Julie Clark
Updated:
10 Valentine’s Desserts That Will Make You the Hero of February 14th
May contain affiliate links. Terms of Use Policy.
Every year around Valentine’s Day, I find myself reaching for the same ingredients: strawberries, cream cheese, chocolate, and enough red food coloring to make everything look like it belongs on a candy store shelf.
There’s something about this holiday that brings out the baker in me. Maybe it’s because homemade treats feel so much more personal than anything you can buy at the store, or maybe I just love seeing Matt’s face light up when I make his favorite chocolate covered cherries.
These are the Valentine’s desserts I turn to year after year. They are easy, but taste amazing, and make everyone around the table feel a little bit spoiled.
1. Chocolate Crunch Bars
These Chocolate Crunch Bars are what I make when I want homemade candy without the fuss. White, milk and dark chocolate layered with pecans and crisped rice give you that satisfying crunch in every bite. They’re perfect for cutting into squares and tucking into Valentine’s treat bags or sharing with neighbors who deserve something sweet.
2. Red Velvet Pudding
This isn’t your standard boxed pudding. It’s a rich, Amish-inspired custard with that gorgeous red velvet color we all love. The texture is silky smooth and it’s perfect for spooning into little dessert cups with a dollop of whipped cream. I love making it ahead so I can pull it out of the fridge on Valentine’s night without any last-minute stress.
3. Red Velvet Bisquick Cookies
If you’ve got Bisquick in the pantry, you’re halfway to these soft, fluffy red velvet cookies. The white chocolate chips add sweetness and a pretty contrast against the bright red dough. They stay tender for days, which makes them ideal for baking ahead for school parties or cookie exchanges.
4. Baked Red Velvet Donuts
These tender, moist donuts are topped with a buttery brown sugar crumb and dusted with powdered sugar, basically breakfast perfection. The hint of cocoa and that gorgeous red color make them feel extra special for a Valentine’s morning. I love how they make the whole house smell like a bakery when they’re in the oven.
5. Strawberry Rolls
Super soft strawberry rolls filled with cream cheese and topped with fresh strawberry glaze, these are like a love letter in pastry form. The dough is pillowy and melts in your mouth, and that pink glaze makes everyone at the breakfast table smile. They’re perfect for a slow Valentine’s morning with coffee and the people you love most.
6. Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Matt loves chocolate covered cherries, so these cookies are my way of giving him his favorite treat in cookie form. Each one has a cherry tucked inside a soft chocolate cookie with a dollop of melted chocolate on top. They’re rich but not too sweet, which makes them perfect for enjoying after a Valentine’s dinner with a cup of coffee.
7. Strawberry Valentine Cake
This cake is pure Valentine’s fun! Strawberry layers, vanilla buttercream, mini cupcakes on top, and candy hearts scattered everywhere. Kinslee and I had so much fun creating this one, and it always becomes the centerpiece at any Valentine’s gathering.
8. White Chocolate Raspberry Trifle
When I need something elegant that doesn’t keep me in the kitchen all day, this raspberry trifle is my answer. Layers of cake, white chocolate pudding, raspberry cream and fresh berries look gorgeous in a glass bowl. The best part is you can make it ahead, so all you have to do on Valentine’s Day is grab a spoon and dig in.
9. Homemade Red Velvet Cake
This is the red velvet cake that changed my mind about red velvet forever. It’s rich, moist, and has a tender crumb thanks to buttermilk. The cooked flour frosting is lightly sweet and so silky smooth, nothing like the overly sugary cream cheese frostings you usually see.
10. Chocolate Covered Cherries
These Amish chocolate covered cherries are Matt’s absolute favorite, and he swears they’re the best he’s ever had. The centers turn gooey and luscious as they sit, so they actually get better after a few days. I love boxing them up with a ribbon. They look fancy enough to come from a chocolate shop, but they’re made right here in my kitchen.
