Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!  I have mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day this year.  We will be traveling (with kids) and I am excited for the trip.  But, is it really Valentine’s Day if I don’t get to bake a heart-shaped dessert?  It doesn’t feel like it.  So let’s reminisce about things we have done in the past.

Sticky Toffee Pudding was a huge hit when I made it for Valentine’s Day.  It was my first time ever making it and the only thing I tweaked since that initial bake was the toffee sauce.  It comes together easier now and tastes better.  If you have a pretty ceramic heart shaped dish, even better!

Palmiers are so sweet and pretty.  And so easy.  Don’t forget you can fill them with whatever you want.  I have been very fond of goat cheese and fig jam palmiers lately.  But you can’t go wrong with good old cinnamon and sugar.  (Sidebar- I think not too long ago I posted about my excitement in discovering Trader Joe’s all butter puff pastry.  The honeymoon is over.  I don’t like it at all.  I still love Trader Joe’s in general but can’t stand their puff pastry.  I know everyone is not going to make their own puff pastry.  It’s worth it but I know that is a long shot for the average home baker.  Next time I buy it, I’m going back to Pepperidge Farm.)

Butter is one of the best things ever.  Two of my favorite cookies are spritz and shortbread.  They both use a ton of delicious butter.  If you have a cookie press you can easily make heart-shaped Spritz cookies.  If you want to make cut out cookies use the Joy of Baking’s Shortbread cookie recipe.  I have mentioned this recipe before; it really is perfection!   The pictures below are not hearts, but you get the idea…

If you don’t want to make a dessert treat yourself to a special cocktail.  A Kir Royal can make any occasion special but it is also a great way to celebrate a special day!

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?  Are you making anything special?