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Cupid is coming. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many of us are devising a menu for the perfect romantic dinner to impress and pamper their beau. The pandemic disrupted our long-standing social habits, and dining out has definitely been one of those heavily impacted. As a result, a newfound global interest in cooking and eating in has emerged from this devastating event.
If you've already decided on the dishes you are going to cook - carefully conceived to take into account your sweetheart and your own culinary preferences - and you only need to find the most luscious desserts to celebrate love, then look no further: we have selected for you five desserts that will make your Valentine's heart melt. From fancy macarons to a melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake, these desserts are the most delightful way to show your special someone how much you care.
Heart-shaped brownies
There's no denying that brownies are the way to anybody's heart and these delicious chocolaty squares never fail to make everyone feel pampered and spoiled with every bite and year-round. But with Valentine's Day on the horizon, let's make them unique, as these playful and tempting heart-shaped brownies with pink icing. These moreish, love-shaped treats will be perfect for your Valentine, but we promise they're also delicious for your friends and family, or even for yourself.
But it can be Valentine's day any day of the year, with these equally delicious recipes in the classic square format. Check out this one, perfect for those trying their hand at making brownies for the first time. And once you've gotten the hang of making them, you'll be ready for these walnut brownies, peanut butter millet brownies, and these delightful, gluten-free version of this beloved worldwide chocolate dessert.
Heart-shaped cheesecake
Without a doubt cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts ever. Sweet, creamy, rich, and downright excellent, it literally just melts in your mouth. With these mini cheesecake hearts, your Valentine is in for a treat, and you will make your special person fall in love again and again with every bite.
To guarantee joy and sweet moments throughout the year—in the traditionally shaped style—check this selection of six yummy cheesecake recipes and, if they’re not enough, take a look at this fresh and rich lemon curd cheesecake, your perfect dessert for spring. Because love is in the air.
Heart-shaped cookies
Cookies have always had a high-ranking position in the sweetness hierarchy, wildly loved by children and adults alike. Our need for a warm hug is indeed ageless, as is our innate appreciation for everything inviting and appetising. This is even more true during Valentine's Day when those extra cuddles and reassuring feelings are a panacea for all the troubles of the year in our complicated and fast-paced lives. Dinner at the Zoo offers us just what we need, these rich and buttery heart-shaped cookies dipped in dark chocolate—for an extra treat—coated in joyous sprinkles. With these beauties, you've got Valentine's or other special-occasion desserts worth swooning over.
But what about the remaining 364 days of the year? We come to the rescue with these scrumptious gourmet cookie recipes and, for when you need that extra get-up-and-go, these protein-packed peanut butter cookies.
Heart-shaped macarons
If your special one just has an insatiable sweet tooth, macarons are the absolute best way to make them happy on this very important day in the annual calendar. Macarons are a classic favourite but also a ton of fun, with so many possibilities in terms of flavours and colours. For many people, macarons are a rite of passage in baking—once they've made them successfully, the feeling of accomplishment is intoxicating. These meringue-based French cookies are luscious and enchanting but a bit challenging to make. But fear not, we've selected for you this heart-shaped macarons filled with cream cheese frosting recipe by Pies and Tacos, complete with video and templates to get you through the process and master these darling cookies.
These matcha macarons may not be love-shaped, but they will surely impress every green tea lover in your life. And for your gluten-intolerant and careful with sugar significant other, just try these super healthy sugar and gluten-free macarons.
Heart-shaped doughnuts
Doughnuts (or donuts) resonate across generations, with their fresh-fried shine—or the more compact and lower in calories baked version. But no matter the personal preference, a pillowy doughnut always puts a massive smile on your face.
The process of making homemade doughnuts may seem daunting at first, but it's really not that difficult, and you'll end up with a delicious, hot and fluffy product. Butter with a side of bread shows you how to make these dreamy cream filled Valentine's doughnuts, to be blissfully enjoyed with eyes closed, to fully savour the magical moment.
But what to do whenever the doughnut craving strikes? For your daily doughnut fix, check this simple recipe for some soft and yummy breakfast treats and these baked lemon and basil doughnuts, perfect for a summer brunch with friends and family.
Yeasted doughnuts are the most common version, but the yeast-free option is easier to make as they don't require proving dough. Leave the yeast out and let the flavour in with these 12 recipes for delicious homemade doughnuts that you can make without yeast.
And in case you or your better half are vegan and/or gluten-free, we have it sorted with these beautiful and decadent chocolate doughnuts – for true plant-based love, all year-round.
If you’re still looking for inspiration for Valentine’s Day dinner, why not take a look at our selection of home-cooked delicacies?
