Sugar Cookies for Valentine’s Day

Cake and cookie designer Ally Plummer shares her recipe for sugar cookies today that’s perfect for a Valentine treat.

To add elegance to sugar cookies, frost and monogram with your Valentine’s initial. This is a wonderful gift idea for neighbors.  Attach a note that says, “We are blessed to have you as neighbors.”

2/3 cup shortening, 3/4 cup sugar, 6 ounces butter at room temperature (1 1/2 sticks), 1 egg, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 3 1/2 cups flour

Mix dough and chill in fridge for at least two hours. Roll dough to a 1/4″ thickness with a floured rolling pin. Use cookie cutters of choice. Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes.

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Fiesta Cheesecake

It may say cheesecake, but don’t let the name fool you–this is not a dessert, it’s actually a dip. Lovely to look at and marvelous to eat, Fiesta Cheesecake is perfect for a tailgate party or a nice buffet table. My mom made Fiesta Cheesecake for the first time years ago for my brother’s wedding reception. It was such a hit that by the time I got to it, it was all gone!

Mom makes Fiesta Cheesecake in a heart-shaped springform pan, but you can certainly use a round a one if you prefer. The heart-shape pan would make it perfect for a valentine get-together this month. By the way, this recipe easily feeds a crowd. Serve with tortilla chips and salsa on the side.

Fiesta Cheesecake
Wilma Kitchens

1 1/2 cups finely crushed tortilla chips
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cup (10 ounce) shredded Monterrey Jack cheese with peppers
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
1/2 cup of each: chopped green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 medium tomato, diced
1 small can of sliced or chopped black olives, drained

Press tortilla chips and butter into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.

Beat cream cheese, eggs (one at a time), cheese, chilies, and ground pepper. Pour into pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool.

To save for later: wrap in Saran wrap followed by aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months. When you are ready to serve, let it thaw in the fridge.

To serve: Spread sour cream on top and top with green, yellow, and red chopped bell peppers and chopped green onions. Sprinkle chopped or sliced black olives on top. Serves 25.

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Romance, Passion, and Deep Love

So often we think about Valentine’s Day being a romantic celebration.  And it is.  However, you can bring so much more depth to that romance in your marriage then just dinner and a dozen red roses.

Valentine’s Day is the celebration of marriage.  God created the idea of marriage, at least in part, to represent His intimate relationship with us.  Marriage is a covenant between three, not just two, but we often leave out the main One when we celebrate our marital love.  You can only truly be in love with your husband as much as you are in love with Jesus and allow His love to overflow through you.  And that’s what we all want, right?  A marriage full of romance, passion and deep love.

To make your Valentine’s Day especially full, meaningful and romantic change your focus this season.  You will need to work ahead, so start now.  You have two weeks to prepare for your marriage celebration.  Here are some ideas to have a Holy Heart this Valentine’s Day:

Spend time in prayer specifically for your marriage.

Confess to God and your husband any sin you’ve committed against him, grudge you’ve been holding onto and fears you have.

If he confesses to you, be prepared to forgive.  It may not be easy, so go into this ‘prayed up’.

Ask the Lord to give you a clean heart before each other so that your intimacy can be pure and complete.

Pray Scripture for your husband and your marriage.

Consider fasting for your marriage for a day or week before Valentine’s day, breaking your fast in time to celebrate.

When you celebrate your physical love remember the freedom God has given you through Jesus.  Your private moments are God’s special gift to you both.  Plan for it, prepare for it, and choose to engage with your husband in this way as worship to God, thanking Him that He knows you even more intimately than that.

If your husband is a believer, suggest that you pray together before or even during your intimate bedroom moments to actively include God in every part of your marriage.  If he is not in agreement with that, pray quietly all the while, giving thanks to God for what He has gifted to you.

A holy heart before God is the best way to be prepared to experience the fullness of romance, love and passion this Valentine’s Day.  And the best part?  It’s not reserved just for February 14^th!

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Valentine Project Links

Gum Stick Cards..too sweet!

Chocolate Dipped Cupid Hearts…marshmallows plus chocolate, what’s not to love?

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