Dark Heart Brownies

Brownies are one of the most beloved Valentine’s Day treats because they satisfy everyone’s hankering for chocolate, you can whip them up in under an hour, and you can adjust the ingredients for any number of crowds (hello, paleo brownies). These brownies — covered in deep, dark chocolate ganache and topped with dark chocolate hearts — are for those of us who really really love chocolate and also for those of us who are a little more cynical about the holiday. (That’s why we’re calling them “Dark Heart Brownies!”) These brownies would be for watching horror films by yourself or with your best gals.

Shortcutting the baking process with a box of brownie mix frees you up to focus on what’s really important here: the toppings. In this case, you’ll bake your favorite brownie mix in a 9-by-13-inch pan to create a thinner brownie, and then you’ll melt chopped dark chocolate and stir in some heavy cream as they cool. You’ll then spread the rich ganache onto the brownies for a treat that’s about 50 percent brownie and 50 percent frosting.

The final flourish is a flurry of sprinkles — you can use pink if you’re feeling sweet, or opt for chocolate to go for a darker theme — and pressing in dark chocolate hearts, such as Dove Promises.

Whether you’re celebrating a sweetie or just celebrating sweets, Valentine’s Day is a great holiday for breaking out the treats. We scoured the web, polled our team, and landed on 10 Valentine’s Day treats to make for your office, classroom, or special someone, showing you the easiest ways to make them at home.