Lara Kilner
From gooey chocolate Valentine's brownies to a showstopping rose and raspberry cake, share the love with one of our best Valentine's Day cakes.
Valentine's Day, the 14th of February, is the perfect excuse to get in the kitchen and bake up a storm. Whether you're looking to create a cake for your husband, wife, partner, friend - even your kids, we've got plenty of delicious, easy Valentine's Day cakes and bakes to choose from this year - perfect with a cuppa or enjoyed as a Valentine's Day dessert.
"I'm not a gifted baker – I wish I was but my cake repertoire is limited and I do like to blame my oven when things go wrong, so I tend to buy them. But, when it's a special occasion, like Valentine's Day, I do like to go the extra mile and make one myself, as it's personal and means so much more (are you listening, husband?) than getting someone else to do it," says Goodto's Food Writer, Lara Kilner.
"And even if it isn't perfect, it's made with love. I usually choose something that my kids will love too – because they are also my loves, and two of us can't possibly eat a whole cake all to ourselves (or can we?). A red velvet cake is not only the requisite Valentine's colours, but it's a family crowd pleaser, though my spice-loving husband's choice would definitely be chocolate and chilli cupcakes."
Valentine's Day cakes and bakes
1. Stacie Stewart’s raspberry, rose and vanilla cake
Serves: 6-8 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1hr and 30 mins
Delicate and pretty, this fruity cake is also packed full of powerful flavours of raspberry, rose, and vanilla. The light sponge would make the perfect dessert after a rich romantic dinner.
Get the recipe: Stacie Stewart's raspberry, rose and vanilla cake
2. Chocolate button cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy| Total time: 50 mins
If you want to impress your loved ones, try out our chocolate button cupcakes - they are sure to get hearts fluttering. A rich chocolate sponge with a thick chocolate buttercream. What's not the love?
Get the recipe: Chocolate button cupcakes
3. Chocolate and pear cake
Serves: 8 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 1 hour and 45 mins
This squidgy cake lends itself perfectly to a romantic dessert course. Serve warm with a big dollop of cream. The sweetness of the pear and the richness of the dark chocolate work wonders together.
Get the recipe: Chocolate and pear cake
4. Rose and pistachio cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 35 mins
Rose and pistachio cupcakes are a wonderfully romantic choice with a fragrant hint of rosewater and a sprinkling of pistachios. The perfect Valentine's food gift.
Get the recipe: Rose and pistachio cupcakes
5. Rachel Allen's red velvet cake
Serves: 10-12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 1 hour
Learn how to make red velvet cake with this classic red velvet cake recipe from Rachel Allen. It takes just 1 hour to prepare, bake and decorate this classic.
Get the recipe: Red velvet cake
6. Strawberry cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 45 mins
Strawberry cupcakes are a slightly decadent treat in frosty February, perfect for Valentine's Day. Top each cupcake with a fresh strawberry - add them just before you plan on serving so the juice of the strawberries doesn't run on the buttercream.
Get the recipe: Strawberry cupcakes
7. Black Forest cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 50 mins
Fancy a bite-sized piece of decadence? Well try our Black Forest cupcakes, they will make the perfect richly romantic treat. Make a batch of 12 in just 50 minutes. These easy cupcakes certainly pack a punch of flavour thanks to coffee and black cherry conserve.
Get the recipe: Black Forest cupcakes
8. Chocolate-dipped cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 38 mins
If you are a chocaholic, these chocolate-dipped cupcakes will be right up your street and a well-deserved Valentine's treat. A really simple dipping technique that takes these cupcakes to the next level.
Get the recipe: Chocolate dipped cupcakes
9. Rose and raspberry cake
Serves: 6-8 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1 hour and 10 mins
Want to make a big impression? This triple-layer rose and raspberry cake should do the trick. It takes 1 hour and 10 mins to make this showstopping bake. The perfect layered cake for sharing with friends and family.
Get the recipe: Rose and raspberry cake
10. Valentine’s cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 55 mins
Top your cupcakes with gingham and chocolate hearts to give them a really romantic feel with our recipe for Valentine's cupcakes. The sponge is infused with vanilla but can easily be adapted by swapping the vanilla extract for lemon or almond instead.
Get the recipe: Valentine's cupcakes.
11. Chocolate strawberry cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 1 hour
These fruity little bites are the perfect romantic treat for a special lunchbox on Valentine's Day - you could even give a few to the kids to brighten their day. The sponge has a rich chocolate flavour bejeweled with freeze-dried strawberries. The strawberry buttercream works wonders with the chocolate sponge.
Get the recipe: Chocolate strawberry cupcakes
12. Chocolate and chilli cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 50 mins
Add a spicy kick to your Valentine's Day by making these fiery chocolate and chilli cupcakes. Fresh red chillies are used in the chocolate sponge to add a punch of spice to each bite. The chocolate buttercream is smooth and made with soured cream.
