40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With
These homemade Valentine's Day treats are the sweetest way to say "I love you" to someone special.
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Valentine's Day is the sweetest holiday around. While we believe in spreading the love everyday, there's no reason why you can't go the extra mile one day a year and show your family members, close friends, and even that special someone how much you love them. And what better way to say "I love you" than with a Valentine's Day dessert? Here, we're sharing 40 of them. From the Galentine's Day-friendly Iced Heart Cookies that are pictured here to romantic desserts for two (think: rice pudding or molten lava cakes), we have a sweet treat for all of the most important people in your life.
If you're having a special date night-in with just you and your partner, how about making our totally indulgent, luscious, and over-the-top Chocolate-Mousse Parfaits? Semisweet chocolate and Dutch-processed cocoa powder create the rich, chocolatey base for the mousse. They're mixed with an egg custard, then folded with whipped cream, which creates a light and luscious texture. Once they're chilled, top them with even more whipped cream and crushed spiced cookies for serving—we guarantee that your loved one will be seeing hearts for this Valentine's Day dessert.
Looking for a treat that you can serve to a group of people (socially distanced or with your quarantine pod) such as your best gals, co-workers, or family? How about a batch of our Handwritten Valentine Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze? Use melted white chocolate to write phrases such as "Be Mine" and "Call Me"—it's a delicious excuse to express yourself. Or keep it simple with cookies. Our Peanut-Butter-and-Jam Heart Cookies are a match made in heaven, as are our cute and creative Lovebird Cookies. Make this year's holiday sweeter than ever with our Valentine's Day dessert recipes.
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Easy Chocolate Truffles
Love saves the day. But these quick truffles will save you a whole lot of time and rolling. Rather than scooping and shaping each truffle from a rich ganache made with heavy cream and semisweet chocolate. Pour the mixture into a pan, chill it, and slice it into bite-size squares. Toss them in cocoa powder and box them up for a homemade treat your friends will adore.
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Coffee Crème Caramel
Opposites attract in this elegant Valentine's Day dessert. While the vanilla custard (made from a few simple ingredients) is delicate and creamy, the espresso-inflected caramel sauce comes on with stronger flavors. One silky spoonful, and you'll agree they bring out the best in each other.
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Chocolate-Mousse Parfaits
There's nothing more romantic than sharing a decadent chocolate dessert on Valentine's Day. This recipe, which serves two, is made with two kinds of chocolate and espresso powder, which enhances the rich flavor.
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Sweetheart Thumbprint Cookies
Ever heard the phrase, "you go together like peanut butter and jelly?" Show someone special just how much you love them by giving them these sandwich sugar cookies with a sweet, jammy filling.
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Raspberry and Chocolate-Hazelnut Crepe Cake
Consider this the dessert equivalent of holding up the boombox. Paper-thin crepes are stacked between layers of chocolate-hazelnut spread and a raspberry mousse in this romantic Valentine's Day dessert.
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Meringue Letters and Hearts
Have a way with words? Spell out your love by hand-piping meringue cookies and baking them until they're set.
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Martha's Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes
Enjoying an evening at home with just you and your loved ones? Whip up these individual chocolate pudding cakes, which are inspired by a traditional molten lava cake (because nothing says love like melted chocolate) and will melt in your mouth.
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Handwritten Valentine Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze
Spread the love with these double chocolate cupcakes that include a very special message written in white chocolate. They're the perfect dessert for celebrating Valentine's (or Galentine's!) Day.
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Dark- and White-Chocolate Shortbread Hearts
Enhance the flavor of the chocolate in these shortbread cookies with instant espresso powder.
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Whoopie Hearts with Raspberry Meringue
Make kid-friendly whoopie hearts a Valentine's Day special by mixing frozen raspberries into Swiss meringue and pipping it between spongy chocolate pies.
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Mini Chocolate Cupcakes With Multicolored Frosting
Create a festive spread of cheerful Valentine's Day cupcakes by arranging them in the shape of a heart and decorating them with various colors of frosting (choose different shades of pink and red, which is apt for the holiday).
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Chocolate-Pistachio Tartufo
Two kinds of ice cream—chocolate and pistachio—are layered in this frozen, Italian-inspired dessert for Valentine's Day. Of course, it's completely customizable based on you and your sweetheart's favorite flavors.
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Baked Alaska with Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Ice Cream
Win the heart of your partner or pal with this stunning dessert that dates back to the 19th century in the U.S. Inside, chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream await.
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Chocolate Heart Sandwich Cookies
Sugar cookies are a year-round favorite. Here, we've added cocoa powder to the mix, cut them into the shape of hearts, and sandwiched cream filling between each for a Valentine's Day dessert.
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Chocolate Eclair Hearts
We've turned the French pastry into a heart-shaped dessert for Valentine's Day. Use good-quality chocolate, which makes all the difference.
