70 Valentine’s Day Desserts for Your Sweetie

Red Velvet Thumbprints

These festive sugar-coated red velvet cookies are the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert. They’re just as delicious as they are beautiful. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Raspberry Meringue Hearts

Here’s a lovely Valentine’s Day dessert that your guests will think is almost too pretty to eat! I love the graceful heart shape of the raspberry meringue. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah

Pink Velvet Cupcakes

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

Slow-Cooker Chocolate Pots de Creme

Lunch on the go just got a whole lot sweeter. Tuck the jars of rich chocolate custard into lunch bags for a midday treat. These portable jars are also a fun option for a Valentine’s Day dessert. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Roasted Strawberry Sheet Cake

My Grandma Gigi loved berry cakes. This cake is a tribute to her. —Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Be-Mine Sandwich Cookies

These simple Valentine’s Day cookies are the first thing to disappear from dessert tables. They’re cute, colorful and extremely fast to make. —Darcie Cross, Novi, Michigan

Mini Chocolate Wafer Cakes

I first made these cakes for a friend when I lived in the dorms at college and had no access to appliances. Little did I know I would be making them 20 years later for my children! —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina

Conversation Cupcakes

Enjoy frosting sweet sentiments onto these Valentine’s Day cupcakes by baking a batch ahead of time using no-fuss cake mix. You don’t even need a heart-shaped muffin tin to make them. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Valentine’s Day 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

Tuxedo Strawberries

Dress up a Valentine’s Day dessert tray with these high-fashion fruit treats! The strawberries are easy to decorate, and folks love them. —Gisella Sellers, Seminole, Florida

Raspberry Moscow Mule Cake

This Moscow mule cake is my favorite cake I've ever made from scratch. It's so moist and flavorful, and it reminds me of my favorite cocktail. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri

Chocolate Pecan Fondue

When our kids have friends sleep over, I like to surprise them with this chocolate treat. Our favorite dippers include fruit, marshmallows, cookies and pound cake. —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia

Dipped Cherry Cookies

Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful Valentine’s Day 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

Triple Chocolate Mousse Torte

My triple chocolate mousse tart is all you need. You don’t have to have any specific order to the layers, so get creative. —Samantha Hernandez, Vacaville, California

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cobbler

This cobbler came about because I love chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day. Top it with whipped cream, either plain or with a little chocolate syrup stirred in. —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee

Chocolate Chess Pie

This is one of my mother's go-to recipes. It's a yummy spin on classic chocolate chess pie. — Ann Dickens, Nixa, Missouri

Candy Pizza Heart

I found this recipe in an old cookbook and changed a few ingredients to suit my family’s taste. They really enjoy this candy pizza. You’ll love how fast, fun and simple it is! Get the kids to help you spread the toppings. —Becky Thesman, Enid, Oklahoma

Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears

While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant Valentine’s Day dessert that’s perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama

Chocolate Comfort Cake

This moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for special dinners. (Be sure to check out our other Valentine’s Day cakes and cheesecakes!) —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Black Forest Upside-Down Cake

The divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia

Banana Cream Chocolate Truffles

This Valentine’s Day dessert was created from ripe bananas and my imagination, and the outcome blew my family and friends away! I don’t particularly like bananas, but I could eat these truffles all day long. —Michele Lassuy, Orlando, Florida

Strawberry Cheesecake

The creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas

Rustic Chocolate Raspberry Tart

Here’s a delectable Valentine’s Day 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

Chocolate Espresso-Nut Torte

I love chocolate and nuts, and they come together deliciously in this torte. Serve it with sweetened whipped cream or your favorite ice cream. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Raspberry Coconut Balls

My family loves Hostess Zingers, especially the raspberry flavor coated with coconut, inspiring this treat to make for school bake sales. We can make about four dozen in 30 minutes, and they sell out fast! —Pam Clark, Wheaton, Illinois

