14+ Valentine’s Day Dessert Ideas

Need Valentine’s Day dessert inspiration? Look no farther than these 14+ delectable sweets that can be made at home! From cupcakes to souffles, cream puffs and more, this recipe round-up contains a wealth of different dessert ideas that would be perfect for any at-home date night or Valentine’s Day treat.

collage of four images of various desserts with the text 14valentine's day dessert ideas

After making a scrumptious date night at home dinner (like Seared Scallops with Raspberry Gastrique with Toasted Pine Nut Green Beans and Whole Wheat Italian Beer Bread), I always want a little bite of something sweet to end the evening with… and these eclectic Valentine’s desserts are just what we need.

Let’s be real: while store-bought desserts are perfectly acceptable (who wouldn’t love a box of conversation hearts or chocolate truffles from a local chocolatier?), if you have time and energy to make a batch of a homemade sweet for Valentine’s Day, it is something special.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Valentine’s Day dessert recipes here to serve as inspiration for you.

What kinds of dessert should we serve on Valentine’s Day?

That depends on you and your tastebuds, my friend.

Some popular desserts include…

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    • Chocolate cupcakes or cake
    • Chocolate-covered strawberries
    • Flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, sweetened whipping cream or even chocolate ganache
    • Chocolate lava cakes
    • And more!

    I have also included some different recipes that might not be considered classic Valentine’s desserts, but are equally delicious to share, including chocolate fondue and fudgy brownies.

    Additionally, this list includes some desserts that are fruit-based for the people who do not love chocolate.

    Easy desserts for Valentine’s Day

    From chocolate-centric desserts to more fruit-based sweets, we’ve got all the bases covered and are offering all kinds of treats to share for this fabulous February date night.

    We’ve got a little of everything below, including favorite chocolate recipes and some recipes that are gluten-free and dairy free.

    Check them out…

    Chocolate Desserts for Sharing

    Nothing says Valentine's Day like chocolate! These chocolate-centric desserts are perfect for sharing with the person (or the people!) you love the most.

    1
    Chocolate dipped strawberries on a white platter from above
    Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
    Gather friends and family for a delightful chocolate and wine pairing party with Lindt! Learn important tips for how to properly pair wine with chocolate, as well as how to make chocolate dipped strawberries to enjoy at the end of the night. 
    Check out this recipe!
    2
    Cupcakes displayed on plates
    Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with Easy Raspberry Frosting
    Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes, filled with a luscious raspberry chocolate cream cheese and topped with a semi-homemade raspberry frosting, are a stunning dessert for any time! This recipe elevates a humble chocolate cupcake boxed mix and a jar of store-bought frosting into something special.
    Check out this recipe!
    3
    www.cakenknife.com
    Nutella Icebox Stacks
    How gorgeous are these hazelnut and chocolate icebox stacks? You can make 'em in advance and bring them out to wow your sweet with this treat!
    Get the Recipe
    4
    A souffle in a purple dish sits on a red napkin on a white plate in front of other souffles
    Dark Chocolate Soufflés
    Into a super rich and dense dessert? These classic soufflés are for you! The best news is the recipe can technically make three soufflés, so you and your sweet can each enjoy one and a half.
    Get the Recipe
    5
    www.simplywhisked.com
    Dairy Free Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes
    I’m a sucker for all things chocolate, and these chocolate and espresso cupcakes, which are completely dairy free, are totally swoon-worthy! Added bonus: Doesn’t make your lactose intolerant friend’s tummy sad later.
    Get the Recipe
    6
    Three tall stacks of round Chocolate Sugar Cookies on a white plate on a pink surface
    Chocolate Sugar Cookies
    These Chocolate Sugar Cookies are a delicious spin on a classic cookie. A regular sugar cookie is great, but these chocolate ones are something special! You’ll love making and eating these delicious chocolate sugar cookie cutouts. 
    Check out this recipe!
    7
    A close up of Chocolate Cake, with strawberry icing and chocolate icing
    Strawberry Chocolate Cake
    Who doesn't love the combination of strawberries and chocolate? This cake is fluffy, chocolatey and delightful and comes complete with strawberry icing beneath a fudgy icing. SO. SCRUMPTIOUS.
    Get the Recipe
    8
    Brownies stacked on top of each other on a plate with nuts
    The Best Homemade Brownies
    Dense, decadent and rich brownies go perfectly with an ice cold glass of milk! Whip up these easy and delicious Classic Chocolate Brownies for your friends and family today!
    Check out this recipe!
    9
    Decadent Chocolate Mousse
    www.lisasdinnertimedish.com
    Decadent Chocolate Mousse
    Calling all chocolate lovers, this Decadent Chocolate Mousse is for you. It’s sweet, creamy, rich and bursting with chocolate flavor.
    Check out this recipe!
    10
    A graham cracker sits inside a bowl of chocolate cheesecake dip
    Chocolate Cheesecake Dip
    Chocolate Cheesecake Dip is a tart and creamy chocolate dessert dip. Blend the ingredients together and serve with your favorite fruits, pretzels, Graham crackers and cookies for the ultimate chocolate dip.
    Check out this recipe!
    11
    thecrumbykitchen.com
    Mini Brownie Layer Cakes
    I don't know about you, but these MINI CAKES are so fun because you can eat have your own… or you can split one! Complete with brownie layers, frosting and raspberries, I have a feeling these layer cakes won't last long.
    Get the Recipe
    12
    www.offtheeatenpathblog.com
    S’mores Fondue
    Turn Valentine's Day into FONDUE night and cap the evening off with S'mores Fondue! Add your favorite dippers, like Graham crackers, marshmallows and berries to complete this one-of-a-kind dessert that was made for sharing.
    Get the Recipe
    13
    Flourless Chocolate Cake
    Flourless Chocolate Cake
    This flourless chocolate cake is a total dream of a dessert. Please note that dark chocolate makes the flavors sing!
    Check out this recipe!
    14
    Red Velvet Lava Cakes
    www.freshaprilflours.com/
    Red Velvet Lava Cakes
    Molten lava cakes made easily from red velvet cake mix are perfect for your Valentine's Day dessert.
    Check out this recipe!

