Invite Cupid into your kitchen with these cookie cutters from King Arthur Flour. And while several hearts (curved, doubled, pierced with an arrow) are part of the mix, we were won over by the angelic Cupid, delicate dove and lips. The colorful cutters must be hand-washed. The Valentine Cookie Cutters set of seven is $12.95. At kingarthurflour.com.
The chocolatiers at Kohler (yes, the Wisconsin folks with the posh American Club resort and plumbing business also make candy) have built upon their Original Buttery Terrapin (milk chocolate, caramel, pecan) concept to create a delicious quartet of similarly styled sweets that includes Blackstrap (dark chocolate with a deep molasses flavor, walnuts and raisins), Java (dark chocolate with coffee hints and pecans) and Cranberry (tart fruit, white chocolate and peanuts). Prices start at $11.99 for a four-piece box. For a store locator or to buy: kohlerchocolates.com.
Hershey’s moves into the arena of nut-and-chocolate spreads with two versions: Chocolate with Almond (sweetness almost overwhelms the almond) and Chocolate with Hazelnut (the hazelnut is more pronounced). Spread a bit between a pair of simple cookies (a shortbread, perhaps) for a quick Valentine’s Day treat. Or serve with fresh fruit for dipping. There’s also a plain chocolate version. The suggested retail price for a 13-ounce jar: $3.79. At supermarkets nationwide. hersheys.com/spreads.