Baking Valentine’s Treats With Kids: Nutella & Jam Pops!

A stroll through any supermarket in late-January/early-February will quickly make you aware that Valentine’s Day is upon us again! It will also make you aware (in case you didn’t already know) that Valentine’s Day is all about sweets—candy, candy, candy.

If you have elementary school children in your life, you are likely Creating Lovely Valentine's Day Cards and preparing treats for classroom parties. Here is a fun, inexpensive way to combine a craft with a not-too-sweet treat—and to avoid the candy aisle altogether this Valentine’s Day. Because, let’s face it, Nutella is way better than candy anyway.

 Just a few simple supplies to make these sweet treats!

Let me make a very important point: I am not a crafty mama. Cooking is my craft, and if anything crafty is happening, you can be sure it's happening in the kitchen. These pie pops are perfect, because as I've pointed out, they combine a craft with a recipe, and each step is easy and fun for tiny helpers with tiny hands—from the cutting to the egg-washing to the crimping. But, if your children are like my daughter, the sprinkling will be their favorite step, or maybe the eating... but I'm not sure we can count that as a step.

What you need:

Equipment:

• 3 large cookie sheets (or just one if you work in batches)
• 1 medium heart-shaped cookie cutter, about 2.5 x 2.5 inches through the middle
• 24 oven safe lollipop or popsicle sticks
• small pastry brush or food-safe paint brush
• a very small ice cream scoop or two small spoons for scooping the filling

Ingredients (Makes 24 Pops):

• 4 9-inch pie crusts, store bought or homemade; here is my pie dough recipe
• Nutella: about 1/2-1 cup, but no need to measure it out—just scoop from the jar.
• Cherry or other fruit jam: same as above, about 1/2-1 cup
• 1 egg
• Valentine’s colored sprinkles

To prepare:

• Preheat oven to 400 F.
• Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl mix egg with a teaspoon of water and set aside.
• With cookie cutter, cut dough and place 1/2 on parchment lined sheets. You should be able to get 12 hearts out of each round of dough which equates to 6 pie pops.
• Scoop about 1/2 teaspoon of Nutella or jam onto dough, don't over fill. Then brush edges with egg wash, place sticks in the middle of filling, and place tops on.
• Next, with a fork, crimp all around the edges, press down to seal the two pieces together. Then, brush tops with egg wash, and sprinkle with your favorite colors.
• Poke a tiny hole in the top of each pie pop and place in pre-heated oven for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
• Let cool completely before transferring to goodie bags or displays. A small drinking glass works well, or a funky antique wooden candle-holder you picked up at a thrift shop long ago.

Each step is perfect for helpers with tiny hands!

Now, if you want a more grown-up treat for after the kiddies go to bed, you need to bake this Crème Brûlée for your loved one and share it along with a Romantic Note. Happy Valentine's Day!

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