12 Homemade Valentine's Day Treats That Are Heart-Shaped

roberta heart cakes topped with swiss-meringue buttercream — Credit: Johnny Miller

Flowers are nice, but receiving a homemade treat on Valentine's Day is extra special. If you really want your (edible) token of affection to be a hit this February 14, surprise your sweetheart with heart-shaped cakes, cookies, or chocolates—which have Cupid's seal of approval.

Whether you opt for an elaborate dessert or prefer something more simple, we have a whole list of recipes that will help you express your love not through words, but through flavor and shape. No matter who you are cooking or baking for this Valentine's Day, these recipes are undoubtedly the way to their heart.

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Vanilla Heart-Shaped Cake With Raspberry-and-Custard-Filling

coconut raspberry heart cake — Johnny Miller

Show your love with this white-layer cake. A heart-shaped cut-out on the top reveals the fresh raspberries and vanilla pastry cream filling.

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02 of 12

Sweetheart Thumbprint Cookies

Say "I love you" with these buttery, jam-filled cookies. Feel free to use the jelly flavor they love most, such as apricot, raspberry, or peach.

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Iced Heart Cookies

It's amazing what you can do with a batch of simple sugar cookies and some pink-and-white royal icing. These striped hearts are just one of our favorite ways to decorate cookies for Valentine's Day.

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S'mores Bars

Enjoy all the toasty flavors of s'mores on Valentine's Day—no campfire required—by making a few tweaks to a standard batch of cereal bars. Cook the marshmallows under the broiler for a minute so they're nicely charred, then stir in crushed graham crackers and chopped chocolate. Let cool before stamping out hearts with a cookie cutter.

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05 of 12

Dark-and-White-Chocolate Shortbread Hearts

These concentric heart cookies are as stunning as they are delicious. Fragrant vanilla brings out the flavor of both the dark and white chocolate.

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06 of 12

Valentine's Day Cinnamon Toast

XO cinnamon toast and yogurt — Pernille Loof

Get a sweet start to the day with this easy, thoughtful Valentine's Day breakfast idea. Cinnamon-sugar toast is emblazoned with Xs, Os, and hearts, while make-ahead yogurt parfaits are adorned with piped jam hearts. Whip up both for a winning meal.

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07 of 12

Heart-Shaped Banana Cake

One layer of this banana cake and another layer of coconut cake surrounded by cream cheese frosting and colored coconut flakes make this dessert a lovely experience.

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08 of 12

Heart Pancakes

Turn your favorite pancakes into hearts for a special Valentine's Day breakfast—or use our recipe, which includes directions for piping these distinctive flapjacks.

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09 of 12

Heart Sandwich Cookies

Perfect for a snowy Valentine's Day, these crunchy cookies should be on your must-make list.

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10 of 12

Lox Hearts

The natural color of smoked salmon makes it fitting for open-faced heart-shaped tea sandwiches. Serve them as an appetizer before a romantic Valentine's Day meal or enjoy them with friends over cocktails. To make them, spread a layer of cream cheese onto thin slices of lightly toasted rye bread; top with sliced Nova lox. Then stamp out sandwiches using a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

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Pink Heart Sandwich Cookies

Pink or chocolate? A small heart or a larger one? Love is full of heart choices. These sweet cookies are sandwiched with a filling inspired by the Oreo.

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Chocolate Heart-Shaped Cakes With Buttercream

flourless chocolate heart mini cakes topped with swiss-meringue buttercream — Johnny Miller

Martha's individual flourless chocolate cakes get a flavor boost from dark rum and instant espresso. They puff up slightly in the oven, then set into a delicate, truffle-like consistency as they cool. Piped meringue buttercream decorations are the finishing touch your Valentine will adore.

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