Valentine’s Day is a day full of spreading love to your family, friends, and spouses. On this day, when you show appreciation for your loved ones, make sure to keep in mind the food allergies of the ones you love! Here are some Valentine’s Day gift ideas that are non-food and food-related. Allergy-Friendly Valentine’s Gifts Ideas for School
Before sending in any treats for your child’s classmates, check with the teacher for any food allergies within the class. You want every child to receive gifts that they can safely enjoy! Here are a few examples of allergy-friendly valentine’s foods:
- Yum Earth Valentine’s Treats
- PEZ Candy
- Mike and Ikes
- Lifesavers Gummies
- DOTS
- Pixy Stix
*Always check the labels and involve your little ones how to read a food label, even when it’s candy.
Allergen-Free Valentine’s Day Cookie Recipe
Enjoy Valentine’s by baking a special treat with your friends and family. Cybele Pascal has a delicious recipe for allergen-free Valentine’s Day Cookies! Feel free to modify any ingredients based on your allergies.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (Wholesome Sweeteners makes a corn-free variety)
- 1 cup Spectrum Organic Vegetable Shortening
- 1 1/2 tsp Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 2 Tbsp rice milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups Authentic Foods GF Classical Blend or my Basic Gluten-Free Flour Mix
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum (Authentic Foods makes a corn-free variety)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- White Icing, optional (recipe follows)
- Decorating sugar, optional
Directions
1. Combine confectioners’ sugar and vegetable shortening in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and beat on medium speed until smooth, scraping downsides of the bowl as necessary.
2. Add egg replacer and vanilla extract. Mix well.
3. Measure flour, using a large spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup, then level it off with the back of a knife. Whisk with the xanthan gum, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
4. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating on medium-low speed, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, until thoroughly combined. The dough will begin to ball in the center.
5. Layout two sheets of parchment paper. Divide the dough evenly between the two sheets of parchment, using a rubber spatula to get it all out of the mixer bowl. Mold dough into two disks. Cover with a second sheet of parchment, and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Put rolled dough on baking trays or cutting boards and chill 1 1/2 hours in the fridge; don’t chill much longer, or it will become brittle.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
7. Remove dough from the fridge and let it rest for 5 minutes. Remove the top sheet of parchment and cut out cookies into shapes with your favorite cookie cutters. Transfer to parchment-lined baking trays.
8. ENJOY!
Valentines Gifts Ideas that are not Food Related
Food may be one of the most shared Valentine’s gifts, but there are plenty of other options! Here are some ideas:
- Send a Friend Stuffed Animal Care Packages
- Any Valentine-themed jewelry or clothing
- Home-made Cards
- Valentines stickers
- Gift cards to their favorite stores
Do not forget to tag us on our Instagram with your Valentine’s creations and activities @SocalFoodAllergy! We hope you have a happy and safe Valentine’s Day.