Chocolate-Strawberry Celebration Cake

Although I have some great “from-scratch” recipes, this chocolate strawberry celebration cake uses a boxed mix with plenty of doctoring. It has become a popular groom’s cake that gets more attention than the wedding cake. —Nora Fitzgerald, Sevierville, Tennessee

Contest-Winning Easy Tiramisu

This Valentine’s Day dessert makes a quick treat for a special supper…or anytime. It’s easily doubled if needed. What a fun use for pudding snack cups! —Betty Claycomb, Adverton, Pennsylvania

Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake

My husband loved his mamaw’s strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky

Chocolate Framboise Parfaits

Planning a Valentine’s Day dinner? Make a fabulous dessert in minutes and relieve some of the stress of presenting a beautiful finish to the meal! It doesn’t get any easier than these quick, delicious parfaits. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting

Fresh strawberries are full of water, so they have a tendency to weigh down cake batters and make soggy cakes. That’s why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just right for light and tender cupcakes. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Mexican Chocolate Biscotti

Nancy C. Evans of Phoenix, Arizona captured the spicy cinnamon flavor of Mexican chocolate in her original recipe for biscotti. The spicy chocolate cinnamon cane sugar is a nice addition to most recipes that feature Mexican chocolate flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cherry Fudge Truffle Coconut Cheesecake

Cherries and chocolate come together in this dazzling coconut cheesecake. It’s a Valentine’s Day showstopper! —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Semisweet Chocolate Mousse

A friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California

Cherry Hand Pies

There's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Berries in Champagne Jelly

My sister gave me this recipe a few years back when I was looking for an elegant fruit dish to serve guests. I sometimes serve this party-pretty fruit treat at brunch—just before the main dish. It’s also sparkly and special enough to double as a light dessert. —Andrea Barnhoom, Scottsville, New York

Chai Truffle Tart

My chai-flavored tart boasts chocolate and caramel layers tucked inside a salty pretzel crust. Truffles on top make it extra indulgent. —Chantal Bourbon, Montreal, Quebec

Vanilla White Chocolate Mousse

I needed a quick dessert for my daughter’s bridal shower, and a co-worker gave me this vanilla mousse recipe. It’s so pretty with almonds and raspberries on top. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California

Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Coffee Cakes

I enjoy making this lovely coffee cake for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and other special occasions. I found the recipe more than 30 years ago, and I’ve been making it ever since. The delicious treat is a hit with family and friends. (Find even more Valentine’s Day pastries and breads!) —Norma Hammond, Leland, Iowa

Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

What could be better than a brownie crust layered with chocolate cheesecake and topped with chocolate ganache? These cheesecake bars will satisfy even the biggest chocolate lovers out there. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

(Try these other ganache desserts, too!)

Nutella-Stuffed Strawberries

Gourmet strawberries are pricey to order but easy to make. We serve strawberries with hazelnut spread as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or dessert. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Berry Rhubarb Fool

A "fool" is a British dessert that's usually made with custard. This is a modified, quicker version I created. My kids love it because it doesn't taste like rhubarb—so I guess it's well named! —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado

Ricotta Cheesecake

When I was a nurse, my co-workers and I regularly swapped recipes during lunch breaks. This creamy cheesecake was one of the best I received. —Georgiann Franklin, Canfield, Ohio

Spiced Chocolate Molten Cakes

This decadent Valentine’s Day dessert is the kind you just have to linger over. Plunge your fork into one of the cakes and the chocolate and conversation start flowing. —Deb Carpenter, Hastings, Michigan

Cranberry Nutella Sandwich Cookies

I created these cookies for my family after I realized that we had been without Nutella for far too long! Tart dried cranberries are a natural pairing to the hazelnut flavor. We can’t get enough of these sweet cookies! —Nancy Mock, Colchester, VT

Chocolate Cream Cupcakes

My favorite hockey team the Boston Bruins inspired these cupcakes. Add a love note on top using a little white icing. —Alisa Christensen, Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

I always get compliments when I whip up this rich little cheesecake. With layers of caramel, chocolate and vanilla, it’s an instant classic. —Erin Byrd, Springfield, Missouri

