Many people bake or buy cookies for Valentine's Day because, with the help of heart-shaped cookie cutters and pink frosting, they look like the perfect romantic treats. But with the right ingredients, cookies can also be powerful aphrodisiacs! An aphrodisiac (named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sex and beauty) is something that can supposedly awaken or intensify sexual desire. While the Food and Drug Administration says there is no scientific evidence that aphrodisiacs really work, happy couples have sworn by them for centuries. Some assert that aphrodisiacs work because they ignite hormones and stimulate increased blood flow to erogenous zones. Others believe that any food will arouse passion if it's prepared or eaten by those with love on their mind. Whether the boost in sexual desire that is triggered by an aphrodisiac is due to physiological or emotional reasons, it may be a powerful helper in getting your Valentine into the mood for love! Most people have heard that oysters are aphrodisiacs. But here are some others that you may want to consider: Chocolate. Considered by many as one of the best mood stimulants ever discovered. It not only has a rich, delicious flavor, chocolate contains phenethylamine, a natural stimulant that can make you feel wonderful all over. Cinnamon. Sweet and stimulating, it may help to increase the blood flow. Ginger. A flavorful spice used in Asia for centuries to enhance one's love life. Honey. Considered one of the ultimate love foods, honey was used by ancient Egyptians to cure sterility and impotence. The term "honeymoon" comes from the ancient custom where newly married couples would drink mead (honey wine) during their first lunar month together, to "sweeten the marriage." Nutmeg. With an intense and exciting aroma, nutmeg is another spice highly prized by Asian cultures as a powerful aphrodisiac. Nuts. Several varieties, including walnuts, almonds and macadamias, have been considered to be aphrodisiacs for centuries. In ancient Rome, walnuts were thrown at newlyweds instead of rice because they were symbols of fertility. Vanilla. The smell alone is thought to increase blood flow. Vanilla is especially enticing for men. A great way to multiply the effect on your Valentine is to combine several of those aphrodisiac ingredients into one incredibly sexy treat: a cookie! The following cookie recipes each contain five aphrodisiacs.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (Aphrodisiacs: vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, nuts, chocolat

e) Ingredients: 1/2 cup shortening 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 egg 1 cup canned pumpkin 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the pumpkin and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon; gradually mix into the creamed mixture. Stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Cool on wire racks. Yield: 4 dozen cookies. Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies (Aphrodisiacs: honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, nuts) Ingredients: 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup shortening 1/4 cup honey 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped white chocolate 1/2 cup chopped nuts Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees.In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, buttermilk, shortening, honey, and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt. Stir in chocolate chips, chopped white chocolate and nuts. Drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Cool for 4 minutes, and remove from cookie sheets. Yield: 2 dozen cookies. Treat your Valentine to stimulating cookies like these, and you could be making sweet love together in no time! You can find these and other free, delicious and sexy cookie recipes at www.CookieCrazy.com.