67 Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats to Say “I Heart You” in 2026

Chocolate is arguably the most iconic Valentine’s Day treats, and its connection to love goes back much further than heart-shaped boxes and pink wrapping. According to the Smithsonian, cacao was prized by the ancient Aztecs, who believed it had powerful, even romantic qualities long before it became a modern-day dessert.

Centuries later, chocolate is still at the center of Valentine’s Day, still tied to affection, indulgence and celebration. The difference now is how much it has evolved. What once came in simple forms has turned into everything from rich Valentine's Day desserts and playful candies to creative flavor combinations you’d never expect. Sure, there are still hearts, but today’s Valentine’s Day treats go far beyond tradition, with endless ways to make something sweet feel personal.

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• Classic Valentine’s Day Treats
• Easy Valentine Treats for Kids
• Valentine’s Day Candy & Sweet Gifts
• Valentine’s Day Treats Recipes to Make at Home
• Valentine Treats to Sell
• Finger Foods & Shareable Valentine Treats
• Valentine's Drinks & Store-Bought Favorites
• Valentine’s Day Treat FAQs

Classic Valentine’s Day Treats

Nothing says “I love you” quite like Valentine’s Day treats. Whether you’re looking for Valentine’s Day gift ideas or easy Valentine treats for school, homemade sweets have always been a simple way to show care and thoughtfulness. And while the history of Valentine’s Day is long and somewhat mysterious — with origins linked to ancient festivals and early Christian traditions, according to History.com — one thing has remained constant: food has always played a role in how people celebrate love.

From truffles to chocolate-covered strawberries and red velvet cake, many of today’s most popular Valentine’s Day treats have become classics for a reason. And while they may seem simple, a little technique can go a long way when it comes to getting them just right. Whether you’re brushing up on the basics or trying something new, cooking classes in Austin, Boston, Denver or online cooking classes can help you take familiar favorites and make them feel truly special.

1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries 

Chocolate-covered strawberries are one of the most iconic Valentine’s Day treats, and they’re practically foolproof to make. Just dip strawberries in melted chocolate (milk, white or dark) and roll them in sprinkles, nuts or even Oreo crumbs for a bakery-worthy dessert. 

2. Red Velvet Cake

You simply can’t make a list of Valentine’s Day treats without red velvet cake. Everyone knows it’s just chocolate cake, but its signature red color (which, fun fact, was originally made with beetroot powder!) is perfect for the holiday.

3. Homemade Truffles

It’s one thing to buy a box of chocolates, but creating your own Valentine’s Day treats from scratch is the ultimate way to express your love. Chocolate truffles look fancy, but they’re surprisingly easy to make — just mix ganache, chill, roll and coat for a treat that feels thoughtful without much effort.

4. Strawberry Cake

If you aren’t a fan of chocolate, strawberry Valentine’s Day treats are the obvious next choice. You can’t go wrong with a classic, pretty-in-pink strawberry cake. Adding fresh berries or a touch of strawberry extract can make even a boxed mix taste homemade.

5. Chocolate Lava Cakes

Valentine’s Day treats are all about decadence, and it doesn’t get much more indulgent than chocolate lava cakes. The molten, gooey center promises to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth.

Hot tip: The trick is pulling them from the oven just before they’re fully set so the middle stays gooey.

6. Oreo Balls

Oreo balls look like chocolate truffles, but they’re even easier to make. With just Oreos and cream cheese, these bite-sized Valentine’s Day treats come together in minutes and don’t require baking. 

7. Crème Brûlée

Want to get fancy with your Valentine’s Day treats? Crème brûlée looks impressive, but it’s surprisingly simple to make with just a few ingredients and a quick torch at the end.

Whether you need unforgettable Valentine’s Day date ideas or you want to impress your friends, this showstopper will surely do the trick.

8. Flourless Chocolate Cake

Don’t worry — this isn’t a healthy recipe just because it has the word “flourless” in it. A flourless chocolate cake is dense and fudgy by design, with no flour to get in the way of that rich, almost truffle-like texture.

Since it lacks the fluffiness and rise that flour provides, it makes for one of the richest Valentine’s Day treats you can make.

9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Chocolate and peanut butter are the ultimate power couple, especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day treats. A chocolate peanut butter pie is the best of both worlds, featuring a chocolate cookie crust and a mouthwatering peanut butter filling.

Go the extra mile and top it off with chopped peanut butter cups, a drizzle of melted chocolate and whipped cream for even more decadence.

Easy Valentine Treats for Kids

Valentine treats for kids don’t need to be complicated. Simple recipes that kids can help with make the day more fun, and many of these also work perfectly as easy Valentine treats for school.

10. Ice Cream Hearts

A heart-shaped cookie cutter and a quick chocolate dip are all it takes to turn strawberry ice cream into a fun, hands-on Valentine’s Day treat.

