56 Delicious Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That Are Better Than a Box of Chocolates

By BH&G Holiday Editors
Updated January 08, 2021
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Credit: Carson Downing
Sweeten your Valentine's Day with a scrumptious, romantic, or heart-shape dessert recipe. Whether your sweetie likes rich chocolate desserts, berry pies, or creme brulee, you're sure to win hearts with a delicious Valentine's Day dessert.
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Jam-Filled Hand Pies

Credit: Blaine Moats
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There's more to pie than the slice. These pretty hand pies are the perfect way to indulge without having to share. We think they're best filled with strawberry jam or chocolate hazelnut spread. Use a heart cookie cutter set ($3, Target) to create festive designs.

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Valentine's Cake

Credit: Blaine Moats
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This Valentine's Day cake is a showstopper! Topped with colorful heart sugar cookies and plenty of sprinkles, this party-worthy dessert is easy and impressive. It's covered with a luscious almond whipped cream frosting and filled with tart strawberry-rhubarb jam.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

Credit: Jacob Fox
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These beautiful red velvet bars are the perfect Valentine's Day treat. Be sure to add a generous drizzle of chocolate over the yummy cheesecake filling.

Make-Ahead Tip: Bake and freeze this easy dessert up to three months before serving.

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Dark Chocolate Pudding

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Valentine's Day is the perfect time to indulge in something decadent. This rich dark chocolate pudding is just that—with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. Top each bowl with a swirled heart made from whipped cream.

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Double-Mint Chocolate Cookies

Credit: Blaine Moats
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Calling all mint- and chocolate-lovers: These cookies were made for you. Wrap store-bought chocolate-mint patties in a homemade chocolate dough and bake. To finish, top each Valentine's Day cookie with melted chocolate.

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Red Velvet Heart Cookies

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Red velvet cake takes cookie form in these adorable Valentine's Day sweets. Add designs with our free stencils and a shake of powdered sugar. These sugar-dusted treats also make a wonderful DIY gift.

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Fudgy Cherry and Port Brownies

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Step up your brownie game this Valentine's Day with these chewy and decadent treats filled with dry cherries. Top with fresh raspberries for more fruity flavor.

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Cherry Cobbler

Credit: Blaine Moats
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There is nothing better than an old-fashioned cherry cobbler, so why not try making one this Valentine's Day? The fruit dessert is topped with spoonfuls of sweet biscuit dough that turn golden brown when baked. For variety, replace the cherries with blueberries, peaches, or apples.

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Tres Leches Strawberry Shortcake

Credit: Blaine Moats
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This Valentine's Day cake recipe is a total showstopper. Layer our rich buttermilk almond cake with piles of whipped cream and fresh strawberry sauce.

Test Kitchen Tip: To get the classic flavors and texture of tres leches cake, we recommend soaking the cake for at least three hours or overnight.

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Best-Ever Vanilla Pudding

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Love is sure to be in the air when you serve this simple vanilla pudding decorated with heart-shape sprinkles (from $2, Etsy). The silky dessert is easy to whip up and can be served hot or cold.

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Lemon Verbena Ice Cream Pie

Credit: Dana Gallagher
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This easy Valentine's Day dessert recipe starts with a homemade lemon verbena ice cream. Spoon the finished ice cream into a ginger shortbread crust and top with a sprinkle of edible flowers like roses or phlox.

Test Kitchen Tip: Be sure to use edible flowers that are meant for consumption.

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Red Velvet Cupcakes

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Red velvet could vie for the title Official Flavor of Valentine's Day (if it weren't for that pesky dark chocolate that always seems to take the win). These cupcakes hit all the holiday high notes: Taste, color, and a powdered-sugar dusting in the shape of a heart. Get the look by placing a heart-shape cookie on top before sprinkling.

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Bourbon Cranberry Cookies

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Something sweet (oat-and-chocolate cookies) with something salty (flaked sea salt) with something indulgent (3-ingredient Bourbon Ganache) makes an adults-only cookie that your valentine will swoon for.

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Chocolate Bread Pudding

Credit: Andy Lyons
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As dessert or a luscious breakfast, this rich chocolaty bread pudding is Valentine's Day baking on-point. Don't skimp on the decadent homemade chocolate ganache drizzle.

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Red Velvet Heart Cake

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Bake a heart-shape cake for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day. Rows of almonds, raspberries, maraschino cherries, and icing stripe this chocolate-frosted red velvet cake for a sweet and romantic dessert.

Buy It: Wilton Metal Non-Stick Heart Shaped Baking Pan ($7, Target)

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White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread

Credit: Peter Krumhardt
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These Valentine's Day shortbread cookies get their pink and red color from maraschino cherries and red food coloring. Nonpareils and edible glitter ($5, Hobby Lobby) give them an extra holiday-ready touch.

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Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cakes

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread and rich chocolate swirl together in these gooey chocolate pudding cakes. Coffee or vanilla ice cream and sliced strawberries complete the indulgent chocolate Valentine's Day dessert.

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Strawberry Crepes

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Whether as a sweet Valentine's Day dessert or a special wake-up breakfast on February 14, do-it-yourself crepes are a delicious way to celebrate the day.

Test Kitchen Tip: Cut the tops of the sliced strawberries so they look like little hearts.

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Chocolate-Pistachio Heart Cookies

Credit: Judd Pilossof
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These nutty cookies are almost too pretty to eat! Dip half of each finished chocolate cookie into melted chocolate and pistachios. These heart-shape desserts are perfect for Valentine's Day, but feel free to vary the shape depending on the season.

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Dark Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberry Buttercream

Credit: Jennifer Davick
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Brownie-textured cake layers are topped with smooth, rich buttercream frosting. The result? A decadent Valentine's Day cake enjoyed by chocolate and fruit lovers alike.

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Fresh Strawberry Bars

Credit: Andy Lyons
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These strawberry bars boast a peanut butter base, which can be made and frozen ahead of time. In a pinch, simply thaw and top with strawberries and jam.

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Jelly Doughnut Cake

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Take a love of doughnuts to the next level. Layers of cream filling and ruby red jam between soft yellow cake mimic your sweetheart's favorite breakfast treat.

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Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cakes

Credit: Blaine Moats
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This delightful pairing of rich dark chocolate and sweet-tart raspberries makes for the perfect Valentine's Day dessert. Chocolate truffle icing adds a sweet touch. Bake up the individual cakes in a nonstick muffin pan ($9, Target).

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Chocolate Cannoli

Credit: Andy Lyons
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For a fancy finish to your romantic Valentine's Day dinner, serve your loved one a chocolaty twist on classic Italian cannoli. Rolled up with love in a homemade chocolate shell, creamy ricotta cheese flavored with cocoa and orange peel gets a gorgeous garnish from shaved dark chocolate.

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Sparkling Grapefruit Sorbet Floats

Credit: Blaine Moats
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Prepare a Valentine's Day dessert that shines with the help of bubbly Prosecco. Pour the fizzy drink onto homemade grapefruit sorbet and scoops of vanilla ice cream for a sparkling sweet-tart indulgence.

Buy It: Open Kitchen Ice Cream Scoop ($20, Williams Sonoma)

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Cinnamon Sugar Sticks

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Shortbread-like sticks make great companions for cinnamon candies. Bake and cut the sticks, then dip in white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed cinnamon candies.

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Double-Cherry Slab Pie

Credit: Andy Lyons
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Gooey cherry filling is the key to charming your sweetheart on Valentine's Day. To thicken the fruity filling in this slab pie, we incorporated cornflakes with the cherries. Use heart-shape cookie cutters ($17, Williams Sonoma) for a sweet reveal.

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