Valentine's Day is a great excuse to bake. Make something sweet, cozy, and full of love. Whether you're planning a romantic night, teaching in an elementary school, or feel like you deserve something sweet, here are some Valentine's Day desserts that are fun to make and great for sharing (though you don't have to). There's something here for everyone, except those without a sweet tooth.
1. Red Velvet Cupcakes
A timeless Valentine's Day dessert idea and a great dessert for various holidays. Cocoa and tangy cream cheese frosting combine for that vibrant but light flavor. Decorate with sprinkles or, even better, heart-shaped toppers.
For tender cupcakes, avoid overmixing the batter. Mix just until the flour is incorporated so the crumb stays soft. Let cupcakes cool completely before adding frosting to prevent melting or sliding. For clean frosting swirls, chill the frosted cupcakes briefly before adding sprinkles or decorations.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter and sugar; add eggs.
- Mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk.
- Add vanilla and food coloring.
- Fill liners ⅔ full and bake 18–20 minutes.
- Cool and frost.
2. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
A dessert that looks elegant but takes almost no time to make. A date-night dessert or a great DIY dessert at a party. They're just sweet, juicy strawberries dipped in chocolate.
Chocolate melts best at low heat. Use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently. Make sure no water or steam gets into the chocolate since even a drop can cause it to seize and turn grainy. If the chocolate becomes too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to thin it and create a smooth dipping texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and fully dry strawberries.
- Melt chocolate and coconut oil.
- Dip and place on parchment.
- Chill to set.
3. Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
Chocolate cake with a warm, gooey center. This is one of those Valentine's recipes that looks fancy but is quick to make. Serve them warm, with a scoop of ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt chocolate and butter.
- Whisk in eggs, sugar, and flour.
- Pour into greased ramekins.
- Bake at 425°F for 11–12 minutes.
4. Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
An excellent option for decorating with kids. These are simply sugar cookies cut into hearts. Decorate them with pink and red icing to match the theme or cut them into different shapes; everything from Dreidels for a Hanukkah dessert to stars and geometric shapes with a cookie cutter.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar; add egg and vanilla.
- Mix in flour.
- Chill 1 hour.
- Roll, cut shapes, bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
Pink and read are usually the colors of choice for Valentine's. Try these recipes that are naturally colored.
5. Brownie Hearts
Another classic dessert in a heart shape. Bake these brownies (or your favorite brownie recipe) and cut them into hearts. Share them, decorate them, gift them!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bake brownies in a pan.
- Cool fully.
- Cut heart shapes with cookie cutter.
6. Chocolate Truffles
Silky, rich, and luxurious truffles. However, they're easier to make than you'd think and all require a handful of ingredients. Put them in a small box and they make a great Valentine's gift.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat cream and butter.
- Pour over chocolate; stir.
- Chill 1 hour.
- Roll into balls.
7. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Cake rounds with a creamy frosting filling. As they're red, they go great with Valentine's treats. They also travel well, so you can take them to parties.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix batter.
- Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet.
- Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
- Cool and sandwich.
8. Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecakes with a strawberry swirl in every bite. Slice them into squares so you can share them. This is a great option for making ahead of time, whether it's for Valentine's Day or as a Halloween party dessert.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix crust; press in pan.
- Beat filling and pour.
- Swirl jam.
- Bake 30 minutes at 325°F.
9. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut butter cookies with a chocolate topping. Get the kids to help with the chocolate kisses. These make a great option to take to school.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix dough.
- Roll in sugar.
- Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
- Press kiss on top.
10. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
Shortbread dipped in chocolate. Feels elegant, but it's simple to do. Festive sprinkles and decorations can make them even more suitable for Valentine's Day. Keep this recipe for other holidays if you like them.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix dough and shape.
- Bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
- Dip cooled cookies in chocolate.
11. Raspberry Rose Macarons
Macarons with a fresh and sweet raspberry filling. Looking for a bakery-style dessert? These are light and delicate, yet feel special and romantic.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whip egg whites + sugar.
