Robert Redford...

Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I'm sharing my valentine's favorite recipe of all time.  Robert Redford.  There are several variations to this recipe, and I even remember my mom using butterscotch pudding in it when we were little, but this is the recipe I have used for many years and the one he grew up with so it's not something to mess with.  Although, he seems to think the name, Robert Redford, is a little outdated and could stand a change...like to Angelina Jolie...but it just doesn't sound right, so Robert Redford it stays!

And just for fun, here is a picture of My Valentine and me!  I hope you all have a great weekend!

Robert Redford

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup butter, melted
• 1/2 Cup chopped pecans
• 1 Cup flour
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 Cup powdered sugar
• 1 container cool whip, divided
• 1 5.4 oz instant chocolate pudding
• 3 Cups cold milk

Cooking Directions

1. Combine butter, pecans, and flour and press in a greased 9x13 pan.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool.
3. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1/2 container cool whip.
4. Spread on top of crust.
5. Mix together milk and pudding and pour over cream cheese layer.
6. Refrigerate until set. Spread remaining cool whip over chocolate.
7. Top with additional chopped pecans, if desired.

Heart Cupcakes...

Valentine's Day is Saturday!  It's definitely not one of my favorite "holidays", but I still try to make it fun and festive for my family.  These heart shaped cupcakes are super easy to make and adorable!

Who knew that marbles would come in handy while baking?  Certainly not me!

I actually made heart shaped cupcakes for Valentine's day a year or two ago, but instead of using marbles, I rolled aluminum foil into a ball.  That works well too, but when I saw the marble idea that seemed easier and less time consuming to me!  I'm all about saving time!  We just so happened to have an ample supply of marbles because Santa brought the girls each a 100!  Now, if you don't have marbles, then the foil trick works too!

Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box.  Pour the batter into the cupcake liners.  Then place a marble in between the pan and the cupcake liner. (I forgot to snap a pick before the cupcakes went in the oven, but here is the after pic.)

 Once the cupcakes are cool, decorate as you wish.

How cute are these?  Perfect for you little (or big) valentines...;)

Heart Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 15.25 oz Box of cake mix
• icing
• sprinkles
• marbles

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare cake mix according to directions on box.
2. Place cupcake liner in muffin tins.
3. Fill liners 1/2 full with cupcake batter.
4. Place marble in between liner and muffin pan.
5. Bake according to package directions.
6. Decorate when completely cool.

Valentine Puppy Chow...

I thought puppy chow was something that was only made at Christmas until I saw a recipe for Valentine Puppy Chow one day while browsing the wonderful world of Pinterest.  You add red velvet cake mix to add a hint of red color, while also adding the flavor of red velvet which makes it taste a little different than the traditional Christmas one.  I made a few changes to the recipe.  The original recipe called for cream cheese and milk, but you had to keep it in the fridge, so I left those ingredients out and it turned out just fine.  I highly recommend making this for your Valentine;0)

Craft Time: Valentine Heart Wreath...

I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day.  It's one day a year where we are supposed to express our love to our husbands, fiancees, kids, etc.  Shouldn't we do that every day?  Why do we need a "holiday" to remind us?  So, I've never really been one to decorate for Valentine's Day, but this year I'm kind of enjoying it.  This has been such a looong cold, snowy, dreary winter so I thought some splashes of pink and red would brighten our spirits a bit.  Well, it did and I love how these look hanging in our living room!