The Oreo cookie is an American classic enjoyed all over the world, and Japan is no exception. However, even though they're available here, Oreos may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're thinking of gift ideas for Valentine's Day.

This year, however, you may be convinced to do just that. Mondelēz Japan Ltd., which sells Nabisco products (including the Oreo brand), has set up a website with some sweet Valentine's Day suggestions, including an "Oreo bouquet."

Valentine's Day ideas from Mondelēz Japan

Let's take a look at their sweet suggestions:

Oreo Bouquet

Sure, you could put a bunch of Oreo packages together like this...

...but Mondelēz Japan has something a bit more personalized in mind:

Each "flower" is an Oreo adorned with icing and other decorations in a pattern of your liking (recipe below), and attached with popsicle sticks. As for the wrapping paper, you can download and print it for free on their website. The wrapping paper not only makes the bouquet look nice, but it also has a QR code on it that displays a cute animated Valentine's Day message when you scan it.

You can choose between three different wrapping paper designs, which will display the messages "I love you," "Thank you," or "Forever friends" depending on the paper you choose.

Here's what you need to make 12 "flowers", 4 types, 3 of each.

• Oreo cookies: 12
• Melted chocolate (for attaching)
• Popsicle sticks: 12
• Coating chocolate
• Ruby chocolate: 30 g
• Strawberry chocolate: 30 g
• White chocolate: 30 g
• Dark chocolate: 30 g
• Decoration
• Crushed Oreo cookie (excluding cream)
• Chocolate sprinkles, colored and plain (look for スプレー "spray" in Japan)
• Sugar decorations (hearts, stars, etc.) (look for トッピングシュガー "topping sugar" in Japan)
• Dragées (silver, pink, etc.) (look for アルザン aruzan - from the French "argent" in Japan)
• Freeze-dried fruit crumbled into small pieces (raspberry, etc.)

How to make:

• Detach the Oreo cookie halves by gently rotating them. You should have one Oreo cookie half with no filling and one with filling.
• Put melted chocolate on the tip of a popsicle, then stick it onto the Oreo cookie half with cream, then put the other Oreo cookie half on top of it to sandwich it.
• Line up the "flowers" on a non-stick cookie sheet or baking sheet coated with baking paper and chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to harden.
• Place the coating chocolate of your choice into a metal bowl or container and dip it into a larger bowl or tray filled with hot water to gently melt it.
• Using a spoon, drizzle the cookies with the melted coating chocolate to coat them either completely or partially, in a design of your choice.
• Before the coating hardens, sprinkle or decorate with the decorations of your choice.
• Cool in the refrigerator to set.

Here's a suggestion on how to wrap and present your "Oreo bouquet" using their wrapping paper:

• 1. Fold edges of paper
• 2. Wrap in a cone and attach with cellophane tape.
• 3. Put colored tissue paper inside.
• 4. Tie the lower half of the cone with a ribbon and/or string

---

You'll also find recipes for delicious Oreo sweets you can make at home for yourself or for that special someone on Valentine's Day:

"Chokotto" Oreo Muffins

Oreo S'mores

Oreo Tooncarons

---

For all the details, visit Mondelēz Japan's Oreo Valentine's Day special website here.