Well. Here we are. Two days after Valentines Day. The day filled with romance, roses and red stuff. Because you know. Valentines Day.
The day one gets so mushy and gushy (rhyme that with mushy for my sake :P), seeing couples (old, young, in that ‘middle zone’ where they can’t decide) holding hands and walking in rhythm… sigh… what a romantic day.
BIG HEART
The day that TV shows nothing but cartoons glowing red and giving their other half a kiss on the cheek with their hearts literally beating out of their chest, as if it would rip it apart.
Yeah, Jerry, you can’t hide that luuuurve on Valentines Day 😉
I have not met my other half yet. Nope, not heard a word or seen even a single hair of him yet. But I am a believer (and a sap for romantic Hollywood classics!). Who needs to rush into this anyway?
After all, who needs to be watching a sappy film in the cinema sharing popcorn when you could eating popcorn alone with your French textbook. Sexiest language in the world indeed, it had me hooked 😉
‘Ooooh la la, Monsieur Livre, tu es trop!’
One day, Monsieur Livre will be replaced with Mr Choc Chip Uru but until then, Monsieur Livre, keep up that… oh my god, I can’t say ‘Frenching’, ‘Sexy tongue’ or anything, it is all so inappropriate! God, the French… 😉
Now, I am but 17. I want to hear about your wonderful Valentines Day with your other halves! Were you swept off your feet with roses? Were you given boxes of chocolate? Did someone try to sneak you love potion Harry Potter style? (because that one is a keeper!) 😉
And in return did you bake/cook for them? 😀
Because if you did or if you didn’t, next year (or tomorrow, because you could say Valentines Week is continuing) you could whip them up something, so ooey, gooey and romantic 😉
This slice is gold. A little weird to make but once it is finished, it is the whole A-U. The base is so wonderfully buttery (I swear, I have never made a shortbread recipe which is so buttery!) and when combined with the delicious jelly-ish topping, it really matches, especially if said topping is bursting with tangy and sweet flavours mingling together.
Opposites attract no?
Strawberry Lemon Hearts
Heavily Adapted From: Blue Eyed Bakers
Ingredients:
Base:
- 230g butter, room temperature and cubed
- ½ cup icing mixture (icing sugar mixed with cornstarch) – can use regular icing sugar too
- 1 ¾ cup plain flour + a little extra
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 1 tbs vanilla essence
- ¼ tsp salt (ignore if using salted butter)
Topping
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 2 ½ cups caster sugar (don’t have a heart attack on me yet!)
- Zest from one orange (can use any citrus fruit)
- 1 cup lemon juice, fresh is optimum
- Red food colouring
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (optional – do not need to add this part in, in which case you will have a simple lemon square)
- Strawberry essence
- 1 cup flour
Method:
- Puree Strawberries (if using): Wash, dry and stem the strawberries. Place in a blender and puree till pure liquid. Sieve through fine wire and then set aside (no seeds!)
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking tin and set aside
- In a food processor, combine all base ingredients (except extra flour) and blend till fully combined
- Dust hands in extra flour (because the mixture will be damn sticky!) and press into the bottom of the baking tin, in an even layer
- Bake for 15 minutes or till slightly golden. Remove and let cool to room temperature on a wire rack
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, essence, lemon juice, zest and pureed strawberries together
- Stir through a small amount of food colouring until desired shade – make it a little bit darker than you want the colour because as it bakes, it will lighten
- Pour over cooled crust and bake for 20-25 minutes or until topping is set
-
DO NOT JUDGE THE MINI BURNT PART 😛
Cool completely on a wire rack then refrigerate overnight
- Cut using heart cutters and eat that gooey deliciousness
Note:
- It is VERY hard to make shapes out of BUT I think you will be fine in the name of Valentine 😉
Go Bake Yourself 
Interesting recipes, good pictures, very tasty resemble the Mediterranean cuisine which we do in Spain.
We invite you to visit my blog from Spain, with traditional recipes from the State of
Valencia.
http://valenciagastronomic.blogspot.com.es
This week “vegetables rice in Spanish paella” and the coming week ” traditional Valencia pumpkin fritters” going to lose?
In my blog you can find a translator to your language
I invite you to place this code html in your blog to have direct access with the news of Valenciagastronomic
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How did I miss your Valentines day post???? Well my husband and I pre-celebrated valentines day by watching zero dark thirty and having wonderful dinner at an Italian restaurant not to miss a swarovski necklace from him! Well these hearts look wonderful:)
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I was getting ready for my daughter’s Birthday party! I had 18 girls at home for the party. So this Valentine’s it was about getting things ready for my angel.
