As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to start baking in order to keep up the good vibes of the new year. Whether they’re for yourself or someone special, a bit of sweetness is guaranteed to brighten your day. We all know that the way to get to someone’s heart is through their stomach, so here are some tried-and-true ways to fill your valentine’s heart (and tummy) this weekend.

Getting to someone’s heart through their stomach is definitely true when it comes to desserts, especially ones like chocolate-covered strawberries. They are an easy snack to make and a great way to show your love and appreciation for someone. The only ingredients you’ll need is chocolate of your choice and delicious strawberries. First, you need to melt the chocolate and then let it cool slightly, so you can dip your strawberries in it. After that, place them on a parchment-lined tray and let them sit to cool for about half an hour and voila, you’re done.

If a fruity treat doesn’t fit your taste, another option would be some classic red velvet cupcakes. Cupcakes are a great dessert to bake because…who doesn’t love cupcakes? Additionally, red velvet is a safe holiday option since the cream cheese frosting is a fan favorite amongst people with a sweet tooth. The tangy frosting is a great compliment to the sweet cake just below. 

Another use for that cake batter and frosting is to make cake pops. After your cake has been baked and has had time to cool down, use your hands to crumble the cake in a bowl and then mix it together with frosting. Next, form the cake into small balls, poke a lollipop stick halfway in, cover with some melted chocolate and let sit until cooled. Though they can be a bit messy to make, they’re super delicious and easy to pack up and send to someone without hassle. 

Another treat that is perfect for the holiday vibe and easy to send are chocolate covered pretzels. Using melted chocolate, you can dip or drizzle chocolate onto some pretzels and then decorate them however you like with different toppings or chocolate colors. The sweetness from the chocolate and saltiness from the pretzels are a perfect combo and will have you coming back for seconds. 

Last but not least, what Valentine’s Day list would be complete without the iconic appearance of candy hearts. Candy hearts, also referred to as Sweethearts, are small heart-shaped candies made of sugar that have cute messages printed on them such as “Be Mine” and “Miss You.” They have been a permanent Valentine’s Day staple throughout the years and are the best selling non-chocolate treat around the holiday. Though their taste is often debated and described as “chalky,” they always sell out and are fun sweets that can represent friendship and love. 

Whether they’re homemade or store-bought sweets, the thought is always what counts. And hey, Valentine’s Day is not only a time to show your love to others, but also to yourself. Whip up a batch of some sweets and celebrate how much you love yourself.