If you ask me, Valentine’s Day is best celebrated from morning to night with desserts. You can surprise your sweetheart, friends or family with sweet treats throughout the day, and share in whatever brings you joy on what can be a silly holiday. From breakfast sweets to decadent and beautiful cakes I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite Valentine’s Day dessert recipes.
Valentine’s Day Breakfast Recipes
Cinnamon Rolls
There’s really nothing more loving or romantic than baking for the ones you love, and these cinnamon rolls are a perfect treat first thing in the morning. Fresh strawberries on top of a cream cheese icing add freshness, a pop of pink and a little extra hit of sweet. Get the recipe.
Blueberry Muffins
I think starting your Valentine’s Day off with a classic muffin is a charming way to show your love. There is nothing more classic than blueberry muffins, and the wonderful balance of sweetness and tartness in this recipe makes it a winner. Get the recipe.
Valentine’s Day Cakes
Chocolate Cake
This cake was designed by my son when he was 9. He even instructed me on how I should put it together. His plan was to bake a sheet of cake and cut the layers with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Then stack them together with raspberry cream and pour a glossy chocolate ganache over the top. I know I’m biased, but I think he is brilliant. Get the recipe.
Chocolate Fudge Cake with Strawberries and Candied Flowers
This is an abbreviated version of a recipe I created with the extraordinary pastry chef, Neal Fraser. It’s a decadent and fudgy cake with a strawberry salsa and beautiful candied flowers. The combination of flavors and beauty of the dessert make it the perfect end to a special meal. Get the recipe.
Red Velvet Cake With Basket Weave
If you want to impress your sweetheart with a beautiful cake design, this red velvet cake is a great option. The basket weave is elegant, and the flowers on top give the cake a feeling of romance. This recipe offers a spin on a classic red velvet cake, and features buttercream instead of cream cheese frosting (it’s easier to pipe for the basket weave design). Get the recipe.
Berry Recipes for Valentine’s Day
Cherry Cheesecake
This cherry cheesecake is made with ricotta, a touch of honey and a crushed ginger cookie crust. To add a bit of festive charm for the holiday, I crafted it in a heart shape with ruby-red cherry sauce. This a luxurious and sensuous treat to share with your Valentine. Get the recipe.
Strawberry Charlotte Royale
A strawberry Charlotte Royale is a fun recipe if you are looking for something a little different this year. This recipe features Grand Marnier Bavarian Cream and is a regal looking dessert. The recipe isn’t as hard to make as it may look, but it does require a little planning ahead, so make sure you prepare accordingly. Get the recipe.
Mango Curd Tart
Here’s another recipe that is sure to impress with its beauty. The mango curd is made with a little lime to help balance out the sweetness, and the strawberries, cherries and whipped cream give this dessert a wonderful finish, and a little taste of Valentine’s Day. Get the recipe.
Valentine’s Day Desserts For A Crowd
Valentine Cookies
Don’t be fooled into thinking a cookie isn’t decadent and special enough for a Valentine’s Day dessert. These Valentine cookies are made of lemon shortbread with a lemon icing. Add in the heart shapes and the decorations, and you have a tasty and gorgeous treat for the holiday. Get the recipe.
Sugar Cookies with Blood Orange Glaze
This sugar cookie recipe is from my friend Sarah Kieffer’s wonderful book, 100 Cookies. A good sugar cookie should hold up to icing and have a wonderful crispiness. This recipe hits on everything you’d want from a sugar cookie, and the blood orange offers a nice tangy sweetness. Get the recipe.
LOVE the ideas! So hard to choose which one to do.
Zoe – your son must be a kindred spirit, because my fav dessert combinations is dark chocolate and raspberries! And his cakes are so pretty, with the splash of red in the lower left corner. When is his cookbook coming out. I want to be sure to get my preorder in! I love that you and your son share so much of your working life together.
BTW, I agree, Valentine’s Day is a silly holiday, just one more commercial debacle to flog consumers with. Speaking of which, it is 12:06, so happy VD!