23 Valentine's Day Treats Too Cute To Pass Up

Sometimes the best way to someone's heart is through their stomach, and this fact remains just as true on Valentine's Day. So if you're in the mood to whip up something sweet for your sweetheart this year, here's a roundup of Valentine's Day treats that beat any store-bought candy.

Heat things up in the kitchen on Feb. 14 with delicacies that will disarm any sweet tooth. These decadent dessert options are as delectable as they are adorable, complete with red and white sprinkles, pink sugary frosting, and heart toppers in the form of strawberries and brownies. Bite-sized Rice Krispies treats with cupid's arrows hit the bullseye, while messy s'mores become a mouthful in the shapes of X's and O's. Frosted pink doughnuts are topped with coconut shavings and croissants deep fried in butter get paired up with ice cream and then drizzled with red wine hot fudge. Concoct cupcakes of the buttermilk, brownie, or banana variety, topped with cherry buttercream, peanut butter, or strawberry frosting. All of your sweetest cravings will be satisfied with this indulgent lineup, and there will be enough to share with that special someone. Whatever your plans this Valentine's Day, take a time out with one (or more) of these treats for a sweet retreat in baked goods bliss.

1. Cherry Buttermilk Cupcakes With Cherry Buttercream Frosting

Take your love to new heights with these tall buttery buttermilk cupcakes by A Spicy Perspective that have a little something extra by way of cherry flavored brandy. They're loaded with tart cherry chunks, piled high with creamy cherry frosting, then topped with frosting hearts for a towering finish.

2. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

These bite-sized beauties by Brown Eyed Baker are "truly dreamy" with a fluffy chocolatey exterior and "filled with sinfully sweet cream cheese frosting."

3. Strawberry Marshmallow Fudge

Recipe creator My Baking Addiction promises this loaded fudge concoction takes only five minutes of effort, and if made the morning of Valentine's Day, will be ready in time for dessert. Packed with fruit-flavored marshmallows, dried strawberries, crunchy cocoa rice cereal, and tons of Nutella flavor, the results are a flavorful overload.

4. Red Velvet No-Bake Cheesecake

Prepare these pretty personal treats for everyone you love. You'll get the delicious delivery of cheesecake without all the work. As recipe creator Jelly Toast Blog declares, "you can’t go wrong with red velvet anything for Valentine’s Day!"

5. Brownie Cupcake With Peanut Butter Frosting

Double your brownie intake with these brownie cupcakes by Half Baked Harvest that are crowned with brownie hearts. They also get a swirl of peanut butter frosting for the perfect marriage of chocolate and peanut buttery goodness.

6. Red Velvet Waffles With Cream Cheese Icing Drizzle

Start your Valentine's Day morning with breakfast in bed and a beautiful batch of red velvet waffles. The recipe by Dessert Now Dinner Later calls for drizzling the final product with cream cheese icing and topping it off with a mix of berries for the perfect on-theme ensemble.

7. Valentine S'mores

Rekindle the flame with this remix of a campfire classic. These s'mores from The Merrythought are just as messy and yummy as your childhood favorite, but come in cute Valentine shapes thanks to X and O cookie cutters.

8. Chocolate Cream Pie With Vanilla Whipped Cream

Whip up just the thing for your sweetie pie with this fluffy layered cream pie by How Sweet It Is. The crunchy crust contrasts with the super creamy chocolate layer and airy vanilla whipped cream top.

9. Chewy Nutella Sugar Cookies

It's always nice to have a warm batch of cookies on hand in winter months, and these heart-shaped cuties from The Crepes Of Wrath are the perfect answer to Valentine's Day.

10. Pink Raised Doughnuts With Toasted Coconut

These pink pastries look too good to be true. The recipe, explained by Joy The Baker, comes from Top Pot doughnut shop in Seattle and is a play on the traditional cake doughnut. Instead of pale pink with snow white coconut, this version turns up the fun with bright neon frosting and toasted shavings.

11. Raspberry Mousse

This velvety mousse, drizzled with chocolate and topped raspberries, "has romantic evening written all over it." Dessert Now Dinner Later recommends making the treats in advance, so come Valentine's Day you can focus on more important things, like your Valentine.

12. Red Velvet Cheesecake Ice Cream

Have your cake and eat it too with this mouthwatering melange that marries cheesecake ice cream with red velvet cake for a frozen dessert chock-full of everything delicious. Recipe creator Something Swanky suggests sprinkling with pecans for a final touch.

13. Chocolate Bark

Get your chocolate fix with this chocolate bark by A Spicy Perspective that boasts three layers of chocolate plus cashews, cherries, and sweet frosting.

14. Strawberry Wonton Cups

Serve up an unexpected snack with these savory wontons by Damn Delicious that are packed with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

15. Brazilian Chocolate Truffles

Truffles are a must on Valentine's Day, but this year skip the box of chocolate and cook up your own with this recipe by Half Baked Harvest. Finish them off with chocolate sprinkles, toasted pistachios, almonds, or coconut.

16. Valentine's Rice Krispies Treats

Bring back a favorite from yesteryear with these bite-sized heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats by Cookies And Cups. Go the whole nine yards with a cupid's arrow, and score some extra points this Valentine's Day.

17. Valentine's Day Cheesecake

If you're ambitious enough to bake up a real cheesecake, try this recipe from Dessert Now Dinner Later. The lemon strawberry combo is super smooth and creamy, and can be finished off with a spiral of red hearts for a romantic final touch.

18. Fruit Pizza

While I might not totally agree with recipe creator Mel's Kitchen Cafe when they say "nothing says Valentine’s Day like fruit pizza," I have to admit this concoction is pretty cute (and it's hard to argue with anything that looks like pizza). Take a refreshing break from chocolate with fresh juicy strawberries, creamy tart frosting, and sweet dough.

19. Lemon Raspberry Pie Crust Hearts

Like a hand-sized pie, these adorable pie crust hearts by Joy The Baker are bursting with sweet raspberry filling. Brushed with beaten egg and baked to be golden brown, the results are flakey with a juicy surprise center.

20. Strawberry Banana Cupcakes

For a cupcake option decidedly less decadent but just as delicious, try these fruity cupcakes from The Crepes Of Wrath. The banana cupcake is moist and topped with a sweet strawberry frosting with strawberry hearts.

21. Individual Strawberry Cream Pie

No one can resist personal cream pies that are snug in small mason jars. The recipe by Damn Delicious requires only 15 to 20 minutes, yet the results are dreamy and diverse. Choose from an assortment of pie fillings (cheesecake with graham cracker pie crust and strawberry is seen here).

22. Crispy Croissant Sundaes With Red Wine Hot Fudge

Take your sundaes to the next level with croissants fried in butter following the steps by How Sweet It Is. The contrast between the hot flakey croissant and the cold, smooth ice cream are enough to drive your senses crazy, but then top it off with boozy hot fudge for a superbly sinful experience.

23. Chocolate Pomegranate Petit Fours

These dainty confections by A Spicy Perspective are "dressed to impress," and make for the perfect "show off treat for your Valentine."

For more ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: A Spicy Perspective (3), Brown Eyed Baker, My Baking Addiction, Jelly Toast Blog, Half Baked Harvest (2), Dessert Now Dinner Later (3), The Merrythought, How Sweet It Is (2), The Crepes Of Wrath (2), Joy The Baker (2), Something Swanky, Damn Delicious (2), Cookies And Cups, Mel's Kitchen Cafe