Share the love on Valentine’s Day

By JENNY HARPER

I’m glad that Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year. Without the busy weekday morning rush to get everybody off to school and work, we can take a little extra time to sit down together for a special Valentine’s Day breakfast.

These Heavenly Heart-Shaped Pancakes don’t take a lot of time to make, so we can enjoy a warm breakfast and good conversation. Sounds heavenly!

There are plenty of other simple ways you can show your love all day long:

UDress it up — Instead of the everyday dishes and placemats, why not dress up the table with the good stuff? Set a pretty table and sprinkle it with heart-shaped confetti to make the whole family feel special. A candlelit breakfast — why not?

UWrite love notes — Leave little notes around the house that tell your family some of the many reasons you love them. “I love your sense of humor!” “You give the best hugs.” “I’m proud of who you are.” There are lots of little things you can say to make a big impact on others.

UCreate some togetherness — Some days are so busy that it’s hard to tell whether you’re coming or going. So set aside some time to do something as a family — play a favorite board or card game; bake some heart-shaped cookies and enjoy them with a movie; go through family scrapbooks and photos. Spending time with each other is a great way to show love and make new memories.

For more ways to share the love on, visit Tollhouse.com.

Heavenly Heart-Shaped Pancakes

Makes 18 pancakes

21‚Ñ2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup (6 ounces) Nestl Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels

1 tablespoon baking powder

1‚Ñ2 teaspoon salt

13‚Ñ4 cups milk

2 large eggs

1‚Ñ3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for the griddle and cookie cutters

1‚Ñ3 cup packed brown sugar

3-inch heart-shaped metal cookie cutters (optional)

Powdered sugar

Combine flour, morsels, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Combine milk, eggs, oil and brown sugar in medium bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter may be lumpy).

Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat; brush lightly with oil. Pour 1‚Ñ4 cup batter onto hot griddle into the shape of a heart; cook until bubbles begin to burst. Turn; continue to cook about 1 minute longer or until golden. Repeat with remaining batter. (For perfectly shaped pancakes, brush inside of cookie cutters with oil; place on griddle. Pour about 1‚Ñ4 cup batter into the cookie cutters and cook until bubbles begin to burst. Remove cookie cutters. Turn; continue to cook about 1 minute longer or until golden.)

Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutritional information

Per serving: 210 calories; 90 calories from fat; 10 grams total fat; 3.5 grams of saturated fat; 25 milligrams of cholesterol; 150 milligrams of sodium; 27 grams of carbohydrate; 1 gram of fiber; 12 grams of sugars; 4 grams of protein.

XJenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestl à Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

Source: Nestl