17 Sweet Ideas for Valentine’s Day: Show Them You Care
Sneak Preview: Looking for some sweet ideas for Valentine’s Day? There’s something here to make everyone happy.
Do you have a traditional recipe you make for Valentine’s Day? If so, I’m impressed. Such traditions make life easier–fewer decisions. If you don’t have such a tradition yet, have a look at this collection for some ideas.
If you’re looking for something to take to a Valentine’s party, don’t miss my hints for choosing the best recipe. Keep reading below.
How To Choose the Best Recipes To Take to a Party
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have an easy way to transport this recipe?
- Will it still be good if I have to make it the day/night before?
- Does this recipe need to be chilled ahead of time?
- Will there be refrigerator space when I get there if the recipe needs to stay cold?
- Will the food be sitting out for a while? If so, will it still be delicious (and safe) at room temperature?
- Will this recipe still look appetizing after several people have served themselves? Mini-tarts, cookies, nuts, or cupcakes might be good choices for a buffet situation.
It helps to choose something others besides yourself would like to eat, unless you want to take it all back home and have a party of one.
I like to take something so delicious that I take an empty plate home. When I make deviled eggs, this is guaranteed. Why do you think that is? Do you have a guaranteed winner in your pocket?
Whether you want to make breakfast fun, make a dessert special, or give a gift from your kitchen, I hope you find something you like here.
17 Sweet Recipes for Valentine’s Day You’ll Want To Share
Simple Shortbread Cut-Out Cookies with Icing That Hardens
These buttery shortbread cookies are rolled out mess-free inside a zippered plastic bag, then cut and decorated with a simple vanilla or almond icing that hardens as it dries. Perfect for holidays, parties, or cookie trays.
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Leftover Chocolate Chip Cookies (Truffle Recipe)
Turn leftover chocolate chip cookies into truffles with cream cheese and a smooth chocolate coating. This no-bake recipe is easy to mix, roll, and dip—perfect for using up cookies you don’t want to waste.
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Microwave Brownies From Scratch
These quick microwave brownies are rich, chocolatey, and come together in minutes using pantry staples. Kids can mix the batter by hand or with a hand mixer—no oven needed. Customize with optional nuts or chocolate chips, and enjoy warm, fudgy brownies any time a craving strikes.
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Sweet Mascarpone Cheesecake Mini Tarts
A no-bake filling featuring mascarpone cheese makes these two-bite cheesecake mini-tarts easy to make ahead of time. Garnish with the fruit of your choice.
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Baked Strawberry Donuts: A Fun Breakfast Treat
Frosted Strawberry Cake Donuts are bursting with strawberry flavor from jello and fresh strawberries, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Add a sprinkle of colored sugar for a fun, kid-friendly treat!
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Chocolate Ganache Mini Tarts with Homemade Shortbread Crusts
These mini-tarts feature chocolate or vanilla-flavored homemade shortbread crusts. Fill them with a rich but effortless bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate ganache. Garnish with fresh fruit or whipped cream.
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Angel Food Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream
This light, fluffy angel food cake hides a rich chocolate tunnel and is topped with whipped cream and silky ganache. Made from scratch with simple ingredients and no glaze or piping needed, it’s ideal for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want a showstopper with a surprise inside.
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Microwave Candied Pecans in 11 Minutes (Only 2 Ingredients)
Make these sweet and shiny candied nuts with a microwave in about ten minutes with only two ingredients. Great for parties, snacks, and salads.
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Ultimate Mini Fruit Tarts with the Best Shortbread Crust
These shortbread-crusted tarts are filled with a light, creamy custard made in the microwave (no need for a double boiler), and then topped with the fresh fruit of your choice.
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Tangzhong Cinnamon Rolls (Bread Machine Version)
Bread machine Tangzhong cinnamon rolls stay soft longer than most homemade rolls. A quick flour-and-milk paste locks in moisture for tender, bakery-style rolls with a warm cinnamon-sugar swirl and creamy glaze.
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Goat Cheese Muffins with Strawberry-Balsamic Swirl
These tender muffins combine a tangy swirl of strawberry-balsamic sauce with crumbles of goat cheese. Topped with sparkling sugar and made with yogurt for a soft texture, they’re sweet-savory and freezer-friendly.
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No-Bake Zebra Cream Pie (Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding Layers)
This playful pudding pie features alternating layers of homemade chocolate and vanilla cream inside a crumb crust. The filling cooks in the microwave—no tempering or double boiler needed. Chill well before slicing to show off the zebra stripes.
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Orange Pecan Waffles (With Fresh Juice and Zest)
These Belgian-style orange pecan waffles are flavored with fresh orange juice, zest, and toasted pecans. No need for a mixer—just whisk, stir, and cook in a standard or Belgian waffle iron. They’re ideal for a weekend brunch or make-ahead breakfast you can toast and enjoy later.
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MIcrowave Chocolate Cream Pie
Whip up this chocolate cream pie with a filling made in the microwave, then nestled into a graham cracker pie crust. Top with whipped cream and more chocolate.
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Mini Black and White Cookies (Soft, Frosted, and Fun to Share)
This Mini Black and White Cookies recipe is smaller than the classic cookie but fresher and tastier than the average store-bought black and white cookie.
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Braided Cinnamon Bread (Bread Machine Dough)
This Braided Cinnamon Bread is in the same family as decadent cinnamon rolls–directions for mixing and kneading in a bread machine included.
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French Silk Pie Recipe with a Pecan Cookie Crust
This French Silk Pie combines a creamy chocolate filling with a buttery pecan cookie crust. No whipped topping in the filling—just real eggs, butter, and melted chocolate for a rich, mousse-like texture. A sprinkle of chopped Heath or Skor bars adds a sweet, crunchy finish. A longtime family favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas!
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Questions? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.