11. Cake Pops

Cake pops are almost impossible to mess up, making them ideal Valentine treats for kids. Simply bake a cake, crumble it into a bowl, add frosting and roll the mixture into balls, then dip each one in melted chocolate. (Use white chocolate with pink food coloring for an extra festive look!) 

12. Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies 

Roll out sugar cookie dough, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make individual Valentine’s Day cookies. Decorating is optional — plain hearts work just fine for school treats.

13. Cupid’s Snack Mix

If you need easy Valentine treats for school, this customizable snack mix is perfect. Similar to puppy chow, it features a combination of Chex cereal and melted white chocolate, plus your choice of add-ins, think pretzels, marshmallows, Valentine M&M’s or whatever else your heart desires.

14. Love Bug Applesauce

Some Valentine’s Day treats can double as Valentine’s Day crafts, and this is one of them. Using applesauce cups, googly eyes and pipe cleaners, you can easily make an adorable lunchbox snack for school.

15. Slice-and-Bake Heart Cookies

If you thought heart-shaped sugar cookies were cute, just wait until you see these homemade slice-and-bake cookies. You simply roll the dough into a log, chill it, then slice and bake, making it an easy, hands-on activity for kids.

16. Rice Krispies Treats

Easy Valentine treats for school should be fun, festive, and, most importantly, portable, and Rice Krispies treats check all of those boxes. Simply melt butter and marshmallows, stir in cereal and a handful of Valentine sprinkles or M&M’s, then press into a pan and slice into squares — or hearts for more of a Valentine's feel.

17. Pink Party Donuts

Pink icing and colorful sprinkles turn simple donuts into a Valentine’s Day treat that feels fun and celebratory without much effort.

18. Giant Double Chocolate Cookie

Is there anything better than a chocolate chip cookie? Yes: a giant one with two different kinds of chocolate. With cocoa powder in the dough and chocolate chips mixed into the batter, this small-batch treat is perfect for young bakers.

19. Animal Cookie Blondies

Sometimes, the best Valentine’s Day treats are twists on tried-and-true classics. This dessert features the classic pink-and-white frosted animal cookies we all know and love, baked into a delicious, chewy cookie bar. 

Valentine’s Day Candy & Sweet Gifts

There’s something extra thoughtful about homemade Valentine’s Day candy. Whether it’s candy or Valentine’s Day cookies, these simple treats are an easy way to make the day feel way more personal.

20. Homemade Marshmallows 

Making your own marshmallows is probably easier than you think — and once you do, you won’t want to go back. With just a few basic ingredients (sugar, corn syrup, gelatin and vanilla extract), they turn out softer, fresher and far better than anything store-bought. Add a little pink or red coloring and they’re instantly Valentine’s-ready.

21. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Unlike chocolate-covered strawberries, which are perishable, chocolate-dipped pretzels are giftable Valentine’s Day treats. Dip them in milk, dark or white chocolate, and roll each one in red sanding sugar for a festive pop of color.

22. Red Velvet Cookies 

If you want a fun twist on the classic red velvet cake, make cookies instead. You can either fold white chocolate chips into the batter or stuff the cookies with cream cheese frosting. 

23. Chocolate Bark

Not everyone has time to make elaborate Valentine’s Day treats, but chocolate bark is about as simple as it gets. You simply melt chocolate, spread it into a thin layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add toppings of your choice, such as Valentine M&M’s. The chocolate hardens as it sets, making the perfect addition to goodie bags or Valentine's boxes.

24. Peanut Butter Cups

You’ll never settle for store-bought peanut butter cups after making your own. The best part? You get to decide the ratio of chocolate to peanut butter and make them taste even better than the beloved holiday shapes from a certain candy company (wink, wink). 

25. Heart Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies get a Valentine’s upgrade with heart-shaped jam centers that add color and sweetness without extra effort.

26. Candy Bouquet

Valentine’s Day ideas need not cost a fortune. You can show your love in creative and affordable ways, like a candy bouquet. Simply glue popsicle sticks or skewers onto candy, tie the sticks together and place them in a flower pot — or wrap them in paper. This is the ultimate “I love you” gesture because it’s thoughtful and unique.

27. Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Instead of strawberries, try dipping cherries in melted chocolate for a richer, more indulgent twist.

28. Strawberry Snowball Cookies

If you’ve ever had snowball cookies, then you know how delicious the melt-in-your-mouth, bite-sized treats are. This V-day version adds pink dust made from freeze-dried strawberries for a gorgeous, yet delicious finish.

Valentine’s Day Treats Recipes to Make at Home

Valentine’s Day treat recipes don’t have to be complicated. From heart-shaped cakes to rich chocolate mousse, these desserts won’t take up much of your time, so you can get straight to the fun part (eating).

