Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show how much you love someone, so don’t do it with store-bought flowers and chocolates. We’re not implying you nix chocolate completely—that’s crazy-talk—but instead, we suggest you put some love and care into dessert by making it yourself. For romantic inspiration, try celebrating this Valentine’s Day with one of these 22 chocolate dessert recipes.
1 of 22
Black Forest cake
Anna_Pustynnikova / Shutterstock.com
Based on the German dessert known as “Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte,” Black Forest cake is actually called “Black Forest cherry torte,” according to the direct translation. It’s made of multiple layers of chocolate sponge cake, and as the name suggests, it has a cherry filling. The cherry flavor actually comes from a cherry liqueur, as indicated in this recipe from Liv For Cake.
2 of 22
Boozy hot chocolate
Fotobycam / Shutterstock.com
February means cold weather for much of the country, so hot chocolate is the perfect dessert. It can also be the perfect nightcap if you makethis “adult hot chocolate” from The Modern Proper. Be forewarned: It contains bourbon, Frangelico, AND Irish cream.
3 of 22
Chocolate chip skillet cookie
Duplass / Shutterstock.com
If you’re the kind of person who had a cookie cake for their birthday as a kid (or last year—no judgments), then welcome to the grown-up version: the chocolate chip skillet cookie. Not only is this giant cookie from How Sweet Eats both chewy and gooey, but it’s super fun to make in your cast iron pan.
4 of 22
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Arina P Habich / Shutterstock.com
To make chocolate-covered strawberries, you really only need two ingredients: strawberries and high-quality chocolate. Natasha’s Kitchen can show you how to make them and provide some creative suggestions for more elaborate versions. If you’re in the mood for a romantic cliche, resist the urge to lovingly feed the strawberries to each other—it’s always more messy and awkward than anticipated.
5 of 22
Chocolate cream pie
Brendan Lekan / Shutterstock.com
This chocolate cream pie via Tastes Better from Scratchcomes complete with three layers: whipped cream on top, chocolate pudding in the middle, and an Oreo crust underneath. It may sound complicated, but the crust can be made in advance and the pudding needs several hours to set, so the prep is broken up nicely.
6 of 22
Chocolate cupcakes
Elena Veselova / Shutterstock.com
Chocolate cake is delicious, and chocolate frosting is delicious, which would mean that chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, like these from Handle the Heat, are twice as good. Except due to a synergy-like situation, the result is actually better than the sum of its two parts—especially if you add chocolate sprinkles.
7 of 22
Chocolate fondue
studio presence / Shutterstock.com
For some reason, chocolate fondue gives off romantic vibes—and we’re fine with that because it’s easy to make and delicious to eat. This recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron calls for just six ingredients, and two of them are chocolate! All you need to do is decide what to dip in it. (We suggest fruit like strawberries and pineapple, or cakes like angel food and pound cake.)
8 of 22
Chocolate fudge
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock.com
Chocolate fudge is fancy, it’s rich, and it’s tasty—so there’s no way it could be easy, right? Not according to Show Me the Yummy, who have a five-ingredient version that only requires about five minutes of prep!
9 of 22
Chocolate lava cake
Africa Studio / Shutterstock.com
A classic dessert for two, chocolate lava cake isn’t as tricky as it looks. In fact, this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction will show you how to make them in ramekins or muffin pans. And yes, the chocolate will ooze out like a miniature choco-cano.
10 of 22
Chocolate mousse
nerudol / Shutterstock.com
Just five simple ingredients are needed for this chocolate mousse from Recipe Tin Eats:chocolate, butter, cream, eggs, and caster sugar. You can use it atop cakes or brownies, or just eat it with a spoon…and whipped cream and chocolate shavings, of course.
11 of 22
Chocolate souffle
Raimunda-losantos / Shutterstock.com
There’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with baking a rich, fluffy souffle, but it’s a delicate process. Keep Valentine’s Day shenanigans out of the kitchen while this chocolate souffle from Sally’s Baking Addiction is prepped and baked, as it could fall faster than a fool in love.
