Super Easy Valentine's Baked Treats for Busy Moms

If you've been on Pinterest lately, you're likely overwhelmed with cute ideas for classroom cupcakes, divine desserts, and all the most professionally done greeting cards.  Well, I homeschool 5 kids, am potty training a toddler, and run a full-time media business out of my living room. (I don't have time to follow through on even my best ideas.)

Thankfully, Walmart helped me become inspired with some "short cuts" that really look like they took some time to put together.  I was able to amp up my holiday baking with a few very well done products.  Here are my top three picks for busy moms, starting with the most involved:

Valentine's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone has a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.  We substituted the semi-sweet chips in our recipe with these Nestle Toll House Valentine's Dark Morsels and Red Colored Morsels, available at Walmart, to give them some romantic flair.  I thought they were goooooood. I loved that the red cut the bitter of the dark chocolate well. (And they are delicious with milk!)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 sugar
• 3/4 brown sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 large egg (farm fresh works well)
• 2 1/4 cup Great Value all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package Nestle Toll House Valentine's Morsels

Mix sugars, shortening, vanilla and egg; add in dry ingredients.  Mix in morsels.  Drop on cookie sheet and bake in 375 degree oven for 8 - 10 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

Cookie Brownie Bars

If you're a mix kind of girl, you'll adore the new Nestle Toll House Cookie Brownie Kit, available at Walmart.  This clever product has all the ease of a brownie mix, but gives you two layers of flavor and texture that make it look like you put a lot of effort into your dessert!  My daughter mixed it up and baked it before we cut it into square with a pizza cutter.  You can serve these on pretty dishes for a classy Valentine's day coffee with the ladies!

Sugar Cookies

Finally, what Valentine's Day would be complete without a frosted (and decorated) sugar cookie?  I love the decorating part but HATE the baking.  Who has time?  Walmart offers a Valentine’s Heart Decorating Kit that includes cookies, icing and candy.  Just look at how much fun my kids had with these!  (And the cookies are like a shortbread -- actually pretty yummy for store-bought!)

If your life is as busy as mine is, save yourself some trauma and consider some shortcuts this holiday. With so many options that can make you look like Mom of the Year, it's time to let go and enjoy the season with your kiddos.

Do you have any special holiday products that you go to for some help in the kitchen?

(Linked up to Show-and-Share Saturday)

As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I've received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.