One week until VALENTINE’S DAY!!! Yes, I know, it’s a corny holiday. But it’s a great way to spread love to people you care about! And what better way to do that then surprising a significant other, partner, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, friend, family member (really whoever!) with a sweet breakfast treat! I was first introduced to muesli when I was abroad in Australia, and ever since have eaten it a variety of ways. This version is built for Valentine’s Day, showcasing the flavors of chocolate and cherry (but not like the store bought candies, because those taste kind of like cough syrup haha!). The recipe combines cocoa powder, chocolate chips, sweet black cherries, cherry preserves and dried sour cherries to create a subtly sweet, flavorful and unique way to start the day! It’s filling, combines a bunch of healthy and good-for-you ingredients, is easy to make, and is sure to impress! Also a great idea for sneaking into a lunch box as a surprise breakfast or as snack at work, or for treating yourself to something delicious and different! Enjoy! 🙂

*Also, I would just like to point out my Dad MADE this wooden breakfast board for me out of scrap pieces of cherry wood he had in his workshop and fixtures he bought at Lowe’s. I think he saw it as a challenge after I told him/showed a picture of a similar breakfast board for FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS at a store in Philadelphia. THANKS DAD!!! Need to learn your woodworking skills ASAP!*

Makes 4 Large Servings

*Soaks Overnight*

Recipe by © Alysha Melnyk 2018

Kitchen Tools:

Large Container or Mason Jar (For Storing in Fridge)

Liquid Measuring Cup

Dry Measuring Cups

Measuring Spoons

Optional: Heart Cookie Cutter to Create Heart Shape on Top By Filling with Assorted Cherries/Toppings

Ingredients:

*Disclaimer – I am including certain brand names of things I use (just because they are personal favorites of mine), but feel free to use whatever brand you like, is the cheapest, is on sale, what you have on hand, etc.*

2 Cups Muesli Mix (I used my personal favorite – Michele’s Toasted Muesli)

2 Cups Dairy or Non-Dairy Milk of Choice (I used whole milk)

1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder

2 Teaspoons Agave Nectar

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1 and 1/2 Cup Frozen or Fresh, Pitted Sweet Black Cherries

Optional Toppings: Dried Sour Cherries (I find mine in the bulk section of stores), Cherry Preserves, Nuts (I used walnuts), and Chocolate Chips/Pieces

Featured Artists:

Bowl by Jeremy Ogusky, Creator of Ogusky Ceramics (based in Jamaica Plan, MA)

Breakfast Board by Dennis Melnyk

Instructions:

1. Pour muesli, milk, cocoa powder, agave, vanilla extract and 1 cup of the frozen or fresh sweet cherries into a container that can be stored in the refrigerator overnight. Mix everything together thoroughly/until evenly combined, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Save remaining 1/2 cup cherries (frozen or fresh) in bag in refrigerator to use for extra toppings the next day.
3. The next morning, remove from refrigerator and mix again. Spoon parts milk and parts muesli into a serving bowl (muesli will be soft from soaking, so it will resemble a chilled soft oats and milk cereal), top with thawed or fresh black cherries, dried sour cherries, cherry preserves, nuts, chocolate, etc.
4. Grab a spoon and enjoy! 🙂

*Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.