Sprinkle Spoons: Guest Post by Mélanger

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to make some sweet family memories that you and your children will cherish throughout the years.  For our family, the heart of our home is our kitchen.  Rather than simply being a room where food is prepared and cooked, for us our kitchen is truly a multi-pupose space.  It's a place where our family and friends congregate during celebrations and get-togethers.  It's a place where discussions happen, values and skills are learned, memories are made, and life is lived.

One of the greatest joys in my life, besides being a wife and mama to an adorable soon-to-be 3 year old little girl, is to bake.  I'm incredibly passionate about baking, confection design, sweet styling and above all, putting smiles on the faces of other people...this brings so much joy to my heart.  Even sweeter than this are the opportunities I have to teach and share this passion of mine with my daughter...I love baking with my little pastry chef!

We've started a really fun tradition in our family...every Valentine's Day my husband, daughter and I mail out a Valentine's Day card (with pictures of our little girl of course!) and include a recipe for a sweet Valentine's Day treat on the back.  The recipes are always easy, fun to make and of course, super yummy and delicious!  This year we decided to try "Sprinkle Spoons".  If you've never heard of these decadent delights, you must try this recipe!  Basically this little treat is made with sprinkles and chocolate.  I'm not sure about you, but somehow I'm automatically happier when I know sprinkles and chocolate are involved!

Sprinkle Spoons

24 Plastic Spoons (Any Fun Color)

24 oz Quality Chocolate (Dark, Milk or White)

Nonpareils, Confetti Quins, Pearl Dragées or any other Sprinkles

Spatula (or a Book) for Resting Spoons while Filling

Cookie Sheet

Parchment Paper

Canola Oil (Optional)

Small Treat Bags (Optional)

Piping Bag (Optional)

1. Place spoons on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Rest spoon handles on a rubber spatula or book to level them out while filling.
3. Melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler.  If the chocolate it too thick, consider adding a small amount of canola oil.
4. Fill spoons about 80% full with melted chocolate using either a piping bag or another spoon.
5. Add nonpareils, confetti quins, pearl dragées or any other type of sprinkle.
6. Place in refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set.

For the complete recipe please visit: http://sweetapolita.com/2012/01/sprinkled-chocolate-party-spoons/.  This is a fabulous site that has lots of tasty treats and fun ideas!

Mélanger wishes you and your sweeties a very Happy Valentine's Day full of love, chocolate and sweet treats!!!