These swoon-worthy, easy-to-prep recipes prove that romantic Valentine's Day treats don't need to take all day.
35 No-Fuss Valentine’s Day Treats
Updated on Jan. 08, 2025
1/35
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Save classic cinnamon rolls for a regular Sunday morning and make this red velvet version to up the ante on a special occasion like Valentine’s Day. The dough is made from a package of red velvet cake mix, but any type of cake mix works if you’re not concerned about the color. To make the rolls even more decadent, fold in a handful of chopped dark chocolate.
2/35
Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Not only are these chocolate-covered cherries my family's favorite festive dessert, but they make a delicious holiday present too. Best of all, you can (and should) prepare these ahead. The candy gets better as it's stored, with the centers becoming even juicier. —Linda Hammerich, Bonanza, Oregon
After tasting this impressive homemade treat, you’ll never go back to store-bought chocolate-covered cherries! Semisweet chocolate is our choice for the best chocolate chips to create the luscious coating, and we recommend stirring in a bit of shortening to give the shell a glossy finish.
3/35
Valentine Heart Brownies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Steal hearts this Valentine's Day with brownies that have cute frosting centers. They're simply irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
It’s not Valentine’s Day without some heart-shaped foods, like these dense, chewy brownies with a frosted heart in the center. Boxed brownie mix gets a homemade feel thanks to from-scratch frosting and the pretty design.
4/35
Strawberry Roll Cake
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There are plenty of strawberry patches near my hometown, and soon they'll be brimming with red berries. I discovered this recipe a few summers ago and have made it often. Believe me, it tastes as good as it looks!
Finely milled cake flour is the key to this dessert’s airy, fluffy texture, so don’t swap in all-purpose flour. (There are plenty of cake flour recipes if you have to buy the bag specifically for this one.) Another tip for ensuring the ideal texture: Avoid over-folding the batter so it doesn’t deflate.
5/35
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
“Dump cake” may not sound romantic, but we promise that tasting this decadent cherry-flavored chocolate dessert will make your sweetheart fall in love all over again. One of our favorite ways to make boxed cake mix taste homemade is to stir in a tablespoon or two of instant coffee granules.
6/35
Candy Pizza Heart
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-3/4 pounds (14 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this recipe in an old cookbook and changed a few ingredients to suit my family's taste. My children really enjoy this candy pizza. Get the kids to help you spread the toppings. —Becky Thesman, Enid, Oklahoma
This adorable heart-shaped candy pizza gets a hit of salty goodness from crushed potato chips, which perfectly complement the creamy butterscotch and chocolate chips. Dessert pizza is always a showstopper, and we have a feeling this one will become a yearly tradition for you.
7/35
Chocolate Bread Pudding
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a fun recipe because the chocolate makes it different from traditional bread pudding. It's a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Chocolate and bread are two of the most comforting foods on the planet. Combined together? There are almost no words. This decadent chocolate bread pudding is so soft, warm and puffy that you’ll want to fall asleep on it. Serve it with a giant dollop of homemade whipped cream.
8/35
Giant Buckeye Cookie
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, Ohio
This skillet pantry dessert combines humble peanut butter and chocolate cake mix to create a giant cookie that will be highly memorable. Finish it off with a scoop of the best vanilla ice cream you can find, and we wouldn’t dare stop you from going crazy with pink sprinkles.
9/35
Mini Brownie Treats
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to take these quick and easy treats to potlucks and family gatherings. They're always well received! —Pam Kokes, North Loup, Nebraska
Brownies don’t need to be homemade to taste like they were made with love. These indulgent kiss-filled treats turn boxed brownie mix into the most precious mini desserts.
10/35
Crock-Pot Lava Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone who tries this dessert falls in love with it. Using a slow cooker liner makes cleanup a breeze. —Latona Dwyer, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
This decadent, perfectly moist lava cake is almost entirely hands-off, as the slow cooker handles most of the work. Making this gooey cake leaves a bit of a mess in the slow cooker, though, so consider using a disposable liner to make clean-up a breeze. And for added color, this exact same recipe would be delightful with red velvet cake mix instead of devil’s food cake.
