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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Updated on February 8, 2024

Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake - Southern Living — Photo:
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.

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Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles

Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles — Joy Howard

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.

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Valentine's Day Cake

Valentine's Day Cake — Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

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.

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Classic Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Southern Living Red Velvet Bundt Cake sliced on a cake plate ready to serve — 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.

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Chocolate-Marshmallow Linzer Heart Cookies

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.

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Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

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.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake_WD0156-S — Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

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.

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Molten Red Velvet Cakes

Molten Red Velvet Cakes, red velvet cake recipe — HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

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.

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Strawberry Galette

Strawberry Galette — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

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.

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Red Velvet-White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Red Velvet-White Chocolate Chunk Cookies — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

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.

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Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

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.

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Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies

Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

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.

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Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake

Southern Living 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.

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Red Velvet Cake Balls

Red Velvet Cake Balls Image — Southern Living

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.

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Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake

Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake - Southern Living — 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.

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Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes — Victor Protasio

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.

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Strawberry-And-Basil Pavlova

Southern Living 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.

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Classic Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

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.

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Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake

Strawberry-RosÃ© Snack Cake — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

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.

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Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Red-Velvet Cake Mix Cookies — Micah A. Leal

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.

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

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.

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Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

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.

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Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Mini Red Velvet Cakes — Southern Living

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.

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Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream

Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

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.

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Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake — Micah Leal

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.

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White Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

White Chocolate Covered Strawberries — Micah A. Leal

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.

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Strawberry Pound Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Pound Cake on a platter to serve — 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.

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Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting

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.

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The Red Velvet Cake

The Red Velvet Cake — Hector Sanchez

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.

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Strawberry Patch Cake

Southern Living Strawberry Patch Cake sliced on plates to serve — 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.

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Fresh Strawberry Milkshake

Fresh Strawberry Milkshake — Antonis Achilleos

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.

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Red Velvet Doberge Cake With Cheesecake Custard

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.

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Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies

Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies — Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Strawberry-Lemonade Cake — Jen Causey

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.

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Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

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.

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Mini Strawberry Tarts

Mini Strawberry Tarts — Greg Dupree

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.

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Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes — Micah Leal

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.

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Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake

Raspberry-Lemon Cheesecake — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

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.

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Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

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.

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Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Southern Living 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.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake

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.

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Strawberry Vanilla Cake

Strawberry Vanilla Cake — Sarah Epperson

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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