29. Strawberry Pinwheels

These cookies may look a little like Christmas with their red-and-white swirls, but they work just as well as Valentine’s Day treats.

30. Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate always works when it comes to Valentine’s Day treat recipes, and mousse is simpler than it looks. With just a few ingredients — chocolate, cream and a little sugar — it comes together easily and delivers a rich, silky dessert that feels effortlessly indulgent.

31. Heart-Shaped Cake

A heart-shaped cake pan is all you need to turn a basic boxed mix into a Valentine’s Day dessert. Bake your favorite flavor, then decorate with frosting, strawberries or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an easy Valentine’s Day treat.

32. Oreo Brownies

Valentine’s Day treats don’t have to be pink or red, or even shaped like hearts for that matter. Any and all sweets are acceptable, especially if they contain chocolate. Oreo brownies are the ultimate indulgence; simply mix crushed Oreo cookies into the batter and you'll have an especially indulgent upgrade.

33. Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

Chocolate hazelnut spread makes an easy, rich filling for a Valentine’s Day tart. Simply spoon it into a baked crust and smooth it out for a dessert that feels indulgent with minimal effort.

34. Red Velvet Mug Cake 

Even if you’re celebrating V-day solo, you still deserve Valentine’s Day treats. A red velvet mug cake is a single-serve version of the classic dessert, and it’s basically the definition of self-care.

35. Tiramisu 

Some Valentine’s Day treats look far more complicated than they really are, and tiramisu is a perfect example. With coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa, it comes together easily while still feeling elegant and indulgent. 

36. Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Strawberries get a lot of attention, but raspberries are just as good with chocolate. A chocolate cake layered with raspberry jam strikes the perfect balance between rich and bright.

37. Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

If you don’t feel like rolling dough and cutting out cookies one by one, make sugar cookie bars instead. A soft, chewy base topped with buttercream gives you all the flavor with far less effort.

Valentine Treats to Sell

Whether you need bake-sale-ready Valentine’s Day treats for school, or you want to turn your baking hobby into a side-hustle, these Valentine treats to sell are easy to make and emphasize festive presentations to draw people’s eyes.

38. Valentine’s Day Brownies

Bake a batch of brownies, use cookie cutters to make hearts and pipe festive designs on top for a no-fuss treat perfect for selling.

39. Neapolitan Cookies

Neapolitan cookies may look elaborate, but they’re made by layering different doughs, slicing and baking — which makes them surprisingly easy to sell in batches.

40. Chocolate Dipped Oreos

Many grocery stores sell chocolate-dipped Oreos for various holidays, but why pay extra when you can make them at home? Go with pink colored white chocolate, add Valentine sprinkles and place the cookies in cellophane bags for the ultimate giftable treat.

41. Popcorn Balls

Popcorn balls aren't just for Halloween. Drizzle them with pink or red icing, and you have the perfect Valentine's Day treat.

42. “I Dig You” Goodie Bags

These adorable goodie bags feature shovels and the phrase “I Dig You,” for a creative and thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift.

43. Valentine’s M&M Cookies

Use your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, but swap the chocolate chips for Valentine M&M’s for an easy Valentine's twist.

44. Black and Pink Cookies

These festive cookies are a spin on the traditional black-and-white cookie, replacing the white icing with pink.

45. Homemade Conversation Hearts

Ever wondered how conversation hearts are made? You can mix a simple sugar dough, press it into shapes and let it dry before adding messages, making them a fun homemade treat that’s great for selling.

46. Macarons

Macarons are a labor of love, but they’re the perfect Valentine’s Day treats. You can mix flavors like raspberry, chocolate or vanilla to keep things simple but eye-catching.

Finger Foods & Shareable Valentine Treats

Hosting a Valentine’s Day party? It isn’t complete without Valentine’s Day treats, and these shareables make the perfect spread. 

47. Chocolate Strawberry Dip

Heavy cream, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, cream cheese and cocoa powder form the base of this dip that pairs well with ripe, juicy strawberries.

48. Deviled Strawberries 

You’ve heard of deviled eggs, but deviled strawberries are the new Valentine’s Day treats on the block. Hollow out strawberries, stuff them with cheesecake filling and sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top. They're perfect for snacking on.

49. Fondue

Fondue takes Valentine’s Day treats to a whole new level. Dip fruit, pretzels, marshmallows and more into melted chocolate for an easy dessert ideal for serving a crowd.

50. Charcuterie Board

No matter the occasion, a charcuterie board is always a good idea. They’re fun to make because you can get creative with the design, and the options are endless.

It's easy to turn into a Valentine’s Day treat, using heart-shaped chocolates, strawberries, pink candies and a few sweet dips to give it a festive feel.