11/35
Chocolate-Raspberry Rice Krispies Treats
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Move over, chocolate and strawberries! Dried raspberries paired with chocolate may become your new favorite flavor combo. Watch them shine in this Rice Krispies Treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
One teaspoon of fruity raspberry extract and a generous helping of freeze-dried raspberries add a fun, Valentine’s Day-worthy spin to Rice Krispies treats. Adding a cup of miniature semisweet chocolate chips makes this dessert taste like chocolate-covered strawberries in the best way.
12/35
Heart-Shaped Cookies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This specialty cookie takes a little extra effort, but the delectable results are well worth it. I bake the tender jam-filled hearts when I need something fancy to serve for Valentine's Day or other special occasions. —Jane Pearcy, Verona, Wisconsin
Assembling cutout cookies requires a few extra steps, but the payoff is worth it, especially on a heart-themed holiday. These delicate heart cookies are traditionally made with raspberry jam or red currant jelly (which gives that gorgeous pop of ruby color), but feel free to experiment with other flavors like apricot.
13/35
Berry Brownie Pizza
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
How could you not love pizza for dessert? A fudgy brownie base is layered with a whipped topping sauce, then topped with fresh strawberries, chopped nuts and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. —Karen Heleski, Ubly, Michigan —Karen Heleski, Ubly, Michigan
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly Valentine’s Day treat, try combining brownies and pizza into one majestic dessert. The brownie crust is spread with a luscious, pudding-based whipped topping and lots of fresh berries. We highly recommend finishing it with a drizzle of chocolate syrup or homemade hot fudge sauce.
14/35
Rustic Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a delectable dessert that’s simple but feels upscale. With its fresh raspberries and Nutella-covered homemade pastry crust, you and your guests won’t be able to get enough. —Christina Seremetis, Rockland, Massachusetts
Use any of the best hazelnut spreads to make this elegant tart. Make sure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened before you start preparing the dough, and it will come together much more easily.
15/35
Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 8-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I had never come across a red velvet spritz recipe, so I decided to create one. The hint of cocoa makes these taste like red velvet cake. Add peppermint flavoring for a little extra kick. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
These adorable red cookies feel like decorations themselves, but you can always add more pizzazz with heart-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter. If you have a heart plate for your spritz press, be sure to use that for Valentine’s Day.
16/35
Brownie Cookies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring these super fudgy cookies to a party, and you're sure to make a friend. A little espresso powder in the dough makes them over-the-top delicious. — Rebecca Cababa, Las Vegas, Nevada
With chewy, fudgy centers and caramelized edges, these jumbo brownie cookies are scooped out with a measuring cup to achieve an extra-large size. We always recommend chilling cookie dough before baking so the cookies don’t spread too much in the oven.
17/35
Mint Brownie Cheesecake Cups
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Set several plates of these fuss-free brownie cheesecake bites around the house for guests to munch on as they mingle. Bursting with mint chocolate, they’ll be the talk of the party. —Janet Payne, Lawrenceville, Georgia
These mini cheesecakes have the perfect blend of creamy-crunchy texture and mint chocolate perfection thanks to crushed chocolate cookies, cream cheese and a package of Andes mint candies. Mini muffin tins are the key to making these bite-size treats.
18/35
Red Velvet Marble Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I watched my grandma prepare her red velvet showstopper many times for family get-togethers. The fluffy butter frosting perfectly complements the flavor of this gorgeous cake.—Jodi Anderson, Overbrook, Kansas
The key to success in this marble cake is all in the ingredients. Cake flour creates the fluffiest texture, and buttermilk ensures the cake becomes moist and rich. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t fret; it’s easy to learn how to make buttermilk.
