(Donna Erickson)

Sometimes during the winter months when its so dark and dreary outside, I just need a day brightener. And that's where my spunky friend Carol fits in.

On a recent morning jog, when I popped by her cheery house to see what she was doing, I was greeted at the door by her wide smile and the tempting aroma of cinnamon and good coffee wafting from her kitchen. Stepping inside, I had barely removed my wool scarf when she pulled from the oven a large cookie sheet filled with her signature cinnamon-toast heart crisps and said, "I bet you can't eat just one!"

Brighten your day and Valentine's Day with these easy-to-prepare treats using very thinly sliced bread and the popular topping cinnamon and sugar. They'll make a hit with the whole family.

CINNAMON TOAST HEART CRISPS

Makes 25 to 30 hearts:

1 loaf thin-sliced enriched white bread, such as Pepperidge Farm Very Thin bread

Butter or margarine

Cinnamon-and-sugar mixture

To prepare toast: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread butter or margarine on each slice of bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon-and-sugar mixture.

To shape and bake toast: Using 3-by-3-inch heart-shaped cooking cutter, cut heart from each bread slice. Place hearts on ungreased cookie sheets. (Note: Place leftover bread pieces on another cookie sheet.) Bake hearts and leftovers for 12 to 15 minutes or until crisp. Cool.

To serve toast: Serve with big glass of cold milk, hot chocolate or cup of tea.

To store: Store hearts

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and leftovers in cookie tin.

Tips:

  • If you don't want to use entire loaf at once, place remaining bread in freezer. Later, cut out and serve other shapes, such as shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day or bunnies for Easter.

  • If you prefer using a favorite bread from your local bakery, ask to have it sliced extra thin or slice it very thin yourself.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."