Hearts, Flowers and Everything Sweet

One more day until Valentine’s, and our hearts are starting to throb and our desire for something sweet is growing ever stronger. Not to worry. Your cravings are sure to be satisfied with ice cream, candy, cakes and more. And if you’re in the mood to make something for your honey, I’ve included a truffle recipe, which is incredibly easy to make.

Gelato Classico in downtown Campbell has your number for a decadent Valentine’s Day dessert. If you and your honey are out on the town, stop by for dessert and enjoy one of the rich and creamy gelatos or fruity sorbettos. Other treats include floats using all-natural root beer, cane cola or black cherry sodas with two scoops of your favorite gelato.

Gelato Classico also has a variety of candies wrapped up in festive Valentine packaging, some of which are now 20 percent off, including caramel corn nuggets, boxed Nirvana Belgian chocolates and decorative bags of Nirvana Belgian praline chocolates.

We all have our favorites from See’s. For my husband, it’s the Bordeaux chocolates and bars. And it must be the favorite of a lot of other people, too, because every holiday I have to make sure and get there early before See’s runs out. Want to make me happy? A box of nuts and chews, please.

The rich smell of chocolate hits you the minute you walk into the classic black and white—and this time of year, red—interior. And there’s always that sample you get to savor while deciding what to buy.

For Valentine’s Day, See’s is stocked with heart boxes filled with chocolate assortments, or step up to the counter and pick and choose your own selection. Chocolate Bordeaux, chocolate butter with walnut and chocolate raspberry hearts as well as sugar-free candies are a few of the specialty items available for the Valentine in your life. 

Cozy up with your honey and share some delicious treats from this popular ice cream store. At Cold Stone Creamery, you can create your own fantasy Valentine’s Day sundae from the incredible variety of toppings and the creamy ice creams made fresh daily in the store.

Cold Stone also serves its own Signature Creations, such as German-chokolatekake with chocolate ice cream, pecans, coconut, brownie and caramel or the Strawberry Blonde with strawberry ice cream, graham cracker pie crust, strawberries, caramel and whipped topping.

I hope you have a wonderfully romantic and sweet Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Orange Truffles

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 4 1-oz. squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• Finely chopped nuts (use your favorite)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine butter and cream, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped chocolate, orange liqueur, and orange zest; continue stirring until smooth. Pour mixture into a shallow bowl or pan. Chill until firm and easy to handle, about 2 hours.
2. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
3. Shape chilled truffle mixture into one-inch balls or egg shapes.
4. Gently roll each truffle in the chopped nuts.
5. Place on baking sheet and chill completed truffles until ready to serve.
6. Remove truffles from refrigerator one hour before serving.