one and all!
(recipe source and photo found here)
Ingredients
1/2 C dairy-free shortening
1 C granulated sugar
1/2 C silken tofu
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2/3 C all purpose flour
1/2 C cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C dairy free mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and spray an 8-inch square baking dish with dairy-free baking spray.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine shortening, sugar, tofu, and vanilla thoroughly.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt with a wire whisk. Add to the shortening mixture and mix until just combined.
Stir in chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.
Spread batter into prepared baking pan and bake 30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
Cool completely and dust with confectioner’s sugar.
(Yield: 16 bars)
(source)
I used Merckens again for these, but you can actually use any nut-free and/or dairy-free chocolate, and if you temper it, they'll look perfect! (I don't temper. They don't usually last long enough to worry about that step.)
Ingredients
1 1/2 C Merckens pink chocolate melts (Merckens are nut- and gluten-free)
1 tbs virgin coconut oil
Valentine-themed quins/sprinkles (ensure the ones you buy are nut-free)
parchment-paper lined baking sheet
Melt the chocolate. You can melt it in the microwave in a safe dish and add the coconut oil. In 30-second bursts, melt them, stirring in between. You can, of course, use a double-boiler to do this, also stirring while it melts.
Once smooth, dip the strawberries in, and then immediately dip them in candies or quins that you've chosen.
Lay on parchment paper till hardened.
These look adorable served in mini muffin cups.
(source)
Ingredients
20 candy sticks
60 regular-sized marshmallows (3 per stick)
2 C Merckens melting wafers or dairy-free chocolate chips
Quins or candies to decorate the pops (be sure to choose allergy-safe ones)
1 tbs coconut oil
parchment paper-lined baking sheet
Melt the chocolate. You can melt it in the microwave in a safe dish and add the coconut oil. In 30-second bursts, melt them, stirring in between. You can, of course, use a double-boiler to do this, also stirring while it melts. Put three marshmallows on each candy stick. Once smooth, dip the marshmallows in. You may need to spoon the chocolate over them to get good coverage. Once covered, immediately dip into quins, or place candies on the chocolate before it hardens. Lay on parchment paper to harden.
(source)
Ingredients
Ridged potato chips (quantity depends on how many you'd like to make)
Dairy-free chocolate chips (1 C goes a long way!)
1 tbs coconut oil
Parchment paper-lined baking sheet
Melt the chocolate. You can melt it in the microwave in a safe dish and add the coconut oil. In 30-second bursts, melt them, stirring in between. You can, of course, use a double-boiler to do this, also stirring while it melts.
Once smooth, dip the chips into the chocolate and lay on parchment paper to set.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Whether you embrace the romance of or refuse to partake in forced declarations of love, our Valentine’s Day page is filled with articles, crafts, activities, and food to fit your mood.
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