51. Pigs in a Blanket

Valentine’s Day hors d'oeuvres don't necessarily have to be sophisticated. Pigs in a blanket bring a cozy, comfort-food feel to Valentine’s Day, especially when you want something warm and familiar.

52. Mini Dessert Platter

Similar to an English high tea, a mini dessert platter features bite-sized Valentine’s Day treats, such as petit fours and macarons. It's the perfect choice when you can't decide on one thing.

53. Caprese Skewers

Caprese skewers are an easy way to add something fresh and colorful to a Valentine’s spread, with just a drizzle of balsamic to pull it together.

54. Mini Quiches

Mini quiches are the ultimate finger foods for a Valentine’s Day gathering because they look fancy, but they’re deceptively simple to make.

55. Dessert Board

A dessert board is similar to a charcuterie board, but it features only sweets — perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine's Drinks & Store-Bought Favorites

Store-bought Valentine’s Day treats can still be thoughtful gestures. Some of the best Valentine’s candy says more than nothing at all. Express how much you love the important people in your life, even if you don’t have time to make anything at home. Valentine’s drinks are another fun quick and festive option.

56. Starbucks Valentine’s Drinks

A Starbucks Valentine’s drink is the perfect way to celebrate love day. From a white chocolate cold brew with strawberry cold foam to a strawberry shortcake frappuccino, the options are festive and indulgent.

57. Conversation Hearts

If you’re short on time, a mix of conversation hearts, chocolates and pink or red candies makes an easy Valentine’s Day treat that still feels thoughtful and on theme.

58. Espresso Martinis 

If you want a V-day cocktail that tastes like dessert, an espresso martini is the way to go. 

59. Fannie May Truffles

Are you team Fannie May or Russell Stover? Everyone has their own opinion, but Fannie May’s gourmet chocolates continue to be among the most popular Valentine’s Day treats.

60. Sparkling Wine

It isn’t Valentine’s Day until you break out the bubbly. Sparkling wines, like champagne, are popular holiday beverages.

61. Cherry Cordials

If you don’t feel like making your own chocolate-covered cherries, just buy cherry cordials instead. These bite-sized Valentine’s Day treats taste like cherry pie filling enrobed in rich milk chocolate.

62. Hot Cocoa Spoons

Valentine’s Day is during winter, after all, so it’s the perfect time to warm up with a mug of hot cocoa. Hot cocoa spoons melt into the drink as you stir, adding decadence to an already cozy treat.

63. Hershey Kisses

Hershey’s Kisses feel nostalgic in the best way, which is exactly why they’ve become such a go-to Valentine’s Day treat.

64. A Box of Chocolates

A box of chocolates is arguably the best Valentine’s Day candy. They come in all sizes, shapes and varieties, so you can pick the perfect gift for the special people in your life. 

65. Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

Sweet and salty is always a win, and chocolate-covered pretzels are one of the easiest Valentine’s Day treats to grab or make. They’re festive, snackable and perfect for sharing.

66. Strawberry Milk or Strawberry Milkshakes

A nostalgic Valentine’s drink that feels fun and festive without much effort. Strawberry milk or milkshakes add a pop of color and pair perfectly with chocolate desserts.

67. Chocolate-Covered Marshmallows

Soft marshmallows dipped in chocolate make an easy Valentine’s Day treat that feels nostalgic and fun without being overly sweet.

Valentine’s Day Treat FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Valentine’s Day Treat? 

Of all the Valentine’s Day treats, chocolate — especially in heart-shaped boxes — is by far the most popular. 

What Treats Are Best for Valentine’s Day?

The best Valentine’s Day treats feature chocolate in all forms, and red fruits like strawberries and raspberries. Truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries, lava cakes and anything red velvet are all classic choices.

What Sweet Treat Is Given as a Valentine’s Day Gift?

Chocolate is overwhelmingly the most common of all Valentine’s Day treats, whether in the form of a box of gourmet chocolates, chocolate-covered strawberries or other desserts, such as lava cakes and brownies.

Popular non-chocolate Valentine’s Day treats include candy, such as conversation hearts, cookies and strawberry-flavored sweets. 

What Is the Best Finger Food for Valentine’s Day?

Chocolate-covered strawberries, mini desserts, fondue and skewered treats are all great finger foods. They’re easy to serve and perfect for sharing. Charcuterie boards, caprese skewers, bacon-wrapped dates and heart-shaped fruit skewers (using cookie cutters to cut the shapes) are great if you’re looking to serve more than just sweets.

Now that you know the best Valentine’s Day treats, you’re ready to celebrate love. Whether you’re spending the day with your significant other, friends, family or solo, love comes in all forms, and these Valentine’s Day treats always make the moment feel more special.

For even more fun Valentine's Day ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!