Easy Valentine's Day Treats

Cupid's arrow is coming and it's bringing a craving for the sweeter things in life. We're here to help you satisfy that sweet tooth with four easy recipes for Valentine's Day treats that will have everyone falling head over heels for more.

These fun and festive treats are a sweet and simple way to show your special people how much you care them this Valentine's Day.

1. Sugar Cookie Hearts with Cream Cheese Frosting

Is it really a Valentine's Day treat if it's not shaped like a heart? In this case, we say no. And that's exactly why these sugar cookie hearts from Blue Bowl are perfect. Plus cream cheese frosting? Now we're talking.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/8 tsp salt

Frosting

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 ounces cream cheese (in the block)
• 2 1/3 to 2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 tsp salt
• Food coloring

Directions

Cookie Dough

1. First, cream softened butter with a mixer, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and egg. Mix until just combined; make sure you do not overmix the dough. Next, add the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar, then mix until a very crumbly dough forms and  just begins to form larger clumps. Stop mixing and use your hands to form the dough into two rough balls, making sure there isn't any flour in the bottom of the bowl that was missed (if there is some, just incorporate it with your hands).
2. On a lightly floured countertop, gently flatten each ball into a disc that's a few inches thick. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge at least two hours, in the freezer for 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge.
3. After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough out, one disc at a time, to about ¼ inch. Cut out desired shapes and place on prepared cookie sheet. Cover with a piece of foil/plastic wrap/parchment and place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before baking. The cookies should be pretty solid. You can also chill them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
4. Re-roll dough scraps and repeat until you've used up all the dough.
5. Bake cookies for 8-9 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1. First, cream together softened butter and cream cheese until well mixed. Then, sift in the powdered sugar and mix, then add vanilla and mix. If the frosting seems too thin, add an extra 1/3 cup powdered sugar. Chill, covered, in the fridge while waiting for your cookies to cool.
2. Frost cookies once completely cooled. Add sprinkles if desired or dust with powdered sugar. Store cookies in airtight container at room temp for 3-4 days.

2. Valentine's Day Dipped Rice Krispie Treats™

How to make a childhood classic even better? Dip it in chocolate! These Valentine's Day dipped Rice Krispie Treats™ from Cooking On the Side are simply perfect. Best of all, they can be ready in just 20 minutes (and eaten in the same amount of time, no judgements).

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 1 package (10 ounces) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups crisped rice cereal (aka Rice Krispies)
• Candy melts or white chocolate chips
• Food coloring, if desired
• Sprinkles

Directions

1. First, melt the margarine or butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Next, add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Mix in cereal, then stir until well coated.
3. Spread the mixture using a buttered spatula or waxed paper evenly into an 11×17-inch rimmed baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Cut the treats into heart shapes with a 2- 3-inch cookie cutter when cool.
4. Finally, melt the candy melts, or white chocolate chips, according the package directions. Stir in a few drops of food coloring if desired. Dip the edges of the treats into the candy and decorate with sprinkles. Allow the candy to cool and set before serving.

3. Valentine's Day Bark

Peppermint bark may get all the attention, but this Valentine's Day bark from Delish deserves some love too. It's sweet, crunchy, and has a surprising, savory twist with the addition of pretzels.

Ingredients

• 24 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
• 6 ounces white chocolate, melted
• 1 ½ cups pretzels
• Valentine's Day sprinkles

Directions

1. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread semisweet chocolate onto parchment paper in an even layer. Scatter all over with pretzels and Valentine's sprinkles.
2. Transfer white chocolate to a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag snipped at one corner) and pipe white chocolate into the center of each pretzel until the middle is filled entirely. Place a heart sprinkle in the center of each pretzel. Refrigerate until set, which takes about an hour.

4. Chewy Chocolate Cookies

If your special someone follows a gluten-free diet, these chewy flourless chocolate cookies from Woman's Day are the dessert for them. This is one of the easiest Valentine's Day treats you can make, and it only takes half an hour.

Ingredients

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• ¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• ½ cup bittersweet or dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt, then set aside. Next, get a large bowl to whisk together the eggs and vanilla. Add the sugar mixture in the medium bowl, then mix to combine. Finally, fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
4. Spoon about 1 ½  Tbsp of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake, rotating the position of the pans once, until the cookies are puffed and the tops begin to crack, 12 to 14 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then slide the parchment and cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Whether you're whipping up desserts for a school party or a romantic dinner, you'll love these Valentine's Day treats. Have fun on Cupid's birthday! Love these Valentine's Day treats? Post them on social media to share the love with your friends and family!

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