We think Valentine’s Day is one of the sweetest days of the year. It’s a day to celebrate the ones you love, whether they’re your best friend, your mother, or your sweetheart. We’ve put together a Gift Guide so you can make your own Valentine’s gifts for all the dear ones in your life. Let the labour of love begin.
Old-fashioned Vanilla & Brown Sugar Scrub
Whether it’s for your mom, best friend or significant other, this sugar scrub uses all natural ingredients to leave skin feeling soft and touchable.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup (250 mL) Redpath Dark Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp (5 mL) Pure Vanilla
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) honey (optional for dry skin)
What to do:
1. Mix olive oil and vanilla.
2. Add sugar (and honey) and mix well.
3. Transfer to a mason jar or container of your choice and personalize.
Crafty Tips:
We used a mason jar to store our sugar scrub. Mason jar lids are easy to decorate because you can place any fabric or paper between the inlay and the outer screw top. We created our own labels out of a pretty textured paper and rub on lettering that we found at a craft store.
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Nothing tastes better than real cocoa in your chocolate milk. Once you try this homemade syrup recipe, you’ll never buy pre-made again. It’s quick, easy and delicious, put it in chocolate milk or drizzle it over ice cream.
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Redpath Granulated White Sugar
- 3/4 cup (175 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (250 mL) water
- dash of salt
- 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
What to do:
1. In a small saucepan, add sugar, cocoa, and salt. Whisk together gently. Add water.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat and cook 1 minute.
4. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool. Store in the refrigerator.
Crafty Tips:
We found a small vinegar bottle at a dollar store that we thought would be perfect for the chocolate syrup. Then we made a cute little personalized card and attached it with string with two straws. Sharing this chocolate milk with someone special will make you feel like a kid again.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
These brownies are the perfect amount of sweet and the colour is so fitting for Valentine’s Day. Give these to your loved one with a message of your own and you’ll be more loved than ever.
What you’ll need:
Brownies:
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter
- 2-oz (55g)dark chocolate, coursely chopped
- 1 cup (250 mL) Redpath Granulated White Sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) red food colouring
- 2/3 cup (150 mL) all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
Cheesecake:
8 oz (230mL) cream cheese room temperature
1/3 cup (75 mL) Redpath Granulated White Sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the bottom and the sides of an 8 inch (20 cm) metal baking pan. You can also line with parchment paper, be sure to butter the paper.
2. Melt butter and chocolate together, stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool.
3. Whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla and food colouring. Add the chocolate mixture, stirring until smooth.
4. Add flour and salt, stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly.
5. Now to prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Spoon the cheesecake mixture in dollops onto the brownie mixture. Swirl mixture with knife to make a marble texture.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set (check with a toothpick).
8. Let cool and serve.
Crafty tips:
We used chalkboard paper that we found at an art supply store to make mini signs with toothpicks and craft paper. Make any message you like to surprise your loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
Mug Hugger Cookies
These delicious sugar cookies will go perfectly with your favourite warm drink to cuddle up with.
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) butter, softened
- 2 cups (500 ml) Redpath Granulated White sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
- 5 cups (1.25 L) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
- 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
What to do:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-8 mm) thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter (we chose a heart for Valentines Day). Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.
Crafty Tips:
We wanted our cookies to be a cute accessory to a warm (or cold) drink. We chose a cookie that was firm enough to cut a slit in the side to be hooked over the lip of a mug. We think this makes a really nice presentation for tea time.
