Are you looking for that perfect Valentine’s Day dessert for your partner or your loved one?
There’s no better way to express your love for someone than by preparing a delicious and homemade meal on Valentine’s Day and dessert is the most important Valentine’s course.
Many Valentine’s Day desserts are made with chocolate and you’ll find several chocolate desserts on our list.
There are also several with other popular Valentine’s flavors, such as red velvet, strawberries, and raspberries. We’ve also included some more unique desserts and some are vegan and gluten-free.
However, no matter what ingredients they use, every dessert is decadent and delicious!
Here are our 33 decadent Valentine’s Day desserts, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Brioche Bread Pudding With Bourbon-Butterscotch Sauce
Our first Valentine’s dessert is probably not something you would have expected to see. Bread pudding is a popular dessert but using brioche bread instead of regular loaves makes this a special bread pudding for a special day.
The bread pudding is seasoned with cinnamon, allspice, and ginger to make it delicious and slightly spicy. The pudding is topped with a rich bourbon and butterscotch sauce to make a bread pudding like no other.
2. Cheesecake Brownies
If you can’t decide between making a cheesecake or a brownie, then why not compromise by making a cheesecake brownie? The combination of cheese and chocolate might be unusual but it always works surprisingly well and this recipe is no different.
You can use either a brownie mix or make them from scratch, depending on how much time you have to prepare.
3. Chocolate Caramel Pie
Pies are always a popular dessert and there’s no reason why Valentine’s Day should be any different. The crust of the pie is made from crushed graham crackers mixed with melted butter.
The chocolate filling is quick and easy to make as it’s just an instant chocolate pudding that has been mixed with cold milk and cream.
Cover the filling with a layer of melted salted caramel and a whipped cream topping and refrigerate the pie for at least 15 minutes before serving.
4. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
These brownies are a rich chocolate hit that is sure to please even the fussiest chocolate lover. It combines chocolate brownies with chocolate covered strawberries to make the perfect Valentine’s Day brownie.
You can use a brownie mix or make your own brownies from scratch and will need to bake your brownies first. Chop some strawberries and spread them on top of your brownies before adding a layer of chocolate mixed with heavy cream.
5. Coconut Angel Cake
If you want a lighter, but still decadent, dessert for Valentine’s Day, then this coconut angel cake is the perfect choice. It has three layers of cake made with unsweetened coconut milk and layers of cream cheese frosting.
The exterior of the cake is covered in frosting as well as a layer of toasted flaked coconut. The light flavors of the cake coupled with the frosting make this a wonderful treat for Valentine’s Day.
6. Death By Chocolate Cheesecake
From a light dessert to one that’s a lot richer, this cheesecake should satisfy any chocolate cravings your loved ones have.
The cookie crust is made from crushed Oreo cookies and the cheesecake layer is flavored with cocoa powder and melted bittersweet chocolate.
The final layer is a thick chocolate ganache made from heavy cream and melted chocolate chips.
7. Double Chocolate Loaf Cake
Loaf cakes are a great option for a Valentine’s Day dessert as you can slice as much or as little as you want.
If anyone wants seconds, just give them another slice! In the unlikely event that there is any of this double chocolate loaf cake left, you can use it as the base for French toast the next day.
The double chocolate in the name comes from the inclusion of both Dutch cocoa powder and chocolate chunks in the recipe.
8. Flourless Chocolate Cake
Choosing a decadent Valentine’s dessert when you’re allergic to gluten can be a tricky task sometimes but this recipe doesn’t use any flour and is naturally gluten-free.
Instead, the main ingredients of the cake are just eggs, sugar, butter, and water with the chocolate flavor being produced by bittersweet chocolate, cocoa powder, and a teaspoon of espresso powder.
The finishing touch of this cake is the thick layer of chocolate ganache that tops the cake.
9. French Macarons With Vanilla Buttercream Filling
Macarons have become increasingly popular in recent years and any Valentine’s guests are bound to be impressed when they discover that these macarons are home made.
They’re easier to make than you might think, too. As well as being a great dessert after a delicious dinner, macarons also make the perfect Valentine’s gift or party treat.
10. Millionaire’s Shortbread Recipe
Millionaire’s shortbread takes the humble shortbread and evolves it into something even more delicious. The crumbly shortbread base fits perfectly with the soft and gooey caramel layer and the crisp layer of chocolate.
All three layers are pretty easy to make but they combine to make a dessert that is tastier than any of the individual layers are.
