18 Irresistible Chocolate Dessert Recipes for Valentine’s Day

One of these irresistible chocolate dessert recipes is bound to make your Valentine feel loved this season.

By
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice is a food and beverage writer and photographer. Her work can be found in CiderCraft Magazine, King Arthur Flour’s SIFT Magazine, The Coastal Table, and Plate Magazine, as well as at CraftBeer.com.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published January 31, 2022
Lori Rice
Irresistible Chocolate Dessert

Simply Recipes

There is no time of year quite like Valentine’s Day that fulfills the cravings of all kinds of chocolate-lovers. Chocolate dessert recipes come in so many forms from rich layer cakes and creamy pudding to booze-infused candy and frozen ice cream treats. There are those that are completely chocolate on chocolate and others that incorporate additional ingredients such as whipped cream, mint, and pecans.

This list of chocolate dessert recipes is the ultimate reference guide when you are on the search for something to make and share with your Valentine. Those who like their chocolate dark and decadent will love layer cakes with both chocolate cake and frosting as well as cheesecake made with triple the chocolate. If you are more of a milk chocolate fan, put a cream pie or cookies on your list. Finally, if you are celebrating big this year, try the truffles made with champagne!

Your Valentine is sure to be impressed with any decadent dessert you choose to make for them.

  • Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

    Close up of the best chocolate cheeescake with dripping ganache frosting on a white background.
    Alison Bickle

    There are few words that can adequately describe the pure decadence of this cheesecake. From the crust to the ganache, it is three layers of pure chocolate indulgence. It’s the kind of dessert that Valentine’s Day was made for.

    Get Recipe

  • Classic Chocolate Mousse

    Chocolate Mousse
    Sally Vargas

    This recipe provides a dessert with a hint of sophistication and plenty of chocolate flavor without being too heavy. The addition of espresso deepens the taste of the chocolate and a dollop of whipped cream with chocolate shavings brings the presentation together.

    Get Recipe

  • Chocolate Ice Cream

    Double scoop of chocolate ice cream cone set in a dish.
    Alison Bickel

    If a frozen treat is what you are after, make a batch of this chocolate ice cream. The recipe incorporates heavy cream and egg yolks giving it that luxurious creaminess of a frozen custard. It can be made with baking chocolate or cocoa powder. You can enjoy it as is or stir in chocolate chips, marshmallows, or nuts.

    Get Recipe

  • Whiskey Chocolate Truffles

    Whiskey Chocolate Truffles rolled in cocoa.
    Elana Lepkowski

    Chocolate truffles are even better when the sweet bitterness of semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolates meet the spicy, smooth bite of whiskey. That’s exactly what these easy truffles deliver, and the recipe makes enough to share.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 5 of 18 below.

  • Easy Chocolate Cream Pie

    Chocolate Cream Pie
    Sally Vargas

    Sometimes the best chocolate flavors come with a little balance. Not every chocolate dessert needs to overwhelm you with layers of dark, dark chocolate. This cream pie offers a milk chocolate pudding for the filling topped with a fresh vanilla whipped cream.

    Get Recipe

  • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Easy chocolate chocolate cookies on a white plate.
    Hannah Zimmerman

    Valentine’s Day deserves a double hit of chocolate so put these cookies on your list. The chocolate cookies have chewy centers that unfold into crispy edges, and they are loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips.

    Get Recipe

  • Chocolate Ganache Torte

    Chocolate Ganache Torte
    Elise Bauer

    This torte is pure chocolate to its core with a filling that resembles the richest of chocolate truffles. If you swap out the cookies in the homemade cookie crust, this one is easy to create as a gluten-free dessert option.

    Get Recipe

  • Chocolate Layer Cake

    Whole choclate layer cake with chocolate swiss meringue buttercream swirls on top, dusted with powdered sugar against a dark background
    Alison Bickel

    This should be your pick when the occasion calls for a decorated layer cake that is sure to impress. The combination of oil, buttermilk, and coffee creates a tender cake that comes together quickly. Once frosted with Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream you can decorate it anyway you wish. Keep it simple or embellish it with some fancy techniques or royal icing flowers.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 9 of 18 below.

  • Bittersweet Chocolate Cake

    Bittersweet Chocolate Cake
    Elise Bauer

    This dense cake is made with nearly a pound of chocolate! No frosting needed on this one, but you can dust it with a little powdered sugar for presentation. It’s the kind of recipe to turn to when you want a straightforward chocolate dessert.

    Get Recipe

  • Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

    Fudgy Brownie Bites
    Emma Christensen

    Everyone has a preference when it comes to the best brownies and this recipe is for those who love a dense, dark, fudgy texture. For a special occasion like Valentine’s Day don’t pass up the option to add some bittersweet chocolate chips for more bits of chocolate in each bite.

    Get Recipe

  • Mint Chocolate Pudding Cakes

    Mint Chocolate Pudding Cakes
    Elise Bauer

    This dessert is a cross between a velvety pudding and chocolate cake. You can invert the cakes and serve them topped with ice cream and whipped cream or eat them straight out of the ramekins with a spoon.

    Get Recipe

  • Champagne Chocolate Truffles

    Truffles
    Cindy Rahe

    Toast to Valentine’s Day by serving your bubbly with some chocolate. These truffles combine the two for an absolutely luscious chocolate treat. You don’t have to add the edible gold leaf on top, but it does add an elegant touch for a romantic occasion.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 13 of 18 below.

  • Vegan Chocolate Pudding

    Paleo Chocolate Mousse
    Sabrina Modelle

    This 3-ingredient pudding is dairy-free and paleo with everything necessary to fully satisfy a craving for chocolate. Top it with Coconut Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or fresh raspberries.

    Get Recipe

  • Chocolate Pecan Tart

    Chocolate Pecan Tart
    Sheryl Julian

    If you consider yourself both a chocolate-lover and a nut-lover then this recipe was made for you! The dark chocolate brownie-like fudge filling of this tart is also loaded with crunchy pecans.

    Get Recipe

  • Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream

    Freezing mexican hot chocolate recipe in a loaf pan for ice cream.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    This frozen dessert will really spice things up. Make the ice cream with bittersweet chocolate for a true dark chocolate experience and enjoy the hints of spice and heat brought by the addition of cinnamon and cayenne.

    Get Recipe

  • Double Chocolate Cupcakes

    Chocolate cupcake recipe and frosted with chocolate frosting with a bite taken out.
    Cindy Rahe

    You know what double chocolate means—chocolate cake AND chocolate frosting! These cupcakes bake into tender single-serve chocolate desserts topped with fluffy frosting. For Valentine’s Day swap out the chocolate sprinkles on top for red sprinkles, red hots, or a conversation heart.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 17 of 18 below.

  • Vegan Brownies

    Fudgy Gluten-Free Vegan Brownies on a surface with one brownie cut in half
    Megan Gordon

    This recipe combines gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients to create a fudgy vegan brownie any chocolate lover will enjoy. They are also a one-bowl recipe so clean up is a breeze!

    Get Recipe

  • Thin and Crispy Chocolate Cookies

    Best Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
    Cindy Rahe

    This simple, straightforward dough bakes into thin, crispy cookies overflowing with chocolate and spice. They provide the grand opportunity to break out the heart cookie cutters for a festive dessert to eat and to share.

    Get Recipe