BY CHLOE BEAVER   |   St. Petersburg High

Dessert. The most important food group. It’s the part of the meal we all look forward to and put the most effort into preparing. Whether planning some treats for Valentine’s Day or just to give in to your sweet tooth, these super-simple recipes are guaranteed to brighten your day, and the day of the person you share with. If you share.

Oreo Truffles
These little treats are the easiest and most delicious desserts the world has ever seen. Hand out to friends and family, or keep all to yourself — either one works!
Ingredients:
16 Oreos
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 large Hershey’s chocolate bars
Directions:
Crush Oreos in a large bowl, leaving the filling inside, until it looks like dirt with no chunks
Mix in cream cheese
Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a cookie tray; refrigerate for 30 minutes
Melt chocolate bars in microwave until smooth, about 45 seconds
Cover each ball with chocolate and refrigerate for 15 minutes

Banoffee Pie
The perfect blend of bananas and toffee make a rich pie.
Ingredients:
Premade pie crust
1 stick of unsalted butter
½ cup of brown sugar
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
2 bananas
1 pint heavy cream
Grated chocolate
Directions:
Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the brown sugar, over low heat
Add condensed milk and bring mixture to a boil for a few minutes while continuously stirring
Pour filling into the pie crust and refrigerate for an hour
Chop bananas and place a layer over the filling when it is hardened
Whip cream and pour it over the top of the banana layer
Sprinkle the grated chocolate on top

Sweet Marshmallows
These are the perfect little desserts for Valentine’s Day. They are good one at a time, or in a bouquet for your valentine!
Ingredients:
Marshmallows (jumbo or regular size)
Store-bought frosting or your favorite frosting recipe
Sprinkles and skewers
Directions:
Place one marshmallow on each skewer
Dip in your frosting
Pour sprinkles on top of the frosted end
Great Frosting
Ingredients:
½ cup solid vegetable shortening
½ cup butter (1 stick)
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
2 tbsp milk
Red food coloring for pink or red “petals”
Directions:
Mix shortening and butter
Add vanilla and slowly add the sugar
And milk and beat until light and fluffy
Add food coloring as desired
Makes 3 cups

Fruit Tart Pie
Perhaps the easiest pie to make — ever. Trick your friends and family into thinking you are a gourmet chef. The only difficult thing is trying not to eat all the batter!
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Store-bought pie crust
Fresh sliced fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries)
Directions:
Whisk cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth
Pour into your pie crust
Add fruit in a decorative pattern
Refrigerate for 15 minutes