- Fold in dry ingredients.
- Pipe circles, rest 30 min.
- Bake 12 minutes at 300°F.
- Fill.
12. Chocolate Bark with Freeze-Dried Berries
This is really quick to make and looks great. Add color with freeze-dried berries. If you need quick, easy Valentine desserts, this should be your go-to!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt chocolate.
- Spread thin.
- Top.
- Chill.
13. Chocolate Pretzel Rods
Sweet and salty, the perfect party snack. You can make these in minutes and decorate them, which means you can use them for any holiday. Give them a try!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dip tops in melted chocolate.
- Add sprinkles.
- Dry on parchment.
14. Valentine Rice Krispie Hearts
These treats are popular with kids and easy to make for every holiday, from New Year's to a quick and easy Thanksgiving dessert. Like everything on Valentine's Day, cut them into heart shapes. You can even decorate them if you want.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter + marshmallows.
- Stir cereal in.
- Press in pan; cut shapes.
15. Mini Strawberry Pavlovas
Meringue nests with whipped cream and berries. Light and elegant, they go perfectly with Valentine's Day. An excellent choice for a romantic dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whip whites + sugar.
- Pipe nests.
- Bake at 225°F for 1 hour.
- Fill.
16. Linzer Cookies
Buttery cookies with sweet jam and powdered sugar. They're easy to make at home and look just as good as they do in the bakery. As always, get that heart-shaped cookie cutter out!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix dough.
- Cut shapes.
- Bake 10 minutes at 350°F.
- Fill with jam.
17. Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake
Cheesecake with a berry swirl. Slice it to share (if you want). It feels rich but isn't too heavy, making for a good showstopper dessert.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix filling.
- Pour into crust.
- Swirl puree.
- Bake 45 minutes at 325°F.
18. White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
White chocolate cookies with tangy bits of berries. You can freeze the raspberries if you don't want the colors to run, but since they turn red and pink, they're pretty good for Valentine's Day. Think about sharing them.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter + sugar.
- Add egg + flour.
- Fold in chocolate + raspberries.
- Bake 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
19. Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Pops
These are cute, fun, and simple treats that you can decorate. They're excellent for parties and kid-friendly activities, whether it's for Valentine's Day or a Christmas-themed dessert. If you need Valentine treats for kids in a hurry, these are a good choice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Insert sticks.
- Dip in chocolate.
- Decorate and cool.
20. Pink Velvet Sheet Cake
A pink-hued, soft, fluffy cake. Easy to bake, slice, and serve. Top with vanilla frosting and color-coordinated sprinkles.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix batter.
- Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
- Frost.
21. Mini Cheesecake Cups
Mini cheesecakes that you can serve to individuals. Chocolate, fruit, or candy all work as toppings. Date night or dessert board; your choice!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Press crust into muffin liners.
- Pour filling.
- Bake 15 minutes at 325°F.
22. Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Balance chocolate flavor with bright, fresh raspberry. This dessert looks great but it's easy to put together. That's your romantic dinner dessert taken care of.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make crust and bake.
- Heat cream + pour over chocolate.
- Fill tart and chill.
- Top with raspberries.
23. Vanilla Meringue Kisses
These treats are great gifts and a lighter alternative to some heavier desserts. They're crisp, sweet, and they melt in your mouth. Simply delicious! They also make a great alternative to chocolatey Easter desserts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whip whites + sugar stiff.
- Pipe.
- Bake at 225°F for 1 hour.
24. Conversation Heart Cookies
Playful and personal cookies. Customize them with jokes, names, or love notes. Great for parties or gifts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut hearts.
- Bake and cool.
- Frost and write messages.
25. No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups
Creamy cheesecake with sweet strawberries. You don't even have to bake them; you have to mix, layer, and chill (both you and the cheesecake!). A great last-minute Valentine's Day dessert idea.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix filling.
- Spoon crumbs into cups.
- Layer filling and strawberries.
- Chill.
Really don't feel like baking? Try these.
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