February 4, 2022 | LIFE | By Carlee Castillo
For some, Valentine’s Day is the holiday of loneliness. To those without a partner, the day is often reduced to pitiful rom-com marathons, wallowing in bed with ice cream, and general bitterness. It is easy to succumb to resentment when we feel separated from the love that surrounds us.
However, Valentine’s Day transforms when we learn to appreciate the holiday for what it is: a celebration.
In my opinion, Valentine’s Day is a commemoration of all kinds of love. I love my friends. I love my family. I love my dogs. I love chocolate, pink roses, and cheesy stuffed animals. To me, Valentine’s Day is an entire holiday devoted to my favorite colors and favorite people.
If you find yourself single this Valentine’s, write kitschy love poems for your friends. Call your parents. Take your roommates out to dinner, or to spare the expense, bake these delicious treats in the comfort of your own home…
Heart Shaped Cherry Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
- 1 can cherry pie filling
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
- Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
- Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut 4-12 hearts (dependent on size) from your thawed puff pastry sheet.
- After placing your hearts on a greased baking pan, place a heaping tablespoon or so in the center of half of your hearts. Place another heart over the cherry filling and press the edges of the hearts together using fork tines. (Optional: use a sharp knife to cut an X or a smaller heart-shaped cookie cutter to punch a heart out of the top crust).
- Brush each joined heart with the egg wash. Then, sprinkle sugar over the tops.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
- Let cool before consuming. Enjoy!
Whether you decide to spend Valentine’s Day baking or begrudged, the day presents the opportunity to tell people you love and care about them. It reminds us that love should be silly and exuberant. Above all, love should be fun not just on Valentine’s Day, but throughout the whole year.