Get the recipe: Chocolate and chilli cupcakes
13. Chocolate raspberry cake
Serves: 15 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1 hour
Layer soft chocolate sponges with white chocolate cream and raspberries to make this double chocolate and raspberry cake for a sumptuous after-dinner treat.
Get the recipe: Chocolate raspberry cake
14. Strawberry and raspberry cloud cake
Serves: 10-12 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins plus 4-hour freezing
Light and fluffy, this cloud cake doesn't take any baking so you can make it in the morning and enjoy a stress-free dessert. Top with fresh raspberries and serve.
Get the recipe: Strawberry and raspberry cloud cake
15. Beetroot chocolate cake
Serves: 6-8 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 2 hours and 15 mins
The rich, deep flavours of the beetroot and chocolate cake will be the perfect way to finish off your Valentine's Day. Serve a slice with a cup of tea.
Get the recipe: Beetroot chocolate cake
16. Cupcake bouquet
Serves: 20 mins | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1 hour and 50 mins
A bunch of cupcake flowers will really put a smile on your loved one's face. See how to assemble your cakes to look like a bouquet with our easy step-by-step recipe.
Get the recipe: Cupcake bouquet
17. White chocolate celebration cake
Serves: 10 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1 hour and 40 mins
This extravagant chocolate cake takes a bit of effort but is well worth the wait. Decorated with fresh cream and white chocolate buttercream and topped with macaroons, strawberries, raspberries and crystallised rose petals - this cake certainly pushes the boat out.
Get the recipe: White chocolate celebration cake
18. Hidden heart cupcakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 2 hours and 20 mins
Bake a romantic surprise in your cakes with this clever technique. It's not as hard as you might think - see how it's done with our easy recipe. You could try other shapes too once you've perfected the skill.
Get the recipe: Hidden heart cupcakes
19. Spiced flourless chocolate cake
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1 hour and 30 mins
This deliciously rich chocolate cake is made without flour so the results are super-soft and decadent - perfect for Valentine's Day. With a similar texture to a chocolate brownie, this cake is perfect served with fresh cream or ice cream.
Get the recipe: Flourless fudge cake
20. Weight Watchers white chocolate cake
Serves: 10 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 45 mins
If you or your other half are watching what you eat, this diet spin on a cake will be the perfect choice for a romantic treat. Low fat ingredients and some skimmed milk keep the calorie and fat count low so you don't have to feel guilty when tucking in.
Get the recipe: Weight Watchers white chocolate cake
21. Black Forest gateau
Serves: 10 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 1 hour and 3 mins
A gorgeous blend of cake and dessert, this classic bake will make a luxurious treat for a homemade Valentine's dinner.
Get the recipe: Black Forest gateau
22. Red velvet whoopie pies
Serves: 18 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 39 mins
Why not try something a little different this Valentine's Day? These red velvet whoopie pies are made with a moreish chocolate sponge, tinted with red food colouring.
Get the recipe: Red velvet whoopie pies
23. Smartie chocolate cake
Serves: 6-8 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 30-40 mins
One to make with the kids! Get the whole family involved in making this hearty Smartie chocolate cake to show him how much you all care. A really simple chocolate sponge cake topped with Smarties in the shape of a heart.
Get the recipe: Smartie chocolate cake
24. Sticky toffee cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 55 mins
These tasty cupcakes are a winning combination of pud and cake - making them the perfect grown-up treat. The sweet, stickiness of the toffee and the salted buttercream pair perfectly together. A real treat.
Get the recipe: Sticky toffee cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream
25. Berry brandy snap layer cake
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 40 mins
Out to impress? This triple-tested brandy snap-layer cake should do the trick. Layered with mixed summer berries like raspberries and strawberries, sandwiched with homemade vanilla cream, and layered with golden brandy snap rounds.
Get the recipe: Berry brandy snap layer cake
26. Mary Berry's chocolate roulade
Serves: 6-8 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 35 mins plus setting
Prepare baking guru Mary Berry's indulgent roulade the day before and simply bake for 20 mins on the day. Tasty and easy!
Get the recipe: Mary Berry's chocolate roulade
27. Persian Victoria sponge cake with raspberries and rose
Serves: 10 | Skill level: Med | Total time: 1 hour
A light Victoria sponge-style cake infused with fresh lemon and crushed pistachios. Sandwiched together with fresh cream and raspberry jam. A delicious cake perfect for sharing on Valentine's Day.
Get the recipe: Persian Victoria sponge cake with raspberries and rose
28. Valentine's brownies
Serves: 16-20 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 50 mins
Delicious gooey chocolate brownies - the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Each brownie has a red swirl of cake in the center to make it even more romantic. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and icing sugar to top each brownie with a heart.
Get the recipe: Valentine's brownies
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