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55 Homemade Valentine's Day Treats That Celebrate Love

These easy, last-minute desserts are the sweetest way to celebrate your sweetheart.

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red velvet cookies stuffed with cream cheese in the centerpinterest
mike garten

You could totally give your beloved a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day this year. Or you could bake up a batch of delicious Valentine's Day treats to give as a super sweet DIY Valentine's gift. These Valentine's Day desserts are easily customizable so you can whip up something special with extra love. From Valentine's Day cupcakes, brownies, showstopping cookies or sweet homemade candies (that are so easy to make and so impressive to look at), these homemade Valentine's Day treats will show how much you care. Plus, plenty of these are also perfect for last-minute Valentine's Day gifts, in case you procrastinated a little too much.

Whether you're baking for the whole family or just one very special person in your life, we have several big-ticket desserts on this list to try, like delicious heart-shaped food recipes or a batch of mini chocolate cupcakes topped with red sour candy "roses." Or, if your person just has an insatiable sweet tooth, try making a 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse or a single serving of homemade Fruit and Coconut Ice Cream. Because the only way to cap off your homemade romantic Valentine's Day dinner is by whipping up a dreamy dessert.

1

Heart-Shaped Cake

heart shaped cake with white frosting and heart sprinkles
mike garten

No, you don't need a heart-shaped baking pan to make this adorable chocolate cake — all you need is a square pan, a round pan and a kitchen knife to slice and combine two cakes into one heart-shaped dessert.

Get the Heart-Shaped Cake recipe.

2

Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies

red velvet cookies stuffed with cream cheese in the center
Mike Garten

Turn the classic cake flavor into dreamy, crowd-pleasing cookies filled with a decadent cream cheese center.

Get the Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies recipe.

RELATED: 20 Best Red Velvet Recipes That Will Become Your New Favorite Desserts

3

Spiced Chocolate Bark

chocolate bark with pretzels and nuts
mike garten

Top this simple but satisfying treat with a crunchy, salty combo of sliced almonds and chopped pretzels.

Get the Spiced Chocolate Bark recipe.

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4

Strawberry Pinwheels

strawberry pinwheel cookies lined up in rows
mike garten

Treat your sweet to these dazzling swirled cookies that are easier to pull off than you think (hint: one dough, two colors).

Get the Strawberry Pinwheels recipe.

5

Neapolitan Cookies

neapolitan cookies lined up in rows
mike garten

No need to choose between vanilla, chocolate and strawberry when you can have all three in these pretty cookies.

Get the Neapolitan Cookies recipe.

6

Chocolate-Dipped Cookie Sticks

chocolate dipped cookie sticks with sprinkles chopped nuts
mike garten

Gently roll the dough into long sticks, bake until lightly golden and then use a tall glass to dip them into melted chocolate (dark or white, you decide!).

Get the Chocolate-Dipped Cookie Sticks recipe.

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7

Cranberry Simple Syrup

cranberry simple syrup in a glass decanter
mike garten

Does your love love whipping up homemade cocktails? Gift them a jewel-toned syrup great for mixing with champagne.

Get the Cranberry Simple Syrup recipe.

RELATED: 45 Classic Cocktails That Stand the Test of Time

8

Brigadeiros

brigadeiros in gold boxes
mike garten

Roll these Brazilian confections in any color sprinkle or chopped nuts for a festive Valentine's Day treat.

Get the Brigadeiros recipe.

9

Vanilla Extract

three vanilla extract bottles
mike garten

Combine vanilla beans with rum or vodka and give it a few weeks to work its magic, then package it as a great gift for the baker in your life.

Get the Vanilla Extract recipe.

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10

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

chocolate peppermint cookies
mike garten

Think beyond the holiday season when it comes to incorporating peppermint into your sweet treats. Cooling mint treats balance out rich dark chocolate.

Get the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies recipe.

11

Baked Applesauce Donuts

baked applesauce donuts on a glass plate
Mike Garten

These sugar-dusted crowd-pleasers are boosted with applesauce for a tender-as-can-be texture.

Get the Baked Applesauce Donuts recipe.

12

Sea-Salted Nut Butter Cups

sea salted nut butter cups
mike garten

Homemade candy is easier than you think! You only need four ingredients (including your favorite nut butter) to whip up these confections at home.

Get the Sea-Salted Nut Butter Cups recipe.

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13

Chocolate Chip Blondies

chocolate chip blondies in a green pan on a wooden table
Mike Garten

These basically taste like a cookie/brownie hybrid and, yes, they will most definitely make your Valentine fall in love.

Get the Chocolate Chip Blondies recipe.

14

Watercolor Heart-Shaped Cookies

pink heart shaped cookies on a marble surface
mike garten

You don't need to be the next Picasso to paint these cookies: a little bit of edible luster dust should do the trick. Take your sugar cookies up a notch by using a paintbrush to apply some pretty, pink designs.

Get the Watercolor Heart-Shaped Cookies recipe.

15

Flourless Chocolate-Walnut Cookies

flourless chocolate walnut cookies on a white plate on a wooden table
Mike Garten

Turns out a cookie doesn't need any flour: These are actually more fudgy and chocolately than their flour-filled counterparts. Plus, they're gluten-free!

Get the Flourless Chocolate-Walnut Cookies recipe.

RELATED: 25 Easy Gluten-Free Desserts So Everyone Can Enjoy a Sweet Treat

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16

Homemade Marshmallows

pink homemade marshmallows on parchment paper
mike garten

Top off a mug of hot chocolate with one of these rosy marshmallows for a festive end to the day.

Get the Homemade Marshmallows recipe.

17

Air Fryer Donuts

air fryer donuts in a parchment lined dish with pink sprinkles
mike garten

We'd take donuts over flowers any day of the week — and chances are, your significant other feels the same way. These donuts are air fried, so you don't have to worry about excess oil!

Get the Air Fryer Donuts recipe.

18

Mendiant

mendiant on a metal pan
Mike Garten

Looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift idea? All you need is melted chocolate, any type of topper and about 10 minutes for these cute confections.

Get the Mendiant recipe.

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19

Red Velvet Cookies

red velvet cookies on a wire rack
Mike Garten

Don't let the color fool you. With semi-sweet chips and rich cocoa powder, these red velvet cookies are a chocolate lover's dream — in a Valentine's Day-approved color.

Get the Red Velvet Cookies recipe.

20

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

chocolate caramel cookies on a marble surface
Mike Garten

Gooey caramel-stuffed chocolate cookies are pretty much the crème de la crème of desserts. Your Valentine will agree!

Get the Chocolate Caramel Cookies recipe.

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