Skip Gifts, Give Chocolate

By Anna Aguillard

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and sometimes the most thoughtful gifts are the ones that you make yourself. These homemade Valentine’s Day treats will show your sweetie that you’re sweet, too. You could buy a pack of Valentine’s Day chocolates from the store – or, you could carefully craft your own decadent truffles from the heart. And instead of buying Sweethearts from the store, why not make your own Valentine’s Day cookies with a love note written in icing instead? We promise: The only thing cheesy about these sweet treats is the cream cheese in our rich Bourbon-Cream Cheese Brownies.

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Tipsy Pecan Clusters

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Tipsy Pecan Clusters

These bourbon-infused turtle candies are the key to any bourbon-lover’s heart.

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Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Caramels

Call it a labor of love – these homemade caramels are hand-dipped in melted chocolate for a dessert that’s next-level fancy.

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Peanut Butter Truffles

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Peanut Butter Truffles

If you and your sweetheart go together like peanut butter and chocolate, then these truffles were made for you.

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Indulgent Cherries

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Indulgent Cherries

After trying this recipe, we’re almost convinced that maraschino cherries were made to be soaked in Southern Comfort. The whiskey cuts the cherries’ sugary sweetness, and adds a little something extra for an extra-special occasion.

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Profiteroles with Coffee Whipped Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Profiteroles with Coffee Whipped Cream

A crispy shell with light, fluffy, coffee-flavored whipped cream in the middle makes these desserts something you’ll eat for breakfast, too.

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Chocolate Truffle Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Bites

These bite-sized chocolate truffles have a crispy shell and a creamy filling, plus they’re cute as a button.

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Red Velvet Fudge

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Red Velvet Fudge

Fans of red velvet cake will love this red velvet fudge. And they'll love you for making it.

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Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache

If your flame’s favorite dessert is a classic chocolate chip cookie, adding a dollop of Bourbon Ganache between two homemade cookies will remind them that you have their best interests at heart.

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Cookie Valentines

Recipe: Cookie Valentines

Skip the store-bought cards, give your Valentine a cookie that lets them know how you feel (and tastes delicious).

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Bourbon-Cream Cheese Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Bourbon-Cream Cheese Brownies

Earn major brownie points with these decadent, rich brownies. 

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Coconut-Irish Cream Truffles

Recipe: Coconut-Irish Cream Truffles

You’ll never be the recipient of an Irish goodbye if you dole out these Coconut-Irish truffles.

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Bacon-Peanut Truffles

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon-Peanut Truffles

Make dreams come true with this candy that’s made with sweetened peanut butter and bacon and then dipped in chocolate.

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Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Sweetheart Sugar Cookies

Nothing says “you are loved” more than homemade sugar cookies cut in heart shapes.

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Mocha Balls

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mocha Balls

A hearty pour of liqueur makes these mocha-flavored truffles a better pick-me-up than your average cup of coffee.

Watch: How To Make Mocha Balls

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Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels

Sometimes love is sweet, sometimes it's salty. Give a gift that symbolizes love’s reality.

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Velvety Pecan Candy

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Velvety Pecan Candy

You won’t need a pick-up line with these silky-smooth candies.

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Heavenly Angel Food Cake

Recipe: Heavenly Angel Food Cake

*Asks the cake, “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”*

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