Proverbs 15:17 says: “Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”

During this season of love it makes me smile to know that not only is love vital, but also that certain foods were considered preferable to others even way back then.

For me, dessert is my downfall. I love all desserts so much. Eating only sweets would be disastrous to my health, but every once in a while a splurge is good for the soul. So, I treat myself but make sure I am also eating “small servings of vegetables with love”.

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Ecclesiastes 9:7.

Okay, I know that doesn’t mean I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want. Wouldn’t that be fun! But Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a yummy treat.

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5

When I was young, you could buy a whole box of chocolate-covered cherries for about a dollar. That was a lot of yumminess for such a low price! I asked for a box for every holiday. I still remember how the centers would melt in my mouth. I found out quickly that you had to pop the whole candy in your mouth at once. Trying to take a bite only made a mess down your chin.

Ann Kirsten

I’ve been partial to any chocolate/cherry combination ever since those childhood days. So when I came upon this lovely recipe some years back, I knew I had to try it. And since I had cherries in my freezer and Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, I knew it was the perfect time to bake some again. And did I mention that these are really easy to whip up?

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

Ann Kirsten

Ingredients:

½ cup of butter (1 cube) melted
1 cup of light brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup fresh or frozen cherries halved

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 x 8” pan with foil and lightly spray with oil.

Mix the melted butter and brown sugar together. Add the egg and vanilla and stir to combine. Pour in the flour and salt and stir only until mixed (over-stirring would make the bars tough). Stir in the cherries and chocolate chips.

Spread the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the edges start to pull away from the sides and the center is set.

Note: toothpick test may not work on these as the fruit and/or chocolate chips will stick to the toothpick. The bake time will depend on what fruit you use and how gooey you like your bars to be.

Let the bars cool and cut them into squares. Dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired.

This recipe is great to keep on hand because you can use any fruit and add-ins you want to. How about peaches and pecans? Or blueberries and white chocolate chips?

“He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:25

I’m not sure what it is about baking that sends so much love to those around us. Life is busy nowadays and taking the time to bake a gift says a lot. Plus, a baked goody tickles your senses. The smell, the texture and the taste, not to mention the vision, will make your loved ones so happy. These bars are headed to my cherry-loving grandson.

No matter what fruit and add-ins you use, I know that you will love this recipe as much as I do.

If you’re keeping the bars for your family, add a festive drink to go along with them.

Fill a glass with ice. Add 1/2 of a glass of carbonated soda (I used cranberry ginger ale). And then pour any red-colored juice over the top. I used cranberry/mango juice. Decorate the glass with lemon and strawberry slices (or any other frozen berries). Your kids will feel so special.

Ann Kirsten

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35