Vanilla Valentine’s Day Desserts

This post comes to us courtesy of home entertaining and lifestyle blogger Jenny Steffens Hobick. 

When you think of Valentine’s Day, you probably think of chocolate. Not me — I’ve been smitten by the vanilla bean. The warm, subtle flavor of vanilla has swooned me!

I should clarify: not just vanilla, but the flavor of real vanilla beans. Using real vanilla beans in your cooking and baking can be tedious (scraping out the beans, etc.) and expensive. I’ve recently discovered vanilla bean paste. It has changed my baking forever!

Warm Vanilla Bean Custard with Meringue Clouds

I don’t think there could possibly be anything better in the entire world than warm vanilla bean custard. This easy vanilla sauce can be made in advance and drizzled on anything — ice cream, brownies, chocolate molten cake or fresh berries. It is amazing with the creamy, smoothness of the meringues, shaped in a heart for Valentine’s Day.

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

The rich, velvet texture of a cheesecake is the perfect match for the warm flavor of real vanilla beans. You don’t even need a sauce on this cheesecake. The subtle vanilla shouldn’t hide under anything!

About the author: Jenny Steffens Hobick, a home entertaining and lifestyle blogger, makes entertaining accessible and enjoyable… for the hosts and guests.  As a former caterer and party planner, Jenny shares her secrets to hosting casual and elegant parties. From table settings to recipes, her creative tips and resourceful methods inspire her readers to make Everyday Occasions special – whether it be a family style feast, elegant cocktail party or intimate dinner for two.  Jenny believes that entertaining at its best is done often, with an effortless and easy style.