Sweets to Make for Your Sweetie This Valentine's Day

The old saying goes that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. And while that’s almost undoubtedly true, if we’re talking about someone with a serious sweet tooth, the way to their heart just might be through a fantastic dessert.

So this Valentine’s Day, if you don’t want to go all-in by cooking a full meal, why not treat your significant other to a dessert that says, “I love you” but doesn’t drive you crazy with all the prep and cleanup of dinner? Ordering dinner and serving a handmade dessert is just as romantic, trust us. (And who wants to deal with dining out at a packed restaurant on V-Day? Not us.)

We’ve rounded up seven of our favorite, easily shareable dessert recipes, many of which come together in a single pan. And hey, these sweets don’t necessarily have to be for a significant other: They’re great for treating a couple of friends, your family or even yourself—because you deserve some affection and appreciation on Valentine’s Day, too. 

Cafe Cubano Sundae

Got a coffee lover in this house? This coffee and vanilla ice cream sundae will take them straight back to childhood, thanks to a crunchy cinnamon-sugar cornflake topping, homemade fudge, whipped coffee, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry on top. Want to show them you really care? Add a dollop of homemade whipped cream. And of course, make one for yourself, too, so you can clink spoons before eating.

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

Essentially a giant chocolate chip cookie made in your 3.3QT Hybrid Saute Pan, this dessert also leans into the nostalgia factor. After baking it until golden, serve the cookie warm with a couple scoops of your partner’s favorite ice cream. (Pro tip: This dessert is especially good for curling up and watching a movie together; you’ll find yourselves coming back to it until the credits roll.)

Espresso Martini

Sure, this isn’t technically a dessert, but what’s more romantic than sipping an espresso martini? In our recipe (made in the HexClad Cocktail Shaker, naturally), espresso, smooth vodka and a hint of sweetness come together for an indulgent yet effortless libation. Make sure you serve it ice-cold, and if you’re feeling especially festive, add a couple of chocolate-covered coffee beans, chocolate shavings or a candied orange peel as a garnish.

S’mores Skillet

By the time we hit mid-February, everyone can appreciate a dose of summertime flavor. This skillet bake takes the elements of that campfire classic, s’mores, and mingles them for a gooey, warm, comforting dessert. Bake the brownie until the edges are set, but the center is still jiggly and soft; once your topping has melted and toasted, the brownie will be perfectly cooked with a fudgy interior and crisp edges.

Dutch Stewed Pears

Simplicity takes center stage with this classic, easy, beautiful dessert. You’ll slow-cook pears with red wine and warm spices (cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg) before serving them with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Bonus: These pears pair equally well with savory foods, so save any leftovers to serve with chicken, duck or pork.

Skillet Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

Treat the whole family or a group of friends to an upgraded carrot cake on Valentine’s Day. Our version is packed with nuts, fruit and carrots, and then baked in the same pan used to toast the pecans and brown the butter so that every little bit of flavor ends up in the finished cake. Browning the butter for the cream cheese frosting adds an extra level of nuttiness. (If you’re a frosting fanatic, double the frosting recipe and slather it on to your heart’s content.)

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Spiced-Rum Toffee Sauce

British food is having a moment, so lean into the trend with a traditional dessert that hits all the right wintry flavor notes. Sweet, spiced and delightfully sticky (as its name suggests), this pudding is drenched in rum-spiked toffee sauce that’s poured atop to ooze into every single bite. If there are only two of you, there will probably be leftovers, but that simply means you can keep the Valentine’s Day celebration going past the 14th.

Here’s to a very sweet Valentine’s Day, indeed.