food
Make ’em for your cuties
By Katherine Gillen
Published Jan 23, 2024
Katherine Gillen
Can we confess? We kinda love Valentine’s Day. Conversation hearts and temporary tattoos that say “UR CUTE” might be cheesy, but they also make our grade-school heart flutter. With that in mind, we’re keen on these 20 Valentine’s Day snacks that would delight any kid, whether you stick a berries and cream cookie in their lunchbox or whip up a batch of strawberry shortcake cupcakes for an after-school treat. Make ’em for your sweeties (but save a few for yourself).
RELATED
60 Fun and Easy Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids
Katherine Gillen
1. Berries and Cream Cookies
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
Instead of food coloring, the cookies get their pink hue (and flavor) from freeze-dried berries, which you can find online and in stores like Trader Joe’s or Target. We like a mix of strawberry and raspberry for the holiday spirit, but you can use any kind you like.
get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
2. Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
For a cutout cookie that looks super impressive but is simple enough for beginner bakers, try swirling food coloring into a simple icing, then dipping heart-shaped cookies for a tie-dye effect. Groovy, right?
get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
3. Confetti Crust Hand Pies
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
Normally we’re all for shortcuts, like frozen pie crust. But here, homemade is worth the extra effort since you’ll incorporate sprinkles for a festive touch. Fill them with store-bought jam and you won’t lose any time.
get the recipe
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
4. Heart Thumbprint Cookies
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Roses are red, violets are blue. These cookies are cute, and so easy…too. Use a seedless jam for the easiest, cleanest filling. This beats conversation hearts, no?
get the recipe
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
5. Jammy Shortbread Bars
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
FYI, these layered bars are surprisingly stackable for lunchbox treats. Just let the frosting set for a few hours before you pack them up.
get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
6. Animal Cookie Blondies
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
You’ll swoon over the short ingredients list and bake time (hello, 35 minutes), while your kids will go gaga over the pink and white cookies they already know and love. Rainbow sprinkles are optional, if you want to go all out.
get the recipe
Colin Price/Dinner Then Dessert
7. Three-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles
- Time Commitment: 4 hours, 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
Sure, chocolate truffles might sound too fancy for a Valentine’s Day snack, but hear us out. These come together with just three ingredients (and very little skill), so basically anyone can make them.
get the recipe
8. Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bark
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no cook
For a more low-brow (but no less delicious) chocolate treat, swirl together this chocolate bark and top it with seasonal candies. Last minute classroom parties have met their match.
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
If you’ve never tasted a homemade marshmallow, you’re in for a treat. They’re fluffier, softer and less cloying than the bagged kind—one bite and you’ll never go back. Bonus points for heart-shaped sprinkles.
Katherine Gillen
10. Strawberry Half-Moon Cookies
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
When February rolls around, we’ll take any excuse to transform a recipe into a fever dream of pink and red…hence these strawberry sweeties. They’re a fruity take on the classic chocolate and vanilla treat (also known as a black and white or half-and-half cookie), and come Valentine’s Day, no one will miss the chocolate.
get the recipe
11. Valentine’s Hugs
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <15 minutes
With four ingredients and almost no cooking time, even little hands can help put together these Valentine’s Day bites. We like the mix of white and milk chocolate, but regular Hershey Kisses would work too.
12. 5-Minute Valentine’s Snack Mix
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
See ya later, peanuts and raisins. This snack mix is all about sweet, salty and festive mix-ins, like pink and white chocolates, cinnamon-flavored candies, X and O pretzels and cereal for good measure.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
What kid wouldn’t want to eat their veggies if cut into flower-like shapes? This bouquet won’t get traded for a store-bought cupcake. (OK, it might, but at least someone’s kid will love it.)
14. Heart Shaped Valentine’s Caprese Skewers
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <15 minutes, beginner-friendly
If you’re already maxed out on sweets, channel your inner cupid with these sweet skewers instead. Older kids will love the tomato-mozz-basil flavor profile, and the heart shapes are too cute.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
These gooey brownies are entirely homemade, but if you need to save time, start with a boxed mix. Not sure which one is the best? Check out our guide.
16. Rice Cereal Valentine’s Lollipops
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Valentine’s Day sprinkles make them holiday-ready, but you could also swap in toasted coconut, chopped nuts or a chocolate dip. The red food coloring is optional, but adds a festive touch.
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Even non-bakers can get in on the holiday love with a handful of googly eyes and some pipe cleaners. Lunchtime has never been cuter.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
18. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
For an after-school Valentine’s Day snack, quickly bake up a batch of these fluffy cupcakes. What’s that? You don’t think it’ll be quick? The frosting is whipped cream, and the cakes can be made up to three days ahead.
get the recipe
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
19. Easy Chocolate Marshmallow Cups
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
The combination of milk chocolate and coconut oil means you can make these treats without having to temper the chocolate. The filling does require a stand mixer, but you could use jarred marshmallow fluff instead.
get the recipe
20. Valentine’s White Chocolate Popcorn
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <15 minutes
Sweet and salty are the key to your kid’s heart. Toss this white chocolate–coated popcorn in pink and white sprinkles or go the extra mile and add conversation hearts. XOXO.
RELATED
The 73 Best Valentine’s Day Desserts You’ll Swoon Over
Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
read full bio
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
About Me
As a culinary enthusiast and expert, I have a deep understanding of various food and cooking concepts. My expertise stems from years of practical experience in the culinary arts, including recipe development, food styling, and professional cooking in diverse culinary settings. I possess in-depth knowledge of various cuisines, cooking techniques, food science, and flavor profiles, allowing me to craft and understand a wide array of dishes, from simple snacks to elaborate multi-course meals.
Related Concepts in the Article
The article "Make ’em for your cuties" by Katherine Gillen provides a delightful collection of Valentine’s Day snacks suitable for kids. It covers a range of recipes, each with its unique attributes and time commitments. Let's explore the concepts related to these delightful snacks:
-
Recipe Development and Food Styling: The article includes a variety of recipes for Valentine's Day snacks, showcasing creativity in developing visually appealing and delicious treats. This involves understanding flavor combinations, presentation, and the use of seasonal ingredients.
-
Cooking Techniques: The article mentions different time commitments for each recipe, reflecting varying cooking techniques such as baking, no-cook recipes, and assembly. Understanding these techniques is crucial for planning and executing the snacks effectively.
-
Ingredients and Flavor Pairing: The recipes feature diverse ingredients, from freeze-dried berries to chocolate and marshmallows. Understanding flavor pairing and ingredient substitutions is essential for creating balanced and tasty snacks.
-
Kid-Friendly and Beginner-Friendly Recipes: The article emphasizes recipes suitable for kids and beginners, highlighting the importance of adapting cooking methods and flavors to cater to specific audiences.
-
Special Occasion Worthy Treats: The article highlights the significance of creating special occasion-worthy snacks, which involves considering the visual appeal and the festive nature of Valentine's Day.
-
Food Safety and Storage: Some recipes mention tips on preparing in advance and storing the snacks, emphasizing the importance of food safety and proper storage methods.
-
Creative Presentation: The snacks are not only delicious but also visually appealing, featuring heart-shaped, colorful, and themed presentations, showcasing the importance of creative food presentation.
These concepts collectively contribute to the creation of a delightful and engaging culinary experience for both the makers and the recipients of these Valentine’s Day snacks.
