Did you know that Valentine’s Day dates as far back as the year 1415, according to History.com? The first mass-produced Valentines didn’t arrive until the 1840s.

We all know that Valentine’s Day is a day to buy loved ones flowers, chocolates and beautifully decorated greeting cards. However, this might not be for everyone. The day can also be about doing a good deed for someone or showing someone how much you appreciate them in some other way.

Valentine’s Day can also be about children decorating heart-shaped sugar cookies to give to their favorite people — a fun activity that will keep them occupied for a few hours. A Sugar Cookie Cut-Out recipe and a recipe for icing are included in this column. Colored sugars to use for decorating cookies are also available at most grocery stores.

A few “red” recipes that you may like to prepare for the holiday are included as well. Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cherry Coffee Cake

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

2 cans cherry pie filling

1 3/4 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together except for the cherry pie filling. Grease and flour jelly roll pan. Spread two-thirds of the batter into the jelly roll pan. Top with pie filling. Next drop the remaining one-third batter over the pie filling with spoonfuls and spread a little with the spoon. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Drizzle with powdered sugar frosting while still warm.

Powdered Sugar Frosting

Ingredients: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or water and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk/water and vanilla extract to your desired consistency. Use less liquid for a thicker icing; add more liquid for a thinner glaze.

Strawberry Squares

Ingredients

1 large package strawberry jello

2 cups boiling water

1 10-ounce package frozen strawberries OR 1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries

1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple (drained)

2 to 3 bananas

1 cup chopped pecans

8 ounces sour cream

Instructions

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Thaw frozen sliced strawberries into jello (or slice fresh ones into jello). Add well-drained pineapple, sliced bananas and chopped pecans. Stir thoroughly. Pour into an 8 ½-by-11-inch dish and chill until firm. When firm enough, spread sour cream on top and chill again until ready to serve. Cut in squares. Makes about 8 to 10 squares.

Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

Mix up a batch or two of these Sugar Cookies and let your kids have fun decorating the heart-shaped cookies for their favorite people. Be sure to have the frosting (see recipe with Cherry Coffee Cake recipe) and decorating ingredients available before starting. It might get a bit messy at your kitchen counter or table, but fun will be had by all involved.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine sugar, shortening and eggs; beat well. Add milk and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together flour and baking soda. Add to other ingredients. Roll out on a lightly floured surface. Cut with favorite cookie cutters. Decorate as desired. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown.

Banana-Strawberry Smoothie

This is a beverage that you may like to prepare for your special “sweetie” on Valentine’s Day. It is a healthy and refreshing treat.

Ingredients

1/2 fresh banana (or frozen banana)

1/2 cup fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries

1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1/2 cup orange juice

1 packet of Equal OR 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour into glass and serve. Yield: 1 serving

Hash Brown-Chicken Casserole

This casserole is very tasty. This Hash Brown-Chicken Casserole is so complete that all you need is a salad and dinner rolls, and you’re all set!

Ingredients

1 large package frozen hash browns

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small can french-fried onions

*6 unbreaded chicken breasts

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

Brown and partially cook chicken; set aside. In a 9-by-13-inch pan, mix slightly thawed hash browns, butter, soups, sour cream and cheese. Arrange chicken on top of hash browns. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Put fried canned onions on top and extra cheese for the last five minutes.

* Thin, boneless pork chops may also be used instead of chicken.

Loretta Krahling is a columnist with over 38 years of newspaper experience. If you have any favorite recipes you would like to share, please email them to krahling93@gmail.com.