41 Valentine's Desserts That Have Us Seeing Red
From rich red velvet to natural strawberry-and- raspberry-filled sweets, these desserts aren't lacking in color.
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
For Valentine's Day, maybe you want want to stay in and enjoy a romantic dinner in the comfort of your own home or host friends for a fun galentines gathering. While everyone enjoys a box of indulgent chocolate candies and a stunning bouquet of fresh flowers that will brighten the room for several days, nothing says "you are special" like a red-tinted treat you made with labor and love. Show how much you care and appreciate that special someone, whether it's a spouse, child, parent, or friend, with one of these top-rated red Valentine's Day desserts.
Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles
Rolling these truffles in freeze-dried raspberries gives them their bright color and berry flavor. They come together quickly, then chill for a few hours so they’re perfect for making ahead of time. Plus, this recipe gives you plenty for sharing.
Valentine's Day Cake
As if a colorful buttercream wasn't enough, a strawberry trim really takes this Valentine's treat over the top. The best part? It's made from a sheet cake. No layering required.
Classic Red Velvet Bundt Cake
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Enjoy the decadent flavors of a red velvet cake without the hassle of the layers thanks to a classic Bundt. Pour a simple cream cheese glaze over top for the just-right finishing touch.
Chocolate-Marshmallow Linzer Heart Cookies
As fun to decorate as they are to eat, these Linzer cookies are filled with a ready-made marshmallow crème—no icing or special filling required. Tint the crème pink or red if you wish, and top with sprinkles.
Red Velvet Brownies
Cream cheese frosting makes these treats festive, but chocolate frosting would be just as delicious. To make these brownies extra pretty, use decorative white chocolate curls. Simply pull a vegetable peeler along the side of a white chocolate bar and sprinkle the curls on top.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake
There’s a lot to love about this ganache-topped cheesecake. This date night dessert is sure to dazzle any time of year, but we particularly love pairing it with a glass of champagne on Valentine's Day.
Molten Red Velvet Cakes
Portioned just right, you don't have to share the magic of this chocolatey center with anyone else, no matter how much you love them. You’ll want that cream cheese whipped cream all to yourself too. These single-serving desserts can be prepared a day ahead, making them that much sweeter.
Strawberry Galette
Move over pie, there's an easier-to-assemble and just-as-sweet dessert on the menu. Thanks to store-bought pie crust you only need 10 minutes to prep this galette that showcases the pretty color and fresh flavor of strawberries.
Red Velvet-White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
We love a red velvet treat any time of year, but they feel especially celebratory this time of year. In these cookies, white chocolate chips and rich cocoa are already a hard-to-resist combination, but for a little crunch add half a cup of macadamia nuts.
Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake
Dotdash Meredith
Can't choose what type of cake to bake for the special day? Try this multi-colored and flavored layer cake with classic red velvet cake, cheesecake, and rich white chocolate frosting.
Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies
These swirled meringue cookies are sure to impress—especially for a galentines gathering. Freeze-dried raspberries add color and sweetness to the meringues while a white chocolate ganache and raspberry preserves are sandwiched in between.
Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
You only need nine ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on time to throw together this date night worthy dessert. Serve warm with a scoop of your favorite vanilla or strawberry ice cream.
Red Velvet Cake Balls
These are the perfect treats to pack for a dinner on the go. Held together with homemade cream cheese frosting and coated in white chocolate, it's hard to eat just one.
Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
It's hard to beat a chocolate and raspberry pairing, especially on Valentine's Day. This decadent chocolate cheesecake uses three forms of the fruit—fresh, freeze-dried, and jam which is swirled across the top for plenty of flavor and color.
Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe
If you're looking for a deep red dessert, look no further. These tender cupcakes use beets as a natural food coloring, and their rich cream cheese frosting makes them impossible to resist.
Strawberry-And-Basil Pavlova
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Not a fan of chocolate or just looking for a lighter Valentine's Day treat? Try this beautiful and simple berry and basil pavlova that is topped with a fluffy layer of whipped cream and fresh strawberries and raspberries.
Classic Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Molly Bolton/Southern Living
If you need a dessert for a crowd, this cake will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Nothing says "I love you" like this tall red velvet cake cloaked in a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake
What’s not to love about this pretty-in-pink cake? It comes together in one bowl, and rosé is mixed right into the batter. It’s perfect for your favorite galentines and valentines. Top with strawberries for an easy presentation.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
These cookies combine the perfect crisp cookie texture with the taste of a red velvet cake pop. With just five ingredients, these cake mix cookies will be ready for the school Valentine's Day party in no time.
