Valentine's Day Treats

Better-for-you treats for YOU or someone you love.

I am a firm believer in the BYOV (Be Your Own Valentine) way of life, so celebrate love this week by making one—or all— of these better-for-you treats for yourself, or for someone special to you. Enjoy!

---

Carrot Cake Muffins With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo by Tom McCorkle and food styling by Lisa Cherkasky; for The Washington Post

These muffins have a cupcake vibe, bringing you the craveable flavors of carrot cake in a better-for-you way, with a modest amount of sugar and healthier oil instead of butter. Applesauce added to the batter provides a naturally sweet boost and makes the muffins extra moist, and their delightful little dollops of frosting are sweetened with a touch of maple syrup.

---

Dark Chocolate Pretzel Clusters

Photo by Quentin Bacon and food styling by Lori Powell and Adeena Sussman

Chocolate with a salty crunch is all the rage now - even the mass market candy makers have caught on. But some of us are long-time devotees. Dark chocolate-covered pretzels have been a favorite of mind since childhood, so when I found myself with a bag of broken pretzels what else could I do but smother them in the best quality chocolate and turn them into a mouthwatering candy cluster.

---

Chocolate Haystacks with Crushed Strawberries

Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post

Shredded wheat cereal stirred into melted chocolate gives you an almost cookie-like confection made extra festive with a sprinkle of red, freeze-dried strawberries. Whole grain, fruit and chocolate -- that covers most of the food groups, right? Hehehe.

---

Thank you for reading my newsletter! I’m glad you are here, and I am happy to be able to provide this content for free, but I hope you will consider becoming a paid subscriber and supporting this work. Here’s what paid subscribers get in addition to the free bi-weekly newsletter:

• Two additional newsletters each month with exclusive recipes and tips (so you will have a newsletter in your inbox each week).

• Members-only videos with tips, technique demos and Q and As

• Access to my “secret stash” of recipes that are not on my website

• More in-depth info on hot food and nutrition topics

• Ability to comment on posts and ask questions