These Adorable Desserts Are Filled With Valentine's Day Candies
With February 14th just around the corner, there’s been no shortage of new Valentine's Day-inspired candies at our desks. From Ghirardelli’s new chocolates to a heart-shaped version of Reese’s iconic peanut butter egg, we tried every new candy we could get our hands on. After a very sweet taste test, we narrowed it down to three favorites: Dove Caramel & Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate Cheesecake M&Ms (available exclusively at Walmart), and Hershey’s White Cookie Cupcake Kisses.
But we didn’t stop there. Though we’d certainly never turn down a bag full of candy, there are few things we love more than a homemade baked good. Naturally, we combined the two to achieve the best of both worlds: Valentine’s Day candies tucked inside of decadent treats.
Salted Caramel Brownie Bites With Caramel Center
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a mini muffin tin with cooking spray, or line with mini muffin liners. Prepare a box of brownie mix according to package directions. Fill each cup about halfway full, place an unwrapped Dove Caramel & Milk Chocolate candy in the center of each cup, then top with more batter until the cups are full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the edge of the brownies comes out clean, 18-22 minutes. Let cool, then top with caramel frosting and sprinkle with sea salt. Makes about 24 brownies.
No-Bake Cheesecake With Cheesecake M&Ms
Beat 4 oz. room temperature cream cheese and ¼ cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until very soft and creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add ½ cup sour cream, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth. Beat ½ cup heavy cream in a separate bowl until soft peaks form; fold into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in one 8 oz. bag White Chocolate Cheesecake M&Ms. Pour the filling into a store-bought graham cracker crust and chill until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight. Top with rainbow sprinkles.
Mini Funfetti Cupcakes With Cupcake-Flavored Kisses
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a mini muffin tin with cooking spray, or line with mini muffin liners. Prepare a box of Funfetti cake mix according to the package directions. Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full. Bake until the tops are slightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool, then top with Funfetti frosting, a Hershey’s White Cookie Cupcake Kiss, and pink sprinkles. Makes about 40 mini cupcakes.
