Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Homemade Valentine's Treats for Your Sweet

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hubby and I celebrated early with a little time at the ranch before I go under the knife later this week to correct a torn rotator cuff.

I relaxed on the dock with my favorite canine friend.
Hubby and I walked in the woods.
And God gave a beautiful moonrise over the campfire.
But now, the big day is here. The day we celebrate love. The day flower, chocolate and greeting card sales go through the roof.

I remember hubby's and my first Valentine's Day. It was a fiasco.
"Sure we'll go to dinner," he said.
"Have you made reservations?" His realistic wife lifted a brow.
"We don't need reservations," he responded. "It's only Valentine's Day. It's not the big a deal."
Well, after visiting three restaurants with nothing shorter than an hour wait (he does not like to wait), I told him to just run by the grocery store and we could pick up a couple of those surf and turf packages they had on sale and I'd fix dinner at home.
Yeah, you guessed it. They were sold out.

That was the year my husband learned that Valentine's really is a big deal to lots and lots of people. It was also the year I determined we would never attempt to go out again on that day. Instead, I would make something special at home.

I mean, why run to the store when you can show your loved one(s) how special they are by making them some delectable homemade treats, filled with love?
I make these Pretzel Turtles at Christmas, but they are perfect for any time you want a special chocolate treat. And yes, they are easy.

Here's what you'll need:
  • Pretzel Squares (if you can't find the squares, you can use the mini twists)
  • Pecan halves
  • Individually wrapped soft caramels, unwrapped (the only soft caramels I could find were Werther's)
  • Chocolate for melting (I've used the milk chocolate chips here, but I've also used the 60% cocoa chips in the past and they're just as yummy)
I'm sure you noticed that I didn't give amounts on anything. That's because you can make as many or as few as you like, just be sure you have equal amounts of pretzels, pecan halves and caramels.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Lightly toast your pecan halves either in a skillet on the stove or in the oven. Roughly 4-6 minutes, but be sure to toss them a time or two and watch them so they don't burn.

Set aside to cool.

On a lined baking sheet (I used a silicone mat, but you can also use parchment paper), lay out your pretzels and top each with a caramel.
Bake 3-5 minutes, until caramel is soft, but not oozing.
Immediately press a pecan half into each melted caramel.
While those are cooling, melt your chocolate. I put mine in a measuring cup then microwave it in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. You can also melt them on the stove top with a double boiler or nonstick pan over low heat.
Okay, now that the pecan-topped caramels are cool, remove them from the pan. Spoon a 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon of melted chocolate onto the silicone/parchment then carefully drop a pecan-topped pretzel into the middle like so.
Continue until all pretzels are nestled in chocolate.
Cool completely before serving.
These really are to-die-for. They're sweet, they're salty, they're chocolately, crispy and gooey.
Perfection.
You could place a few in a cellophane bag and tie with a pretty ribbon or simply serve them on a pretty plate. Trust me, your loved one(s) won't care once they bite into these delicious treats.

Now it's your turn.

Do you have a crazy Valentine's story?
Do you even celebrate Valentine's or simply think of it as another day?



Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com.

12 comments:

  1. These are so delicious and they're adorable and not hard to make. Mindy, I will be praying for your surgery and your healing and that they take SUCH GOOD CARE OF YOU.... Well, they're men, so ignore that last part, but the rest of it should work!

    :)

    Thank you for this, I'd forgotten how delightfully easy these are to make!

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    1. Yep, easy and delicious, Ruthy. That's a two thumbs-up in my book. Thanks for the prayers.

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  2. This is a great Valentine's idea!

    I'm so bad at celebrating Valentine's Day. I forget that it's coming, and then tend to forget to plan anything special.

    And like your husband found out, if you don't plan ahead, forget it!

    But then I always tell my husband that every day is Valentine's Day with him. :)

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    1. Aww, aren't you the sweet one, Jan. As our kids have gotten older, we don't have our special Valentine's meals anymore. We're too busy doing other stuff. However, I have been told that we're going out tomorrow night, so there's always that.

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  3. I'm swooning over the doggy at the dock pic...and the fact that it's water not ice. And there's no snow on the ground! Glad you have a Valentine's at the ranch before your surgery. Praying for healing and a swift recovery.

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    1. Oh, my gosh, Kav, the trees were budding and the grass turning green--and wasn't even the middle of February yet. That is just so wrong.

      And today is the third anniversary of us adopting Maddie. She has brought us so much joy. We just love her to death.

      I'm coveting all of your prayers. Thank you.

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    2. Our cherry and red bud trees are in full bloom around here! It's crazy!

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  4. I love these treats but have never made them. Now I want to!

    We usually go out before V-day just because we don't like to fight the crowds. This year, we went out on Friday night. We tried a new Thai restaurant and loved it!

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    1. I don't blame you for going out early, Missy. You still get to have all the fun, but without the crowds.

      Yes, you should try these. So easy, just takes a little time.

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  5. I love pretzel turtles, but I am laughing so hard.

    When I read the title and saw the dog picture, I assumed this post was about baking treats for your dog sweetie!

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    1. Mary Care, you're supposed to read the words around the pictures! ;)

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    2. Well, I've been trying to edit Mary Care to Mary Cate, but my phone hates me, so this will have to do.

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