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25 Best Romantic Dessert Recipes

25 Best Romantic Dessert Recipes

By Real Simple Editors

Updated January 08, 2021

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Credit: Getty Images

Whether you're planning for the ultimate date night, or a special Valentine's Day dinner—and need a decadent dessert to finish off the evening—these romantic dessert recipes may be just exactly what you need.

Chocolate desserts tend to be the go-to option for a romantic dinner (after all, chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac), but you don't have to stick with chocolate. There are plenty of sweet fruit dessert recipes—including a few alcohol-laced options—for you to consider.

Related: Creative At-Home Date Night Ideas

And fortunately, many of these romantic dessert recipes can be made ahead of time or are easily put together—so you have more time to focus on your date, instead of your dessert.

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Individual Chocolate Melting Cakes

Credit: William Meppem

Top off these warm, melt-in-your mouth cakes with a swirl of caramel sauce and a scoop of ice cream.

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Raspberry Fool

Credit: John Lawton

Serve raspberry-infused whipped cream with cookies and fresh berries for a simple yet sexy ending to your Valentine's day dinner or date night.

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Orange Soufflé

Credit: Beth Galton

This light, airy dessert incorporates grated orange zest and orange liqueur for a double dose of citrus.

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Chocolate Ricotta Mousse

Credit: Kan Kanbayashi

This light and creamy chocolate mousse can be whipped up (literally!) in under five minutes, for a fast and delicious romantic dessert.

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Bittersweet Chocolate Soufflé

Credit: Mitchell Feinberg

Soufflés have a reputation for being a challenge to produce, but this easy-to-follow recipe can make this classic romantic dessert easy to achieve. (Just don't peek in the oven until at least a half-hour of bake time has elapsed.)

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Chocolate Bar Fondue

Credit: Anna Williams

Use your imagination when choosing ingredients for dipping in the chocolate fondue—try pound cake, flavored marshmallows, graham crackers, or even pretzels. (Strawberries, banana slices and oranges are all great if you're looking for a healthier treat.)

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Romantic Brownie Sundaes

Credit: Minh & Wass

You can prepare these rich chocolate brownies and the raspberry sauce ahead of time, so you’ll only need a few minutes to assemble the dessert.

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Strawberries and Syrup

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Spike simple syrup with Grand Marnier or cognac to give this easy (yet romantic!) dessert a little kick.

Related: 11 Mini Strawberry Desserts

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Chocolate Pecan Tart

Credit: Con Poulos

Crunchy toasted pecans sprinkled on top contrast nicely with the smooth, fudge-like filling in this decadent chocolate tart.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Credit: Levi Brown

These classic seductive treats can be made up to three days ahead—and make a perfect (and surprisingly easy) Valentine's Day treat.

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Raspberry S'mores

Credit: James Baigrie

A childhood favorite gets an unexpectedly adult twist with the addition of fresh raspberries.

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Chocolate Pots

Credit: Beatriz da Costa

Rich and creamy, this chocolate mousse is a perfect ending to a romantic dinner. (And you can make it a couple of days in advance.)

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Vanilla Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Credit: Victor Protasio

If you're looking for something decadent that's still on the healthier side, this cheesecake, which swaps sweet potatoes for some of the sugar, might be the perfect grand finale for your date night. Top it off with fresh fruit for a little extra dose of goodness.

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Espresso Truffles

Credit: Hector Sanchez

A little espresso gives these decadent chocolate truffles a richer flavor. Make them for a romantic dessert—or a sweet homemade gift for someone special.

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Tiramisu

Credit: Anna Williams

Not in the mood to whip up creams and custards? This simple take on the popular Italian dessert incorporates vanilla ice cream and a hint of rum.

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Chocolate-Dipped Espresso Meringues

Credit: Victor Schrager

These crisp, light-as-air cookies are a delicious marriage of coffee and chocolate. If you want to get fancy, you can pipe the meringue into hearts or other shapes—or simply drop it by the tablespoon onto your baking sheet.

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The Ultimate Chocolate Pudding

Credit: José Picayo

This easy homemade version of the comfort-food classic leaves packaged mixes in the dust.

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Raspberry Powder Puffs

Credit: Petrina Tinslay

A raspberry-sour cream filling holds together fluffy orange-flavored cookies—and makes a sweet, romantic dessert for the people who prefer fruit desserts to chocolate.

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Dulce de Leche Mousse

Credit: Sang An

Whip up this silky caramel mousse using heavy cream, dulce de leche, and shredded coconut.

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Ice Cream Truffles

Credit: Anna Williams

Use ice cream instead of chocolate ganache in the center of these surprising candy-coated treats. (They're super easy to make, too!)

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Boozy Clementines With Pound Cake

Credit: Anna Williams

Clementines steeped in honey and brandy are a delicious grown-up topping for slices of buttery cake.

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Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding

Credit: Con Poulos

This rich, decadent dessert couldn’t be easier—just combine all the ingredients and bake for 30 minutes.

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Cherry Trifle

Credit: Quentin Bacon

No need to bake for this easier take on the classic English dessert. Simmer crimson cherries in brandy and serve with sweet cream and ladyfingers; grated dark chocolate adds a final decadent touch.

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Double-Chocolate Profiteroles

Credit: Mitchell Feinberg

Pastry puffs filled with chocolate ice cream and drizzled with dark chocolate sauce make an elegant finale to a romantic meal.

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Hazelnut Bushwacker Cake

Credit: Greg DuPree

This impressive looking cake is so easy to pull together—stack layers of chocolate wafers with chocolate-hazelnut spread and whipped cream, then let it sit in the fridge to soften. Use a touch of kahlua to give it a boozy kick for grownups, or decaf coffee if you're serving to kids.

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