Just the other day I had to ask myself how many days until Valentine's Day and I realized it's here.

It's that time of the year…love is definitely in the air! A holiday focusing on spreading kindness, friendship, and love is something we can all embrace. Whether or not you have a Valentine, there's something about this alleged Hallmark holiday that warms our hearts.

I love decorating the house with delicate touches of reds and pinks, heart-shaped glassware and trinkets I have collected through the years, and lots of fresh flowers. It adds something cheerful to the dreary, gloomy days of winter. When the girls were little, Valentine's Day was a family affair. We spent weeks creating festive Valentine's Day cards for classmates, friends, and family. We always made lots of Valentine's Day cookies and treats to share.

This year, we have been experimenting in the kitchen more than ever and coming up with so many new, creative, and delicious ways to use our products. For the past few weeks, we have been focusing on different ways to use our jellies and jams. Since it's Valentine's Day, I thought using our Strawberry Jalapeño Jam – Sweet Heat, Southern Style would be most appropriate. It is one of our most versatile products and can be used in so many Valentine's Day recipes.

Strawberry Jalapeño Brie Puff Pastry Bites

One of my favorite ways to use our Strawberry Jalapeño Jam is to make up a batch of puff pastry bites using the jam and brie cheese as the filling. It is so simple to make, takes only a few minutes using ingredients most of us have on hand, and is oh-so-delicious. The slight zing of the jalapeño peppers infused with the natural sweetness of strawberries is the perfect taste profile to combine with the creaminess of brie cheese. It's a "triple threat" of flavor!

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 4-6 oz brie cheese, cut into small pieces
• 3-4 tablespoons Strawberry Jalapeño Jam
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into 2-inch squares.
3. Place a small piece of brie and ½ teaspoon of Strawberry Jalapeño Jam in the center of each square.
4. Fold corners to the center or fold in half to create triangles. Press edges to seal.
5. Brush with egg wash.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and puffed.
7. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

These easy Valentine's Day appetizers are perfect for romantic dinners or Galentine's parties!

→ Shop Strawberry Jalapeño Jam – Sweet heat that's perfect for Valentine's Day entertaining!

Spicy Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita Recipe

Another way we have been using our Strawberry Jalapeño Jam is in Valentine's Day cocktails. It doesn't have to be sunny and warm outdoors or Cinco de Mayo to enjoy a refreshing margarita, and making a Spicy Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita adds a curious twist to one of my favorite beverages. It's the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.

I taste-tested several recipes and finally decided that adding a spoonful of our Strawberry Jalapeño Jam to the shaker is a simple trick for margarita making! Use more or less depending on your preferences—and shake, shake, shake; it's a quick shortcut for a strawberry margarita with a zing. It blends perfectly and adds that little something-something! Don't forget to rim the glass with salt and top it with a slice of fresh jalapeño for that extra kick.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila (silver or reposado)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• 1-2 tablespoons Strawberry Jalapeño Jam
• Ice
• Salt for rimming
• Fresh jalapeño slices and strawberry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim glass with lime juice and dip in salt.
2. Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and Strawberry Jalapeño Jam to a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well combined and chilled.
4. Strain into prepared glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with jalapeño slice and fresh strawberry.

This romantic cocktail is perfect for celebrating with your Valentine!

Boozy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

For a sweet treat for Valentine's Day, don't forget about our best-selling Boozy Cherries® | Bourbon Cocktail Cherries. The dark Italian cherries are soaked in syrup made with Kentucky's finest spirits and pure organic cane sugar, creating a deliciously decadent sauce. They are perfectly served over vanilla bean ice cream or used in place of regular cherries for any recipe.

One of my favorite ways to use our Boozy Cherries, other than cocktails, is for my Boozy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.

These cookies remind me of the chocolate chip cookies that my Grandmother sent me while I was in college. Of course, adding chopped Boozy Cherries is the curious twist. Think chocolate chip cookies meet the perennial favorite Old Fashioned. There are elements of my favorite cocktail laced in these decadent cookies. The Boozy Cherries are the star, and I use just a splash of bourbon to keep things exciting. Maybe I should rename these little delicious treats Cupid's Cookies for the holiday?

Ingredients:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped Boozy Cherries®, drained

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and both sugars until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla, and bourbon; beat well.
4. Gradually blend in flour mixture.
5. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped Boozy Cherries.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
7. Bake 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks.

These Valentine's Day cookies are decadent, boozy, and absolutely irresistible!

→ Get Boozy Cherries® – Our best-selling bourbon cocktail cherries for desserts and drinks!

Boozy Cherry Champagne Cocktail

Also, think about using our Boozy Cherries with champagne. Just drop a cherry into your fluted champagne vessel, add your favorite bubbly and VOILA! You have a new Valentine's Day champagne cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 Boozy Cherries®
• 1 teaspoon Boozy Cherry syrup
• 4-6 oz champagne or sparkling wine

Instructions:

1. Place Boozy Cherries in the bottom of a champagne flute.
2. Add a teaspoon of the cherry syrup.
3. Top with chilled champagne.
4. Serve immediately.

Simple, elegant, and perfect for toasting your Valentine!

Shop Valentine's Day Favorites

Make your Valentine's Day celebration unforgettable with our gourmet Southern favorites:

• Strawberry Jalapeño Jam – Sweet Heat, Southern Style – Perfect for appetizers and cocktails
• Boozy Cherries® | Bourbon Cocktail Cherries – Our best-seller for desserts and drinks

Valentine's Day Gift Idea: Surprise your sweetheart with our Bourbon-Infused Gourmet Gift Set featuring Boozy Cherries and more Southern favorites!

However you and your loved ones celebrate Saint Valentine, remember it's a season to spread love and kindness—and for my family, there's no better way than some tasty treats. Happy Valentine's Day.

Cheers!

MK