12 of 22
Chocolate tart
marcin jucha / Shutterstock.com
If a chocolate cream pie is too much like pudding for your liking, try a chocolate tart instead. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated or fancy as it sounds—in fact, it’s actually pretty simple, especially with this recipe from the Food Network.
13 of 22
Chocolate truffles
Vladislav Noseek / Shutterstock.com
One of the richest desserts around is chocolate truffles, and that’s a dangerous thing for our diet. But sometimes it’s fun to live dangerously on Valentine’s Day, so why not make some truffles with this recipe from Petite Gourmets?
14 of 22
Devil’s food cake
Yummypic / Shutterstock.com
Devils’ food cake is the darkest of the dark when it comes to cake, as it’s made of layers of rich chocolate cake, and it’s filled and covered with chocolate frosting. The origins of this dessert are at least 120 years old, so we recommend using this “old-fashioned” devil’s food cake recipe from Baker By Nature.
15 of 22
Double chocolate brownies
P Maxwell Photography / Shutterstock.com
Brownies are already a chocolate dessert thanks to the cocoa powder (get out of here with that blondie talk.) But these brownies from Like Mother Like Daughter call for a heaping half-cup of chocolate chips, which makes them even more chocolatey, and oh so fudgy.
16 of 22
Double chocolate chip cookies
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock.com
When regular chocolate chip cookies aren’t enough, you call in double chocolate chip cookies. And while some people like their cookies crispy and others like them soft, we prefer ours to be like Han Solo’s best friend: chewy. These cookies from Sugar Geek Show fit the bill.
17 of 22
Flourless chocolate cake
Hope Phillips / Shutterstock.com
Desserts don’t get much richer than flourless chocolate cake—and we’re not talking about the money. In fact, you can make this decadent, gluten-free recipe from Gimme Some Oven with just three ingredients: eggs, butter, and a whole lot of chocolate. But if you want to impress your date, dress this dessert up with a sprinkle of powdered sugar (and maybe some raspberries, too).
18 of 22
German chocolate cake
Arina P Habich / Shutterstock.com
A layered chocolate cake with a coconut-pecan frosting makes up this German chocolate cake recipe via Tastes Better From Scratch. If you’re wondering what is German about coconuts and pecans, the answer is nothing. Unlike Black Forest cake, German chocolate cake isn’t related to Germany at all—it was invented by an American baker named Samuel German.
19 of 22
Ice cream
margouillat photo / Shutterstock.com
Have an ice cream maker that needs a little love & attention? Break it out for Valentine’s Day! Making ice cream can even be a date-night activity, whether it’s your first date or you’ve been married for years. Joy Food Sunshine has an easy seven-ingredient version.
20 of 22
Marble brownies
nickichen / Shutterstock.com
If you think brownies are a bit basic—especially for a special Valentine’s Day dessert—class ‘em up by making marble brownies instead. This version from AllRecipes actually comes from the Philadelphia brand, because, as you may guess, it involves cream cheese. Aside from the cream cheese and brownie mix, all you need are sugar, vanilla, and eggs!
21 of 22
Oreo cheesecake
Elena Lapshina / Shutterstock.com
We could have gone with chocolate cheesecake, but Oreo cheesecake is one of our favorite flavors—and the cookie parts are chocolate cookies, so it counts! Life, Love, and Sugar claims to have the best Oreo cheesecake recipe, but make it at home and decide for yourself!
22 of 22
Peanut butter cups
Erin McGrath / Shutterstock.com
Peanut butter and chocolate are soulmates, and the simplest combination of the two is a peanut butter cup. Not a store-bought one with a long list of ingredients, but a simple version like this recipe from Tasty, which only uses peanut butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or preferences, but I can provide information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Here's a breakdown of the different chocolate dessert recipes mentioned:
Black Forest Cake
- Black Forest cake is a German dessert known as "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte."
- It is made of multiple layers of chocolate sponge cake with a cherry filling.
