Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Desserts 40+ Romantic Desserts for Anniversaries, Date Night, and More Nothing says "I love you" like dark chocolate truffles. Well, that and these other ideas. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 10, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: CAITLIN BENSEL When you need something decadent to finish off the evening—whether it's the ultimate date night or a Valentine's dinner—a romantic dessert recipe is just the thing. Chocolate tends to be the go-to, given its impressive health benefits and aphrodisiac tendencies, but there are plenty of other sweet flavors to consider. We combed our archives for the most heart-palpitating, spine-tingling, romantic desserts. Most can be made ahead of time or come together easily, giving you more time for other things, like planning a creative date night. Try one for your special night and let us know how it went...or not. 01 of 41 Tiramisu for Two Greg DuPree Easy yet elegant, you can assemble these parfaits in just 15 minutes and then set them in the fridge for at least 3 hours (and up to 2 days). That extra time allows the espresso-dipped ladyfingers to soak up flavor from raspberries and the boozy, creamy mixture. Top with grated chocolate for over-the-top decadence. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 41 Red Velvet Brownie Torte Victor Protasio This—the quintessential Valentine’s Day dessert—is red and white, rich and decadent, chocolatey, and something you'll absolutely love. Essentially a three-layer brownie masquerading as a red velvet cake, the recipe calls on red food coloring in the batter to give the "cake" that deep scarlet hue and sprinkles for a colorful finish. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 41 Strawberry Cheesecake Bars Victor Protasio If you love a salty-sweet combination, look no further than these swirled strawberry cheesecake bars. The crust on the bottom is made from finely crushed pretzels, butter, and brown sugar, for a salty yet slightly sweet foundation. Try making heart shapes when using the wooden pick for swirling by pouring the cheesecake mixture into the pan in small blobs, then moving the stick down the middle of the cheesecake blobs to create hearts. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 41 Mint Chocolate Cookie Bars Fred Hardy Can't decide between making cookies, brownies, or bars? Choose all three! This romantic dessert recipe layers a chocolatey, fudgy cookie with peppermint candy-flecked buttercream, all draped in a luscious dark chocolate ganache. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, but we suspect they'll disappear long before that. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 41 Pink Hot Chocolate Alison Miksch Instead of eating dessert at the table, how about sipping dessert while cuddling under a blanket next to a crackling fire? This Valentine's Day-friendly recipe combines melted white chocolate with your milk of choice, and—in the spirit of love and romance—tints it pink with wholesome beet juice (instead of an artificial dye). Serve it warm with whipped cream, cinnamon, and goo-goo eyes. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 41 White Chocolate Pomegranate Cheesecake Victor Protasio Cheesecake and romance are a natural pairing, so this recipe is right at home on date night. A ring of pistachios, lime zest, and pomegranate arils add a pop of color and texture, but you can switch that out with whatever you like, such as sliced, toasted almonds with raspberries or chopped, toasted pecans with dried cranberries. But don't pass on the silky pomegranate sauce served alongside: It adds an essential sweet-tart tang. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 41 Chocolate Pecan Fudge Balls Caitlin Bensel Who doesn't love a fudge ball? This version, inspired by the Brazilian treat brigadeiros, is made with sweetened condensed milk, warm cinnamon, and semi-sweet chocolate. Each ball is rolled in toasted, crushed pecans, adding plenty of texture to every bite. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 41 French Toast Soufflé Grace Elkus There's nothing wrong with a rich chocolate soufflé, but we'd argue that this French toast-inspired version is just as delicious and ideal for those who don't love chocolate. It's made with familiar ingredients—maple syrup and vanilla extract—and is surprisingly easy to whip up. (This makes for a romantic breakfast, too!) GET THE RECIPE 09 of 41 Chocolate Bar Fondue Anna Williams No fondue pot is required for this super-simple, two-ingredient recipe. Use your imagination when choosing dippers. Strawberries and cherries are romantic—but don't overlook pound cake, flavored marshmallows, graham crackers, and pretzels. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 41 Honey Whole Wheat Strawberry Clafoutis Kelsey Hansen This popular French dessert (pronounced clah-foo-TEE) is made with whole-wheat flour, sweetened with honey, and packed with fresh strawberries. While a nice crust forms on the outside, the inside of this picture-perfect confection remains deliciously custardy. Just make sure you serve this treat immediately because, like a soufflé, the center sinks as it cools. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 41 Sheet Pan Pavlova With Berries and Mangoes Greg DuPree A pavlova is a meringue-based dessert typically topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream. This version is garnished with a whopping pound of mixed berries atop a rich combination of heavy cream and egg whites. