salted caramel apple puff pastries.

Say it with salted caramel this Valentine's Day. Treat loved ones to this indulgent puff pastry dessert featuring caramelised Pink Lady® apples as the star of the show. Whether for a breakfast in bed with a hot cup of tea, a decadent dessert to finish a romantic dinner or a sumptuous sweet for a girls' night in, this recipe ticks all the boxes. Buttery puff pastry, sweet apples and dusting of icing sugar, finish with thick double cream to contrast against the deliciously crunchy textures. 

Plus, it's super quick to put together. What's not to fall in love with?

chocolate & honeycomb crunchie hearts.

February... the month of love! Whether you're planning a classic Valentine's Day or a cute night in with your Galentines, these chocolates make the ideal sweet treat for the occasion. They're super simple to make or give as gifts. Oh and if you like Crunchie bars, you'd probably be in. Crunchies are totally an acceptable Valentine date.

rose buttercream plant pot cupcakes.

With February as the month of luuurve, I thought I'd try my had at some Valentine's inspired recipes. I recently bought this rose shape nozzle which I just couldn't wait to try out. So simple to use with lots of different flower shaped nozzles too! I don't know about you, but I'd sooner have 12 flower pot cupcakes than a dozen roses? 

fall in love with mr kipling's bou-cakes this valentine's day + giveaway.

My true loves in life; Bakewell tarts and fresh bouquet of roses. Whoever knew that the two combined would bring so much joy? Forget anyone else, I think a certain British cake company might be this year's Valentine after this colourful (and tasty) delivery. To celebrate all things pink and mushy, Mr Kipling have teamed up with Forever Green Flowers to bring 100 limited edition Valentine's Bou-cakes to a few special someones this February 14th. Perhaps for an exceedingly good gift to your loved one ...or just to yourself. 

What's more, find out how you could win one for yourself below. A bouquet of Cherry Bakewells French Fancies, Battenbergs and pink roses delivered to your door. What's not to love?

vegetarian aubergine, mushroom and truffle no-meatballs.

If music be the food of love... actually, scratch the soppy music as I wouldn't mind a three course meal and a bottle of white. Any foodie will tell you that dining out or eating in is the best way to celebrate a special occasion. This Valentine's we'll be staying in and buying some extra indulgent ingredients to cook up a (hopefully) delicious meal at home.

With romance in mind, Expedia got in touch to see if I'd like to create a Valentine's meal idea inspired by a loved up location. Having been to Paris and Rome with my boyfriend over the years, the decision was a tough one. And then I realised, pasta duh? Italy it is! In true Lady and the Tramp style, I've created a vegetarian meatballs recipe that I'm sure veggies and carnivores are bound to fall in love with. A mix of aubergine, mushrooms and garlic with truffle and herb seasoning, simply mix with a rich tomato pasta sauce and your favourite slurp-able pasta. Buon appetito!

valentine's millionaire's shortbread.

a little valentine's treat for the one you love. perhaps make them for your partner in crime, to lure a potential date, for a girly singles night or... just scoff the lot come february 14th.  a twist on the usual millionaire's shortbread recipe, the layers are finished with pink coloured white chocolate and a drizzle of... more chocolate. 

valentine's bakewell tarts.

shopping list
♥ 100g butter
♥ 125 caster sugar
♥ 150g ground almonds
♥ three eggs
♥ strawberry jam
♥ 100g icing sugar
♥ 100g glace cherries
♥ 375g ready made sweet shortcrust pastry

to make your own pastry
♥ 200g plain white flour
♥ 100g butter
♥ one egg
♥ two tbsp icing sugar

i found this bakewell tart recipe whilst browsing on the baking mad recipe. and seeing as st. valentine's day is coming up, i thought i'd put the glace cherries in a little heart too. 

i used 4" x 4" baking tins to make 8 little bakewell tarts and used a little more icing sugar than the recipe actually says. not sure if this is just my sweet tooth!

i'm never really ashamed of using ready to roll pastry either since they're such good quality - of course it'd be better to make your own and i've never actually tried it using icing sugar.

this was a really fun recipe and my eight-year-old sister even managed to keep up. cracking her first perfect egg... a brilliant achievement for the little baker (see cheesy grin in picture six). so watch this space :) 

oh and if you liked this you might like my lemon and almond tart... with lemon curd instead of strawberry or raspberry jam.

happy valentine's! ♥