Valentine’s Day is coming up fast! To be honest, I was never huge on the holiday. However, one of my closest friends, Elizabeth, looks forward to this day all year. She simply appreciates a celebration of love – of any kind! And I really admire that kind of goodness, untainted by the cynicism of the world. So the past few years, I’ve decided to get on board. The husband and I rarely exchange big gifts for Valentine’s Day, but we both enjoy a sweet treat. Here’s a roundup of a few of my favorite dessert recipes I’ve posted in the past that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for something a little different than the usual cupcake or chocolates, this is for you.
Valentine’s Day Rice Krispies Treats
This is probably the easiest Valentine’s Day dessert ever. I actually posted this on my Instagram a while back. Just use your favorite Rice Krispies treat recipe (I have a matcha Rice Krispies recipe here) or follow the recipe on the back of the cereal box. Use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes, dip in melted chocolate or candy melts, and decorate! Super easy! Pro tip: I added 1/2 cup of condensed milk to my melted marshmallows because I heard it keeps your treats chewier for longer.
Strawberry, Rose, and Marzipan Daifuku (Mochi)
The pink tinted mochi in this strawberry rose daifuku would make a perfect Valentine’s Day dessert. Plus, the rose, almond, and strawberry flavor combination just seems kind of romantic, doesn’t it? Given that daifuku need to be hand shaped and made with care, this would make an excellent Valentine’s Day gift as well.
Coconut Rose Chi Chi Dango Mochi
While we’re thinking about mochi, how about making some coconut rose chi chi dango? Unlike the daifuku, this mochi can be made in a big batch of many servings. Wrapped individually or sectioned into baggies, coconut rose mochi could be a great Valentine’s gift to give away to classmates at school, especially since it’s gluten free and vegan! Who can resist these pink, chewy treats anyway?
Lychee Rose Cake
Would you rather have a bouquet of real flowers or buttercream flowers? I know I’d probably go for buttercream. My lychee rose flavored cake was originally made for Mothers’ Day, but this floral dessert would be perfect for Valentine’s Day as well. If you’re not ready to go all out with a full, flowery cake, you can make lychee rose cupcakes instead!
Haupia with Fresh Fruit
Last, but not least, haupia with fresh fruit would make a healthy and fresh ending to a Valentine’s Day dinner. Haupia is naturally vegan and gluten free, and it’s only very lightly sweetened. It’s perfect if you know you’re going to be done with overly sweet and decadent indulgences by the time the day is through. Dress it up with red or pink fruits, and you’ve got a healthy Valentine’s Day dessert!
That’s it for now! I hope that gave you some ideas and inspiration for your love-themed celebrations. Are there any other interesting Valentine’s Day treats you’d like me to create? Feel free to leave me some suggestions!