The BEST Valentine’s Day Ideas Recipe

I fell for these Chocolate Cherry Cookies. I worked with pitted cherries and chopped dark chocolate into bite-size portions, elegantly mingled with heavy cream and butter and accented by salt and vanilla extract. This luscious blend of flavors invites curiosity, leaving me eager to share every delectable detail truly irresistible.

I recently came across The BEST Valentine’s Day Ideas and knew I had to share it. This recipe, which I call cherry chocolate kisses, is one of my favorite treats to make when I’m looking to impress someone special.

I start with 1 cup of pitted cherries, using either fresh or jarred cherries drained perfectly. I then mix in 8 ounces of roughly chopped dark chocolate, although the magic really unfolds when the rich flavors of heavy cream, a tablespoon of butter, salt and a bit of vanilla extract come together in a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth mixture.

The way these ingredients blend reminds me a lot of some fun chocolate kiss cookies and even a few cookie exchange treats I’ve enjoyed over the years. Trust me, whether you’re into chocolate cherry goodness or just looking for an extraordinary valentines day cookies recipe, you are in for a delightful surprise.

Enjoy every bite and share with someone special!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really enjoy this recipe for tons of reasons. First, I love how simple it is to whip up some fancy-tasting dessert at home. I don’t need to be some top chef to mix chocolate with cherries and have it turn out great. Second, the blend of the rich dark chocolate with the tangy cherries just makes my taste buds go crazy. Its an awesome combo that always reminds me of special treats and good times. Third, I like that it’s super flexible – whether I’m serving it in cute little cups for a party or just enjoying it on my own, it always fits the mood and makes the moment feel extra sweet.

Ingredients

• Pitted cherries add vibrant color, natural sweetness, fiber, vitamins, and a slight tart bite.
• Dark chocolate offers rich antioxidants, mood boosting cocoa, some carbohydrates and healthy fats.
• Heavy cream provides smooth creaminess, extra richness, plus a dose of fat for flavor.
• Unsalted butter enriches texture with natural fats and subtle, mellow savory taste.
• Salt brightens flavors while enhancing sweetness and savoriness with just a pinch.
• Vanilla extract gives a warm aroma and gentle, sweet boost to the dessert.
• Powdered sugar lightly crowns the dessert, adding elegant sweetness and finishing flair.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup pitted cherries (fresh or jarred, drained)
• 8 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 cocoa, roughly chopped)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: a light dusting of powdered sugar

How to Make this

1. Start by chopping up the dark chocolate into rough pieces and setting it aside along with your pitted cherries

2. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream, unsalted butter, salt, and vanilla extract over low heat until it’s warm and the butter has melted, but dont let it boil

3. Once the cream is heated, take it off the heat and pour it over the chopped chocolate in a bowl

4. Let the mixture sit for about two minutes so the chocolate can start melting then stir it gently until smooth

5. Carefully fold in your cherries into the chocolate mixture making sure they are evenly coated

6. If you want a bit of extra sweetness and a fancy look, lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar

7. Spoon the mixture into small serving cups or onto a parchment lined tray if you prefer bite-sized treats

8. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to let it firm up before serving

9. Enjoy these tasty and romantic cherry chocolate kisses as the perfect Valentine treat!

Equipment Needed

1. Chopping board and a sharp knife for chopping the chocolate and pitted cherries
2. A small saucepan to gently heat the heavy cream, butter, salt and vanilla
3. A heatproof mixing bowl to pour the warm mixture over the chocolate
4. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure the ingredients
5. A spatula or mixing spoon for stirring the melted chocolate and cream together
6. Serving cups or a tray lined with parchment paper for forming the treats
7. A refrigerator to chill and firm up the final confection

FAQ

The BEST Valentine’s Day Ideas Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the pitted cherries, you can try using raspberries or even strawberries if you’re in the mood for a twist.
• If you don’t have dark chocolate, semisweet chocolate works pretty good too though it might be a bit sweeter.
• Instead of heavy cream, you can use full fat coconut cream or even half and half, but note it might not be as rich.
• For unsalted butter, coconut oil or regular salted butter would do in a pinch, just adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.

Pro Tips

1. When you pour the warm cream over the chopped chocolate, make sure you let it sit for a minute or two so the chocolate melts slowly and doesn’t seize up from being too hot.
2. Be super careful when folding the cherries in; do it slowly and gently so you dont end up crushing the fruit too much.
3. If your cherries come from a jar, drain them really well first so extra liquid doesn’t ruin the chocolate texture.
4. Chill the final treat just long enough so it firms up but still stays creamy—over chilling can sometimes make it too hard.