Valentine Cutouts

Cool, fruity and creamy, these gelatin valentine cut outs are noticeably richer than plain gelatin. They’re a fun finger food that can be easily cut into whichever shape you’d like for any holiday or theme.
—Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia

Giant Buckeye Cookie

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

Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Baking a fun treat is a must when my four grandchildren come to stay for "grandma camp." Sometimes the grandkids help by piping the cake batter. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Mocha Pudding Cakes

These mouthwatering mini cakes make the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert for a twosome. My mom used to make these when I was a little girl. Now I whip them up for a speedy dessert. —Debora Simmons, Eglon, West Virginia

Sweetheart Cookies

These rounds filled with fruit preserves were blue-ribbon winners at the county fair two years running. They’re a family favorite! —Pamela Esposito, Smithville, New Jersey

Sandy's Chocolate Cake

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

Cherry Kisses

Cookies that melt in your mouth and are practically fat-free—is it any wonder these crispy meringue morsels disappear as fast as I can whip them up? Friends and family love them. —Jo Ann Blomquest, Freeport, Illinois

Black Forest Tart

Cherry pie filling and a melted chocolate drizzle top a rich, fudgy cake made from chocolate cookie crumbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sweetheart Coconut Cookies

Ruby red jam and coarse sugar add a festive look to these crisp sandwich cookies that are the perfect gift for loved ones. My husband likes coconut, so I make these for his birthday. (Before you whip these up, make sure you have your Valentine’s Day baking gear on hand!) —Jo Ellen Helmlinger, Columbus, Ohio

Red Velvet Pound Cake

This delicious red velvet pound cake is the perfect combination of flavors for a Valentine’s Day treat. Make sure the cake has cooled before icing it, and for extra crunch sprinkle some roasted pecans on top. —Robin Smith, Old Fort, North Carolina

Cherry Kiss Cookies

Topped with a chocolate kiss, these cherry-flavored cookies look super cute on a Valentine’s Day dessert tray. Share them with family and friends. —Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin

Coconut Creme Chocolates

I'm a proud wife, mom of three and grandma of many. I've cooked many things over the years, including these marshmallowy chocolates. —Dolores Wilder, Texas City, Texas

Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

These luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized Valentine’s Day dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia

Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake

This scratch-made strawberry buttermilk cake is a family favorite. My grandma even carries out our family tradition by making this old-fashioned recipe each summer. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida

Strawberry Rhubarb Cream

A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island

Secret Kiss Cookies

Here's a recipe that's literally sealed with a "kiss." This cookie's bound to tickle any sweet tooth. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana

Cherry Almond Mousse Pie

Treat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It’s a sweet yet refreshing Valentine’s Day dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Raspberry White Chocolate Bars

A co-worker's mother gave me this gem of a recipe a few years back. I can never decide what's more appealing—the attractive look of the bars or their incredible aroma while they're baking! Everyone who tries these asks for the recipe. —Mimi Priesman, Pace, Florida

Peanut Butter Cutout Cookies

I used peanut butter in place of the butter in my take on a traditional cutout cookie, which turned out super nutty and soft. My children love to decorate the cookie with frosting, sprinkles and some creativity. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin

Perfect Chocolate Fudge

This rich chocolate fudge is sure to delight someone you love. —Dorothy Anderson, Ottawa, Kansas

Chocolate Cutout Cookies

I love gingerbread cookies, but my grandchildren don’t like the ginger flavor. Now I use chocolate and watch them smile as they take that first bite of these chocolate cutout cookies. —Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida

Glazed Strawberry Cookies

I learned to bake with my grandmother and mother. I knew I was giving them a sweet new family tradition when I shared this recipe with them. —Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New York

Valentine Heart Brownies

Steal hearts this Valentine’s Day with brownies that have cute frosting centers. They’re simply irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Traditional Cheesecake

Our Test Kitchen shares this recipe for a basic cheesecake that tastes great alone or with any number of garnishes. Try serving it with raspberry sauce and sour cream topping.