Over the past few years I have been looking for ways to make the holidays special for my kids. This year, I chose a night the week of Valentine’s Day to do a family dinner and fancy dessert board. I get to have a date night with my hubby tonight, so it’s nice to spread out the fun.

Instead of making a big cake or elaborate dessert, I made a dessert board with chocolate covered strawberries, a couple kinds of cookies and fruit dip. It was pretty simple to make and had a festive look on the table. The girls loved helping decorate the sugar cookies and liked being able to sample a bunch of goodies after dinner. We lit candles and used a tablecloth and cloth napkins – so fun!

Here are some links to the recipes I used in case you want to try.

Sugar Cookies and frosting – these are the most similar to a bakery cookie I have ever made! Definitely a keeper.

Chocolate Covered strawberries – no real recipe for these. I just bought a box of “almond bark” candy coating in milk chocolate. Mine was from Target, but you can find this at any grocery store. Melt according to the package directions and dunk and roll the strawberries directly in the provided tray. Easy

These shortbread cookies with jam hearts. I didn’t do the extra steps with the jam part and just carefully spread it on with the tip of a knife – worked just fine.

This healthy(ish) fruit dip. Great with apples, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, blood oranges and pretzels.

I also made a dinner based on one of our favorite restaurants in Washington DC called Founding Farmers. I own their print cookbook, but I was able to find links to the recipes – SO good. Sausage Mushroom Gnocchi and Roasted Brussels Sprouts and I also bought a bag of baby rainbow carrots from Trader Joes, which I roasted with a little olive oil and sea salt. Delicious.

I try to choose a couple traditions to continue each year, and I think this dessert board is a keeper!