Make A Fun Valentine’s Day Dessert Board

Whether you use homemade desserts, store-bought or a mixture of both, you can easily create a dessert board for the family, co-workers or your honey. The amount of sweets and what type are totally up to you. I used easy and affordable boxed cake mix for the cupcakes, added my yummy homemade rum balls and 3-ingredient fudge, along with pretzels dipped in white chocolate. 

Pricing is approximate, depending on sales and the brands you use. 

RUM BALLS

Makes 6 dozen for approximately $10.35

INGREDIENTS – 

1 12 oz package vanilla wafers, crushed

1 1/2 cups chopped nuts

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup rum

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

powdered sugar for rolling balls in

DIRECTIONS –

Combine crushed vanilla wafers, chopped nuts, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, and cocoa in a large bowl.

Mix in rum and corn syrup until well combined.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar to coat.

Store in airtight container until ready to use. Roll again in powdered sugar if desired.

 

3-INGREDIENT SUPER EASY FUDGE

Makes about 40 pieces for $4.65

INGREDIENTS –

1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS –

Butter a square pan and line with parchment paper.

In a microwave safe bowl, heat chocolate chips and condensed milk on high one minute. Remove from microwave and let sit one minute then stir to combine. Heat 30 seconds more if needed. Stir till completely smooth. 

Stir in vanilla. Pour fudge into prepared pan. Cool in fridge before cutting.

CHOCOLATE SALAMI

*I found this recipe in one of my very favorite cookbooks called “On Boards” which is a book of simple and inspiring recipe ideas for all types of gatherings by Lisa Dawn Bolton

Makes 2 (10″) logs for approximately $12

INGREDIENTS – 

1 1/2 cups finely chopped dark chocolate, at least 60% (I used chocolate chips)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 Tbsp dark rum

2 cups mixed nuts, toasted and roughly chopped

1 3/4 cups roughly crushed ladyfinger cookies, about 12 (I subbed vanilla wafers)

1/3 cup icing sugar (p0wdered sugar)

NOTES: You could replace the crushed ladyfingers with the same volume of other fillings such as marshmallows, candied ginger, dried fruit, graham crackers or digestive cookies. Just remember to crush or finely chop these alternatives. If you’d rather not use rum, you can use an additional 1 Tbsp vanilla extract instead.

DIRECTIONS – 

Add 2″ of water to a medium-size pot and bring to an active simmer over high heat. Place a heat-safe bowl on top of the pot, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water, and turn down the heat to medium. Add the chocolate and butter. Stir gently until melted.

In a separate medium-size bowl, mix together the sugar, egg, egg yolk, vanilla and rum. Add to the melted chocolate and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and shiny, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add the nuts and crushed cookies and gently fold in with a spatula until well combined.

Divide the mixture onto 2 pieces of parchment paper. Roll into a log shape of your desired circumference and length (3″ x 10″ works well). Twist the ends of the parchment tightly and place in the fridge overnight or in the freezer for 4 hours.

Pour the icing sugar into a shallow bowl large enough to hold 1 log. Unwrap the chocolate logs and gently roll them one by one in the sugar. At this point, the logs can be served or tied with kitchen twine to resemble a dried salami.

Keep the logs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for 3 months.