44 Delicious Valentine's Day Desserts You'll Fall In Love With

Treat your Valentine to a homemade dessert this year.

Southern Living Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake
Photo:

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

These Valentine's Day dessert recipes will surely charm your sweetie. Skip the basic box of chocolates this year and go for a more dazzling confection. Valentine's Day is all about celebrating the people you love and cherish in your life. And what better way to do that than make them a simply irresistible dessert?

From fancy and involved to quick and easy, there's something for everyone in this collection of Valentine's dessert recipes. Some of these Valentine's Day desserts start with store-bought cookies, while others are made completely from scratch. Are you in the mood for something classically chocolate? Try our Chocolate Strawberry Cake. If you're looking for something fruity, our Lemon Raspberry Cake and Strawberry Icebox Cake are sure to impress.

Skip the restaurant this year and make a romantic dinner at home. Be sure to end with one of these Valentine's Day treats for the grand finale.

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Red Velvet Mug Cakes

Southern Living Red Velvet Mug Cakes in the mug ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Impress your Valentine without turning on the oven with these red velvet mug cakes that come together in the microwave. Even if you're short on time, you can still whip up this dessert in just 10 minutes.

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Chocolate Macarons

Southern Living Chocolate Macarons assembled and ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Impress your valentine by making them some of these decadent chocolaty macarons. Crunchy and crisp on the outside while smooth and chewy on the inside, macarons have the perfect balance of texture. These chocolate macarons have a sweet and rich chocolate ganache in the center that makes each bite heavenly.

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Chocolate-Marshmallow Linzer Heart Cookies

Linzer Heart Cookies

Nothing says Valentine's Day quite like these cookies. Made with decadent ingredients like marshmallows and chocolate, Linzer Heart Cookies are great for celebrating your sweetheart.

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Chocolate Mousse

Southern Living Chocolate Mousse in glasses to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Now here's a dessert you'll adore this Valentine's Day. These chocolate mousse cups are Cupid-approved for their light-as-air consistency and rich chocolate flavor. Serve in champagne glasses with a sliced strawberry on top for an on-theme presentation.

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Chocolate Fondue

Southern Living Chocolate Fondue ready to serve with fruit and cake to dip

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

No need to visit a restaurant to treat your Valentine to fondue. This recipe allows you to enjoy it at home.

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Classic Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Southern Living Red Velvet Bundt Cake sliced on a cake plate ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you want to enjoy the flavors of a delicious red velvet cake but don't want to fool with layers, this Bundt is for you. And we of course finish it off with a decadent cream cheese glaze.

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Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows

Southern Living Chocolate Covered Marshmallows on a platter to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Use Valentine's Day-themed sprinkles so they'll match the theme of the holiday, Both kids and adults will love this homemade treat.

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Turtle Cheesecake

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake sliced to serve

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Caramel, chocolate, and pecans are the ideal trio in this homemade cheesecake that's worthy of Valentine's Day date night at home.

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Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake

Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake - Southern Living

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Chocolate and raspberries are always a delicious duo, especially for Valentine's Day. Not only are they used for garnish, but they're used to create a beautiful jam that's swirled on top of the chocolate cheesecake layer.

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Hot Chocolate Lasagna

Southern Living Hot Chocolate Lasagna sliced on a plate to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This big-batch dessert serves 12, and can be made in advance, so it's a delicious choice for a family Valentine's Day dinner or gathering of friends. Plus, it's a no-bake recipe.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake_WD0156-S
Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

If you can't resist a slice of cheesecake or a chocolate-covered strawberry, we've found your Valentine.

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Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies

Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

These pretty sandwich cookies beautifully swirled to resemble our favorite pink blooms. How do we get this sweet look? We spike the meringue with finely-ground, freeze-dried raspberries.

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Valentine's Day Cake

Valentine's Day Cake
Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Sweet strawberries and buttercream frosting are the most beautiful couple for this heart-shaped cake.

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Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

You may be surprised to learn that this restaurant-quality cake comes together with just nine ingredients. If your Valentine is a fan of vanilla ice cream, we recommend serving this cake with a scoop on top.

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Red Velvet Cake Balls

Red Velvet Cake Balls
Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Are you celebrating Valentine's Day with the whole family this year? Red Velvet Cake Balls are great to make with the kids.