11. Mini Strawberry-Rhubarb Galettes
Galettes are a thin pasty base that has the edges folded in to make a dessert that not only tastes delicious but is undeniably homemade.
In this case, the filling of the galette is a strawberry and rhubarb mix that is sweetened with some sugar, thickened with a little flour, and flavored with some lemon zest. The galettes are best eaten warm with a scoop of ice cream on the side.
12. Molten Chocolate Cakes
Molten chocolate cakes are a rich and decadent chocolate dessert that has a gooey and soft chocolate center. When you break into the individual cakes with a fork, the liquid insides pour out to ensure you get a delicious and moist cake.
When the cakes are baked, dust them with some powdered sugar and make sure you serve them fresh from the over.
13. No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
This cheesecake is not only made from Oreos, but it also looks like an Oreo thanks to the chocolate base and topping, but creamy inside. The base of the cheesecake is made from finely crushed Oreo cookies mixed with butter.
The cheesecake is cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar mixed with crumbled Oreos. Your cheesecake will need around four hours in the fridge to set firm enough to serve.
14. Persian Love Cake
If you’re looking for a dessert that is a little different to the standard Valentine’s Day desserts then this Persian love cake will fit the bill. The cake itself is moist and fluffy and its unique texture and flavor comes from the inclusion of rose water and yogurt.
Once the cake is baked and allowed to cool, it is iced with a glaze of confectioners’ sugar, water, and lemon juice. The finishing touches come from a mix of chopped pistachios and dried rose petals sprinkled on top.
15. Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies
This is another brownie recipe but the inclusion of raspberries in both the cheesecake and as actual toppings make these standout, even if they’re not the first brownies you might have eaten this Valentine’s day.
The brownie base is fudgy and gooey but it’s really the cheesecake layer on top that makes these so unique. The cream cheese is mixed with raspberry preserves or jam to make a Valentine’s appropriate pink topping.
16. Raspberry-Ganache Tart
This is the second recipe on this list to feature raspberries as one of the most prominent ingredients. In this case, whole raspberries are used as the topping on a rich and gooey chocolate ganache tart.
The ganache is made from both semisweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate mixed with heavy cream to make a delicious tart filling.
17. Raspberry And White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Everyone loves cookies and these cookies are sure to win the hearts of your loved ones on Valentine’s Day. The cookies are easy to make and use standard ingredients but it’s their heart shapes that make them special.
The filling at the center of the hearts is made from raspberry jam and white chocolate and the finished cookie is dusted with confectioner’s sugar.
You can omit the white chocolate if you wish or use a different flavor of jam but we love the raspberry and white chocolate combination.
18. Red Wine Chocolate Ganache
We only had to hear the combination of ingredients used in this recipe to know that it had to be included on this list. This silky and rich ganache will be the perfect end to any evening and is made from heavy cream, red wine, cocoa powder, and chocolate.
The ganache makes the perfect accompaniment to many desserts but is especially delicious when it’s served as a topping to vanilla ice cream.
19. Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Red Velvet cake is another popular flavor for Valentine’s Day desserts and is the first of several different recipes on this list that uses red velvet.
In this recipe, it’s for a cake that although straightforward, is undoubtedly delicious. The middle layer is made from cream cheese frosting and this is also used to frost the outside and top.
20. Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
Your guests are sure to be intrigued by these bright red balls and as well as being the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert, they will be perfect for a Valentine’s party.
The center of the balls is cream cheese mixed with milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Once the balls have been chilled for at least an hour they can be rolled into crumbled red velvet cake and should then be chilled again.
21. Red Velvet No-Churn Ice Cream
Ice cream is a great dessert to follow a heavy main course and can also be used as an accompaniment to other desserts.
You don’t need an ice cream mixer to make this ice cream but you do need to leave it to freeze overnight so make sure you factor preparation time into your plans. It has crumbled red velvet cake mixed inside and as a topping.
22. Red Velvet Swirl Fudge
Our final red velvet recipe makes a delicious chocolatey fudge. The main part of the fudge is made with cocoa powder, milk chocolate chips, and condensed milk.
Drizzle a white chocolate and condensed milk layer on top and use a toothpick to swirl the two layers together.
23. Skillet Slutty Brownie
Skillets are always a useful tool in the kitchen but they’re usually reserved for savory dishes. In this recipe, however, a skillet is used to make a messy and gooey chocolate brownie.
