21 Valentine's Day Desserts Where Chocolate Isn't the Star

By Marissa Wu January 04, 2022

Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Grant Gaar

This year, skip the usual box of chocolates and grocery store flowers in favor of a Valentine's Day dessert without chocolate. Instead of a mad dash to the store after work, plan ahead with these delicious confections that even Aphrodite and Cupid are sure to approve of. You'll quickly find that there are plenty of ways to say, "I love you" that instead feature jewel-toned red fruits (like strawberry and raspberry), crisp and custom-decorated cookies, rich pound cakes, decadent layer cakes, and other confections. Whether you want a simple recipe or want to try your hand at something elaborate, you won't miss the chocolate one bit. Replace the bouquet of red roses with our Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies or White Cupcakes with Rose Petals for that romantic touch. Still on the fence? Remember the wise words of Forrest Gump. Boxes of chocolates can be wild cards—but these recipes are sure winners.

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Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Serve slices to friends after a galentine's day dinner. The strawberry swirls add just the right touch of red. Don't forget whipped cream and fresh strawberries on the side.

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Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies

Who needs a bouquet of roses when you have these edible beauties?

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Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Credit: Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Gathering a group for Valentine's Day? A sheet cake makes it easy and we promise this one is delicious.

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Marbled Sugar Heart Cookies

Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Grant Gaar

Recipe: Marbled Sugar Heart Cookies

Whether you're giving them to friends, family, or a special someone, our marbled cookies promise to dazzle.

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Valentine's Pavlovas with Strawberry Sweet Cream

Recipe: Valentine's Pavlovas with Strawberry Sweet Cream

If you really want to impress, whip up a pavlova. It's a fancy word for meringue shells and toppings, and the end result is delicate, sweet, and unforgettable.

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White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake

Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Styling: Kay Clarke, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake

Dense, soft cake gets studded with jewel-toned raspberries and coated in an elegant layer of ganache.

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Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

These nutty, tart-sweet cookies are just the way to say, "I love you."

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Lemon Raspberry Cake

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cake

Tart lemon and sweet raspberry are a refreshing way to finish off a decadent Valentine's Day meal.

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Strawberry-Lemon Crêpe Cake

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemon Crêpe Cake

Cutting into this cake is like sipping a cold strawberry lemonade on a hot summer evening.

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Honey Almond Cake with Berries and Mascarpone Creme Fraiche

Credit: Crowne Media

Recipe: Honey Almond Cake with Berries and Mascarpone Creme Fraiche

This fluffy, nutty, three-layer cake is a beauty—top with fresh red berries for a simple Valentine's Day presentation.

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Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

You can't go wrong with a bright pink cake and strawberry-flecked frosting. You just can't.

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Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

The North Carolina cherry soda gets the cupcake treatment. We guarantee there will be no protests.

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Strawberry Cream Pie

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberries sit suspended in a silky custard, glazed with a red currant jelly that makes everything glossy.

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Pink Lemonade Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pink Lemonade Cake

Thanks to a punch of pink lemonade powder, this cake makes you feel like you're drinking a sweet glass of the beverage. Add a little to the frosting and it'll have a nice pink hue.