These hearts look adorable! How cute!!!
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Aww!! That is super pretty! Really love anything heart shaped! Happy Valentine’s to you! 🙂
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you may have met him and just not realized it. 🙂
lovely cake! anything heart-shaped makes me smile, but this is tasty to boot. 🙂
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I do associate valentine’s day with strawberries. These look very pretty and apt for such an occasion. Whoever you shared this with are indeed a lucky bunch!
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Strawberry and lemon! They are so pretty and I’m betting just delicious.
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Valentines Day is not just for lovers, you know. It can be celebrated with your family, friends or anyone that you love in your life! 🙂
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Wow Uru! That’s a divine treat, perfect for the occasion! Hope you meet your special someone soon!
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What a lovely recipe! I love any strawberry and lemon dessert combo! Yum, Hugs, Terra
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I spent the evening with my family. Quiet, just how we like it! You’re hearts look wonderful!
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i had tiramisu on valentine’s. i believe it resembles love? 🙂
Latest: Dine in the Garden
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oh I’m so impressed with the heart-shapes!
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What a perfect V-Day dessert! Love the combination of lemon and strawberry…so yummy. We went out of town with 4 other couples…had some yummy meals and good laughs.
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These are so fun and festive and so yummy looking. You are a very smart girl to be patient waiting for Mr. CCU. Love yourself first and become all that you are meant to be and the rest will follow sweetie.
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To die for 🙂 I love anything strawberry – I can’t wait for those ripe sweet and delicious berries. I will have to try this Uru!
Thank you!!
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My husband & I both were sick on Valentine’s day: We were being miserable together! 😦
Your strawberry lemon hearts look so appetizing & cute! x
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If I would have got these yummy lemon strawberry hearts for Valentines you would have stollen my heart 🙂
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Every year Justin and I celebrate Valentines Day at home – I came home to a bottle of Champagne, Flowers and Roasted Edamame 🙂 Since our first Valentines Day we have always cooked together – this year Spaghetti & Walnut Bella “Meatballs” with Gabbys (At the Veggie Nook) Sexy Cake!
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Enjoyed the post but it made me CRAVE something sweet and strawberry-ish 🙂
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What a sweet post! 🙂 YUM!
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i didn’t do anything for Vday, except hang out with my dog! that sounds bad maybe but it wasd the best!!! x
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I have the same cookie cutters! Anything heart shaped tastes better in my opinion 🙂
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These are so cute! Still waiting for the real life version of Ron Weasley to come sweep me off my feet, haha 🙂
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awww such cute adorable hearts. Got a sweetheart? =D
We don’t really celebrate valentines day, except this year I was kind of inspired to be creative. It’s more fun to come up with something awesome, just how you did it with the hearts. =)
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These strawberry lemon hearts are adawbs!!! I did nothign soecial for Valentines Day, but the next evening I caught up with my man friend and we exchanged chocolates – I think I did better than him as I got twice the number of chocolates!
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Your red hearts look absolutely adorable my friend!
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Now I wish to have heart-shape cookie cutter! Nope, I don’t own even one! xD Strawberries and lemon goes so well together and this dessert sounds perfect for any occasion. Even it’s heart shape it doesn’t have to be on V-day. 🙂 Lovely, Uru!
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Ahh, to be 17 again! All the boys that are going to fall in love with you and have you love them in return (and bake for them!!!) are seriously lucky dudes. The only advice this old lady who’s been there and done that can give you is to make sure they always respect you. If not, kick their butts to the curb! I love this idea and the heart shapes are adorable. My mouth seriously started watering when I saw the strawberries and the delicious puree you made. Yum!
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Haha I will definitely take that into account – I just got my drivers licence so it gets common to be horned or hooted (ew!)
Cheers
CCU
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We just stayed in and had fondue! I love these little shortbreads!
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Oh I am so silly, I didn’t realize the cake WAS the heart in the first photo. Hehe. It looks so delicious my friend, and beautiful presentation!
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Two excellent recipes! Don’t worry, you will meet your soul mate when you least expect it 😀 ❤
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Next year, I vow to be un-single, lol. This sounds ahhhhmazing, Uru!!
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The lemon strawberry heart looks so beautiful and delicious! Great job on getting that heart shape! Wish I had seen this earlier so I could try it out. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re shortbread are super duper cute 😀 Hope you find you’re Mr Right soon! xox
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So moist and delicious and a perfect way to celebrate Valentines day or anytime you want a sweet dessert. Guess what? I am planning a trip down under to Sydney in April. Take care, BAM
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Happy Valentine’s (belated)! Strawberries and Valentine’s go hand-in-hand like chocolate and peanut butter! Totally superb and delicious!
