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Valentine’s Day desserts scrumptiously reveal the sweet treat side of Valentine’s Day.

Photo by luisana zerpa 

Preparing from scratch or creating a delightful presentation with purchased confections has become a scrumptious tradition.

Photo by Diane Helentjaris

Sharing is caring.

Food is love.

Calories don’t count on Valentine’s Day.

Let’s Valentine’s Day Desserts!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Valentine’s Hearts

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter-softened

½ tsp pure vanilla extract

6 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

7 oz. sweetened condensed milk

1 cup mini chocolate chip morsels

For Dipping and Decoration:

10. oz semi sweet baking chocolate

1.5 oz white chocolate for garnish

A few drops of pink or red food colors

Directions

Beat softened butter and brown sugar until fully combined, then add vanilla and peanut butter and beat until fluffy.  Add flour and sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.  Fold in the mini chocolate chip morsels.

Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper and set in the fridge to chill.

Pull off the parchment paper to lift the dough from the baking dish. Using heart shaped cookie cutter cut off the truffles and place them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Set in the freezer while melting chocolate.

Using a fork dip the truffles into melted chocolate ( one at the time), slightly tap the fork against the side of the bowl to trim the excess chocolate and place the truffle back on the parchment paper.  Set them back in the fridge to firm.

Melt white chocolate, stir in a few drops of red food color, transfer into a small bag, cut the corner off and pipe melted chocolate on top of the truffles.

Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts

Valentine Heart Brownies

Ingredients

1 package fudge brownie mix (13×9-in. pan size)

¼ teaspoon mint extract

½ cup butter, softened

1-½ cups confectioners’ sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Red paste food coloring, optional

¼ cup baking cocoa

Heart-shaped sprinkles, optional

Directions

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, adding mint extract to batter.  Transfer to a greased 13×9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, cream the butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and, if desired, food coloring until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes.  Transfer to a pastry bag.  Set aside.

Line a baking sheet with parchment. Dust with cocoa; set aside. Cut brownies into 15 rectangles. Using a 1-½-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out a heart from the center of each brownie.  Reserve cutout centers for another use.  Place brownies on prepared baking sheet.  Pipe frosting into centers of brownies.  If desired, top with sprinkles.

-Taste of Home

Valentine’s Day Cheese Board from Bee Seasonal 

Pink Onyx Heart Serving Board

White Chocolate-Cherry Shortbread

Ingredients

½ cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped

2 ½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

1 cup cold butter

12 ounce white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped

½ teaspoon almond extract

2 drops red food coloring (optional)

2 teaspoon shortening

White nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.

In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.  Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate.  Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring.  Knead until smooth and form into a ball (dough will be crumbly at first, but will come together as you work the dough with your hands).

Shape dough into ¾-inch balls.  Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-½-inch rounds.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set.  Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening.  Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.  If desired, roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or edible glitter.  Place cookies on parchment or waxed paper until chocolate is set.

-Better Homes & Gardens

Chocolate Strawberry Honey Nests

Ingredients

12 sheets phyllo dough

½ cup sugar

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup strawberries, cleaned and sliced

3 squares dark chocolate, shaved

½ cup milk chocolate chips

3 teaspoons honey  or to individual taste

whipped topping

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

For Phyllo Nests 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough on cookie sheet or counter work surface.

Using soft brush, brush over sheet with melted butter. Lightly sprinkle entire sheet with sugar.  Top with another sheet.  Butter, sprinkle and repeat until  6 sheets thick.  Repeat to create another 6 sheets stack. Using a pizza cutter or large knife, make ten vertical slices and one horizontal slice down the middle of each stack.

Lightly spray a 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Line each muffin cup with 1 of the phyllo pieces at a time, covering sides and bottom to form a cup.  Repeat making 12 cups.

Using a microplane, shave dark chocolate over each cup to dust.

Bake in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until light golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and immediately place desired amount of chocolate chips in each cup allowing to melt.

Top melted chocolate chips with strawberry slices, drizzled honey and whipped topping.  Dust whip topping clouds with cinnamon.

Raspberry Cream Sandwich Cookies from Curly Girl Kitchen

Sweet logic and delicious justification make Cupid’s case for whipping up an easy Valentine’s Day dessert delectably dedicated to the one you love.

Slice, mix, scoop, bake, and decorate desserts easy to prepare and beautiful to plate.

Embellishments for dessert details.

Stop by your favorite supermarket bakery department and frozen food section for goodies to add to your Valentine’s Day sweet treats dessert board.

Mainstays Chiara 4 Piece Stoneware Round Red Dinner Plates

Valentine Stoneware Appetizer Plate Pink with Red Rim

Set Of 4 Heart Salad Plates

The Pioneer Woman Heart Ruffle 10.2-inch Red Ceramic Pie Pan

Valentine’s Day dessert recipes offer sweet inspiration for celebration confections prepared and served with lo♥e.