Valentine’s Day is not without its ups and downs. For those in a relationship, it’s a day dedicated to those you care about. For those who aren’t, it’s a 24-hour-long reminder of loneliness.

But one thing everyone can appreciate, whether or not the Hallmark Holiday is marked on your calendar, is the sweet treats lining every store in February.

This year, the Inkspot taste testers did not have to travel far to get a taste.

Senior Staff Reporter Mallory Thomison shared the love, straight from her own kitchen, baking Valentine’s themed cake bites dipped in white chocolate.

When I sank my teeth into the smooth chocolate shell, I felt pierced by Cupid’s arrow – it really was love at first bite.

Inside, the gooey cake made my mouth water.

Each element of Mallory’s cake pops worked cohesively, the crunch of sprinkles placed delicately on the outside of the sphere being the icing on the cake for me, quite literally.

And while it may appear small on the outside, the dense inner workings of the treat left me perfectly satisfied after a few bites.

But the combination of textures and filling could not compare to the execution of appearance. With adorable pastel colors and a neatly tied bow, the attention to detail only made the dessert taste better.

Most importantly, Mallory showed that the best ingredient in a Valentine’s Day treat really is love.