tips for teens.

☞ valentine's day treats

pink heart-shaped pancakes 

what you'll need:
• pancake mix
• red food coloring
• heart shaped cookie cutter (optional)

 1. make your batter using your pancake mix. add a few drops of red food coloring to make it pink.
 2. put a heart shaped cookie cutter on your pan (optional) and pour your batter in it.
3. cook and serve!

chocolate dipped brownies 
—
what you need:
• 2 sticks butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
—
frosting:
• heart shaped cookie cutter
• sprinkles
• candy melts or chocolate of your choice
—
 1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. grease and flour an 8 inch square pan
 2. melt 1/2 cup butter in a large saucepan. turn off heat and add sugar, eggs and vanilla, then the rest of the ingredients
 3. bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes
 4. wait for brownies to cool completely
 5. use cookie cutter to cut heart shapes
 6. melt candy melts or chocolate in a bowl. you can add red or pink food coloring if it's white chocolate!
 7. dunk the tops of your brownies into it. put sprinkles or other festive decor if you want!
 8. place on wax paper to harden, then serve!

Super Soft Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

2 eggs

8 ounces sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

4 teaspoons baking powder

approximately 4 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream together butter and sugar. Add remaining wet ingredients; eggs, sour cream & vanilla. In a separate medium bowl combine salt, baking soda & baking powder. Slowly mix into wet ingredients until combined. Finally, add flour slowly, adding more or less if needed.

Let the dough chill for at least an hour, although longer is preferable. (I suggest sticking it in the freezer for 5 minutes before rolling out) Roll out dough on a well floured surfaced and cut into shapes. Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on size.

Keys to the cookies: Roll the dough at least 1/4 inch thick and don't overbake.