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 41 Flourless Spiced Hot Chocolate Cake Caitlin Bensel If you like Mexican hot chocolate, you'll love this cake. Cinnamon and cayenne complement a dense chocolate batter for a cake that's naturally gluten-free and great for date night. For best results, use a springform pan. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 41 Strawberry Dust Meringues Caitlin Bensel For a light-and-airy treat with a touch of romance, give these colorful meringues a whirl. Each has a crispy outside and a slightly chewy middle, but the real star is the colorful, edible dust created from freeze-dried strawberries. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 41 Vanilla Sweet Potato Cheesecake Victor Protasio If you're looking for something decadent that's on the healthier side, this cheesecake—which swaps sweet potatoes for some of the sugar—might be your perfect grand finale. Top with fresh fruit for a little extra goodness. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 41 Espresso Truffles Hector Sanchez A little espresso gives these decadent chocolate truffles a richer flavor. Make them for a romantic dessert or as a sweet homemade gift for someone special. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 41 Chocolate "Salami" With Hazelnuts and Figs Caitlin Bensel It may look like salami, but there's no cured meat here. This sweet treat is chocolate flecked with toasted hazelnuts, jammy dried figs, and spiced Biscoff cookies with a realistic dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy this dessert with your partner or wrap it up and gift it to a special someone. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 41 Chocolate Ganache Tart Victor Protasio Ganache is French so it must be complicated to make, right? Au contraire, mon chéri! It's just cream and chocolate with, in this case, some butter for extra richness. Poured into a simple cracker-crumb crust, you have an easy homemade tart that looks and sounds fancy, and tastes heavenly. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 41 Raspberry and Honey Marshmallows Caitlin Bensel Though not necessarily a typical dessert, these homemade marshmallows boast a natural red hue that screams romance and is difficult to resist. Each one is fluffy, fruity, and free of unhealthy corn syrup. Plus, the honey gives them a rich, caramelized quality that reminds you of a fire-toasted marshmallow. Serve them as part of a larger romantic dessert spread, or dip them in a mug of hot chocolate. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 41 Easy Chocolate Mousse With Croissant Crumbs Caitlin Bensel You'll be hard-pressed to find a dessert more romantic than homemade chocolate mousse. This version uses a breakfast staple—croissants—for a buttery topping that pairs perfectly with its rich chocolate base. And don't be intimidated about making mousse. Instead of relying on eggs for the structure, whipped cream does all the work, creating creamy clouds of luscious chocolate. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 41 Dark Chocolate Truffles Samantha Seneviratne Instead of spending too much on a fancy gift box of truffles, try making them yourself! This dessert recipe mixes high-quality chocolate with butter, heavy cream, and a dash of salt. Once you get the standard recipe down, which takes about 40 minutes of hands-on prep, follow instructions for ways to customize your truffles with Earl Grey tea, peanut butter and jelly, and more. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 41 Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding Con Poulos This super-simple recipe turns out a dessert that's rich and decadent. It combines store-bought croissants with chocolate chunks in a custardy mixture that bakes in 30 minutes. The recipe serves eight, so you can look forward to an indulgent breakfast the morning after. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 41 Marshmallow and Chocolate Shortbread Slices Caitlin Bensel This decadent dessert recipe—essentially a homemade candy bar—will touch the heart of anyone with an unstoppable sweet tooth. Each slice boasts a crunchy cookie base upgraded with almond meal and cocoa powder, marshmallow filling, and a chocolate coating. They're topped with slivered almonds for added crunch. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 41 Hazelnut Bushwacker Cake Greg DuPree This impressive-looking cake is so easy to pull together: Just stack layers of chocolate wafers with chocolate-hazelnut spread and whipped cream, and then let it sit in the fridge to soften. Use a touch of Kahlua to give it a boozy, grown-up kick. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 41 Pistachio and White Chocolate Cookie Bark Fred Hardy When chocolate bark and a sheet cookie fall in love, this is what you get: a pistachio cookie base topped with white chocolate and studded with pistachio and freeze-dried raspberry. We love this combo for V-Day, but the recipe is customizable with a wide range of options—like sprinkles, coconut flakes, or chopped dried fruit—so go nuts! GET THE RECIPE 25 of 41 3-Layer Magic Cake Bahareh Niati Six ingredients go into the batter and, out of the oven—abracadabra!—three layers magically appear: a thick, fudgy bottom, a custardy center, and a delicate sponge on top. Finish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and your fruit of choice for a light last course. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 41 Chocolate Bark With Dried Fruit and Spices Josh Wand This rich chocolate bark recipe was inspired by one for chocolate-dipped figs from Leah Koenig's cookbook, Modern Jewish Cooking. Studded with dried figs and apricots, it's dusted with cinnamon and cayenne for a Mexican-chocolate vibe. For a more romantic theme, swap out the apricots for dried cranberries or cherries. