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

Conversation Heart Cookies
Photo: 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.

01 of 14

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
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.

02 of 14

Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies

Raspberry-White Chocolate Meringue Sandwich Cookies
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?

03 of 14

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
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.

04 of 14

Marbled Sugar Heart Cookies

Marbled Sugar Cookies
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.

05 of 14

White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake

White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake
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.

06 of 14

Lemon Raspberry Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cake
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.

07 of 14

Honey Almond Cake with Berries and Mascarpone Creme Fraiche

Crowne Media
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.

08 of 14

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake

Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
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.

09 of 14

Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting

Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes with Cherry-Swirl Frosting
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.

10 of 14

Strawberry Cream Pie

Strawberry Cream Pie
Southern Living

Recipe: Strawberry Cream Pie

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

11 of 14

Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream

Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream

Sweet, pink swirls of buttercream complement the gently tart cupcakes for a fun, personal Valentine's Day treat.

12 of 14

Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies

Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Mini Strawberry Chiffon Pies

Mini desserts are always fun, and this one is also easy, thanks to some strawberry gelatin and pre-made pie crust.

13 of 14

Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake

Caramel Cake
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake

Decadent. To die for. Need we say more? Don't be surprised if there's not a crumb left.

14 of 14

Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies

Conversation Heart Cookies
Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Grant Gaar

Recipe: Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies

Personalize the message or grab a box of candy hearts for inspiration.

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