Do you all have the Winter blues? Is your family kind of grumpy lately? Are all the months at home getting to you? (Me=YES!!!) Well, let me introduce you to something that the whole family will smile over. Create this Valentine Cookie Grazing Board for your family on Valentine’s Day!
Because…who doesn’t like to Graze, right?
And eat cookie pizza.
A long time ago in my most favorite town in all the land, there’s this most amazing store called “Juxtaposition”. When I first walked into this store, I had to look up the exact meaning of juxtaposition, and this is what I found:
“The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.”
‘the juxtaposition of these two images’
A juxtaposition. I believe that describes my Valentine Cookie Pizza Grazing Board, perfectly. Fruit and Sugar = perfect for Valentine’s Day & to cure the Winter Blues.
I don’t want to be that blogger to say “this is so simple anyone can do it…”but really, anyone can make this.”
Yep! I used a cookie mix to make the crust. It works out perfectly, I promise. Just follow the directions on the bag, grease your heart shaped cookie pan (found here) and spread your cookie mixture evenly.
I baked my cookie crust for approx 20 minutes in a 350* oven. Just keep an eye on it, because ovens vary. Remember this is your base to build your Valentine Cookie Pizza Grazing Board – so just make sure it’s baked throughly.
Here’s how I created this Valentine Cookie Pizza Grazing Board:
Cookie Crust:
In a grease heart shape cookie pan, bake your cookie crust per the bag instructions. Preheat oven @ 350*
Bake for approx 20-22 minutes.
Frosting:
In a mixing bowl, mix together your 1 1/2 blocks of soften cream cheese and 8 cups of powered sugar until nice and smooth.
*Divide your mixture of frosting. Use about ⅔ to cover your cookie crust when cooled. Use the remaining frosting and place in a gallon bag with decorating tip, to trim out the cookie crust.* This is not neccessary, but will make it look EXTRA.
Toppings:
Top your pizza cookie, how you like. I used:
Blackberries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blueberries
Macarons
Chocolates
Flowers
Scrapbook lettering
I suggest working in clusters – like you would do for a true grazing (charcuterie) board. Work in groups of 3 or 5. Create flowers out of your fruit. I personally outlined my cookie crust with blueberries, because that’s what I had the most of. Again, not necessary – just giving you some suggestions.
Add some fun words, letters whatever you like to make it even more Valentine-ish.
ENJOY!
Of course, you can use whatever you like, because anything you use will make this look incredible, and of course tasty. You cannot mess this up!
For reference, the town where I live we only have 1 locally owned grocery store. (It’s awesome, btw) I was able to find the Macarons there. If you can’t find Macarons, use Oreos or whatever you like. Almost everything else came from Aldi’s. The heart shaped chocolates, the fruit, butter, cream cheese, powered sugar, cookie mix – all from Aldi’s. So you can really create this on a tight budget.
99.9% of the time I’d describe myself as an “EXTRA” type of person. LOL
So, I love the scalloped edging on this Valentine Cookie Pizza. However, you don’t have to do it. So if you aren’t going to do the edging, omit the 1/2 block of cream cheese in the recipe. Just use 1 block of cream cheese along with 6 cups powered sugar – to spread on top of the cookie crust. But in this day & age – sometimes we need extra to help with coping all that life is throwing at us.
For the grazing board underneath – I added extra (there’s that word “extra” again ;))berries, macarons, flowers & chocolates for my family. It’s the little things that makes us all smile, right?
This can also be a fun thing to do as a family. In the last year, 2 of my kids have really enjoyed getting in the kitchen. So let them run free with their imagination! I personally feel like it gives kids a whole lot of confidence building while in the kitchen, along with all the joy of creating recipes.
Here’s some ideas for the lettering:
I used this one, but this one would be fun as well.
This is the heart shaped cookie pan I used, and is at the best price I’ve seen!
The above links are affiliate links, if you choose to shop those items. Please tag me (@nestofposies) if you create this Valentine Cookie Pizza Grazing Board. I’d love to see your creations!