Lemon Raspberry Cake
Layer cakes can be a labor of love, so they always feel extra thoughtful and this one is sure to show your affection with a dreamy cream cheese-raspberry frosting. Cut to reveal a layer of fresh raspberries inside. You can make the cake layers a day ahead.
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
This chocolate cake tastes like a strawberry dipped in chocolate. Want to make this cake even more over the top? Garnish with chocolate-covered strawberries instead of regular, whole strawberries.
Mini Red Velvet Cakes
Classic red velvet cake takes on a new twist in this individual-sized dessert that you only have to share if you really want to be sweet to your valentine. Mascarpone cheese replaces cream cheese for a decadent frosting.
Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream
While it may not be a traditional Valentine's Day treat, we love the idea of key lime and strawberries on a sweet occasion. Make this in advance to allow time to chill. It’s the perfect recipe for a party.
Chocolate Mousse Cake
If your valentine is a chocolate lover, they'll fall head-over-heels for this chocolate cake that features mousse and ganache too. Cover with red berries for a pop of color and burst of refreshing sweetness to balance the rich chocolate.
White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Simple chocolate-covered strawberries are a sweet way to tell someone how much you care. White chocolate is the canvas for creative patterns. These are easy to make in advance.
Strawberry Pound Cake
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
While this springy cake really shines with fresh berries, its celebratory color makes it an ideal cheerful treat for the February holiday.
Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
This fruity snack cake is light, fluffy, and gets loaded with naturally sweet raspberries. A salted milk chocolate frosting is the perfect complement for the any time of day sweet treat.
The Red Velvet Cake
There's no lack of red color in this red velvet layer cake. To add to the festive dessert, generously spread strawberry frosting and strawberry glaze between each cake layer.
Strawberry Patch Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Heading to galentines and looking for a festive treat that travels well? This strawberry patch cake is just the thing. In lieu of decorating the top with flowers, sprinkle on red, white, and pink M&Ms or conversation hearts with fresh berries.
Fresh Strawberry Milkshake
Want to cool off after a warm, romantic meal? There's no better way than a homemade shake. Whip this up with just five simple ingredients.
Red Velvet Doberge Cake With Cheesecake Custard
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Wow loved ones with a sky-high cake without making six individual layers. Instead, all you need is three standard cake layers, then cut each one in half. Spread cheesecake custard between each, then frost the outside of the cake with white chocolate icing.
Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies
Made with refrigerated pie crusts and a simple whipped cream topping, these strawberry chiffon mini pies are easier to make than they look. They'll add a fresh ending to any Valentine's Day meal.
Strawberry-Lemonade Cake
This pretty cake can help get you into the party spirit. Lemon cake is layered with a tangy strawberry-lemonade jam. You can assemble this dessert up to two days ahead, leaving you lots of time to prepare the rest of your celebratory meal.
Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
Photo: Hector Sanchez
For an easy bake-and-take dessert for any Valentine's party, a sheet cake is the answer. Fresh strawberries lend a fresh flavor and pretty color.
Mini Strawberry Tarts
These sweet tarts with a dreamy filling of cream cheese, whipped cream, and lemon make a lovely presentation for a Valentine's Day dessert. Make these in advance, as they need time to chill.
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
No artificial flavor or color here thanks to fresh and freeze-dried strawberries. Use a simple piping tip for cupcakes that will look like you bought them from a local bakery.
Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake
All you need in 15 minutes to prepare this impressive cheesecake, but be sure to make it far enough in advance of date night as it needs to chill for at least 8 hours prior to serving.
Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler
Put a spin on the classic cobbler with red velvet cake. Spoon the red batter over berries to bake, and layer in fun glassware with cream cheese ice cream for a pretty presentation.
Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss
Level up a traditional Southern pound cake with swirls of pre-made strawberry glaze.
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro
If you're a fan of cheesecake and red velvet-flavored desserts, you'll love this combo that's perfect for Valentine's Day. The red velvet cheesecake is paired with a chocolate graham cracker crust and cream cheese frosting-like topping.
Strawberry Vanilla Cake
For an even more celebratory dessert, top this strawberry vanilla cake with red-dyed vanilla buttercream and pile fresh berries on top.
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