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Rice Pudding with Sea Salt-Caramel Sauce
This old-fashioned, timeless treat is just the thing to honor a love for the ages. A sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top contrasts the sweet caramel and rich pudding.
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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Chocolate Glaze
Instead of the usual graham cracker crust, make a crust using finely ground chocolate wafer cookies and butter for this romantic cheesecake recipe. The filling is half peanut butter and half chocolate, which is swirled together for the ultimate marble dessert.
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Couscous Crunch Bar
No one would ever guess that Israeli couscous provides the secret crunch in this chocolate bar; but life is full of surprises, isn't it?
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Chocolate-Dipped Luxardo Cherries
Instead of the usual chocolate-dipped strawberries for a Valentine's Day dessert, how about rich, syrupy Luxardo cherries?
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No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cup Bars
This is one of Martha's favorite desserts for serving on Valentine's Day. All you need is peanut butter, butter, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, and bittersweet chocolate. It's like taking a bite out of the world's largest peanut butter cup.
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Chocolate-Caramel Truffles
It's not really Valentine's Day if you don't indulge in chocolate, right? Wow your sweetheart with these handmade truffles; they're rolled in an assortment of red, white, and pink sprinkles for a festive finish that will make your heart skip a beat.
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Chocolate-Peppermint Hearts
Although the combination of chocolate and peppermint may make you think of Christmas, once these candies are shaped into hearts, they're the sweetest Valentine's Day dessert.
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Peanut-Butter-and-Jam Heart Cookies
If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then you'll love these cookies. All you need is a handful of ingredients to make these basic peanut butter cookies, which are then filled with raspberry jam.
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Alexis' Heart Cake
Martha's daughter Alexis loves to make this banana and coconut cake for Valentine's Day. For festive flair, it's frosted with a cream cheese buttercream and covered in flaked coconut.
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Coconut Meringue Cakes
Falling in love is like floating on cloud nine, so we created a dessert that is light as air for Valentine's Day. Generous scoops of coconut sorbet are layered between individual coconut meringue discs for a simple dessert that makes a big impact.
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Molten Chocolate-Espresso Cakes
If you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a socially-distanced, outdoor group, then you need a COVID-friendly dessert to mark the occasion. How about these individual molten lava cakes? The secret ingredient is instant espresso powder, which brings out the flavor of bittersweet chocolate.
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Dark Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate is indulgent, but these vegan truffles provide a healthy spin for a Valentine's Day dessert recipe—they're made with coconut oil instead of the usual heavy cream and dare we say, they're better than ever.
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Chocolate Heart Cupcakes
How adorable are these milk and white chocolate cupcakes? A ½ cup of tart pomegranate or cherry juice contrasts the rich chocolate flavor in this dessert.
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Tartlets with Yogurt Pastry Cream and Strawberries
If there's one fruit that's befitting of Valentine's Day, it's strawberries. Here, we layer the sliced berries over a lightened-up pastry cream and store-bought, all-butter puff pastry.
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Chocolate-Hazelnut Snowballs
Nothing says "I love you" like something homemade. And the best part is these chocolates only require five ingredients—semisweet chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, pure vanilla extract, toasted hazelnuts, and shredded coconut.
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Almond-Rye Heart Cookies
Sometimes the most understated things are the most special. You won't be able to help falling in love with these nutty cookies that get a delicate dusting of powdered sugar.
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Biscotti Bites
Inspired by classic Italian biscotti, these mini bite-sized cookies are adorable and even easier than a traditional recipe. Dip them in chocolate for a cute and delicious Valentine's Day dessert.
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Lovebird Cookies
Find your happily ever after with these wise cookies for a Valentine's Day dessert. They look too good to eat—but wouldn't it be a shame to not take a bite?
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Cherry-Raspberry Semifreddo
Cherries and raspberries create a vibrant red hue for this make-ahead Valentine's Day dessert. A few tablespoons of elderflower liqueur adds a bouquet of floral flavors.
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Conversation Heart Cookies
Since the nostalgic candies always have a place in our heart, we decided to turn them into a batch of sugar cookies that are as sweet as can be. Use our recipe for Royal Icing for colorful, precise icing in an array of colors.
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Brownie Heart Cupcakes
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Triple-Chocolate Mousse Cakes
If there's one day that's made to impress, it's Valentine's Day. So, why not serve a dessert that will knock someone's socks off? This sweet recipe needs to be made at least four hours in advance, which gives you plenty of time to spend with your loved ones during the holiday.
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Chocolate-Flecked Layer Cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting
Go big or go home on Valentine's Day. That's why we recommend baking this multi-layered cake stuffed with finely chopped chocolate and topped with a lighter chocolate frosting.
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Chocolate Pots de Crème For Two
Make this romantic French-inspired dessert for Valentine's Day. We've scaled down the serving size so that it makes enough for just you and your sweetheart.