Get your sweet on....

As with Christmas, there is only one other time of the year that pigging out on sweets in acceptable – Valentines Day! Here are some mouth watering sweets for your sweetheart.

As always, William Sonoma can not be beat for tantalizing treats. Just like at Christmas time, WS is another great spot for treats on Valentines Day.

Here are a few sure to tickle your sweet spot!

Sweet Pies

Pure edible nostalgia, our heart-shaped treats recall the whoopee pies we all loved as kids – but with a decidedly sophisticated twist. The sweet valentines come to us from a bakery in Maine that uses local butter and free-range eggs to make the individual rich, moist red-velvet cakes.

Filled with creamy butter cream in three delicious flavors – chocolate, raspberry and classic vanilla – they arrive in a ribbon-tied box. 19.2 oz. Set of 12, four of each flavor. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Double Cherry Pops, Set of 15

Clusters of ripe cherries were the inspiration for these whimsical double lollipops, a favorite in European confectionery shops. Grown-up sweethearts can share one as a prelude to a kiss, while younger lollipop lovers will find it fun to break the twin pops in half and make a wish. Bursting with cherry flavor, the charming Dutch sweets come individually wrapped, ready for Valentine’s Day celebrations. 7.1 oz. Set of 15 pairs. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

I love how they are double ended – clever – no….brilliant!

Message Cookies, Set of 9 Made with equal measures of love, skill and premium ingredients that include dark Valrhona chocolate, our heart-shaped chocolate butter cookies from Sweet Guy Cookies will charm your valentine. The cookies are prepared, rolled and cut by hand, then decorated in green, pink, aqua and orange and yellow icing, each stamped with the words “Kiss Me,” “Cute,” “Love” or “Flirt.” The 2 1/2" x 2" cookies arrive in a reusable tin. 7 oz. Set of nine. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

How about these rich and delectable hearts?
24K Smore Heart – from Neiman Marcus

Marshmallow with graham cracker hearts soaked in chocolate – yummy!

Martha’s Mini Heart Cakes – who could not fall in love with the decadent version of the classic sweetheart candy! Lip Smackers

Ingredients
3 packages (3 ounces each) red gelatin (pick your fav flavor!)
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
Pink icing

Directions
1. Place all the red gelatin in a large bowl. Pour in 3 cups boiling water; stir to dissolve gelatin, about 3 minutes. In another bowl, sprinkle 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin over 3 cups cold water. Let gelatin sit to absorb water, then stir to combine. Pour clear gelatin into red gelatin, and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

2. Dip lip-shaped cookie cutter into hot water, then cut out shapes from set gelatin. To make it easier to remove "lips" from pan, place bottom of pan in hot water for 5 to 8 seconds, then remove the cutouts with a thin spatula. Pipe outline of lips using pink decorating icing.

Meringue Kisses

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup each pink, purple, and red melting wafers
1 -1 ½ tsp. vegetable shortening (divided)

Directions
1.Heat oven to 200°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper. In large bowl, combine egg whites, sugar, and salt. Place bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, and whisk constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture feels warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.

2. Remove bowl from water bath. With mixer on high speed, beat egg-white mixture until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Spoon meringue into a large bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 1-1/2-inch-size kisses onto baking sheets lined with wax paper. Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven, but leave in meringues until completely cool, about 1 hour.

3. Place melting wafers in 3 separate bowls, with 1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening in each. Microwave 30 seconds, stir, and microwave 30 seconds more, until melted. Line counter with wax paper. Dip cooled kisses into melted wafers, place on wax paper, and cool completely.

And to wash it all down…….

French Kiss

Ingredients:
1 part vodka1 part Chambord1 part dark cream de cacao 1 1/2 parts half and half

Directions:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain.

Cheers to a decadent night!