Valentine's Day Baking Classes Now Available

This will be a sweet opportunity!

In February, I will be teaching some special Valentine's Day-themed Baking Classes at my home. Get your girlfriends together for one of my daytime or night classes and learn how to make your own treats for your favorite Valentine and friends.

In this class, you’ll learn how to make an assortment of handmade gourmet cookies and sweet candies. You'll get to play with tons of brightly colored sanding sugars and sprinkles and melted chocolate in the kitchen.

I'll also whip up some homemade hot cocoa - which is sooo much better than the powdered stuff - for you to enjoy. Then, you'll get to take home your fancy goodies in a Valentine's Day-themed gift bag.

On the menu:

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Chocolate Shortbread Hearts with Sea Salt

Red and White Meringue Kisses

Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies

Black and White Dipped Cookies

The class will be part hands-on and part demo in my kitchen here in Istanbul. Directions will be given upon reservation. Cost is 50 TL per person.

Using royal icing, you can write your own sweet messages on the Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies.

Class dates:

Tuesday, February 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thursday, February 9, 7-10 p.m.

Tuesday, February 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

If you are a member of the International Women of Istanbul, the Valentine's Day Baking Class is set for 10 a.m. Monday, February 13 at my home.

Later in the month, on February 25, I will be teaching a different chocolate-themed class at the Istanbul Culinary Institute. Please watch the school's calendar for more details.

I would like to offer baking classes on a regular basis, so if you are interested please let me know. Minimum of four participants per class. I also am happy to arrange kid-friendly baking classes for after school.

Happy baking!

Here is one of the delicious recipes that you will learn. It's just that right combination of sweet and salty together!

Chocolate Shortbread Hearts with Sea Salt

(Adapted from The Great Book of Chocolate by David Lebovitz)

Ingredients:

250      g.         Turkish pasta unu

50        g.         cocoa powder

1/4       tsp.      salt

230      g.         butter, at room temperature

125      g.         powdered sugar

Garnish:           sea salt and colored sanding sugar

1.         In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder and salt.

2.         In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar, just until combined. Add the flour mixture and cream together just until incorporated.

3.         Divide the dough into two flat packets and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

4.         Then, on a very lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick. Brush away any excess flour using a pastry brush. Then, cut out heart-shaped cookies.

Note: Dough scraps can be rerolled once chilled again and cut into additional cookies.

5.         Place the cookies on a parchment-lined metal tray. Sprinkle sea salt and/or colored sugar on top. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350 F/175 C for about 6-7 minutes until they are set.

Once the shortbread hearts are cooled, you can package them up and give them to a friend. Just keep a few for yourself too!