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 41 Strawberry Buckle With Pecan Streusel J Muckle A buckle is an old-timey dessert—specifically a cake baked with fruit in it—causing its smooth upper surface to "buckle" or look indented. This one is topped with a sweet, crunchy streusel, so you can have your cake and a strawberry crisp, too. Serve warm to watch the ice cream slowly melt into its nooks and crannies, or dig right in. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 41 No-Churn Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Fred Hardy No ice cream maker? No problem! All you need to make this silky, creamy ice cream is 1) a saucepan to make a cherry jam, 2) an electric mixer to blend cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream, and 3) a freezer. Eliminate a step by using store-bought cherry jam (or strawberry), but allow at least 4 hours of freezer time. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 41 Churros With Chocolate Sauce Caitlin Bensel If you've never made churros, you'll be surprised how much tastier they are homemade—and you don't need a deep fryer! Perfectly crunchy and delightfully sweet on their own, a dip in rich chocolate ganache elevates this fun dessert to date night-worthy status. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 41 Chocolate-Drizzled Shortbread Levi Brown This easy dessert recipe takes you to chocolate-and-shortbread heaven with just seven simple ingredients. In case you and your date don't devour all 12 slices, store them by layering them in parchment (to avoid sticking) in an airtight container placed where it's cool, dry, and dark (not the fridge) for several days. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 41 Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate Grant Cornett If you put everything you have into preparing a spectacular dinner and have nothing left to give for dessert, you can still do this. For each warm mug of rich hot chocolate, start with a packaged cocoa mix, add chipotle powder for spice and smokiness, and top it off with cinnamon and store-bought (or homemade) whipped cream. You've got this! GET THE RECIPE 32 of 41 Chocolate Banana Bites Azurita/Getty Images Three simple, good-for-you ingredients—dark chocolate, banana, and nut butter—yield 12 of these little guilt-free bites. They require no baking, no added sugar, and no special equipment, and you can feel good about saying "yes" to just one more. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 41 Strawberry Ice Cream Cake Anna Williams Despite the recipe's title, this no-bake, pie-looking "cake" has no cake in it at all. With only three ingredients—vanilla ice cream, strawberries, and heavy cream—this recipe earns you credit for a homemade dessert with barely any homemade time and effort. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 41 Marbled Pound Cake Pati Jinich A simple pound cake gets an upgrade with a chocolate treatment in this recipe from chef Pati Jinich, host of the TV show Pati’s Mexican Table. Rich and comforting, there's still room for a strawberry or caramel topping or a dollop of ice cream. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 41 Boozy Strawberry-Orange Milk Shakes David Prince Combine dessert with an after-dinner drink in this easy four-ingredient recipe. The "boozy" part is Cointreau (orange liqueur), but you can double down with strawberry liqueur or try it with a chocolate one. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 41 Cherries Jubilee Joseph De Leo This romantic dessert, which was crafted for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, is a perfect way to celebrate a date night in. Sweet cherries join forces with Kirsch and tart lemon juice for a dish that's best served warm over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A bonus is that it takes just 20 minutes to make. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 41 Raspberry S'mores James Baigrie Cooking s'mores in the broiler instead of a campfire takes some of the fun out of this kid-friendly summer favorite, but its gooey, decadent flavors are still there. This grown-up version adds fresh raspberries for an unexpected (and romantic) twist. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 41 Strawberry Shortcake Frances Janisch This dessert is super simple to make but scrumptious and sweet to eat. The secret shortcut for the shortcake is a roll of refrigerated biscuit dough, and the rest is just sugar, strawberries, and whipped cream. If it's just the two of you, bake a five-count (6-ounce) package of biscuits, and halve the rest of the recipe. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 41 Chocolate Chip Meringue Kisses David Prince Whip up these four-ingredient, cloud-like confections for a chocolatey surprise in every bite. Factor in plenty of time for them to bake low and slow (up to 90 minutes at 225°F) and cool completely before serving. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 41 Angeletti Cookies Victor Schrager These delightful make-ahead morsels walk the line between sugar cookies and shortbread, but their appeal is indisputable. To dress them up for date night, shape them into little hearts and add some red and pink sprinkles for a festive touch. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 41 Chocolate Cherry Biscotti Levi Brown If you're looking for a not-too-sweet treat, these biscotti laden with hazelnuts, dried cherries, and chocolate chunks are just the thing. This recipe makes 60 but can easily be halved, leaving you a few to dunk into decaf coffee for a date-night dessert and the rest to gift to someone special. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit