![Spiced chocolate fondue with dippers like apples, bananas, and marshmallows](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/gWjbyllvqiHAYiE7MzLNUqm2dEU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spiced-chocolate-fondue-FT-RECIPE0422-27f2b7b454e54bb8bdd4214c66deaa6f.jpg)
If you ask us, a homemade Valentine's Day dinner is just as romantic, if not more so, than spending the night out. And an impressive dinner calls for an equally impressive dessert. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, these Valentine's Day desserts are sure to delight. Chocolate is a classic option, of course — whip up some fondue, Air Fryer Brownies, or quick and customizable Tropical Mendiants. Whatever you choose will add an extra special touch to your night.
Tropical Mendiants
![Tropical Mendiants](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/8531ITCaaGSc7oEs8D7j6Ub8xT4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tropical-mendiants-FT-RECIPE1221-2-ea4a71026ef047a1950c29eddaf2ee76.jpg)
Chef Paola Velez's stunning mendiants are surprisingly easy to make with her simple method for tempering chocolate in the microwave. Piped into rounds, the chocolates are topped with a colorful mix of tropical fruit, toasted nuts, and seeds. Like mini, open-faced chocolate candy bars, the mendiants can be made ahead and served right from the fridge.
Roasted Strawberry Sorbet
![Roasted Strawberry Sorbet](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/yWkj2gjbFt4Ncv8hqtCJYD8Bd58=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Roasted-Strawberry-Sorbet-FT-RECIPE1223-5d4150ea777c450a884e2d0362b0ebc8.jpg)
Cedric Angeles
Roasted strawberries and Pinot Noir give intense fruit flavors to this silky, juicy sorbet that's flavorful in the winter.
Air Fryer Brownies
![Air Fryer Brownies with ice cream](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/iOEG-zhwLfj7nbB6ScDrJwrWMXw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/air-fryer-brownies-FT-RECIPE1021-2-4d5f35df0bb74f61a47acd1a7806053e.jpg)
With the help of an air fryer, these gooey, fudgy brownies, baked in ramekins and reminiscent of molten chocolate cakes, are less than an hour away. Adding espresso powder to the batter helps bring out the chocolate flavor, as does the crunchy sea salt garnish at the end. Serve them on their own, or with your favorite ice cream.
Molten Chocolate Cakes
![Molten Chocolate Cake Recipe](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/XdFd-DvTtouryLCjeCqwhfmmK-A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/molten-chocolate-cake-FT-RECIPE0220-0a33d7d0ab0c45588f7bfe742d33a9bc.jpg)
Molten chocolate cakes became famous for a reason: They're cakey on the outside with an irresistible center of warm dark chocolate flowing through the middle. The first time you try one, it may seem like magic, but this recipe is actually quite easy to make and ready in under an hour.
Spiced Chocolate Fondue
![Spiced chocolate fondue with dippers like apples, bananas, and marshmallows](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/gWjbyllvqiHAYiE7MzLNUqm2dEU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spiced-chocolate-fondue-FT-RECIPE0422-27f2b7b454e54bb8bdd4214c66deaa6f.jpg)
The chocolate holds its silky texture at room temperature, so it's great for making ahead of your Valentine's Day dinner. Serve this fondue with pieces of pound cake, gingerbread, apples, pears, strawberries, bananas, and/or marshmallows, for dunking. If you like, offer a few pretzels or salt-topped cookies for a sweet-salty dessert experience.
Dark Chocolate Bark with Roasted Almonds and Seeds
![Dark Chocolate Bark with Roasted Almonds and Seeds](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/CSymEoT8VULnc6G04fWtErI1YGI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dark-chocolate-bark-roasted-almonds-and-seeds-hero-01-FT-RECIPE1222-53401fe9698f439bbbe17cefac9bef95.jpg)
Julia Hartbeck
This super-chunky dark chocolate bark from chocolatier Jacques Torres is not only delicious but requires just a few ingredients. Dark chocolate, roasted whole almonds, and salted roasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds come together for the perfect sweet treat.
Thai Tea Crinkle Cookies
![Thai Tea Crinkle Cookies](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/mQrZlMaNrD45uaXZG0wqH2w0ILc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Thai-Cookies-FT-RECIPE1222-adaa2d78192c49f28143264ccf9d8877.jpg)
Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling Ali Domrongchai
Sweet, aromatic Thai tea is relatively new in Thailand, but it's quickly become a Thai-American staple. These cookies have perfect chew and get their delicately spiced, sweet flavor from instant Thai tea powder.
Air Fryer Basque Cheesecake
![Air Fryer Basque Cheesecake](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/b740BgVpZTTb7ovKujh6SFgrVKY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Air-Fryer-Basque-Cheesecake-FT-RECIPE0522-a12bbffc55f14669804050db9b053471.jpg)
We use an air fryer to whip up a quick version of a Basque cheesecake that comes together in minutes (but will require a few hours to chill after it bakes). Evenly browned with a creamy, silky, smooth center, this cheesecake boasts just the right amount of sweetness to contrast the bitter burnt top.
Chocolate-Raspberry Icebox Cake
![Chocolate Raspberry Icebox Cake](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/fi2_gIjZTNM2RH_wrUvH-yXJxFk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Chocolate-Raspberry-Icebox-Cake-FT-RECIPE0822-2000-9e5f4a51233d473690449e19cbe17bd0.jpg)
This Chocolate-Raspberry Icebox Cake is creamy, dreamy, and so simple to make. Crushed cookies, fresh raspberries, and layers of tart raspberry sorbet and vanilla ice cream transform into a gorgeous marbled layer cake in about 15 minutes — no frosting required.
Black and Tan Chocolate Popcorn
![Black-and-Tan Chocolate Popcorn](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/D4qN90Kq5gb1Ob2LNNqd9iB1eV4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Black-and-Tan-Chocolate-Popcorn-FT-RECIPE0223-44392dcbd84746439e936b37dd40d18e.jpg)
Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
A recipe by the late chef Michel Richard inspired this fun way to serve popcorn coated in two kinds of chocolate. Half of the popcorn is tossed in caramelized white chocolate, and the rest in dark chocolate, creating a spectrum of bittersweet to milky sweet flavors and also a beautifully contrasting deep brown and golden tan color on the popped kernels.
Giant Chocolate Cookie with Cacao Nibs and Flaky Salt
![Giant Salty Chocolate Cookie with Cacao Nibs Recipe](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/zHFFkNVR_d71ATjCCcSkeBp55Ec=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Giant-Salty-Chocolate-Cookie-with-cacao-nibs-FT-RECIPE0620-f8457d47a8304a14a926b767555da522.jpg)
The only thing better than a dark cocoa cookie with a hint of chewiness and a generous sprinkle of flaky salt is an impressively oversized one. Cut into wedges, the cookie resembles chocolate shortbread, but this treat is far more indulgent.
Tanghulu (Candied Fruit Skewers)
![Tanghulu (Candied Fruit Skewers)](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/mQRg1X-X9XD547Fiu177BkyUl4Y=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tanghulu-Candied-Fruit-Skewers-FT-RECIPE0622-4d39d6a1a89c442c9f1cafb923dceefb.jpg)
The perfect tanghulu is a skewer of ripe fruit covered evenly in a thin, clear sugar shell. This simple recipe relies on a precise ratio of sugar, water, and corn syrup that produces a crisp, even candy shell.
Turkish Delight
![Turkish Delight](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/cGYmQfQgeeee8SoD7CzG6y_iZJg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Turkish-Delight-FT-RECIPE1123-fd942914e910419cad2d6200fa002d30.jpg)
Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley
Rosewater, lemon juice, and orange blossom water give this treat a citrusy, floral flavor, while pistachios add a bit of crunch. Make this one a day ahead of time.
Toasted Chocolate-Hazelnut Sandwiches
![Toasted Chocolate-Hazelnut Sandwiches](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/KWSzP3euO1TaMuf0QLtxX8OPQNw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Toasted-Chocolate-Hazelnut-Sandwiches-XL-RECIPE0223-ad91a216d2e149a187375450f2a8a304.jpg)
Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
The bread is crisped, lightly salty, and golden brown from the butter, while the inside of the sandwich is both gooey and delightfully crunchy. The floral bitterness of the orange marmalade and the rich sweetness of the fig jam balance the dark chocolate while highlighting its fruity notes.