Valentine’s Day – 10 Sweet Dessert Recipes

They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. And it’s true that one of the best expressions of love is to cook something special, just for your loved one. What is the best way to say I love you? Dessert! These cakes, cookies, brownies, and more will warm the heart of your mom, friends, soulmate, partner, kids, or whoever needs something sweet come February 14.

Heart Cookies

What could be sweeter than baking the cutest heart-shaped cookies for your special valentine or for yourself!?

Ingredients

For the cookies

• 3 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup/2 sticks butter – softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk

For the buttercream

• 1 block cream cheese – softened
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter – softened
• 4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• pink and red food coloring
• sprinkles

How to

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy and pale in color. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until combined, then add flour mixture gradually until totally combined.
2. Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350º and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough until thick. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out cookies.
4. Bake until edges are lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Make frosting: In a large bow using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until combined.
6. Divide frosting into 3 bowls. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and red food coloring to another. Decore your cookies.

Source: Delish.com

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

For the cake

• 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into large chunks
• 1 tsp instant espresso powder
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

For the topping

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Raspberries, for serving

How to

1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease an 8 inch springform pan with cooking spray.
2. Make cake: Place a small saucepan filled halfway with water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Place bittersweet chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over the simmering pot, ensuring the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted. Turn off heat and remove bowl from saucepan.
3. Dissolve espresso powder in hot water. Add sugar and espresso to melted chocolate and whisk until completely combined then add eggs and whisk to combine. Stir in cocoa powder.
4. Pour batter into prepared springform pan and bake until just set in the middle and a thin crust forms, about 35 minutes.
5. Let cake cool for 15 minutes, then remove sides of springform pan. Let cake cool completely.
6. Meanwhile, make topping: Place heavy cream in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, then pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Let sit 1 minute, then whisk to combine.
7. Pour topping over cake and smooth with an offset spatula. Place in refrigerator until set, if desired, about 10 minutes.
8. Top with raspberries and other lovely decorations.

Source: Delish.com

Strawberry Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients called for on box
• 1 1/2 cup halved strawberries
• 2 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream

How to

1. Preheat oven to 350° and prepare the brownie mix according to package instructions. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with only a few moist crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan, then top with strawberries.
2. Topping: Place chocolate chips in a medium, heatproof bowl and set aside. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. When bubbles begin to break the surface around the edges of the pan, turn off the heat. Pour the hot cream over chocolate chips. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk constantly until the sauce is smooth. Pour over the strawberry layer.
3. Refrigerate brownies until the topping has set, about 15 minutes. Slice into squares and serve cold.

Source: Delish.com

These desserts look like a professional made them, but are actually so easy to put together.

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients

• 1  package Oreos
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cup white chocolate chips – melted
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips – melted

How to

1. Use a food processor to crush cookies into fine crumbs.
2. Add all but 2 tablespoons crushed cookies to a medium bowl. Add cream cheese and vanilla and stir until evenly combined.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop, form mixture into small balls. Place on prepared baking sheet and freeze until slightly hardened, about 30 minutes.
4. Dip the frozen balls in melted white chocolate until coated and return to baking sheet. Drizzle with semisweet chocolate. Freeze until chocolate hardens, about 15 minutes.

Source: Delish.com

Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 1/2 cup milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Whipped cream, for serving

How to

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly pour in milk, whisking to combine. Place saucepan over medium heat and whisk until mixture comes to a boil, 6 minutes.
2. Place egg yolks in a medium heat proof bowl and beat until light and frothy. Slowly pour in about 1/2 cup hot cocoa mixture, whisking to combine. Slowly pour egg mixture back into sauce pan, whisking constantly.
3. Return to medium heat, whisking, until thickened to a pudding-like consistency, about 3 minutes.
4. Take off heat and whisk in chocolate, butter, and vanilla until smooth. If mixture looks lumpy at all, strain it through a fine mesh strainer.
5. Pour into a large bowl and place plastic wrap directly on surface of pudding. Refrigerate until chilled, 2 hours.
6. When ready to serve, spoon into individual bowls or ramekins and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Source:Delish.com

Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches

Every woman loves and ice cream and cookie dough!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) melted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (preferably whole or 2%)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour*
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3 qt vanilla ice cream, softened

How to

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides. In a large bowl, stir together melted butter, both sugars, milk, and vanilla until combined. Stir in flour and salt, then fold in chocolate chips.
2. Press cookie dough into prepared baking sheet, evening it out as much as possible (a cutting board can help). Top with a second piece of parchment and freeze until firm, 1 hour.
3. Remove cookie dough from pan and place on a cutting board. Slice dough down the center. Scoop ice cream on one half, then gently place other half of cookie dough on top. Transfer back to pan and freeze at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Source: Delish.com

Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 5 2-oz bittersweet chocolate bars
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 ⅔ cups (235 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5 g) baking soda
• ⅓ cup (38 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• ¾ cup (170 g; packed) dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp (6 g) kosher salt
• 1 tbsp (22 g) vanilla paste or extract

How to

1. Chop four 2-oz. chocolate bars. Melt your butter. While butter cools, whisk flour and baking soda in a medium bowl to combine. Press cocoa powder through a fine-mesh sieve into bowl, then whisk again to combine.
2. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and kosher salt to browned butter. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir vigorously to combine. Add one egg and whisk vigorously until incorporated, about 1 minute. Repeat with remaining one egg, then whisk in vanilla paste. Stir in dry ingredients just to combine. Mix in the 4 chopped chocolate bars you set aside.
3. Preheat to 375°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape dough into ping-pong sized balls. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes.

Source: Bonappetit.com

Chocolate-Covered Cake Balls

Ingredients

• 1 box cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks butter), softened
• 3 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch kosher salt
• 2 cup white chocolate chips
• 2 cup chocolate chips
• 4 tbsp coconut oil, divided
• sprinkles, for decorating

How to

1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease baking pan with cooking spray. Prepare cake mix according to box instructions and spread evenly into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool then break cake into small crumbs.
2. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter until smooth, then add sugar and beat until combined. Add cream, vanilla, and salt and mix until smooth.
3. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir cake crumbs into frosting, then form mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. Place on a prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.
4. In a deep-sided heatproof bowl, microwave white chocolate and 2 tablespoons coconut oil in 30 second intervals until melted. Repeat process with semisweet chocolate.
5. Dip chilled cake balls into melted chocolate, shaking off excess chocolate. Immediately decorate with sprinkles and return to baking sheet. Refrigerate until hardened, 15 minutes.

Source: Delish.com

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup strawberries
• 2 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp coconut oil

How to

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse strawberries and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.
3. Dip strawberries in chocolate and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

Source: Delish.com

Chocolate Fondue

All you need is the fondue set, your favorite kind of chocolate, and fruits! What else can you dip in chocolate fondue?

• Fresh fruit: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas
• Cookies: Oreos, nutter butters, pirouettes (my favorite!), Milanos, girl scout cookies
• Other treats: poundcake (store-bought or homemade), Rice Krispies treats (just leave off the white chocolate and sprinkles), brownie bites, large marshmallows

BONUS: Cheese Board

Here are the tips and tricks on how to make an amazing cheese board! So easy, beautiful and well-balanced!

Ingredients

• brie
• parmesan, thinly sliced
• cheddar, thinly sliced
• comte cheese, thinly sliced
• swiss cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 baguette, sliced
• 1 package crackers
• 1 cup pita bite crackers
• 1 apricot, sliced
• olives
• almonds
• pistachios
• cherries

How to

1. Arrange cheeses, baguette, crackers, apricot, olives, almonds, pistachios and cherries on platter or wooden cheese board. Garnish with rosemary, if desired. If you need some inspiration just check Pinterest, there is so many ways how to decorate your cheese board!

More tips:

• Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her – Treat Her Like a Queen
• 10 Relaxing and Funny Shows About Families
• Gifts Ideas For Everyone
• Best Apps for New Moms
• Pregnancy Week by Week
• Poppyseed To Watermelon: Pregnancy by Week
• Baby Naming: How to Choose a Perfect Name for Your Baby