Because Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I love a holiday that gives me the excuse to eat plenty of chocolates, I figured I would compile a list of my favorite chocolate desserts here on the blog for easy access for some weekend baking before Valentine’s Day!
Some of these desserts are extra decadent (hello, bête noire and chocolate croissants), and some have a few healthier twists! BOTH types are totally delicious and worth it!
Here we go! Time to satisfy those chocolate cravings!
Whole Wheat Chocolate Croissants
One of my absolute FAVORITE decadent treats alongside a strong cup of coffee, these chocolate croissants are so flaky and delicious. They’re a bit more labor intensive — there are just a lot of steps involved, but there is a LOT of inactive time! If you love the process of baking, you’ll love making these! You’ll result will be well, well worth it.
Chocolate Cherry Pudding Cake (Gluten Free)
One of our slightly more healthy options, this chocolate cherry pudding cake is gluten free, lower in sugar, and both higher in protein and fiber than your usual cake. It also has a GOOEY center that makes pudding cakes so out of this world. Fresh cherries give it such an awesome burst of flavor — you could easily use frozen fresh cherries at this time of year! You could even divide the recipe down and create mini versions that are perfect for sharing!
Classic Double Chocolate Brownies
If you want a quick dessert that is going to please absolutely EVERYONE, look no further. Rich and chewy, with crisp, crackly edges, these double chocolate brownies are the perfect easy dessert to whip up! You don’t need to be an awesome baker to be able to make these, and you definitely don’t need a boxed mix! Add a scoop of ice cream, and you’ve got yourself a perfect date night treat.
Another healthier treat, these bars are made with a Medjool date caramel instead of the refined-sugar laden caramel like that of their Girl Scout cookie cousin. The walnut cookie base gives you protein and healthy fats, and it’s gluten free if you have any intolerances! If you stick to a pretty healthy diet but want to treat yourself without totally derailing your clean eating, this is the perfect recipe for you!
This is the richest dessert I have ever and will ever eat. It’s full of eggs, butter, and loads of chocolate, so this one is definitely not for the faint of heart. A little goes a long way for this one — think of it as one giant chocolate truffle, basically! It is SO, so delicious and so worth it, though! You will need either whipped cream or some lighter ice cream to pair with this to cut some of the richness, and someone to share it with also doesn’t hurt! 😉
Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cake
This is still probably my very favorite cake I have ever made, and I’m so sad that I haven’t made it in so long. I think it might have to be my birthday treat this year. Rich chocolate cake layers with an oreo fluff-style cookies and cream filling and a rich chocolate buttercream on the outside, you cannot get any better if you’re a cookies and cream lover! This one is definitely the way to my heart!
This one has a secret ingredient that makes it a little healthier by way of making it pretty darn high in protein: TOFU. Don’t knock it till you try it, because it makes some delightfully airy and rich mousse to go into this pie! If you like desserts that don’t weigh you down too much, this one is PERFECT, and it’s pretty dang tasty to boot!
Lava Cakes for Two (Gluten Free)
Ah, the classic chocolate lava cake! You can EASILY make your own at home with mini tart pans or even muffin tins! I made these ones with almond flour to keep them gluten free and with healthier fats, protein, and fiber, and I like using Greek yogurt instead of butter for these! This one’s a great recipe that is SO quick but really impressive when it’s plated up. Add some fresh fruit to cut some of the richness, and easily make this the best Valentine’s Day ever.
Talking about all of these desserts is making me mentally prepare my list for basically every dessert I could possibly need this year. 😛 I need that cookies and cream cake ASAP, but I may settle for the healthier lava cakes while I’m deep into sweating for the wedding and my honeymoon! 😉
Which was your favorite chocolate dessert you would want to try from this list? Would you go with one of the more sinful options — remember, it’s all about balance! — or one of the healthier options?
Do you have ANOTHER favorite chocolate dessert recipe you like to make for Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear about it!!