Sweet Treats for Your Sweetie

Ah, it’s that time of year when romantic minds are on hearts, flowers, love—and chocolate. On Valentine’s Day, you just can’t do without it, and Feb. 14 gives us all an excellent excuse to indulge.

Luckily for us in Santa Cruz, we have three fabulous candy makers, and they’ve filled their stores with all sorts of tasty treats beautifully packaged in red heart boxes, colorful bags and even disguised as roses.

And if you’re in the mood to surprise your Valentine with something homemade, I have a dessert recipe that’s not only delicious, it’s easy to make.

Mackenzies' roots go back to Thelma Mackenzie, who enjoyed making chocolates in her own kitchen for friends and family, and I imagine the only difference between then and now is the incredible variety of chocolates available in the store or by special order. This company crafts specialty chocolates in the shape of airplanes, computers, buildings and more. For Valentine’s Day, it has some beautiful choices, such as truffles nestled in edible chocolate hearts, a pretty floral heart-shaped box filled with delicious assorted chocolates, a heart box of caramel roses with amazing detail, and a chocolate sucker on a green “stem.”

Marini’s has three locations—downtown on Pacific Avenue, the Santa Cruz Wharf and the Beach Boardwalk—and they’re all ready for Valentine’s Day with just about any kind of candy you can think of, including old favorites such as giant suckers, rock candy and Marini's famous salt water taffy. If it’s chocolate you’re after, Marini’s has plenty to choose from, all handmade: a variety of truffles, cut-to-order fudge, chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate combined with nuts, mint, orange peels and more.

Donnelly’s award-winning chocolates are all handmade by Richard Donnelly, who studied with master chocolatiers in Paris and Brussels before opening his store in Santa Cruz in 1988. Using fine French and Belgian chocolate, Donnelly crafts assorted truffles, caramels, chocolate bars wrapped in Japanese paper and—it’s Valentine’s right?—chocolate massage oil. Completely edible, the massage oil is made with grape seed, almond and olive oils and dark chocolate. Donnelly’s also has chocolate-making classes, perhaps a nice gift for your Valentine. And you both reap the benefits!

Have a happy and romantic Valentine’s Day, and may Cupid’s bow find its way to your heart.

Orange Liqueur-Infused Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Special equipment: marinade injector or syringe

Ingredients

    * 12 fresh strawberries

    * 1/2 to 2/3 cup orange liqueur

    * 12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped (or 12 oz. bag semisweet chocolate chips)

    * 2 tablespoons butter

    * 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

1. Rinse strawberries and dry thoroughly.

2. Using the marinade injector, inject approximately 2 teaspoons of liqueur into each berry. Place them on a plate and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

3. Melt the semisweet chocolate and butter in a double boiler, stirring occasionally until melted.

4. Stir heavy cream and 1/4 cup of liqueur into chocolate mixture.

5. Dip strawberries into chocolate, and then place on waxed paper.

6. Let chocolate set, then serve or store in refrigerator or cool location until ready to serve.

Note: Alternatively, the finished chocolate mixture can be added to a fondue pot and the strawberries can be dipped and eaten at the table.