19/35
Cherry Cookies
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With a tall glass of ice-cold milk, a couple of these cherry cookies really hit the spot for dessert or a snack. The coconut and bits of cherries provide a fun look and texture. —Judy Clark, Elkhart, Indiana
Cherry desserts look extra special on Valentine’s Day, and these soft drop cookies can be finished and baked in less than an hour. Shredded coconut adds texture and a slightly tropical flavor that pairs harmoniously with maraschino cherries.
20/35
Fudge Bonbon Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These fudgy favorites are double delights—the cookies are flavored with both chocolate chips and chocolate kisses. Drizzled with white chocolate on top, they're fancy enough for a buffet table. —Janice Smith, Cynthiana, Kentucky
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without bonbons, now would it? These indulgently fudgy, white chocolate-drizzled confections taste heavenly with any kind of chopped nuts. One can of sweetened condensed milk is the key to that smooth, creamy texture.
21/35
Red Velvet White Chip Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies are soft, chewy and taste as good as they sound. The first time I baked them, I took them to an aunt's yard sale. Now they’re my go-to for any special event. —Samantha Gstalder, Montoursville, Pennsylvania
Red velvet cookies with white chocolate chips will delight your Valentine’s date. Make sure to use the best white chocolate chips for this recipe since they’re kind of the star of the show.
22/35
Heart's Delight Eclair
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This lovely and luscious treat is rumored to have been the favorite dessert of European royalty long ago. I know that it's won the hearts of everyone I've ever made it for. Enjoy! —Lorene Milligan, Chemainus, British Columbia
Frozen puff pastry, vanilla pudding mix and heavy whipping cream are the MVP ingredients in this stunning heart-shaped dessert. If you’re up for a project, make homemade puff pastry from scratch and add an extra “wow” factor.
23/35
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is special to me because it is totally original, my very own! The cookies are firm but not crunchy on the outside, and they're tender inside. The powdered sugar makes them melt in your mouth. —Jane Rundell, Alanson, Michigan
Crinkle cookie recipes involve rolling cookie dough in confectioners’ sugar before baking, so the finished cookies gain a gorgeous cracked exterior as the dough expands in the oven. In this recipe, we use a red paste food coloring, which gives the cookies a deep color without adding extra liquid that could alter the dough’s consistency.
24/35
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Cream cheese and red velvet cake go together like bread and butter, so I figured why not make a cheesecake-filled red velvet cookie? The key ingredient here is farmer cheese: a denser, drier cheese similar in texture to feta. It keeps the filling from being too soft and gives the sweet cookie a little bit of tang. —Kristyne Mcdougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
These pretty-in-pink cookies are filled with a thin layer of decadent cheesecake. Pair these treats with rich hot chocolate recipes or romantic Champagne cocktails.
25/35
Pink Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share too. —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
We love this twist on traditional red velvet cake! Pink sugar, pink-paste food coloring and pink pearls make these moist, fluffy cupcakes so lovely to look at. Even better, they taste absolutely dreamy.
26/35
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
A crumbly Oreo crust pairs beautifully with red velvet cake, and sour cream adds a touch of bright tanginess to this sweet cheesecake. One of our most helpful cheesecake tips is to use room-temperature ingredients so the batter whips together properly.
27/35
Dipped Cherry Cookies
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful cookie a keeper. We gave a batch to our mail carrier, in thanks for trudging through so much snow, and she asked for the recipe. —Ruth Anne Dale, Titusville, Pennsylvania
If your Valentine loves chocolate and cherry desserts, they will love these cookies. Chopped maraschino cherries give the pink, chocolate-dipped cookies a satisfying bite and irresistible sweet flavor. Finish the cookies with coarse clear and red sugars for the prettiest presentation.
28/35
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You can have your cake and eat it guilt-free with these taste-tempting treats. The petite graham cracker “crust,” chopped fresh berries and cream cheese frosting offer all the goodness of cheesecake in manageable portions. —Jill Drury, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This is not your traditional cupcake! These cute cheesecake cupcakes start with a graham cracker crust and contain a fluffy white cake center with fresh strawberries mixed in. Finished with a sweetened cream cheese frosting, they’re nothing short of delightful.
