Ways to Use a Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter

One of the best uses for a heart shaped cookie cutter in of course to make cookies. Decorating cookies made out of a heart shaped cookie cutter can be an enjoyable family project. If you are scared that little ones will cut their fingers then buy plastic ones. The plastic ones also double as toys for cutting out play-dough after you are done using them for St. Valentine’s Day.

You can sprinkle these heart shapes cookies with just about any decorations that you like including red glitter, pink glitter pink sugar balls and edible silver balls. He3t shaped cookies also look nice dusted with pick or red Jell-O powder or paved with thick pink sugar icing.

You can also take two sugar cookies and press jam or pink icing between them. Heart shaped cookie cutters can also be used to make Jell-O treats. Simply add an extra package of clear gelatin like Knox gelatin to a pan and let it gel. You can then use the cookie cutters to create the heart shapes. This makes great finger food for toddlers. The glittering heart shapes also make beautiful decorations for other desserts including cakes puddings and pies. The extra gelatin makes them stiff enough to pick up with your fingers.

You can also make mini cakes using the cutters to make a delectable valentine’s day treat. Yet another use is for making heart shaped ice cubes and centerpieces.

The cookie cutters can also be used as templates for cutting hearts it of construction paper. Simply trace a line around the cutter and then cut it out. You can then decorate the heart as you please. You can also use it to create heart out of a photograph. You can then trim the ribbon with whatever you like so it looks nice.

In essence the heart shaped cookie cutter has been used to make a heart shaped object out o anything. You can fill them with plaster, clay or paper mache to make decorations and paperweights. You can paint the result with latex or acrylic paint. You can even embed objects. Within the heart shaped mold is space to place a flower or shell or other curio along with acrylic plastic. This is a great way to make an elegant broach. Simply use feathers to create a brooch or ornament that says 'my heart has wings”.

You can cookie cutters themselves to make all kinds of crafts including sculptures of earrings and brooches.

Pink Foods for Kids and Valentine’s Day

My last blog inspired me to look up recipes for Pink foods. I have tried quite a few out on the kids and especially my small daughter who is obsessed with the color pink.

Here are some good recipes that will tickle your children's fancy!

Pink Potato Salad
6-8 medium potatoes, boiled
1 red onion, diced
1/4 c. dill pickle relish
2 boiled eggs (if desired)
3/4 c. Hellman’s mayonnaise
1/2 c. Catalina dressing

Several hours before serving, boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Drain and cool slightly, then peel and slice.
Pour Catalina dressing over warm potato slices coating slices well. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator until cold. Add onion, pickle relish, boiled eggs and mayonnaise. Mix well and serve.

My kids go gaga for this dessert.

Pink Fluff
2 small boxes Raspberry Jell-O
1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1 9 oz tub Cool Whip
1/2 cup chopped pecans or nuts
Dissolve Jell-O in 2 cups boiling water.
In a blender, combine Jell-O and cream cheese. Refrigerate until the mixture has thickened slightly.
Stir in the pineapple and nuts. Fold in the Cool Whip.
Rinse a silicone mold with cold water and shake out excess water (do not dry).

Transfer mixture to the mold and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
When ready to serve, dip the outside of mold into hot water for a few seconds to release. Run a butter knife along the edge to loosen the gel from the mold. Flip over onto a dish and serve.

The following recipe is the party version of the drink but I serve it to my kids all the time. I don't always add the soda water. The point is that the frozen strawberries make it nice and pink and add this really yummy sweet kick to the whole thing.

Pink Punch
6 (6 oz.) cans frozen pink lemonade concentrate, partially thawed
6 pkgs. frozen strawberries, partly thawed
6 (6 oz.) cans frozen orange juice concentrate
8 qts. ginger ale
4 qts. soda water
Ice

In each of two large punch bowls, combine half of each ingredient. Stir until frozen, lemonade and strawberries soften and break up. Add ice and serve.

I find making fun pink drinks like this is a good way of getting the kids to take their vitamin C!

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