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White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Micah A. Leal

Impress your Valentine with a white chocolate design that's easier to dip than it looks.

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White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake

White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake
Photo: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Styling: Kay Clarke, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You can enjoy this beautiful cake after Valentine's dinner or with a cup of coffee for Valentine's Day breakfast in bed.

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Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

This dessert tastes like a chocolate-dipped strawberry in cake form, so yeah, it's delicious.

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Brimming with elegance, this Lemon Raspberry Cake is light and tender with a twist of lemon zest.

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Molten Red Velvet Cakes

Molten Red Velvet Cakes
Hector Manuel Sanchez

End the perfect Valentine's Day dinner at home with these Molten Red Velvet Cakes, and watch your sweetheart swoon.

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Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Lemon Ginger Pound Cake
Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Pound cake, but make it miniature. We love these personal, chocolate-filled treats.

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Cheesecake Cookies

Cheesecake Cookies
Caitlin Bensel

If you don't have hours to spend in the kitchen making a traditional cheesecake, give these cookies a try. They are easy to make and taste just as great.

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Buttermilk Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream

Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream
Greg DuPree

These mini cakes are sure to impress your special someone. Layers of buttercream make this dessert oh-so decadent.

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Angel Food Cake

Angel Food Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Pillowy Angel Food Cake and fresh strawberries make this dessert truly celebratory. And it only takes 10 minutes to prep!

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Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Looking for the perfect bake-and-take dessert to bring to a Valentine's day party? This sheet cake will be the belle of the ball - guaranteed.

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Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Did someone say chocolate ganache? This fudge-filled layer cake is rich and creamy in all the right ways.

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Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie
Iain Bagwell

Enhance your Valentine's day with red currant jelly and orange liqueur. Complete with fresh strawberries, this dessert is an elegant choice for a romantic dinner.

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Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake

Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Indulge in a sheet of sweet, strawberry-rosé satisfaction. This fruity snack cake is light, fluffy, and pretty in pink.

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Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Sweet cream cheese frosting and rich red velvet cake make this dessert the ideal choice for a Valentine's Day dinner.

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Strawberry Icebox Cake

Strawberry Icebox Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

What's better than whipped cream and cookies to make your Valentine's Day dreams come to life? This easy-to-make cake is oh-so fancy.

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Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
Caitlin Bensel

Why decide between ice cream and cake on Valentine's Day? This beautiful dessert offers the best of both worlds.

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Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Red-Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Micah A. Leal

Whip up these striking red cookies in just 10 minutes. Chewy, rich, and topped with white chocolate chips, they are sure to impress your sweetheart.

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Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Micah Leal

Your partner will think you picked up these airy delights at the local bakery. Made with no artificial flavors or colors, the taste is unmatched by any other dessert.

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Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce
Greg DuPree

Butterscotch filling and caramel sauce create a delicious pie worthy of only the highest praise. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream to take it over the top.

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Red Velvet-White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Red Velvet-White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

We swapped red velvet's usual cream cheese frosting companion for rich white chocolate chunks, and you're going to love the rich pairing.

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Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream

Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream
Jennifer Causey

This bright flavor combination will have you ready for spring.

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Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Mini Red Velvet Cakes
Southern Living

After a decadent Valentine's Day dinner, these perfectly portioned mini cakes hit the spot.

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Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

These festive little cupcakes prove everything is better with a splash of Cheerwine!

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Classic Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Classic Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Molly Bolton/Southern Living

Totally dreamy and beautiful, you'll fall in love with this red velvet layer cake.

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Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies

Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Refrigerated pie crusts and an easy whipped cream topping make these pretty little pies super easy.

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Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes

Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes
Victor Protasio

If you're not a fan of red food dye, these adorable cupcakes get their color from natural red beets.

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Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes

Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell

Finish your date night with a spirited dessert that feels inherently romantic.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Strawberry-Lemonade Cake
Jen Causey

This stunning pink cake combines two of our favorite flavors that will have it feeling like spring has arrived to your table.

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Bourbon-Praline Cheesecake

Bourbon-Praline Cheesecake and Vanilla Custard with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

If your Valentine doesn't want red velvet on Valentine's Day, treat them to a decadent cheesecake with a homemade praline topping.

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