Of course, you can always give the one you love a box of assorted chocolates or a big bouquet of flowers for Valentine’s Day. Perhaps you’d rather take in a movie or enjoy a romantic dinner at your favorite restaurant. Or, maybe, all you’ll do is exchange cards.

But, presenting someone with a homemade indulgence trumps them all, especially if it’s something sweet, like cake or pie. A heart-shaped chocolate cake, glazed in rich bittersweet ganache, or mini red velvet cakes filled with ice cream, are especially endearing, and in winter, a slice of cherry-berry pie — à la mode, if you like — is almost as fine as a heartfelt kiss.

None of the recipes here are overly complicated and have been tested many times to assure success. And, while the cakes were made in specialty pans found in stores that sell baking supplies or via on-line sources (such as Amazon. com), as long as you use pans of equal capacity, you’ll be pleased with the results.

Most times, it is true that it’s better to be the giver than the receiver, but not today. Make any of these sweet treats for sharing with your Valentine, and you can be both.

Sue Ade is a syndicated food columnist with broad experience in the culinary arts. She has resided and worked in the lowcountry of South Carolina since 1985 and may be reached at kitchenade@yahoo.com.

Baked in Wilton’s Dimensions 6-Cup Cast-Aluminum Mini-Hearts Pan, red velvet hearts make a novel Valentine’s Day dessert when cut in half and filled with ice cream to make red velvet ice cream sandwiches. (Photo by Sue Ade)

If you don’t have a heart-shaped 10-cup pan for baking a Chocolate-Espresso Heart, a Bundt pan of equal capacity will work. To enhance the cake’s espresso flavor, serve with a scoop or two of coffee ice cream, dusted with grated chocolate. (Photo by Sue Ade)

Sweet indulgences, like cakes and pies, are good for sharing on Valentine’s Day. (Photos by Sue Ade)