    Non-Chocolate Valentine’s Day Desserts

    Not everyone digs chocolate, so these desserts are for them. Or for the folks who are into chocolate but also enjoy something that's less dense and has some lighter flavors.

    15
    A white platter of decorated Strawberry Cupcakes
    Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
    These Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting are perfect for any type of small celebration. Made with fresh strawberry puree, these cupcakes exude strawberry flavor from the cake to the decadent strawberry cream cheese icing they are topped with!
    Check out this recipe!
    16
    Red, white and pink Oreos stacked on a baking sheet
    Valentine’s Day Pink Oreos
    Easy to make with kids, these Valentine’s Day Oreos in pink, white and red are perfect for sharing. Calling for just 5 ingredients, these dipped Oreo cookies are a fun and delicious undertaking.
    Check out this recipe!
    17
    A bowl of Valentine's Day sweet Chex Mix from above
    Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Chex Mix
    Sweet, salty and perfect for sharing, Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Chex Mix is festive and simple to put together. Calling for just seven easy to find ingredients, this sweet chex mix recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
    Check out this recipe!
    18
    Close up of glazed red velvet cookies on a grey plate in front of a bottle of milk
    Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
    From-scratch Red Velvet Cookies are the perfect treat to bake during the holiday season and beyond. Made with a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, these cookies have a crunchy exterior that pairs beautiful with a soft, cakey interior. Topped with a cream cheese frosting drizzle, this red velvet cookie recipe is reminiscent of the classic cake.
    Check out this recipe!
    19
    Overhead image of a white platter holding the Dessert Board, sitting on a blue striped napkin
    Valentine’s Day Dessert Board
    Surprise your sweet with a dessert board! Including a homemade Red Velvet Cake Ball, dippers chocolate-covered candies, fruits and more, this dessert tray is easily customizable and perfect for sharing!
    Check out this recipe!
    20
    joyfullymad.com
    Homemade Raspberry Souffles
    Love raspberries this time of year? Surprise your sweet by baking up souffles that are full of the sweet-tart berries.
    Get the Recipe
    21
    lifeloveandgoodfood.com
    Cream Puffs with Chocolate Custard
    So technically, this dessert involves a little chocolate… but cream puffs are a different beast than all the chocolate-centric desserts above. And who doesn't love a cream puff? I adore this twist on the classic filling and think this would be a lovely capper on any dinner.
    Get the Recipe
    22
    White Chocolate Strawberry Truffles
    www.adashofmegnut.com
    White Chocolate Strawberry Truffles
    These strawberry truffles are made with 6 ingredients. They’re creamy and full of intense strawberry flavor!
    Check out this recipe!
    23
    thecookiewriter.com
    8 Bit Heart Cookies
    Share your (cookie) geek love by decorating cookies with 8 bit hearts. Perfect for the person who'd rather bake cookies and decorate 'em in advance, as well as for anyone who likes their dessert to nod to adorable nerdiness.
    Get the Recipe

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    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    10 Comments

    1. You have no idea how much I am craving all of these right now! Chocolate, more chocolate, and maybe some chocolate shaved on top?! Haha, thanks for the awesome round up 🙂

      1. ALL the chocolate for Valentine’s Day! And maybe a little fruit, too, to balance it out. 😉

        Thanks so much! I hope this helps narrow down what you’re gonna make next week.

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