The stromboli idea I found online - the recipe and instructions I made based on the general idea.
The jello hearts is a family fun idea (link below).
The Stromboli was a big hit -
the jello heart idea...well, that one will probably be replaced by heart shaped brownies next year!
On to the how....
Stromboli - makes 8
6-7 cups flour
3 T sugar
1 tsp salt
1 T yeast (3 tsp)
3 T oil
2 cups warm water
12-15 oz spaghetti sauce (half of 26 oz can)
16 oz mozzarella (or other cheese), shredded
1 egg
Parsley, optional (just because it’s my favorite seasoning)
Mix 6 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in stand mixer with dough hook. Start mixing on low speed (2). Add oil and warm water. Once it comes together, add as much flour as needed to make dough not sticky when touched (stop the kneading/mixing to test – poke and see if dough sticks to your finger). Knead for 7 minutes. Remove from hook (with floured hands), form into a smooth ball and put back into (now, greased) bowl. Grease (spray oil) top or cover. Rise for an hour.
Divide into 4 pieces. For each piece….
Roll into large rectangle (about 10x20 – as large as my cutting board) on floured surface. Slice (with a pizza cutter) long ways (get two long rectangles about 5x20). Top lightly with sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Roll each long rectangle from long side to create a long rope. Pinch ends and edge. Move (carefully) to baking sheet (greased is a good idea but not required), and shape as desired (hearts for valentines, etc).
Brush tops with egg, sprinkle with parsley. (I added some mozzarella to the seams that had no filling). Bake 400°F for 15 minutes.
The Eat your heart out jello idea: (it was ok, but the creamy layer - I think if I ever do this again, I would not use unflavored gelatin - it tasted a sweet bland...if that makes sense.)
And lastly, the valentine's card idea I used for my kids with our district and their 'no candy' policy...
come on - I already can't bring my awesomely tasty creations to class parties - now I can't even give 'em M&Ms...what's wrong with this world? (like that cupcake with pink icing still on my kid's pants was really any more nutritional)
2 of my kids used "You color my world" with a piece of chalk tied to the card (two holes punched to tie string through)
2 of my kids used "You make my heart glow" with a glow stick through two punched holes.
(only the preschoolers used these cute hearts - the 1st and 3rd grader used boring little rectangles of white cardstock that they had to decorate themselves because they had 15+ valentines, not just 4)
Should have taken a picture of those too - my 7 year old colored hers with watercolors (yes, the cheap kids kind) and they turned out really cute.)
Glow sticks were a little hard to get to school without cracking and using up the limited glowing time, but I heard that the 3rd graders had a lot of fun with them. (WIN!)
