10 Mini Valentine's Day Desserts That Are Sweeter Than a Card
What better way to say "I love you" than baking a homemade Valentine's Day dessert? Nothing—save for baking an array of bite-sized sweet treats. From individual Chocolate Stout Brownie Sundae Floats and little Almond Cakelets With Pomegranate Glaze to Strawberry and Nutella Hand Pies, Mini Cinnamon Roll Pops, and more, these miniature treats are sure to win hearts—especially your own.
RELATED: 55 Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Boyfriend or Husband
Cookie Butter Chocolate Chunk Blondies
Cinnamon and nutmeg enhance the flavor of these blondies, which are studded with chocolate chunks and baked until barely done. Use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to create the cute shapes, then enjoy the leftover scraps all to yourself. Prefer peanut butter to cookie butter? Feel free to swap it in.
1 of 10
Pear-Blueberry Mini Pies With Lattice Crust
Don't be intimidated by the charming lattice work on top of these mini pies. All you have to do is work in sections: Lay 3 strips across the pies in one direction and fold back on either side to weave the remaining strips over and under. The good news is, you've got 12 tries to get it just right (and they taste great no matter what).
2 of 10
Mini Chocolate Stout Brownie Sundae Floats
If you're baking for a beer-lover (or a chocoholic), these decadent brownie sundaes won't disappoint. The treat begins with a layer of crumbled boozy brownies, followed by a drizzle of burnt caramel and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Finish with Guinness, coconut whipped cream, and a swirl of Irish cream hot fudge sauce.
3 of 10
Mini Raspberry Rhubarb Pavlovas
Light and airy pavlovas are a simple, tasty base for homemade whipped cream and a sweet-tart compote. Fresh raspberries and rhubarb give the compote its gorgeous red hue, and every bite is filled with fresh pieces of fruit. Their miniature size make them the ideal after-dinner treat.
4 of 10
Strawberry and Nutella Hand Pies
Nothing says "I love you" more than Nutella. Filled with all the deliciousness of a full-scale pie, these hand-held treats are much easier to prepare. Every bite bursts with strawberry jam and Nutella, and an egg wash gives the exterior its golden-brown finish. For a perfectly flaky crust, refrigerate the dough before baking.
5 of 10
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Salty, sweet, and adorable, too—these mini pretzels will be hard to put down. Set them out at a party for a festive snack, or give them to guests as an edible party favor. Better yet? Invite your friends over and make them together, experimenting with all different types of chocolate.
6 of 10
Brownie and Raspberry Trifle
No time to bake something entirely from scratch? This gorgeous trifle comes together in just 20 minutes, and store-bought brownies speed up the process. If you prefer, swap dark sweet cherries for the raspberries, and sprinkle with cocoa powder for an elegant finish. The homemade whipped cream lets you take credit for the treat.
7 of 10
Mini Cinnamon Roll Pops
Kids will go crazy for these breakfast-inspired treats, which they can bring to class for a fun bite-sized dessert. The process of making them is kid-friendly, too: Store-bought cinnamon rolls are split in half, popped onto a stick, and spread with vanilla icing. Don't forget to top with heart-shaped sprinkles!
8 of 10
Buttermilk Red Velvet Donuts
You'll want to devour the entire pan of these donuts—which makes it all the better that they're baked instead of fried. If you're not a fan of icing, dip 'em in cinnamon and sugar, and then serve warm while they're still soft and fluffy. Enjoy leftovers as a Sunday morning breakfast.
9 of 10
Almond Cakelets With Pomegranate Glaze
These airy almond cakeletes pair perfectly with a glass of champagne. The use of cake flour ensures they're light and fluffy, and the addition of yogurt keeps them moist. Pomegranate seeds give the glaze a natural pop of pink, and add a fun topper to the golden-brown cakes.