Forget Flowers, This Heart-Shaped Cocotte Is All You Need for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s a day filled with romance, candy, flowers, and special moments. I always try to cook or bake something a little more special, and I'm never opposed to kitchen pieces that can stick to the theme. So when I was offered a chance to sample this Staub Cast Iron 1.75-Quart Heart Cocotte ahead of February 14, I admit my heart skipped a beat. 

It is in the shape of a cute heart for Valentine’s Day, plus it's just the right size for a romantic meal for two. The love-themed cocotte promises the quality of the Staub cookware I’ve always wanted to try and it can be used for both savory and sweet treats. And, while it’s a bit pricey, it’s also a unique Valentine’s Day gift to buy that special someone in your life that will last for a lifetime. You’ll want to order it ASAP, though, just to ensure it’ll arrive on time.

Staub Cast Iron 1.75-Quart Heart Cocotte

The incredibly cute heart shape almost instantly won me over, but I wanted to make sure this stood up to Staub’s quality construction. The pot features a textured matte-black enameled coating and a shiny colorful exterior, which I loved. This 1.75-quart cocotte is not a smooth circle (it’s specifically 8.58 by 5.55 by 3 inches), but that doesn’t limit its cooking capabilities.

I’ve been using it for two weeks, and the first meal I made was a hearty beef stew. It came out perfectly. The enameled cast iron evenly heated and held its heat throughout the entire cooking process. The beef was tender and juicy, and the potatoes and carrots were just right. I did sear the meat in another pan, as I quickly realized the shape of the bottom of this cocotte, which measures a little over 4 inches, wasn’t quite enough space. All the ingredients then went into the cocotte, which I covered with the lid and put in the oven for a few hours at 350°F. The base of the cocotte came with extra sturdy dual handles that made it easy to grab it with oven mitts, which is essential when you’re baking high-volume dishes like stew. It was just enough for two people to enjoy.

Now that I knew I could slow cook with the pan, I tried to bake something sweet — cinnamon bread. Just like a standard pan, I greased it ahead of time, poured the batter in, then baked it without the lid. After carefully running a spatula around the edges, the bread came out easily and stayed in the adorable heart shape without any issues — another perk of the enamel coating. It took a bit longer to cook than it would in a regular loaf pan since the cocotte is deeper, but it was well worth the wait. I happily shared it with some of my friends, who clamored over the bread’s shape and declared it light, fluffy, moist, and delicious. It’s also a great centerpiece to put on the table to serve that special romantic dish.

Cleaning the heart-shaped cocotte was not an issue either, as it washed up easily in warm, soapy water. You’ll need to find a spot in the cupboard to put it since it’s a unique shape, but I doubt I’ll want to put it away. I am a romantic at heart, so this pan will sit out on display all year round. 

While I’ve decided what I’m making for Valentine’s Day in this high-quality heart-shaped cocotte,  I think it would be great to use throughout the year for those times when you want to make a romantic dinner for two, or for bridal showers, weddings, first date anniversaries, wedding anniversaries, and more. The possibilities are endless. In fact, I’m already envisioning the cake I am planning to bake in this heart-shaped cast iron cocotte for a friend’s bridal shower.

I am smitten with this Staub heart cocotte, and you will be too. It is only available for a limited time as a specialty item for Valentine’s Day, so if you want one for that special person, order it now at Williams Sonoma.

Shop More Valentine’s Day Kitchenware at Williams Sonoma:Le Creuset 10.5-Inch Enameled Cast Iron Heart Skillet Fry Pan

Emile Henry French Ceramic Ruffle Heart Pie Dish

Williams Sonoma 9.5-Inch Olivewood Heart Spoon

Le Creuset 2.75-Quart Enameled Cast Iron L'Amour Soup Pot

Williams Sonoma 4-Piece Valentine's Day Conversation Heart Cookie Cutters

Nordic Ware Nonstick Sweetheart Waffler

At the time of publishing, the price was $240.