Valentine's Day

Now that winter has arrived, it’s nearly impossible to open Instagram or TikTok without being greeted by an exploding hot chocolate bomb. The tasty trend is popular for a reason: When these chocolate spheres are dropped into warm milk, they crack open in the most mesmerizing way, releasing a flurry of hot cocoa mix and marshmallows creating an decadent cup of hot cocoa.

My mother-in-law isn’t a baker, but she has a serious sweet tooth. When she pulled out a chocolate-smudged cookbook on our first shared Thanksgiving holiday, she turned straight to the chapter on pies — and specifically, a recipe for whipped cream-topped chocolate pie. Ever since, I’ve accepted chocolate pie as a welcome addition to any holiday spread.The version I’m sharing here is one I know she’d be proud of.

It's even great for beginners.

During Valentine’s Day, there’s no better way to show appreciation for your loved one – whether that’s your spouse, significant other, best friend, or even (especially) yourself – than to spend quality time with them over a special at-home dinner. You don’t have to spend all day to cook a romantic dinner.

I love everything about chocolate-covered strawberries. I love the crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth shell and the cool, sweet strawberry beneath. I love giving them as homemade food gifts, and I love receiving them equally as much (especially for Valentine’s Day dessert!). But what I love most is how easy they are to make at home. It’s an afternoon fun cooking project with a result that looks fancy no matter your candy-making skills (or lack thereof)!

Whether you prefer dark and rich or smooth and creamy, there is almost no other ingredient as intrinsically linked to romance as chocolate. While Valentine’s Day marketing helped drive this association home (and still does), the relationship between love and chocolate has been around for much longer than Valentine’s Day. Throughout history, chocolate and cocoa were consumed as a tonic for health and vitality — which, of course, fed romances too.

Two words: garlic butter.

You won't believe how I do it.

What do you do if your Valentine is someone who just doesn’t like chocolate? What if a fancy box of chocolates or a flourless chocolate cake doesn’t make your heart skip a beat? Not to worry — there are plenty desserts out there that don’t rely on chocolate for their deliciousness. Pick any one of these recipes for a sweet dessert that your special someone will enjoy … even if that someone special is you!

Everyone knows that staying in on Valentine's Day is way better than going out, right?

After spending an entire day baking, I finally found the absolute best chocolate cake recipe.

Turn 5 ingredients into the dreamiest dessert.

You just need 5 ingredients and there's no baking required.

Do you really need a reason to bake a single dark, chocolatey brownie? One that requires only pantry staples and a toaster oven? A brownie that you don’t have to share? Fine, I’ll give you a few — it’s better than a box mix and only takes about 20 minutes total to make, bake, and cool. Brownies are the champions of chocolate cravings, and this one is chewy, chocolatey, and fast. Baking in a toaster oven has a few benefits.

It feels so fancy to put them on a cookie tray for a spot of afternoon tea.

I'll take a dozen, please.

A cold pan is a cook's friend here!

Just add a loaf of bread, a salad, and a bottle of wine!

From chocolate cakes to butterscotch pudding, there's something here for everyone!

A pot of melted cheese for dinner? Yes, please.

It also happens to be pretty easy to make.

Tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection.

It's like a messier (and way easier) strawberry shortcake.

It's easier, less messy, and tastier, too!

Because baking for one is a form of self-care.

The simplest — and tastiest — way to elevate your dinner at home.

Happy tap, tap, tapping!

Truffles: Whether white chocolate or dark chocolate, you can roll your truffles in pink sprinkles or pink sanding sugar to give it a pink coating. Meringue: Meringue is a blank canvas so tinting it pink is very easy. Follow your meringue recipe. After whisking meringue together into stiff peaks, whisk in a drop of pink food gel, or as much as needed to turn the meringue pink. Continue to pipe and bake according to recipe directions.

This dish looks (and tastes) so complex, but really only takes about half an hour to make.