Red roses, heart-shaped balloons, and fluffy teddy bears are all well and good, but it’s food that can really take your Valentine’s Day to the next level. If you’re cooking up a romantic meal for your loved one this year, make sure you end it on a high with one of our indulgent Valentine’s desserts. From Ottolenghi’s Persian love cakes to a suitably pink-hued rhubarb cheesecake, these recipes are guaranteed to win you brownie points. And, speaking of brownies, if you’re looking for some chocolate dessert inspiration check out our collection of the best ever chocolate recipes for Valentine’s Day.
Ottolenghi’s Persian Love Cakes
Could there be a more perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day than a batch of love cakes? These moist mini loaves are delicately flavoured with mahleb and nutmeg, and topped with a dollop of mascarpone.
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Lemon and Rose Layer Cake
The combination of lemon and rose flavours in this pretty, three-tiered cake makes it a charming centrepiece for a special occasion.
Chocolate Fondants
Possibly the most quintessentially seductive dessert, a perfect chocolate fondant should be rich, molten, and oozing. This recipe from Marcus Wareing ticks all the boxes.
Brown Sugar and Hazelnut Meringues with Champagne Poached Pears
If there’s ever a time for decadence, it’s Valentine’s Day. These pears are poached in Champagne and served with airy, brown sugar and hazelnut meringues. Finish with a drizzle of melted chocolate and plenty of softly whipped cream.
Strawberry and Rose Mess
An Ottolenghi-style twist on Eton mess, this elegant dessert combines strawberry sorbet, crushed meringue, mascarpone, pomegranate seeds, and rose water.
Jane’s Patisserie Rhubarb Crumble Cheesecake
Lean into the Valentine’s Day colour scheme with this pastel pink cheesecake from Jane’s Patisserie. Swirled with tangy chunks of forced rhubarb and sprinkled with a moreish crumble topping, it’s an irresistible medley of flavours and textures.
Meringue Gelato Cake with Chocolate Sauce
This elegant and impressive-looking meringue gelato cake is, according to Nigella, “one of the world’s easiest but most delicious desserts”. Serve it with lashings of chocolate sauce and fresh raspberries.
Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse
You can’t go wrong with a perfectly fluffy chocolate mousse on Valentine’s Day, and this recipe from Elly Pear also happens to be suitable for vegans.
