Chocolate Desserts for Valentine's Day

By Jennifer Anderson
December 23, 2010
Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
There's no better way to say "I love you" than with a delightful, decadent chocolate dessert. Whether you're looking for chocolate cakes and truffles or cupcakes and pies, you'll find your perfect Valentine's Day dessert here.
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Credit: Jonathan Lovekin

Chocolate and romance are synonymous. That's why Valentine's Day is only rivaled by Easter in terms of chocolate sales. But better than any box of store-bought bonbons is a homemade dessert or treat to share. Whether you enjoy it with your partner, the family, or a group of friends is up to you. We're just here to offer you a stellar selection of cacao recipes. There are classic heart-shaped cookies and decadent raspberry-filled whoopee pies (of course, we have more heart-shaped ways to express your affection if your significant other isn't a chocolate lover). Cupcakes are cute, but they can also be sophisticated and heartfelt.

If individual treats aren't what your heart desires, consider making a dessert that's meant to be shared: One plate, two spoons, and a chocolate-covered ice-cream bombe. Go dense and fudgy with a slice of deep, dark flourless chocolate cake or smooth and sophisticated with chocolate mousse. If your loved one likes a little crunch with their chocolate, there are crisp pastry tarts with melting chocolate fillings and our unique heart-shaped chocolate couscous bar. If a decadent nip of chocolate is how you'd like to end the meal, handmade truffles, chocolate-peanut butter cups, or chocolate-peppermint creams are just the thing for you. Package them in a special stenciled box or present them on a gilded platter—either way, your Valentine is sure to swoon over these heartfelt creations. 

There's no doubt: The best, most most delicious way to end a romantic dinner is with a homemade chocolate dessert or treat. 

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Handwritten Valentine Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze

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Sweet messages written in white chocolate adorn these easy one-bowl chocolate cupcakes.

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Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow Hearts

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Give a sweet new meaning to the idea of "warm hearts" when you plop fluffy homemade marshmallow cut-outs into rich, creamy hot cocoa.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

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It's so easy to make your own version of this classic, coveted Valentine's Day treat. Coat the chocolate-dipped strawberries in pistachios as shown in this recipe, or branch out with other kinds of nuts, coconut, crushed cookies, edible glitter, and more fun surprises.

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Chocolate-Mousse Parfaits

Credit: Justin Walker
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Espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor in this light and luscious make-ahead mousse.

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Chocolate Heart Cupcakes

Credit: Kate Mathis
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Sometimes love is black and white, as in these adorable heart-adorned chocolate-cherry cupcakes topped with vanilla-bean frosting.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Hearts

Credit: Chelsea Cavanaugh
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Soft, chewy homemade peppermint patties are bathed in dark chocolate to make gift-worthy bonbons for your Valentine.

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No-Bake Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cup Bars

Credit: CHELSEA CAVANAUGH
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Sweet, fluffy peanut butter filling luxuriates between two blankets of dark chocolate in our homemade version of the classic candy. Swirl peanut butter hearts on top for an extra-loving touch.

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Dark- and White-Chocolate Shortbread Hearts

Credit: CHELSEA CAVANAUGH
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Your Valentine's heart will grow four sizes when you present them with these beautiful (and totally Instagrammable) layered shortbread cookies.

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Chocolate-Caramel Truffles

Credit: CHELSEA CAVANAUGH
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Inspired by Brazilian brigadeiros, these chewy truffles have a heart of rich, fudgy caramel made from sweetened condensed milk, cream, and chocolate.

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Couscous Crunch Bar

Credit: Aaron Dyer
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Crispy-rice crunch bars are for amateurs! Double down on the toasty, crunchy goodness when you make chocolate treats filled with pearl couscous and flaky sea salt.

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Chocolate-Pistachio Tartufo

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Layers of ice cream and cookie crumbs coated in chocolate make the perfect romantic dessert for sharing. Grab two spoons and dive in to discover the two surprise maraschino cherries inside.

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Whoopie Hearts with Raspberry Meringue

Credit: Burcu Avsar
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Make your Valentine shout "whoopeeee!" with these heart-shaped chocolate whoopie pies filled with fluffy pink raspberry meringue.

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Fudgy Brownie Cake

Credit: Chris Court
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Simple yet seductive, this dense, almost-flourless cake is pure chocolate bliss. Serve with an understated dusting of cocoa powder or dial up your garnish game with berries and whipped cream.

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Chocolate Pots de Creme for Two

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These elegant chocolate custards will transport you to romantic French bistro with every silky bite.

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Chocolate Eclair Hearts

Credit: Anna Williams
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Declare your love with heart-shaped cream puffs coated in a glossy chocolate ganache glaze.

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Vegan Chocolate Cake

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Use your favorite dairy-free creamer to concoct this decadent vegan chocolate-mocha layer cake.

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Chocolate-Caramel Pecan Tart

Credit: Robin Stein
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A chocolate pastry crust envelops a fudgy pecan filling to create the most dreamy grown-up candy bar. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes things to the next level.

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Fudgy Chocolate Beet Cake

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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Spelt flour and pureed beets are the healthy secrets behind this moist, ganache-coated chocolate cake.

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Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Cookies, like love, are meant to be shared, and there's plenty to go around when you bake up this great big chocolate-chip beauty.

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Milk-Chocolate Pudding Cupcakes

Credit: Con Poulos
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Achieve ultimate chocolate nirvana in these chocolate cupcakes filled with milk-chocolate pudding, coated in milk-chocolate ganache and decked out with chocolate curls.

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Chocolate-Raspberry Cake

Credit: Con Poulos
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Chambord raspberry liqueur and a fresh raspberry filling build layers of bright berry flavor into this centerpiece-worthy chocolate-buttermilk cake.

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Flourless Chocolate-Date Cake with Salted-Caramel Sauce

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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A seductive mixture of dates and bourbon is at the base of this sophisticated cake.

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Chocolate Mousse Pie with Phyllo Crust

Credit: Kate Mathis
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Crisp, buttery layers of phyllo dough are coated in a layer of chocolate and then heaped with fluffy chocolate mousse in this all-new interpretation of chocolate cream pie.

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Raspberry-Filled Molten Chocolate Cupcakes

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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Tender, chewy, rich, and gooey—these molten chocolate cupcakes hit all the right notes. Don't forget the vanilla ice cream!

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Chocolate Tart with Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust

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This restaurant-worthy dessert is easy to make at home, especially if you use store-bought chocolate chip cookies to make the crust.

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