Photography: Nicky Ryan
Enhance the romance in 2026 by whipping up a Valentine’s Day dessert to treat your sweetheart. From tarts to truffles, meringues and ‘naked cake’, we’ve gathered our favourite recipes to make at home this February 14.
Whether you consider yourself a novice in the kitchen or a veritable master chef, we have easy and expert Valentine’s dessert recipes to suit a range of culinary skill levels. If you’re feeling rich and indulgent, why not try our chocolate truffles? Entertaining a group? Consider a red-and-white Eton Mess cheesecake. Would you rather pull some puff pastry from your freezer and do the bare minimum? Enter: our strawberry tart! Regardless of effort, each of our romantic dessert ideas are designed to woo your special guest.
Oh, and if you’re looking for last-minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas, there’s nothing more seductive than the gift of food. Bon appetit!
Our favourite Valentine’s Day dessert recipes
What could be sweeter than homemade chocolate? Rich and indulgent with a nutty crunch, these are a Valentine’s treat designed to share.
Romantic, berry-laden and wonderfully creamy, this dessert marries the charm of Eton mess with the richness of cheesecake.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these mini red velvet cupcakes, combining vibrant berry sweetness and cream cheese icing for romantic indulgence.
Calling all chocolate-and-coffee lovers! Ravish this deep, fudgy cake topped with cloud-light meringue.
A glossy, caramelised strawberry tarte tatin makes an elegant finale for a romantic dinner. With its buttery pastry base and jewel-bright fruit, it’s a Valentine’s classic.
These chocolate tuiles offer a seductive and tasty treat, with a crisp, crunchy texture, citrus cream and delight in every bite.
Enjoy Valentine’s Day with a French twist thanks to these pretty madeleines. And let us not forget that orange blossom is a traditional symbol of eternal love.
Each of these delectable truffle delivers a smooth, velvety ice cream centre, enriched with subtle hints of rum and raisin, perfectly balanced by a rich chocolate coating.
For the sophisticates in the room, why not try your hand at this elegant dessert. The perfect marriage of coffee and cream, it will give you the energy boost you need following a Valentine’s Day meal.
Strawberry and rhubarb are a match made in heaven for this scrumptious tart. This easy Valentine’s dessert recipe is for lazy cooks who want to make a visual (and flavour) impact.
These sophisticated snacks will add a touch of class to your evening. The combination of white chocolate and lavender is ideal for those seeking a lighter end to the night.
Golden, bright and full of summery flavour, this showstopper cake brings effortless beauty to any Valentine’s table.
A textural sensation, try this stunning spin on a basic chocolate meringue recipe. Hard on the outside and gooey on the centre, enjoy a sensation with every bite.
Light and airy chocolate madeleines dipped in glossy chocolate and hazelnuts make a charming Valentine’s Day indulgence for sharing.
This tropical, banana and pineapple Hummingbird cake is the ultimate warm-weather celebration cake. If you’re entertaining on Valentine’s Day, consider this your end-of-meal showstopper.
This dessert’s rosy hue makes it the perfect on-theme treat for Valentine’s Day. The best news is, you can make them the day before and pop them in the freezer overnight.
In Italy, amaretti biscuits are often served at weddings and engagements as a symbol of love, luck and prosperity. This zesty, aromatic recipe may just become your new Valentine’s Day baking tradition.
This easy chocolate and hazelnut fudge recipe makes an excellent homemade gift from the heart this Valentine’s Day.
Mimosas are known for being a fun and flirtatious cocktail. Now, imagine them in cake form. The delicate champagne flavour, combined with orange citrus, this sweet and playful cake is an adults-only treat.
Mini tarts are the perfect bite-sized treats to share among lovers. The floral flourish may look complicated, but these Valentine’s Day tarts are made with supermarket puff pastry and are shockingly simple.