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very innovative recipe dear..dh is travelling.so single vth my 2 awesum boys
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Strawberries and lemons, great combo. love the bright red color.
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Lovely post CCU! I met my other half at uni, many moons ago. We bonded over music. You’ll know when you’ve found yours; and he will be one lucky dude! I received coffee in bed on Valentine’s Day, but the best part was going out for dinner. Love cooking, but it’s nice to have a break….
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my hubby and i do anything special on valentine’s day. for us, our wedding anniversary is more meaningful 🙂
but, that still doesn’t stop me from baking something yummy. next year, i am making your little hearts… they are so cute and pink!
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These look really really good and I love the bright red color too 🙂 Beautiful!
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These look delightful!
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No need to rush into anything when you have dessert like this! More for you. 🙂
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These are so pretty, Uru! And they sound so tasty! I spent Valentine’s Day dealing with flowers for other people. And then I went home and watched Star Trek. XD
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Strawberry shortbread? Where was this when I was making my valentine dessert? 😀
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Happy Valentine’s Day CCU! This looks like the perfect tempting treat to give to your loved ones 🙂 I love the heart shape!
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Oh bless, those are the sweetest hearts! Sounds absolutely scrumptious xx
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These are some gorgeous heart shaped cakes. I bet it tastes wonderful with all those strawberries in it.
I spent the V-day just like any normal day with my family. But I did cook them something special and a heart shape chocolate cake.
You’re so young! And you are absolutely right, no need to rush into meeting Mr. just yet. I believe he’ll appear when it’s the right time. 😉
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My V Day was very uneventful but we did celebrate the following evening! It just caught us by surprise! 😛
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I haven’t found my other half yet either! Sad to say I’m twice your age so I hope it happens soon. Love your hearts! So cute.
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Cute and delicious!
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Happy belated V day Uru. I love yellow filled sponges, (kinda reminds me of pink lamingtons!) No doubt your French will come in handy and you continue to bake your skills around the world, no doubt ending up in France with your valentine to be as you train as a top class pastry chef!!! (One day…)
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Alas I spent Valentine’s Day away, pining for my lost… laptop cord. Yes, sad to say I missed it even more than DH. But it doesn’t surprise me that you did something tasty and festive!
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Who needs the drama of a bf when you have a French book, lol. Mr. Right is worth waiting for, I love how you waited with Strawberry Lemon Hearts. Looks so yummy. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
-Gina-
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CCU, you have taken lemon bars to a new high!
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This is absolutely gorgeous. It’s funny how some things take cutters well and other don’t. But these look like they turned out fab with them. I love taking cookie cutters to food, it’s oodles of fun.
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Wow how yummy! Lemon and strawberry tastes so good together.
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Hope you meet that special person one day. For us we are celebrating 41 anniversaries. Valentine’s Day is always special and I usually make a nice meal with a special dessert and we spend the whole day practically in each other’s company. I usually get jewelry – how romantic is that?
Such cute heart cookies; creative!
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You too are much too cute in your love – I am so happy for you 😀
Cheers
CCU
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On Valentine’s Day I was busy driving my teenager around from one activity to the next! But my husband and I went out to dinner the next night. To me it doesn’t matter whether it happens on Valentine’s Day, but it is nice to spend time together.
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When Mr. Right walks into your life I’m sure he will instantly know how lucky he is to have found you. These little hearts sound delicious Uru and I must make them.
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How sweet! I love the strawberry & lemon combination.
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Beautiful colors on your Strawberry Lemon Hearts, and very Valentine-y indeed. 🙂
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Valentine’s day is another normal day for us because we don’t wait for such occasion to show and care for each other. We do it all the time. Lovely color plus the heart shape is fits the occasion.
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These sweet hearts look delicious! You never know you may have met your other half already! I met my boyfriend when we were 12, dated him for 2 weeks when we were 15 then didn’t talk to him again until we were in our 20s and we’ve been together for 4 years now! life takes funny turns sometimes!
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You will find your loved one when time comes and he will be mesmerized with sweet talk and drool worthy deserts.
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Sooo adorable !
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Oh Uru, These look fabulous! The layered hearts are so lovely…shortbread and fresh strawberries and lemon….Ooooo!
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Your recipes are always lovely and outside of the box of creativity! I love the strawberries, and that one picture of the strawberries in the blender is gorgeous. You have great patience my dear. They came out of the cutters looking like delicious hearts!! Yummy!
