WIC Kitchen: Fun, healthy Valentine's treats

Feb. 14, 2024

By Mary Wade Burnside and Sarah Moore

Happy Valentine's Day! Chocolate is obviously a holiday go-to treat this time of year, but everybody knows that strawberries pair well with America’s collective favorite sweet. And red coordinates with the hearts that are a symbol of the season.
This months’ WIC Kitchen recipes not only provide fun items to create, but they are perfect if kids want to pitch in and help.
It’s been proven that the more children are involved with meal preparation, the less likely they are to be picky when they eat.
Raising children who are adventurous eaters makes it easier for them to get all the nutrients they need.
Speaking of nutrients, strawberries are great for managing blood sugar and insulin levels. They are beneficial in reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. They are really high in antioxidants and vitamin C, so they are great for immunity and cancer prevention.
This month’s entries, Strawberry Ladybugs and Frozen Yogurt Bars are easy to assemble and make yummy, nutritious snacks.

Strawberry Ladybugs

Ingredients:

1 pint strawberries rinsed and fully dried
1 pint blueberries rinsed and fully dried
1 bag melting chocolate (melted)
2 tbsp chocolate sprinkles optional for legs

Instructions:


1. Cut each strawberry in half lengthwise, then remove green caps by cutting a triangle at the top. This is where the blueberry head will go.
2. Melt chocolate and pour it into a piping bag.
3. Squeeze some chocolate onto a blueberry and attach it to the triangle cutout on top of the strawberry.
4. Pipe the middle line down the middle of the strawberry to create the ladybug back and add the black dots.
5. Dip chocolate sprinkles in melted chocolate (or lines of the melted chocolate) and attach them to the strawberry as legs.
6. Repeat with each strawberry. Have fun!

Frozen Yogurt Bars

Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk vanilla yogurt
¾ cup diced strawberries
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup granola
¼ cup chocolate chips
Honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Line a rimmed baking quarter sheet with wax or parchment paper.
2. Pour yogurt into baking dish and spread evenly on prepared baking sheet so that it fills the shape.
3. Top with strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips and granola.
4. Drizzle with honey
5. Place in freezer until the yogurt is firm, about three hours.
6. Cut into 12-15 pieces and enjoy cold.
7. Store leftovers in the freezer.