Food: Cookie Hearts

Hello Friends!!! It is Lori and Michelle from pure2raw. 


Today we have a super easy and super tasty Valentines Day inspired dessert!  It can be made ahead of time too! And another great part about this chocolate dessert is that there is no baking required, so whipping these cookie stacks can be done easily!

 

This dessert is made out of cashews for the cookies and is layered with a creamy banana cocoa mousse. Perfect for those chocolate lovers at heart like us. And any amount of chocolate screams Valentine's Day right? These may look difficult to do but promise they are not. An exquisite looking healthy dessert that anyone can do! Just our kind of recipe! We pulled out our Valentine day heart cookie cutters and decided to use 3 different sizes to make a cookie stack. 

We love desserts with layers. What about you? Recipe: Cashew Banana Cocoa Mousse Triple Cookie Heart Stacks prep-time: about 10 minutes the amount of cookies it makes varies depending on what size cookie cutter you use.  

Cashew Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashew pieces
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup agave nectar (maple syrup or honey would be fine, or even a few pitted dates)

Directions: Place all your ingredients into food processor and pulse till combined. You want the batter to be holding together but without being to wet. 

 

 

Place cashew cookie batter onto a cutting board and roll out. We used a rolling pin. You can use your hands (great for kids) 

 

Once the cookie dough is rolled out grab your cookie cutters and start cutting into the shapes.

 

Set aside the cookies. And the hard part now is trying not to eat them all.

   

Now time to make your banana cocoa mousse for the filling. Banana Cocoa Mousse Ingredients:

• 2 medium bananas
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• splash vanilla

Directions: Place bananas, cocoa powder, coconut oil, and vanilla into a blender and blend till smooth. Pour filling into a bowl and let sit in fridge for 5 minutes to set. This makes it easier to use on cookies for layering. Once you have everything ready time to begin building the stacks. We got three stacks with a few extra cookies. 

 

Place one cookie down on the bottom and top with some mousse. Repeat layers till you get a stack of 3 cookies. With our cookie stacks we did 3 different sizes of hearts so we started with the large cookie heart on bottom followed by the medium size heart and then topped with the smaller heart.

 

We feel with the 3 different sizes really helped give this dessert more personality and depth. But if you only have one size cookie cutter that is totally fine too. The stacks will still look amazing!

 

After building all our stacks we placed them in fridge and let them set for a few minutes. This makes them a little easier to eat. 

 

We hope you all enjoyed our Valentine Day inspired dessert! Making these cookie stacks are a perfect way to show that special someone how much you love them. 

 Enjoy! Lori and Michelle

Sugar Paper...

Here are four different ways to say - 'I love you' this Valentine's Day. However....if you're a romantic like myself.......these will do any day of the year! Via Sugar Paper.

- found via a little dash of ash

Food: Pom Citrus Trifle

Hello again MBG readers! It's Heather from The Lovely Cupboard, and I've got a something sweet to share today. Are you looking for a dessert to serve up on Valentine's Day? 


This trifle is fresh, light, and feels decadent all at the same time.  Pomegranates, navel oranges, and blood oranges not only taste wonderful together, but they have the look for the occasion too. Here's what you need to pick up at the store.

1. Start by cutting the navel and blood oranges into "supremes", or slices without the pulp. Set aside.
2. In a sauce pan, heat 1/3 cup of marmalade and 1/3 glass of OJ on medium heat until the marmalade has dissolved and the liquid begins to bubble slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Combine 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 8 ounces of mascarpone cheese (a soft, slightly sweet Italian cheese that looks a bit like cream cheese). Mix in an electric or hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
 (Typically 4-5 minutes)

4. Begin assembling the trifle by dipping the lady finger cookies in the marmalade mixture and stacking on the bottom of your trifle bowl.
5. Once the bottom of the dish is covered in cookies, add the cream mixture with a rubber spatula, spreading evenly.
6. Layer slices of the oranges and a handful of the pomegranate seeds.
7. Continue layering cookies, cream, and fruit until the dish is filled. Top with remaining fruit.
8. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.

Isn't it almost too pretty to eat? 

-images & post by Heather Freeman

DIY: Festive Welcome Mats

Happy Valentine's Day Made by Girl readers! Jenny May here popping over from the Swede Records once again to give you a quick n' easy DIY project.  

One of my oddly favorite home fixations are festive welcome mats.  They're a fun way to show off your personality as guests arrive and really make a statement before you even open your door.  My Mom was always one to decorate our home for every occasion, even on Valentine's Day so it kinda stuck with me.  
 

This year, I decided to throw a little Champagne Party for friends on Vday so I've been thinking of little ways to decorate.  With my love for Spray Paint and doormats, this DIY was the perfect addition that took under 10 minutes to make. 

 

Because the door mat I bought was so dark, I chose white as the base color so the red hearts would easily stand out.  I started off by spray painting with several white coats until the whole mat was evenly white.  

 I then took the heart stencil, carefully placed it over the mat, and generously sprayed the center with the red can.  

Once complete, I let the mat dry for 48 hours before stepping on.

I plan on making one of these for Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, and the 4th of July but next time I will use a bristle mat! If you all decide to make one of your own, be sure to send them to Jen or myself!

-post by jenny may

Fashion: Chic Valentine's Day Outfit

Hello beautiful ladies! Lauren here again, and I'm here to share with you lots of of hearts, color, glitter, and sparkles!

As Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I decided to round up a totally chic, color-filled outfit that is perfect for dinner with your man, or even a day at the office {which I plan to do!}.

{ image sources } : 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

1. Topshop Wide Leg Trouser / 2. Shopbop Equipment Blouse / 3. Steve Madden Blush Heels / 4. Ban.do / 5. Nars Lipstick in Schiap  / 6. Deborah Lippmann It's Raining Men

Not only will you be perfectly dressed for Valentine's Day in this outfit, but you will also be rocking the color block trend. Win win, right?! Have a chic Valentine's Day :)

-post by lauren wick man

LOVE...

Wow...Valentine's Day is around the corner - do you have any plans?

My guy says he's got a nice surprise planned, so I'm looking forward to our first V-day (in over 12 years) in New York City! Speaking of LOVE...have you thought about adding the newest GOLD love print from MadeByGirl to your home? Here is what it looks like in a home office...pretty huh?

You can get yours here. Also available in other colors!

 

-image via white lacquer