Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to express your love and affection through thoughtful gestures, and what better way to do that than by baking something special? Whether you’re looking to surprise a loved one, share a treat with friends, or celebrate solo, baking can be a fun and rewarding activity. If you’re wondering what to bake for Valentine’s Day, I’ve got you covered. From heart-shaped cookies to decadent cakes, this guide will help you choose the perfect sweet treats.
1. Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are simple to make, and their heart shape makes them a perfect Valentine’s Day treat. The soft, sweet flavor and crispy texture make them loved by almost everyone. Plus, decorating them can be a fun activity!
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup of unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are golden.
- Let the cookies cool and then decorate with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter!
2. Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red velvet cupcakes are a classic Valentine’s Day treat. With their rich red color, soft texture, and a subtle chocolate flavor, they are a showstopper for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup of vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- Cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, oil, food coloring, and vinegar.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting.
- Decorate with heart-shaped sprinkles for an extra festive touch!
3. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Chocolate-dipped strawberries are an elegant and easy treat to make for Valentine’s Day. They combine fresh, juicy strawberries with rich, melted chocolate, creating the perfect combination of flavors.
Ingredients:
- Fresh strawberries
- 8 oz dark or milk chocolate (depending on your preference)
- White chocolate (optional for drizzling)
Instructions:
- Wash the strawberries and dry them thoroughly with a paper towel.
- Melt the chocolate using a double boiler or microwave (in 30-second intervals).
- Hold each strawberry by the stem and dip it into the melted chocolate, covering about two-thirds of the berry.
- Place the dipped strawberries on a parchment-lined tray and allow the chocolate to harden.
- If you want, drizzle some melted white chocolate over the dipped strawberries for a pretty design.
- Let the chocolate set, and enjoy your beautiful, delicious treats!
4. Valentine’s Day Cake Pops
Cake pops are fun to make and even more fun to eat. These bite-sized treats are coated in candy coating and decorated with festive sprinkles, making them a great choice for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
- 1 box of cake mix (or your favorite homemade cake recipe)
- 1 container of frosting
- 1 bag of candy melts (red, pink, or white)
- Valentine’s Day sprinkles
Instructions:
- Bake the cake according to the package instructions or your homemade recipe.
- Let the cake cool completely, then crumble it into a large bowl.
- Add frosting, a spoonful at a time, until the mixture is moist enough to stick together.
- Roll the mixture into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
- Melt the candy melts according to the instructions on the bag.
- Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted candy and insert it into a cake ball.
- Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts and decorate with Valentine’s sprinkles.
- Let the cake pops set on a parchment-lined tray.
5. Strawberry Shortcake
If you want a lighter, fresh dessert for Valentine’s Day, strawberry shortcake is an excellent choice. With layers of sweet biscuit, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream, it’s a dessert that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup of sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup cold butter (cut into small cubes)
- 2/3 cup of milk
- 1 pint of fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the milk and stir until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
- Use a biscuit cutter to cut out rounds and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden.
- While the biscuits cool, whip the cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Slice the biscuits in half, layer with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, and serve.
6. Chocolate Lava Cakes
For a truly indulgent treat, chocolate lava cakes are the way to go. These small, individual cakes have a gooey, molten center that will make anyone feel extra special on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz bittersweet chocolate
- ½ cup of unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease four ramekins with butter and lightly dust with cocoa powder.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together in a microwave or over a double boiler.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract, then stir in the flour and salt.
- Pour the batter into the prepared ramekins.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still soft.
- Let the cakes sit for a minute, then run a knife around the edges and invert them onto plates.
- Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat!
7. Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
These delicate thumbprint cookies are a great combination of buttery shortbread and sweet raspberry jam. The almond flavor adds a rich touch that makes them perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 cup raspberry jam
- ¼ cup chopped almonds
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract and egg yolk, then mix until combined.
- Gradually add the flour and stir until the dough comes together.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet.
- Press your thumb into the center of each cookie to create a well.
- Fill each well with a small amount of raspberry jam and top with chopped almonds.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool before serving.
Conclusion
Baking for Valentine’s Day is a thoughtful and personal way to celebrate the occasion. Whether you choose to make heart-shaped cookies, red velvet cupcakes, or chocolate lava cakes, your loved ones are sure to appreciate the effort and care you put into these treats. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and decorations to make your Valentine’s Day even sweeter!
Related topics
