Need last minute Valentine’s Day party ideas? My daughter and I partied with Francesca Capaldi, who stars as The Little Red-Haired Girl of the upcoming CGI film “Snoopy.” Francesca also stars in the hit Disney channel TV-show “Dog With A Blog.” Her guests gathered at Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad for an entertaining afternoon filled with crafts, beauty treatments, a candy bar, DJ and photo pops with Snoopy and his sister Belle.
I loved the activities for kids and even the adults had opportunities to play! Plan your Valentine’s party or special event with these simple, quick ideas plus make delicious cupcakes with a fabulous recipe from the head chef at the Park Hyatt Aviara!
Nail or hair bling station
Grab your favorite nail polishes, set up a station for manicures, and buy some hair bling to add sparkle to your child’s hair do.
Candy bar
Create a candy bar with your child’s favorite candies and chocolates! Place heart-shaped hearts, rings and paper heart confetti on the table for some instant Valentine decors.
Make cards
Supply materials for a DIY Valentine card!
Movie Night
Continue the theme by watching “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown,” with friends or family! Find out what happens when Charlie Brown is the only kid who doesn’t receive valentine’s! Gasp!
Bake cupcakes!
Sweets are an essential part of any celebration, especially on Valentine’s Day! The Chef Frank Riffaud of the Park Hyatt Aviara whipped up delicious cupcakes for Francesca. Now, you can make these delightful cupcakes for your next party! You’re welcome!
OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE RECIPE
Yields 16-18 Cupcakes
INGREDIENTS:
Flour 3 Cups
Sugar 3 Cups
Salt 1 Tbsp
Baking Soda 1 Tbsp & 1 Tsp
Water (Boiling)½ Cup
CocoaPowder½ Cup
Buttermilk½ cups
Vegetable Oil 1 Cup
Eggs 3
Vanilla 1 Tbsp
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla together with a whisk. Place the flour, sugar, salt, and soda together in a mixing bowl. Using the whip attachment on an electric mixer, add the liquid ingredients that were previously whisked, mix only until smooth. Boil the water and add it to the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Add the cocoa mixture to the previous batter. Let the batter sit 10 minutes before filling pans. Fill 2-8″ cake pans that have been greased and floured. Fill pans half full. Bake in oven at 350o for approximately 45 minutes. A knife inserted in the center will come out clean. Cool cakes before using.
OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE CAKE FROSTING
INGREDIENTS:
Butter 1 Cup
Semi Sweet Chocolate 1 Cup
Powder Sugar, sifted 2 Cups
Sour Cream 1 Cup
INSTRUCTIONS:
Melt the butter and keep it hot. Melt the chocolate over a water bath. Sift the powdered sugar. Combine the butter and melted chocolate in a mixing bowl. Use a whisk attachment to combine the two. Add the powdered sugar to the chocolate mixture in three stages. Scrape the bowl to avoid sugar lumps. When smooth add the sour cream. Let stand for 1 hour until it thickens. Divide the old-fashioned cake into three layers. Alternate the frosting for each layer. Makes 1 8″ cake.
We hope this weekend is spent with the ones who help fill your life with fun and love!
My daughter went home with a cute dress from Belle’s new line at Target!
* I am a Peanuts ambassador and was invited to attend Francesca’s celebration. All opinions are my own.
