Say ‘I Love You’ With A Valentine’s Day Breakfast

Red Velvet Pancakes, Strawberry Almond Knots and Strawberry Smoothie

For most of us, Valentine’s Day looks different after parenthood. Once kids enter the picture, the day often shifts from reservations and roses to bedtime routines and early mornings.

Whether you’ve lined up a babysitter or not, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to lose its magic. There’s still room to celebrate—sometimes in simpler, sweeter ways.

One of my favorite traditions is a family Valentine’s breakfast, a small way to start the day before everyone heads off to school or work. And since Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, you can add even more fun, crafting valentines or paper chains together after breakfast.

I’ve been doing Valentine’s breakfasts with my kids since they were in high chairs. Some years that’s meant waking up early to cook something special; other years it’s been heart-shaped pancakes made on the nearest weekend. Starting the day with a love note and a favorite breakfast is a memorable way to say “I love you.” And if you don’t have time for that, there’s always a run to the doughnut shop.

Kids will love eating these on Valentine’s Day morning. For extra fun, serve with toppings of diced strawberries, whipped cream or shaved chocolate. Add more food coloring for a more intense red pancake.

Red Velvet Pancakes

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red food coloring

Cream Cheese Topping:

• 4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Mix pancake mix, cocoa powder and granulated sugar in large bowl until well blended. Stir in buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and food color just until blended.
2. Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto preheated lightly greased griddle or skillet. Cook 1 to 2 minutes per side or until golden brown, turning when pancakes begin to bubble.
3. For the Cream Cheese Topping, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar in small bowl until well blended. Stir in milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Drizzle or spoon over pancakes. Serve with maple syrup or strawberry syrup.

A package of crescent rolls is the shortcut to these sweet treats.

Strawberry Almond Knots

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 (8-count) packages crescent dinner rolls
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds

1. Combine the cream cheese, half the strawberries and almond extract in a small bowl and mix well. Fold the slivered almonds gently into the cream cheese mixture.
2. Separate the crescent dough into eight rectangles. Press perforations firmly to seal. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each rectangle. Roll from the short side, jelly-roll style. Stretch each dough roll slightly, and tie into a loose knot.
3. Arrange on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove to a serving plate.
4. Combine the powdered sugar and the remaining strawberries. Drizzle over the knots. Sprinkle with slivered almonds.

These smoothies are delicious. You can easily turn it dairy-free using soy milk and soy yogurt.

Strawberry Smoothie

Makes 2 large smoothies

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk (whole milk works well too)
• 1/2 cup strawberry yogurt or soy yogurt
• 1 small ripe banana
• 1 1/4 cups mixed frozen berries
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 2 tablespoons agave or maple syrup
• 4 large fresh strawberries

1. Place milk, yogurt, banana, frozen fruit, ice and sweetener to your blender. Blend until smooth. Thickness tastes vary. Add more milk if the blend is too stiff. Add more ice/fruit if it is too thin.
2. Lastly, pulse in the fresh strawberries, leaving some texture to the smoothie.