5 Best Heart-Shaped Foods: A Feast of Love for Valentine’s Day

For centuries, the heart shape has symbolized love and romance. Around Valentine's Day especially, this association is displayed through heart-shaped candies, cards, and of course, foods. Whether expertly crafted or simply cut out with a cookie cutter, heart-shaped edibles add a playful touch to the holiday. This article will explore traditional and global heart-shaped foods, as well as tips, recipes, and decoration ideas for baking heart foods to share with loved ones.

1. Heart Shaped Cookies

(https://www.delish.com/)

Cookies are one of the most classic treats associated with Valentine's Day. Their small size and versatility lends itself well to cuteness and decorating. Heart-shaped sugar cookies can be customized with different frosting flavors and colors to signify loved ones. Chocolate chip cookies take on a festive air when cut into tiny hearts before baking. And hearty oatmeal raisin cookies translate well to the symbolic shape.

• Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Colored sparkling sugar for decoration (optional)

• Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Beat in the egg then stir in the vanilla.

• Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.

• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

• Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Gather scraps, reroll, and cut more shapes as needed.

• For decorated cookies, lightly sprinkle sparkling sugar over the tops before baking.

• Bake for 8-10 minutes, until just lightly golden on the edges.

• Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

(https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/)

• Tips:  For the best heart shapes, use a sharp cookie cutter, and don't twist the cutter as you press. Bake cookies until just set - do not overbake.

2. Heart Shaped Cakes

(https://inbloombakery.com/) 

Nothing says "I love you" quite like a lovingly crafted cake. Layer cakes allow for heart cutouts to stack beautifully in red velvet or vanilla flavors. A single-layer cake can show off intricate piping details. Buttercream or cream cheese frosting is easiest to work with when defining pointed ends. Fruity fillings or fresh berries nestled inside take these cakes to new romantic heights.

• Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• Frosting of your choice

• Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a heart-shaped cake pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, vanilla, and eggs.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, frost the whole cake with your desired frosting. Try to avoid frosting the sharp points of the heart shape for a cleaner look.
• Decorate further if desired with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, etc.
• Refrigerate until the frosting is set before serving.

(https://inbloombakery.com/) 

• Tips: Be sure to use a heart-shaped pan for the authentic shape. You can also make heart shapes by cutting and stacking layers of cake. Frost smooth for a polished look.

3. Heart Shaped Pizza

Pizza makes the perfect whole meal-sized Valentine's treat. Dough rounds morph into unique heart canvases waiting to be creatively topped. Combining fan-favorite ingredients into the iconic shape is a fun culinary challenge. With some practice, evenly balanced toppings can be arranged without slipping off pointed edges for a picture-perfect slice.

(https://madeitateitlovedit.com/) 

• Ingredients

• 1 ball of pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
• All-purpose flour for dusting
• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, etc)

• Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll out the pizza dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
• Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or pizza cutter to cut out heart shapes from the dough.
• Transfer dough hearts to the preheated pizza stone/baking sheet. Prick all over with a fork.
• Spread tomato sauce evenly over each heart, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
• Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and desired toppings.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Cut into slices with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

(https://fox8.com/) 

• Tips: For best results, use a thin, crisp crust dough. You can also make one large heart-shaped pizza by stretching the dough into a heart shape on the baking surface.
  
   

4. Heart Shaped Sandwiches

(https://www.archanaskitchen.com/)

Lunches packed with a heart show someone you care all day long. Bread is an excellent vehicle for stuffed hearts of all fillings. From traditional deli meats and cheeses to creative global combinations, sandwiches translate sentiment into portable form. Tortilla hearts hold special fillings neatly together even without the crusts.

• Ingredients

• Bread slices (white, wheat, gluten-free, etc)
• Butter or mayonnaise
• Lunch meat like ham, turkey, or roast beef
• Cheese slices like cheddar, Swiss or pepper jack
• Condiments like lettuce, tomatoes, mustard

(https://everydaydishes.com/) 

• Instructions

• Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut bread slices into heart shapes.
• Spread one side of each bread heart with butter or mayonnaise.
• Layer desired lunch meat and cheese slices on top, leaving a 1/4-inch border.
• Top with lettuce, tomatoes, or other desired condiments.
• Top with a second bread heart, buttered side down.
• Use a butter knife to gently press the edges together to seal.
• Cut crusts off if desired for a cleaner shape.
• Serve immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

• Tips: For pickier eaters, cut off crusts. Use heart-shaped deli meat if available. Decorated toothpicks can be used to hold the edges together nicely. Heart-shaped cookie cutters in various sizes allow for tiered sandwiches too.

5. Heart Shaped Fruit

Cutting fruit into hearts brings natural color and nutrients to any celebration. Hearts showcase the natural beauty of seasonal options from berries to melons. Skewered or dipped fruits offer a playful presentation. A platter brings together flavors while expressing heartfelt appreciation.

(https://vacavillefruit.com/) 

• Ingredients

• Strawberries
• Kiwi fruit
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Green or red grapes
• Melon (honeydew or watermelon)
• Yogurt (greek or regular)
• Mint leaves (optional)

(https://tipbuzz.com/) 

• Instructions

• Wash all fruits thoroughly under running water. Gently pat dry with paper towels.
• Cut the tops off the strawberries so they sit flat. Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter or knife to cut a heart shape out of the top of each strawberry.
• Slice kiwi fruit and melon into rounds. Use a cookie cutter to cut hearts out of the slices.
• Hull the strawberries and cut them into hearts using a cookie cutter or knife.
• Place grapes on toothpicks or lollipop sticks, threading through the stem end of the grape. Arrange in a heart shape.
• Trim and pluck leaves from fresh mint.
• Arrange all heart-shaped fruit pieces artistically on a large serving platter to form the shape of a heart. You can use the melon and kiwi rounds to fill in and berries to outline.
• Drizzle with yogurt if desired. Garnish with mint leaves.
• Refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.

• Tips: Make sure fruits are dry so cut shapes hold together. Use assorted sizes for visual appeal. Leave some fruits whole for accent.

In conclusion, while heart-shaped foods are especially symbolic around Valentine's Day, the homemade gestures and skills practiced have value year-round. With some simple kitchen tools and creativity, it is possible to transform recipes both savory and sweet into fun, customized creations that deliver nourishing nutrition along with a loving message. Whether cookies, cakes, pizzas, or fruit, the epitome of any bake or dish is not its aesthetic finish but the care, thought, and memory embodied within. This Valentine's season, consider spreading affection through the kitchen by cutting, molding, or decorating favorite dishes into meaningful heart shapes to nourish both body and soul for those you cherish.