Friends. Valentine’s Day is next week.  Get the picture?

Thankfully, there’s a big beautiful weekend between now and then—plenty of time to make a few of these fabulous homemade treats and sweets!

Mini Pies in a Jar

Could there be a better gift for co-workers, neighbors, friends, teachers—and any number of other people—than a single-serving, mini pie in a small jar? I think not!

I have detailed written detailed instructions including recipes here:  The Perfect Small Gift: Pie in a Jar. It really is quite easy and the results are fabulous!

I’ve been making these adorable single-serving pies for some time now (switch out pumpkin with cherry), and it really is so much fun. Who can resist a small pie in a jar, right?

Mini Pies in a Jar Lid

Yep, a jar lid! While mini pies in a jar are single-serving size, these little pies made in a wide-mouth jar lid are even smaller—more like one amazing, decadent bite! Just perfect.

CreatedByDiane.com offers this Mason Jar Lid Mini Pies complete tutorial with photos that will have you turning out dozens of these small pies in no time at all.

Mini Lava Cakes

This is amazing—now you can make individual, succulent not molten lava cakes in your Instant Pot electric pressure cooker

I know. Sounds ridiculous, but you have to trust me on this. Here is the recipe and full instructions.

For a more traditional non-pressure cooker method, check out Lee Drummond’s Chocolate Lava Cakes recipe and instructions.

Candied Lemon Peel

Oh my. I just returned from California with a load of organic Meyer lemons and I’ve got candied lemon peel on my mind—fresh and brightly aromatic DIY candy.

Rather than this being a tedious process that takes hours and hours—I’m making candied lemon peel in my Instant Pot (I love that thing!)

Photo: HipPressureCooking.com

Fast, easy and the result? Fantastic! And what an elegant, lovely gift this decadent candy makes. Perfect for Valentines Day! Click HERE for the recipe and complete instructions from HipPressureCooking.com.

Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes

I’d say that anything with “red velvet” in its name is perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Tiny red velvet cupcakes with a large amount of cream cheese frosting and sprinkles are nearly too precious to eat. Perfect gifts, perfect treats!

LittleSweetBaker.com offers an excellent recipe plus lovely instructions for Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Double Thumbprint Cookies

With just a couple of extra steps, traditional thumbprint cookies become beautiful heart-shaped! And so easy! Find the recipe at MidWestLiving.com

Mini Cheesecakes

Oh, so sweet! Cute for sure, but delicious as well.

• 1 (12-ounce) package vanilla wafers
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (21 ounces) can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Line mini muffin tins with mi paper liners.

Crush the vanilla wafers, and place 1/2 teaspoon of crumbs into each paper cup.

Ina mixing bowl, beat cream cheese (make sure it is room temperature for best results), sugar, egg, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top.

Bake for 15 minutes. Cool. Top with a teaspoonful of cherry pie filling. Yield: About two dozen.

PREVIOUSLY: How to Cook Perfectly Boiled Eggs Every Time

TOMORROW! 2018 Valentine Gift Guide—Fabulous Gift Idea for Him and Her

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon affiliated sites.

Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.