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There is nothing better than finding your significant other — but don’t find him too soon–you need to experience life and find your way yourself before you join with another — seriously I did not meet my sweetheart until I was 27, but I had a lot of fun before that and was ready to settle down (although I am not sure why this is settling down–I did not settle). This confection looks beautiful –so let your cooking and French books keep you company for a little while longer (I feel long in the tooth giving you this advice, and I guess I am–but don’t tell me)
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Thank you for that advice my friend (Pssst. wouldn’t dream of it :D)
Cheers
CCU
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I agree – there’s no need to rush. That’s what I tell my daughter every day. Prince Charming will be there all in good time. Beautiful looking hearts xx
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Delightful! Crunchy shortbread and scrumptious strawberries!
I baked us a beautiful Chocolate and Beetroot Cake (served with a Mascarpone cream) that was quite complicated in that it had so many different techniques in it (and 5 bowls to be washed up) but it is amazing! You’d love it. I’ll be putting up the recipe before long.
All the best to you
🙂
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That recipe, I will definitely be waiting 😀
Cheers
CCU
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Lovely recipe as always, CCU! Hope things have been going well with school etc. 🙂
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These looks so adorable…
Hope you are doing great Uru!
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Who isn’t a sap for romantic hollywood movies? 🙂
I spent my Valentines day studying for the midterm I had the next day. My boyfriend is in Russia so nothing romantic that day. I should have made this!
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What a delightful post, CCU. You always make me smile while I’m reading your wonderful recipes. We didn’t do much for Valentine’s but now I’m feeling that perhaps I could have baked something nice, and didn’t! I’m glad you reminded me that it’s not too late! 🙂
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Loving this cake/tart/strawberry shortbreadiness! Of course I baked foe Valentine’s Day! A whole week filled with chocolate- Death by Chocolate Guiness Cupcakes, Cookie Bottom No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecakes, and a Truffle Dark Chocolate Cream Pie. Yesssssss. Anyway- I’m spying on a variation of this dessert here for my little sister’s upcoming birthday maybe? Thanks!
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We had a belated V Day celebration last night and went to Pony Dining @ Eagle St Pier and stayed overnight at the mantra. It was amazing 🙂 I also made him a special nutella packed french toast for V Day dessert after a delicious Moussaka dinner. Plus I bought him a shirt, card, photo frame with necessary cute photo of us and a choccy. He shouted the dinner and hotel though so I was the spoilt one!
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Everyday is Valentine’s Day in our household. Well, in spirit, at least! We like to cook a big meal every Valentine’s Day, and a bit later go out to eat, so we get two celebrations. (We never go to restaurants on Valentine’s Day – it’s always so crowded that the experience can be a tad unpleasant.) Anyway, fun post – thanks.
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Oh your hearts look so light and fluffy, just perfect for Valentines Day. I had a double whamy Valentines, beautiful gifts in the morning of champagne, chocolates and flowers and then a 6 course degustation dinner courtesy of Zulu’s Chef 🙂 It’s in todays stary 😉
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Delicious looking dessert. Very creative idea, something that could be done on any occasion. Love and hearts is an expression for everyday. 🙂
Thanks for sharing CCU.
Chef Randall
savorthefood.wordpress.com
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Plenty of time to meet your Valentine. This year we celebrated it at home. Sweets instead of roses. 😉 (A couple of years back we went to a shopping centre precisely on Valentine’s day. It took us almost 4 hours to get there, so heavy was the traffic. We learned our lesson!) 😛
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Baked goods are always a bit more special with some color and shape. Great post!
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I spent the Valentine’s Eve make cupcakes. Your recipe looks delish as well. No worries—-the love of your life will appear when appropriate! 🙂
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Well, my wonderful friends (all girls :P) sent me flowers. 🙂 Happy belated valentine’s day! I’m young like you too, (16), so I’m still waiting for my prince charming!
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Haha my friend got me a gorgeous rose as well – gotta love girlfriends 😀
Cheers
CCU
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I bet you were baking on Valentin’s Day .. and in heart shape of course.
Personal I spent my day in the laundry room .. but to celebrate I had a big bowl of ice cream in the evening .. with catching up on my TV series.
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Beautiful.
What did you do with all the extra cut-out bits? 🙂
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Lemon is my weakness… add strawberries to that, and I can’t help myself. These look AMAZING!!!
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ahhhhhhhhhhh, such lovely, sweet, moist hearts.
May I have one?
Xxx Kiss for you, sweets.
