Three Dessert Ideas for a Sweet Valentine's Day

As January comes to a close, you may be wondering "what's next?" After all, the ease and excitement of holiday break and syllabus week have come to a close and it may not seem like there's a ton to look forward to. In my opinion, though, what often brightens the mood around this dreary time is Valentine's Day. The decor, clothing and food options are sure to cheer anyone up. Anything pink and red or heart-shaped definitely fits the mood. To get you excited for this time of year, here's three dessert ideas for you to have an extra sweet Cupid's day. 

1. Homemade Desserts

Probably the most popular category is homemade desserts. Not only does baking make for delicious treats, but it also provides for a fun, relaxing activity. For Valentine's Day, you may be interested in making jam heart cookies. If you've ever had a raspberry thumbprint cookie, it's basically the same thing except the middle is shaped like a heart instead of a circle. 

There's also the option of creating something with the festive colors of the day, such as red velvet cake or pink cupcakes (as a bonus, you can make these desserts heart shaped with a baking pan). Of course, you can always make classic brownies with some pink icing or heart-shaped sprinkles. Really, any homemade dessert works for this if you decorate it accordingly. 

2. Store-bought ItemsDon’t be afraid to just grab something pre-made; these types of desserts are just as delicious and are great if you’re in a time crunch or have limited baking skills. Besides, at the store, the options are pretty much infinite. Just a few options would be heart-shaped sugar cookies with red sprinkles, cake pops or Lofthouse pink-frosted cookies. You can also buy a variety of different candies and create a trendy candy salad, which would appeal to everyone's tastes. Additionally, Krispy Kreme always has Valentine's Day doughnuts around the 14th, which makes for a very convenient dessert option. 

3. Fruit Treats

If you're looking for something a bit on the healthier side, this category may be for you. Personally, I love desserts that center around fruits, and I think that if you try any of these or serve them to your loved ones, they'll be a hit too. For Valentine's Day, the classics (and my favorites) are parfaits, fruit tarts, or chocolate-covered strawberries. If you're feeling particularly extravagant, you can even arrange to get an Edible Arrangement.

Whether you're single or not, Valentine's Day is a holiday for everyone. The main message of the holiday is to spend time with loved ones, which is something everyone can do. If you're throwing a party, making something for your partner, or simply sitting at home watching a rom-com, these desserts will be sure to please.