No matter who you're spending the evening with — a partner, friends, family members, a pet or just yourself — there's always reason to celebrate, whether you're a Valentine's Day person or not. Besides, desserts are always terrific any day of the year.
Furthermore, there's lots more to "romantic" fare than just chocolate-covered strawberries ... even though those are always welcome at any party, too.
As Elisha Cuthbert's Alex Kerkovich repeatedly intones in the St. Valentine's Day episode of the forever under-appreciated sitcom "Happy Endings" — "For love!"
Peanut Butter Pie (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
Stay in and enjoy diner vibes at home with this stellar pie. As Salon Senior Writer Mary Elizabeth Williams writes, "At home, chocolate peanut butter is a surprisingly easy indulgence. It comes together in minutes, and it's ready to eat almost immediately."
Brownie (Getty Images/Jennifer A Smith)Image_placeholder
Columnist Bibi Hutchings attributes her love for food to her mother and grandmother and their respective prowess in the kitchen. As she notes, "these brownies are a perfect example of what my mom did best: deliver something extraordinary from something most food is ordinary."
These are so special in Bibi's family that they've earned the title "The Brownies" because no one other brownies can measure up.
A quick word of warning from Hutchings herself: "Don't say I didn't warn you: be careful when you make these. They are rich and wield great power. They are impossible to ignore, and you will over-indulge. They will call out to you like Sirens, particularly in the night, beckoning you over to their foil covered pan with the promise of pure bliss. They deliver on that promise as you will see."
Whiskey Pear Cobbler (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
While other cobblers may find themselves in the spotlight more often, this particular cobbler — jam-packed with warm, tender pears and the sharp bite of whiskey — creates an amazing bed for multiple scoops of ice cream or perhaps whipped cream.
You'll definitely want to heat this up a bit if you're eating it after it's fully cooled down; a bite of this when it's warmed through is a comforting, satisfying experience.
Creamy yogurt panna cotta with fresh strawberry sauce in glass (Getty Images/yumehana)Image_placeholder
Panna cotta may at first seem a bit intimidating to make at home, but do not fret! It is actually quite simple and the bulk of the "process" asks the refrigerator to do the work — not you.
This simple, super-light yet creamy panna cotta is also the perfect vessel for practically any topping, from strawberries to dried fruit to fresh herbs.
As Bibi Hutchings poetically puts it, "Love is a night in with homemade panna cotta."
Teddy graham tiramisu (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
A real blast from the past, this adorable, Teddy Graham-topped tiramisu melds two worlds: the nostalgic fun of the sweet, graham cracker classic and the timeless joy that is the Italian stalwart, tiramisu.
Tiramisu is a tradition for a reason: it's delicious, it's forgivable, it's customizable and it is a blast of comfort. By swapping ladyfingers for Teddy Grahams, though, the dish feels a bit more approachable — and downright fun.
One note: don't skimp on the cocoa powder! It really helps add that special, final touch, both aesthetically and flavor-wise.
Chocolate Snaps (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
Veering more into the Milk Bar-inspired, savory dessert realm, this gem is possibly as salty as it is sweet. For those who aren't especially fond of saccharine desserts, this might be the ideal option for you and your loved ones.
Incredibly simple yet outrageously flavorful, this unique assortment of flavors (complete with peanut butter, potato chips, dark chocolateandcookies!) is combined to make a handheld dessert that is sure to both impress and satisfy.
Red Wine Whoopie Pies (Courtesy Meghan McGarry/Buttercream Blondie)Image_placeholder
A rich, soft dessert "sandwich" containing red wine? Your Valentine is sure to thank you.
Combining mascarpone with a red wine reduction and then stuffing it between whoopie pies redolent of cocoa, vanilla and buttermilk is certainly a statement that says "I love you" (just don't give it to your dog).
This is one of the more time-consuming recipes on this list, so feel free to make the cream one day and the whoopie pies another, so that that way, all you have to do on Valentine's Day itself is combine and decorate.
Sicilian Love Cake (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
If you're not familiar with this cake — there's never been a better time to acquaint yourself.
As Salon's Williams describes it, "Like the hot fudge cake or the St. Louis gooey cake, the Sicilian love cake is a little bit of culinary magic. A cheesecake-ish filling is spooned atop a regular old chocolate cake mix batter. The filling sinks as the cake bakes, transforming the entire dessert into something new and amazing. What's more, it gets topped with a chocolate pudding frosting. The end result is a sheet cake guaranteed to make any crowd swoon."
There may be no better way to celebrate the holiday. It's even heart-shaped!
Michael is a food writer, recipe editor and educator based in his beloved New Jersey. After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, he worked in restaurants, catering and supper clubs before pivoting to food journalism and recipe development. He also holds a BA in psychology and literature from Pace University.
Peanut Butter Pie (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
Brownie (Getty Images/Jennifer A Smith)Image_placeholder
Whiskey Pear Cobbler (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
Creamy yogurt panna cotta with fresh strawberry sauce in glass (Getty Images/yumehana)Image_placeholder
Teddy graham tiramisu (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
Chocolate Snaps (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
Red Wine Whoopie Pies (Courtesy Meghan McGarry/Buttercream Blondie)Image_placeholder
Sicilian Love Cake (Mary Elizabeth Williams)Image_placeholder
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