- The cherry flavor comes from a cherry liqueur.
- You can find a recipe for Black Forest cake on Liv For Cake's website [[1]].
Boozy Hot Chocolate
- Hot chocolate is a popular dessert, especially during cold weather.
- The recipe mentioned in the article is an "adult hot chocolate" that includes bourbon, Frangelico, and Irish cream.
- The Modern Proper provides a recipe for this boozy hot chocolate [[2]].
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
- The chocolate chip skillet cookie is a larger version of a regular cookie.
- It is chewy, gooey, and fun to make in a cast iron pan.
- How Sweet Eats offers a recipe for a chocolate chip skillet cookie [[3]].
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- Chocolate-covered strawberries are a classic and simple dessert.
- All you need are strawberries and high-quality chocolate.
- Natasha's Kitchen provides a recipe for making chocolate-covered strawberries [[4]].
Chocolate Cream Pie
- Chocolate cream pie consists of three layers: whipped cream, chocolate pudding, and an Oreo crust.
- Tastes Better from Scratch offers a recipe for chocolate cream pie [[5]].
Chocolate Cupcakes
- Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting are a delicious treat.
- Handle the Heat provides a recipe for chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting [[6]].
Chocolate Fondue
- Chocolate fondue is a popular dessert that can be easily made.
- Chelsea's Messy Apron offers a recipe for chocolate fondue [[7]].
Chocolate Fudge
- Chocolate fudge is a rich and tasty dessert.
- Show Me the Yummy provides a five-ingredient recipe for chocolate fudge [[8]].
Chocolate Lava Cake
- Chocolate lava cake is a classic dessert for two.
- Sally's Baking Addiction offers a recipe for making chocolate lava cake [[9]].
Chocolate Mousse
- Chocolate mousse is a creamy and indulgent dessert.
- Recipe Tin Eats provides a recipe for making chocolate mousse [[10]].
Chocolate Souffle
- Chocolate souffle is a delicate and fluffy dessert.
- Sally's Baking Addiction offers a recipe for making chocolate souffle [[11]].
Chocolate Tart
- A chocolate tart is a simple and delicious dessert.
- The Food Network provides a recipe for making a chocolate tart [[12]].
Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate truffles are rich and decadent treats.
- Petite Gourmets offers a recipe for making chocolate truffles [[13]].
Devil's Food Cake
- Devil's food cake is a rich and chocolatey cake.
- Baker By Nature provides an "old-fashioned" devil's food cake recipe [[14]].
Double Chocolate Brownies
- Double chocolate brownies are extra chocolatey and fudgy.
- Like Mother Like Daughter offers a recipe for double chocolate brownies [[15]].
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Double chocolate chip cookies are a chocolate lover's delight.
- Sugar Geek Show provides a recipe for double chocolate chip cookies [[16]].
Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Flourless chocolate cake is a rich and gluten-free dessert.
- Gimme Some Oven offers a recipe for making flourless chocolate cake [[17]].
German Chocolate Cake
- German chocolate cake is a layered chocolate cake with a coconut-pecan frosting.
- Despite its name, it is not related to Germany and was invented by an American baker named Samuel German.
- Tastes Better From Scratch provides a recipe for German chocolate cake [[18]].
Ice Cream
- Making ice cream can be a fun and romantic activity.
- Joy Food Sunshine offers an easy seven-ingredient recipe for making ice cream [[19]].
Marble Brownies
- Marble brownies are a twist on regular brownies, incorporating cream cheese.
- AllRecipes provides a recipe for making marble brownies [[20]].
Oreo Cheesecake
- Oreo cheesecake is a delicious variation of chocolate cheesecake.
- Life, Love, and Sugar claims to have the best Oreo cheesecake recipe [[21]].
Peanut Butter Cups
- Peanut butter cups are a simple combination of peanut butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate.
- Tasty provides a recipe for making peanut butter cups [[22]].
I hope this breakdown of the different chocolate dessert recipes is helpful! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.