HEART-SHAPED STRAWBERRY MINI-CAKES.

Say "I love you" to your kids this Valentine's Day by helping them make this delicious dessert. You will have to supervise your children, while they mix the batter and use the oven. But of course, you'll want to help decorate the cakes. After all, that's half the fun.

Here's What You Will Need:

1 heart-shaped mini-cake tin (makes 6 mini-cakes at a time - you can find these pans an fine cookware and craft stores)

1 (18 oz.) box strawberry cake mix

1 (15 oz.) can strawberry pie filling

1 (8 oz.) tub nondairy whipped dessert topping

1 bag Valentine candy hearts

1 (3 oz.) jar heart-shaped candy sprinkles

Directions:

Help children prepare cake mix according to package directions. Have children fill each section of the heart-shaped mini-cake tin 1/3 full with batter (Note: a regular size box of cake mix will make about 24 mini-cakes, so there will be enough batter for several batches of mini-cakes). Bake mini-cakes according to package directions.

Let cakes cool, then wrap the cakes in plastic wrap so they will stay moist.

When ready to serve, layer the top of one mini-cake with strawberry pie filling, then top it with another mini-cake to make a heart-shaped sandwich. Put a few dollops of whipped cream on top of the sandwich, then decorate with candy hearts and/or heart-shaped candy sprinkles.

Decorate only as many cakes as you plan to serve immediately. Save the others to decorate and serve later.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Carol Boles has a master's degree in Special Reading and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has over ten years experience teaching K-12 reading in public schools. She now manages her own business and is a member of The Lieurance Group, a freelance writers cooperative. Find out more about her writing services at http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com or email her at Cwrites-56@hotmail.com