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You may have them all if you visit 😀
Cheers
CCU
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Your strawberry and lemon hearts are a lovely tangible symbol of your love and affection on this day. Or any day, in fact. And tasty.
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A sweet gift to one’s self, I say! Beautiful, CCU!
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What a tasty little cake! All those different flavors – coconut, lemon and strawberries – YUM! My hubby and I spent V-night sitting on the couch holding hands, watching a movie, drinking a little wine and eating chocolate. Not bad for old married folks. 🙂
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How perfect for the holiday. The hearts look and sound delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
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Looks divine!
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Lovely heart cakes! I baked treats for lots of people, coworkers, friends, nephews, niece, and my own kids too! Hubby enjoyed all my efforts and he made a delicious dinner for ME!
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What a lovely recipe for this day of love, fret not you will meet your better half! I met mine when I was 14 and knew right away we would be married one day. And it happened 9 years later! 34 years later and married 27, I’ve never looked back!
My better half made me a Niçoisse salad with fresh seared tuna! I made crêpes Suzette’s for dessert!
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That is the sweetest story my friend – awwwwww!
Cheers
CCU
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Popcorn & your French textbook ~ Sounds like a match made in heaven 🙂
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How beautiful! Love the heart desserts. As you know, I did a heck of a lot of baking…they’re all posted :). V day, we went to a one year old’s birthday party and enjoyed balloons and party hats, no hearts in sight. I loved it. Hope you had a good one too.
Nazneen xx
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Your hearts are just perfect and your family is so lucky. I made brownies and my grandparent’s Valentine cookies to send to my family, but was late in getting them off. I just figure love continues, XOXO
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Love these lemon hearts and how perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day in my book!
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Awwwwww……what an amazing post. lurve!
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Strawberries and a buttery crust are a wonderful combination! Looks and sounds delicious!
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Uru, your dessert is perfect for Valentine’s Day. (Spring and summer too!) We had a candlelight dinner and I made Coquille St. Jacques, ooooh la la. 🙂 xo
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Oooh Michael would adore these hearts!!!!! He loves strawberry anything, lol. We haven’t had our day yet, we’re celebrating tomorrow, but I’m very excited 🙂 And you def. have time my darlin, you’ll find your mister in due time, yes 🙂
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Awwww have fun 😀
Cheers
CCU
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I’m now craving these lemon strawberry hearts, they look so delicious!
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Your strawberry lemon hearts are beautiful, I am solo so I baked and ate by myself, well not really solo the pugs were my valentines, they got a special treat that day!
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You are adorable miss Uru!
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A buttery coconut crust with strawberry batter…what’s not to love this, Uru.
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When I was 17 (a very long time ago) I thought of romance like the fairytale. Now that I’m an old married woman with kids…. not so much fairytale. But it’s nice. 🙂 Love the sweet and festive treat. 🙂
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Yummy recipe! And so cute for Valentine’s Day. Thinking back, I don’t remember we did anything special….cards and perhaps candy….we were both too busy!
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I love strawberries and lemon! I even make a marmalade that is lemon strawberry. Love your recipe and have pinned!
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The other half is out there somewhere – some times you have to go through a bunch of quarters, tenths or even hundreth’s before you find the “half” 🙂
Lovely treats made by a lovely lady 🙂
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Haha I will be mindful of that 😀
Cheers
CCU
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Mmmm, these are reminiscent of strawberry lemonade. They sound amazing- the perfect study snack, haha! Happy belated Valentine’s Day, CCU!
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You’ll meet him when the time is right! In the meantime, just keep on doing what you do…making delicious food! Those hearts look so tasty!
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yum yum yummm!!! best valentines dessert going round! 🙂
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Gorgeous! I was performing jazz tunes at an Italian restaurant so didn’t get to cook, but instead serenaded him with my songs. 🙂
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I’m drooling over that buttery shortbread crust and luscious strawberries! Novel idea — I want some of those heart-shaped cutters :).
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I spent Valentine’s Day with a group of friends over some pizza and good conversation. I made for them my lemon pancakes with pistachio mascarpone and blackberries. Your hearts looks delicious– definitely a recipe worth trying. And I’m shocked that you’re only 17, you bake (and take better photos) than most 30 year olds I know 🙂
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That sounds super delish, what a brilliant way to chill on valentines day 😀
Cheers
CCU
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A shortbread topped with fresh strawberries and lemon, it sounds amazing Uru! We´re not big on valentine´s day here, and I´m so glad for that. I´m kind of a heart renegade. Have a great weekend!
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