Swap the flowers for flour with these romantic Valentine’s Day recipes. Yes, there’s plenty of chocolate, but there are also recipes designed for two and special occasion-worthy breakfasts you can start prepping the night before. Because when it comes to celebrating, there’s nothing sweeter than something baked with love.  

Almond Croissant Milk Bread in a pink rose pan with a bottle of almond extract on the side Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova
Two breakfast greats, combined into one stunning loaf. 

1) Almond Croissant Milk Bread 

Almond croissants and milk bread are a match made in heaven. This almond-flecked loaf is streaked with frangipane and encrusted with sugared nuts. Baked in a stunning French ceramic loaf pan fitting for the holiday, it’s almost too pretty to slice. 

Get the recipe: Almond Croissant Milk Bread 

Shop the recipe: Emile Henry Rose Madeleine Loaf Pan and Swedish Pearl Sugar 

Tiramisu for Two Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
A tiramisu for tiny gatherings. 

2) Tiramisu for Two  

If you want tiramisu without a tray of leftovers, this downsized version is perfect to feed just two. Assembled in Mason jars, this recipe features espresso-soaked cake layers and a sweetened, creamy mascarpone filling, with a dusting of cocoa powder to finish.  

Get the recipe: Tiramisu for Two  

Shop the recipe: Espresso Powder 

Lemon Puff Pancake with Fresh Berries in a cast iron pan topped with powdered sugar and berries Photography and food styling by Liz Neily
Brighten up your morning with a lemon Dutch baby. 

3) Lemon Puff Pancake 

For a fancy Valentine’s breakfast that’s easy to pull off, consider the Dutch baby. Here, we call for a final squeeze of lemon and dusting of confectioners’ sugar to lend brightness, and a heap of your favorite berries.  

Get the recipe: Lemon Puff Pancake with Fresh Berries 

Shop the recipe: Foldable Lemon Squeezer 

Double Chocolate Focaccia   Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Double down on the chocolate for Valentine's Day — bread included.

4) Double Chocolate Focaccia 

In honor of the most chocolate-forward day of the year, make this open-crumbed, cocoa-infused bread, which is rippled with chopped semisweet chocolate. It begs the question: Is it breakfast, or is it dessert? The answer may very well be both. Watch recipe creator Melanie Wanders guide you through how to make it: Chocolate Focaccia: The Perfect Crispy, Chewy, Anytime Snack. 

Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Focaccia 

Shop the recipe: Black Cocoa and Guittard Semisweet Chocolate Wafers  

Rich Chocolate Mousse Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
An easygoing dessert that's always satisfying. 

5) Rich Chocolate Mousse 

Nothing says romance quite like a rose-shaped bowl filled to the brim with chocolate mousse. No adornments are necessary, but don’t let that stop you from adding a dollop of fresh whipped cream. 

Get the recipe: Rich Chocolate Mousse  

Shop the recipe: Emile Henry Rose Madeleine Bowl and Guittard Semisweet Chocolate Wafers  

Fudgy Chocolate Date Cake Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
A warm dessert for cold winter nights. 

6) Fudgy Chocolate Date Cake 

This cake is reminiscent of the British classic sticky toffee pudding but made ultra indulgent with the addition of chocolate. Dress up each slice with a spoonful of whipped cream and a swipe of warm date butterscotch.   

Get the recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Date Cake 

Shop the recipe: Valrhona Dark Chocolate 

Thousand Dollar Bars Photography and food styling by Liz Neily
Chocolate and caramel, the ultimate duo. 

7) Thousand Dollar Bars 

These cookie bars are a triple-layered threat: There’s a buttery shortbread base, gooey caramel middle, and melted chocolate on top — and it’s all surprisingly easy to assemble.  

Get the recipe: Thousand Dollar Bars 

Shop the recipe: Caramel Baking Block 

Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberries Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Liz Neily
Go big this Valentine's Day with a four-layer cake. 

8) Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberries 

For a Valentine’s Day showstopper, look no further than this four-layered cake, perfect for chocolate lovers. There’s fudgy chocolate cake, creamy chocolate mousse studded with fresh raspberries, and to top it all off, rich chocolate frosting.   

Get the recipe: Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberries 

Shop the recipe: Triple Cocoa Blend 

Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls Photography by Kristin Teig; food styling by Liz Neily
The aroma from freshly baked cinnamon rolls is unforgettable.

9) Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls 

This recipe is a perfected version of the classic, and exactly why it was crowned Recipe of the Year in 2021. The cinnamon rolls are super soft, while the swirls are filled with a thick layer of cinnamon sugar. Make it even more romantic by baking the rolls in an adorable heart-shaped pan. And if you’re pinched for time, there’s no shame in reaching for a mix.

Get the recipe: Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls 

Shop the recipe: Emile Henry Madeleine Heart Pan  

Tiny Apple Tarts for Two Photography by Patrick Marinello; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Less is more. 

10) Tiny Apple Tarts for Two 

To make these two small, perfect tarts, all you need is one apple, a few pantry staples, and less than a stick of butter. The tarts come together in a snap, and even faster with another set of hands.  

Get the recipe: Tiny Apple Tarts for Two 

Shop the recipe: Vietnamese Cinnamon  

Deluxe Chocolate Truffles Photography and food styling by Liz Neily
Nothing says love like a box of custom chocolate truffles. 

11) Deluxe Chocolate Truffles 

Make your box of chocolates extra impressive by going the homemade route. No chocolatier skills are required, just your favorite flavorings and high-quality chocolate.  

Get the recipe: Deluxe Chocolate Truffles 

Shop the recipe: Guittard Bittersweet Onyx Chocolate Wafers 

Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies Photography and food styling by Liz Neily
Red velvet isn't just for cakes. 

12) Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies 

These vibrant red velvet cookies have it all: a gorgeous crinkled appearance; a rich, fudgy flavor; and — perhaps best of all — a decadent cream cheese filling.   

Get the recipe: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies 

Shop the recipe: Tablespoon Scoop 

Sweetheart Pull-Apart Chocolate Buns Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
These adorably shaped buns are as fun to make as they are to eat. 

13) Sweetheart Pull-Apart Chocolate Buns 

Start your morning off with these adorably shaped breakfast buns for you and your sweetheart. They’re filled with a chocolate-tahini mixture and covered in a sweet glaze. Shaping each bun into tiny hearts is the best part.  

Get the recipe: Sweetheart Pull-Apart Chocolate Buns 

Shop the recipe: Belcolade Bittersweet Chocolate Wafers 

Cute and Small Chocolate Cake Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
A tiny cake made for the smallest of celebrations. 

14) Cute and Small Chocolate Cake 

For a holiday designed for two, this cake is the perfect size for your small celebration. It may be tiny in stature, but it delivers big flavor: ultra chocolatey cake and fluffy ermine frosting. 

Get the recipe: Cute and Small Chocolate Cake 

Shop the recipe: 6" Round Layer Cake Pan 

Cover photo (Cream Cheese-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies) and food styling by Liz Neily. 

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About Tatiana Bautista

Tatiana Bautista is a writer, editor, and avid home baker and cook. She grew up on Long Island, New York, where her family helped instill a lifelong love of food through homestyle Toisanese dishes and weekly outings for dim sum. From a young age, she’s had an interest in baking thanks to her aunt, w...
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