It’s made with several layers, the first of which is cookie dough, which is then topped with a layer of Oreos. On top of this, add a layer of brownie batter and bake for 35 minutes. The brownie is perfect when served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
24. Shortbread Tiramisu
Tiramisu is always a popular Valentine’s Day dessert but we decided to choose a recipe that offers a different twist on this old favorite.
The tiramisu is served in individual glasses and has a shortbread round included above the layer of mascarpone.
25. Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Sauce
Strawberry is a great flavor for Valentine’s Day and this dessert uses strawberries for both the cake and the sauce. The cake is soft and moist and full of fresh strawberries.
The sauce complements it perfectly and you’ll love it so much that you can use it on other desserts in the future.
26. Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas
Chimichangas are fried burritos and are usually a savory dish, however, with the right ingredients, they’re also a delicious dessert as this recipe shows.
The interior of the tortilla is a strawberry cheesecake filling made from cream cheese, sour cream, and sliced strawberries. Like savory chimichangas, they’re fried in hot oil and once cooked, roll them in cinnamon and sugar.
27. Strawberry Love Notes
The only thing better than sending your Valentine a love note is sending them an edible love note. This dessert looks adorable and is sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who receives one.
The envelopes are made from pie crusts that are cut into diamond shapes and then arranged into the shape of an envelope and the filling is just strawberry jam.
The simple ingredients don’t take away from the appeal of this dessert, however.
28. Valentine’s Day Conversation Heart Chocolate Bark
Chocolate bark is a quick and easy dessert to make for any season and event. This recipe makes it Valentine’s Day themed by using conversation hearts and heart-shaped sprinkles.
The chocolate is milk chocolate and white chocolate swirled together, but you can use any chocolate you want.
29. Valentine’s Day Heart Cupcakes
Cupcakes are always popular but these cupcakes are special because they’re heart shaped. Thankfully, you don’t need to buy a special heart-shaped muffin pan to get this effect.
The recipe uses a regular circular muffin pan but before cooking, suggests placing a marble into each individual space so that it pushes in your cupcake liner and makes an indent. It’s a simple but clever trick.
30. Valentine’s Day Hot Chocolate
If you want to drink your dessert instead of eating it, this recipe for hot chocolate is for you. It uses white chocolate colored pink to make a chocolate drink that looks and tastes perfect for Valentine’s Day. Add some whipped cream on top for a delicious treat.
31. Vegan Salted Dark Chocolate Tarts
These tarts are perfect for anyone who likes their chocolate dark and salted. They’re also vegan and gluten free, as long as you opt for vegan chocolate.
The crust uses almond flour, dark chocolate and coconut oil and is then filled with a rich chocolate ganache.
32. White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Our final two recipes both focus on the combination of white chocolate and raspberry. This recipe makes deliciously moorish cheesecake bars that are quick and easy to make.
The base is crushed Oreo cookies which balances the white chocolate cheesecake perfectly. The cheesecake has a layer of raspberry sauce in the middle and this is also used as a topping.
33. White Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
The key to these truffles is to use good quality white chocolate instead of just chocolate chips. Although you can use fresh or frozen raspberries, freeze dried raspberries work best for these truffles as they make a better powder.
Before forming the truffle balls, you will need to refrigerate your mixture for a couple of hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day desserts.
The exact history of Valentine’s Day is not known although there are many theories. Some think that it originates from the Roman festival of Lupercalia.
This festival was held in mid-February and included some fertility rites and saw women and men being paired by lottery. Lupercalia was outlawed in the 5th century.
The romantic celebration of Valentine’s Day didn’t begin until the 14th century.
There are several Christian martyrs with the name of Valentine. Much like the origins of the day itself, there are several different versions of who the day was named after.
Some suggest it was a priest who befriended his jailor’s daughter before being martyred and signed his letters to her with “from your Valentine.”
A second possibility states that Saint Valentine was responsible for marrying couples against the orders of the Emperor, thus saving the husbands from having to go to war.
Whoever Saint Valentine was, all of the legends agree that there was something romantic and inspiring about his life and that is why the day of romance is called Saint Valentine’s Day.
Final Thoughts
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care by making them a delicious, decadent dessert.
Whether your loved ones prefer chocolate cake, cheesecake, or something a little more unusual, you’re sure to have found the perfect recipe in this list.
Enjoy your dessert and happy Valentine’s Day!
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