DIY "Frozen" Olaf Valentine's with Homemade Hugs

I always loved giving and getting Valentine's as a kid.  They're simple, sweet, and always make you feel good.

I came across one of the most clever DIY Valentine's from Amy over at The Idea Room, and just had to share it.  My husband and I just saw Frozen for the first time a couple weeks ago, and I too, fell in love with the characters; specifically huggable Olaf.

Frozen Olaf Valentine via Amy at The Idea Room

Amy has created a printable Olaf that you can download, print, and cut out to attach to your bag or bottle of hugs.  The link takes your directly to her Facebook page and you have to "like" the page in order to gain access (clever!).

To amp up this Valentine further, you can make your own "hugs"...keep the same great taste but in a much healthier, greener (and non addicting) way!

There's two ways you can do this....

1) Make the white and dark chocolate from scratch and pour into molds, or...

2) The quicker way; buy vegan chips and melt them down to pour into molds.

Either way works!  Children love participating in baking, and this is a simple and fun activity they can enjoy and feel good about.  Imagine their pride when they can share that they made their own hugs. You can also personalize them with wrapper choice, tagline (instead of hugs, it can say Happy Valentine's Day!), and filling choices.  How cool is that?!

To create a Hug, alternate pouring the white and dark chocolates into the mold, allowing to sit a few minutes between each layer.  Freeze, or allow to sit until stiff.  Pop out of the candy molds, wrap a tag line (see below for free printable), and wrap with foil.

Molds

You can find one here from Amazon.

Chocolates

Here is a great link to Gluten Free, Vegan, Non Gmo Project Certified Chocolate Chips.  They're great, and you can feel comfortable with your and other children eating them.

For white Chocolate, I have not been able to find a Non GMO project Certified vegan brand, but these two options are the closest I could get. They're vegan and kosher, yet both contain soy lecithin (as most chocolate does) and can be a hidden GMO.

King David Kosher Vegan Lactose Free White Chocolate Chips
Polar Dream White Chocolate Bars - Gluten Free, Nut Free, Milk Free

Filling Ideas

Almonds
Hazelnut
Puffed Quinoa (A new favorite of mine!)
Almond or Peanut Butter
Raisin

DIY Chocolate Recipes

White Chocolate
Chocolate

Foil Wrappers

You can simply use the traditional silver aluminum and cut into square sheets small enough for wrapping up your chocolates, or you can purchase colored and patterned foil through craft stores or online.  Here are a few:

Solid Foil Wrappers
Heart Print Foil Wrappers

Paper Strips

These are the little messages that stick out of the foil wrapped "kisses" and "hugs".  You can make your own, or print these here.

I will have mine done for the next write up, but I wanted to get this published as soon as possible to give you enough time to create your own hugs and kisses.  Please feel free to share and post pics of yours, along with any tips and suggestions.  Happy Valentine's Day!

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