29/35
Chocolate Cake
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
We had to include an ultra-decadent chocolate cake in this list, because it doesn’t get more romantic than rich, chocolate desserts. This is one of our top-rated layer cake recipes.
30/35
Strawberry Cheesecake
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas
Grinding pecans into the graham cracker crust adds an even more toasty, nutty flavor to complement the fruity cheesecake. Whether you use Grand Marnier or triple sec, orange-flavored liqueur cuts some of the sweetness and balances the flavor of the glaze.
31/35
Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
If you’ve been too focused on covering strawberries to consider stuffing them, let us introduce you to this recipe. These one-bite confections also happen to be an excellent gluten-free cheesecake option since they’re crust-free. For an Italian twist, make cannoli-stuffed strawberries with full-fat ricotta cheese and top the whole shebang with crushed pistachios or mini chocolate chips.
32/35
Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
This single-serving fluffy cake has a sweet sugar base like a chocolate chip cookie. But unlike a cookie, you only need your microwave and 15 minutes to bake it! —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
A mini cake that’s made in the microwave? Sign us up! These individual mug cakes are ready in only 15 minutes and are made with pantry staples you likely have on hand, so they can be made at the last possible moment.
33/35
Chocolate Lava Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
True decadence at its best, these chocolate lava cakes created by the Taste of Home Cooking School feature a warm, gooey chocolate center that oozes out onto the dessert plate. Whether you enjoy it garnished with a dollop of whipped cream or sprinkled with confectioners' sugar, you'll want to lick the plate clean!
Cutting into the center of these lava cakes releases a molten center of rich chocolate. A simple garnish of confectioners’ sugar and perhaps a few raspberries make these cakes look even more elegant.
34/35
Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These treats are a perfect mouthful of strawberry, sweet cream cheese filling and just a drizzle of chocolate. Easy to fill
and fix ahead, they add tempting variety to brunch or party offerings—and make a delicious homemade gift. —Linda Baldt, Croydon, Pennsylvania
and fix ahead, they add tempting variety to brunch or party offerings—and make a delicious homemade gift. —Linda Baldt, Croydon, Pennsylvania
These impressive cheesecake bites are one of our favorite recipes for fresh strawberries because they can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Pro tip: The bigger the berries, the easier they will be to fill.
35/35
Peanut Butter Cups
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I like using pretty mini muffin liners and topping these homemade peanut butter cups with colored sprinkles to coordinate with the holiday we're celebrating. People can't believe how simple it is to make this irresistible candy with gooey peanut butter centers. This is how to make homemade peanut butter cups. —LaVonne Hegland, St. Michael, Minnesota
These homemade peanut butter cups are the ultimate comfort dessert and are surprisingly easy to make at home. Lean into the Valentine’s Day theme by finishing them with pink and heart-shaped sprinkles.
Valentine’s Day Treats FAQ
What are good last-minute treats for Valentine’s Day?
Many of the best Valentine’s Day treats require minimal prep, so you have several options. Chocolate-covered strawberries—and most chocolate-covered fruit recipes—simply require a microwave and a few minutes. Believe it or not, there are also plenty of two-ingredient Valentine’s Day desserts.
What are the most romantic Valentine’s Day desserts?
Chocolate and strawberries are the most famous Valentine’s Day pairing, but any rich treat with decadent chocolate makes us feel romantic. Think lava cake, dense truffles and red velvet everything. To amp up the romantic vibes, pair your homemade goodie with a flower delivery.
How do I make heart-shaped Valentine’s Day treats?
Heart-shaped foods look impressive and pretty, and they’re surprisingly simple to make. For most of them, all you need is heart-shaped cookie cutters, while others come together by simply shaping the dough into a heart. To make them easy to pull off, invest in a few Valentine’s Day baking supplies, like heart-shaped cake pans and rolling pins embossed with a heart pattern.
