Valentine’s Day Recipes to Make with the Kids

Nothing says “I love you” on Valentine’s Day like homemade sweet treats. This year, spread the love while getting the kids into the kitchen with one of these family-friendly Valentine’s Day recipes. From hand-rolling rich chocolate truffles to decorating sugar cookies, kids will feel proud of their creations and empowered in the kitchen. Plus, these goodies make great gifts — if your kids can bear to part with them, that is.

If you’re not used to baking with your kids, never fear. Even the youngest child can act as your sous chef by pouring pre-measured ingredients into the bowl and mixing away. Yes, things might get a little messy, but it’s well worth the clean up for the memorable bonding experience. Plus, with practice they’ll be skilled bakers in no time. As a bonus it’s a great indoor activity to keep the kids busy on a biting winter day!

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Reminiscent of oatmeal cookies, these chocolate-studded bars are packed with rolled oats and whole wheat flour, making them a healthy-ish choice as far as sweets go. And, since you just pour the mixture into a pan and cut after it’s baked, these are much simpler to make with kids than cookies that need to be rolled out and individually cut.

Chocolate Truffles 

For a really hands-on recipe, try your luck with these homemade chocolate truffles. Messy in the best possible way, this decadent recipe is perfect for kids who like to get their hands dirty—literally. Kids will love shaping the truffles into balls and of course licking their fingers when it’s all over.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

With it’s deep red color and rich chocolate flavor, red velvet cake is the ultimate Valentine’s Day recipe. Kids will love using the electric mixer (heavily supervised of course), and will get a kick out of these colorful cupcakes. The glazed pecans are divine, but you could also skip them and top with some festive and decidedly kid-friendly sprinkles instead.

Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cake 

If you want red velvet cake with less fuss, then grab a box of our red velvet Bundt cake mix for a tasty treat made in just one bowl. The kids can still help crack eggs, measure liquids, and stir, but with less cleanup at the end. Though any Bundt pan will work, a heart-shaped one would be particularly apropos.

Kids’ Sugar Cookies 

And, of course, you’ll want to decorate cookies, right? Be sure to check out our kid-oriented sugar cookie recipe complete with tips on decorating. Since these need to chill for at least an hour, you can make the whole recipe with the kids or prep the dough in advance and just have the little ones help cut out the cookies and decorate (let’s be real – that’s the best part anyway!).