Ah, Valentine's Day—the time of year when everything is adorned in shades of red and pink, and the sweet scent of love wafts through the air. As a dietitian and a mom, I'm always on the lookout for delightful treats that not only satisfy the sweet tooth but also make for a fun and memorable experience in the kitchen with my little ones.

Winston is getting more confident doing things on his own in the kitchen and so we’re opting for a no-bake adventure with our No-Bake Chocolate Nut Butter Heart-Shaped Rice Krispy Treats. This will allow Sir Winston to take the lead on the recipe with minimal help from mom, since these days the key phrase is, “I can do it myself!”.

This recipe is great for big and small kids, and allows for a fun sensory experience, using their hands to mix and mash the ingredients, form the different rice Krispy shapes or use fun cookie cutters, sprinkles, and other decorations to make their loving creations.

These heart-shaped delights are not only delicious but also a delightful way to spread love in every bite. So if you’re feeling cooped up with your kiddos on a cold winter weekend, give this easy, no-bake recipe a try!

Now, let's get to the fun part—making these sweet treats!

No-Bake Chocolate Nut Butter Heart-Shaped Rice Krispy Treats Recipe

Serves: Approximately 12-15 heart-shaped treats Prep: 15-20 min.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups crispy rice cereal

• 1 cup chocolate chips (dark or milk chocolate)

• 1 cup nut or seed butter (such as almond, peanut butter or sunflower butter)

• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Heart-shaped cookie cutter

• Valentine's Day-themed sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add crispy rice cereal.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and nut butter together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.

3. Stir in honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract into the melted chocolate and nut butter mixture. Mix until well combined.

4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the crispy rice cereal. Mix until the cereal is evenly coated.

5. Press the mixture into a lined or greased baking pan, ensuring it's evenly distributed and pressed down firmly.

6. Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the treats to set.

7. Once set, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the mixture.

8. Optionally, add Valentine's Day-themed sprinkles on top for a festive touch.

9. Transfer the heart-shaped treats to a plate and serve.

10. Enjoy!

This Valentine's Day, let's celebrate love, laughter, and the joy of creating sweet memories together. Happy baking! 💖