10 Valentine's Day desserts

Valentine’s Day has become very commercial, but it’s still a good excuse to slow down and enjoy some quality time with your partner. Why not show them the ultimate sign of true love with a gooey, naughty and decadent dessert?

These desserts have all been chosen for their sharing qualities—even if you only need one bowl and two spoons!

How do buttery croissants baked in a golden syrup and clotted cream custard sound? They look utterly divine to me, and of course, this is certainly a winter pudding that’s perfect for sharing with a loved one. A little bit naughty but very, very nice—and perfect for a Valentine’s Day supper at home.

Get the recipe for golden syrup and clotted cream croissant pudding

This is what I call a real sharing cake, perfect for a romantic afternoon tea or as a boozy dessert! Light sponge cake is topped with chocolate ganache and fresh cherries, and is filled with clouds of boozy whipped cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Get the recipe for cherry brandy sponge cake with chocolate ganache and cherry brandy cream

This recipe is an American classic, similar to our own Yorkshire Puddings. These delectable, light and airy little batter cakes make a delicious and easily prepared dessert, and are even better when studded with gooey chocolate drops and served with mixed berry compote and cream.

Get the recipe for mixed berry and chocolate popovers

Chocolate is a key ingredient for Valentine’s Day, and just look at this amazing tart, perfect for sharing and loaded with chocolate, cream and unctuous salted caramel. A true sweet indulgence for your sweetheart, and a decadent dessert for any other special occasion.

Get the recipe for chocolate, cream and salted caramel tart

They’re small, there’s no denying it, but they’re also big enough to satisfy any “rufty-tufty” chocoholic’s fantasy. They’re sinfully rich and deliver more than a couple of bites, which, in my humble opinion, make them perfect for most “blokes” on the appointed romantic day.

Get the recipe for chocolate box cakes

When is a cake not a cake? When it is a dessert cake, if course! This sumptuous, drizzled beauty is just that, and will satisfy any peanut butter lover’s cravings. Perfect for sharing, why not dollop some whipped cream on top for the ultimate eating experience?

Get the recipe for butterscotch peanut butter cake

A decadent and dreamy dessert—this chocolate mousse has a generous slug of Baileys Chocolat Luxe in the mousse and then Baileys Original Irish Cream in the creamy whipped topping—that’s served with a scattering of grated chocolate and crunchy toasted hazelnuts. Perfect for your chocolate-loving sweetheart!

Get the recipe for Baileys double chocolate mousse with toasted hazelnuts and Baileys cream

A Scottish classic and perfect for a Valentine’s Day dessert, these little glasses of whisky cream with pretty, pink poached rhubarb and toasted oats would be a delightful finish to any romantic candlelit Valentine’s dinner at home. What’s more, they use British seasonal fruit. 

Get the recipe for Scottish rhubarb cranachan

Most people love a good, rich sticky toffee pudding, and this one is packed with lots of decadent ingredients such as butter, dates, whisky and—ideal for sharing and also just right for the winter. Serve with lashings of cream or custard for a romantic comfort-food dessert this month.

Get the recipe for rich sticky toffee and whisky pudding

I must end with an ice cream! Ice cream isn’t just for summer, and this classic recipe for Peach Melba is just the dessert for romantic sharing! It’s basically peaches that are poached in sugar syrup, which are then topped with vanilla ice cream, raspberry coulis and whipped cream—totally divine!

Get the recipe for Peach Melba

Karen Burns-Booth is a freelance Recipe Developer, Food and Travel Writer and is a member if the Guild of Food Writers. She writes for her own blog Lavender and Lovage.

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