![Prepare to Fall Head Over Heels for These 30 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes (1) Prepare to Fall Head Over Heels for These 30 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes (1)](https://i0.wp.com/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/valentines-1675709519.jpg?crop=0.870xw:0.581xh;0.0609xw,0.243xh&resize=640:*)
When you're a kid, Valentine's Day is all about eating as much candy as you can fit in your mouth at the class party. But now that we're adults, it's...pretty much still all about the treats, let's be real. But this year, instead of going to town on basic, heart-shaped chocolates, might I suggest heading to the kitchen and whippin' up something a little more special? If you just thought to yourself, "Sure, why not?" then I think you're cool. And I've also got just the thing for you: this list of 30 Valentine's Day desserts.
Whether you want a romantic ending to your cozy date night at home or you're looking for something to serve at your Galentine's Day party, these sweet-on-so-many-levels recipes are sure to make anyone and everyone fall in love. No matter your baking skills, there's something on this list for you, believe me. Some are super-duper easy—like, three ingredients and you don't even need to start the stove easy. Or, if you're a pro, I've also got some more elaborate recipes that'll impress everyone (including your IG followers, because they're 100p worthy of a 'gram). And finally, if you or your sweetheart are gluten-free or vegan, I've grabbed a few recipes that'll work for you, too. Because no one should ever have to skip dessert, IMO.
Keep scrolling to find all the best Valentine's Day desserts to serve on February 14th (and probably every other day of the year, once you become obsessed). Oh, and if you're still looking for Valentine's Day gifts or ideas for on-theme co*cktails, Cosmo's got you covered on those, too.
1
Conversation Heart Cookies
"XOXO." - Gossip Girl You, presenting these incredibly cute cookies.
Recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
2
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
Forget the box of chocolates and bake up this indulgent, fudgy cake instead. If they're not in love with you already, this recipe should do the trick.
Recipe from Becca Rea-Tucker.
3
Deviled Hearts
You've had deviled eggs...but have you had deviled hearts? They're strawberries stuffed with a no-bake cheesecake filling, and they're as divine as they are adorable.
Recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon.
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4
Pop-Another-Bottle Crumble
Your date will be so impressed when you bring out this tasty fruit crumble. The not-so-secret ingredient is half a cup of leftover wine, so try not to drink the *entire* bottle!
Recipe from Colu Henry.
5
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
If you're not super confident in your baking skills, you should know that you can make these chocolate-covered strawberries without burning your house down. I mean, they require just three ingredients and you don't even have to turn your oven on, so I believe you can do it.
Recipe from I Heart Naptime.
6
Heart-Shaped Cake
Fun fact: you don't even need a heart-shaped pan to put together this cute lil guy (just one square and one round cake pan)! Dare I say this would be the perfect Galentine's Day baking project?
Recipe from Good Housekeeping.
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7
Sweet Cherry Linzer Torte Cookies
These picture-perfect cookies are the cutest way to say ILY. If I were you, I'd go ahead and splurge on a good cherry jam for the filling.
Recipe from Woman's Day.
8
Flourless Chocolate Cake
This dense, super-rich cake is basically the definition of decadence. And if your sweetheart is gluten-free, you're safe with this recipe since it's flour-free.
Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod.
9
Palmiers
In case the description of "buttery puff pastry sprinkled with crunchy caramelized sugar" wasn't enough for you, these babies are also shaped like hearts!
Recipe from Ahead of Thyme.
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10
Cortadillo (Mexican Pink Cake)
This sweet cake—known for its vibrant pink icing—is super popular in Mexican bakeries. It's also the most Barbiecore dessert I can think of, so I'll be making it for that reason alone.
Recipe from Isabel Eats.
11
Chocolate Caramel Cookies
These chocolate cookies—which have a gooey caramel filling and flaky sea salt topping—are the perfect sweet and salty treat for your (hopefully only sweet!) Valentine.
Recipe from Good Housekeeping.
12
Vanilla Cupcakes With Rose Petal Buttercream Icing
Skip the wilting grocery store flowers this year in favor of these cupcakes. The design is easier than you think, once you have the right piping tips (you can buy the 1M and 1B tips on Amazon).
Recipe from Ahead of Thyme.
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13
Heart Cookies
All I want for V-Day is one of these marbled heart cookies, please and thanks! They're so cute I would wear 'em as earrings.
Recipe from Sugar Spun Run.
14
Vegan Chocolate Truffles
The best way to say "I care" to a vegan Valentine? These decadent truffles, which rely on coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
Recipe from Loving It Vegan.
15
Double Chocolate Mocha Pudding Pie
I mean, who can say no to chocolate mousse...especially when it's infused with mocha? This rich dessert will leave your date in a creamy dreamland.
Recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.
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16
Sweetheart Cheesecake
Um, how freaking cute is this? Just drag a toothpick through some dollops of frosting to create the adorable heart design.
Recipe from Country Living.
17
Chocolate Lava Cake
You know how your cup is supposed to runneth over with love on Valentine's Day? That's kinda what this ooey gooey lava cake does, too.
Recipe from Preppy Kitchen.
18
Crêpes
What's more romantic than breakfast in bed? Breakfast in bed with these super-thin, berry-smothered crêpes as the main dish, of course.
Recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
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19
Strawberry Custard Tart
This dessert might be better classified as "art" than "tart," but damn, it's delicious. And it would make an incredible gift for a loved one, just sayin'.
Recipe from Sweet Tea and Thyme.
20
Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Truffles
If your sweetheart isn't much of a chocolate person (I know, I know, some people are just wrong), you can still give 'em something sweet with these Snickerdoodle cookie dough truffles.
Recipe from Shugary Sweets.
Jamie Ballard
Contributing Writer
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
Hannah Chubb
Lifestyle Editor
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
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