38 Swoon-Worthy Valentine's Day Cake Ideas
These romantic Valentine's Day cake recipes are the perfect way to spread love this Valentine's Day.
If there is ever a time to whip up an extra special dessert, Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse. Beyond making the day all about spoiling your significant other, it's also a wonderful opportunity to treat your family and friends to a decadent Valentine's Day treat by trying your hand at one of these delicious cakes. Sure, you have your tried-and-true layer cakes, but why not celebrate the day of love with something new?
These cakes are bound to scrounge up some serious secret admirers—and not-so-secret ones too! Featuring classic Valentine's Day flavors like rich chocolate, romantic red velvet, and swoon-worthy strawberry, these dreamy Valentine's Day cakes are sure to spread the love.
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Chocolate pudding cake is the rich, decadent (and a little bit magic) dessert that always wins over our Southern hearts. The method to this recipe might seem a little strange, but we promise it turns out to be delightful.
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
This rich and fudgy dessert is reminiscent of a chocolate-covered strawberry. The fluffy buttercream gets a pretty pink hue from blending fresh strawberries in a food processor. To make the cake crumb extra light, make sure to cream the butter and sugar until the color is almost white.
Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
Enjoy this updated version of a classic recipe. The fresh strawberries balance perfectly with the biscuit base, with a delicate, light texture. Top the sheet cake with a whipped cream and mascarpone mixture.
Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream
After letting the cake chill in the freezer and the ganache to set, the buttercream frosting will spread quickly over the top. This cake is ideal for Valentine's Day, as it is ultra-decadent and fudgy. The caramel flavoring adds an extra decadence to this cake's buttercream frosting.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Cookie cake is always a good idea. Milk powder gives this cookie cake an extra milky taste in every bite. This cookie cake, paired with just the right amount of frosting, is a classic.
Raspberry Snack Cake with Salted Milk Chocolate Frosting
We're big fans of cake you can eat at any point in the day. This raspberry variation certainly falls in that category. Lightly salted chocolate frosting tops off a moist vanilla cake dotted with fresh raspberries.
Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting
This cake contains irresistible flavors: bourbon, chocolate, and buttercream. Yes, we're swooning too. This boozy dessert is guaranteed to deliver a spirited holiday.
Strawberry Icebox Cake
No baking is required to pull off this chocolate and strawberry creation. There are only five ingredients in this cookie wafer and jam icebox cake. Leave at least five hours for this cake to chill in the refrigerator.
Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cake
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
As you spoon into the center of this rich, decadent cake, watch as a river of peanut butter-chocolate lava flows.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake
We had to invite at least one cheesecake into the Cupid Shuffle. A creamy strawberry cheesecake filling covered in chocolate is the ultimate decadent bite. Garnish with whole strawberries for a beautiful presentation.
Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Who says molten chocolate cakes have to be individually sized? This supersized ooey, gooey raspberry molten chocolate cake is rich and chocolatey. Plus, it can serve a crowd.
Reese's Cake
If Reese's are your Valentine's candy of choice, take it one step further and try making this Bundt cake. This cake turns your favorite treat into a decadent dessert. After all, chocolate and peanut butter are the ultimate pairings.
Molten Red Velvet Cakes
End Valentine's Day on a sweet note with these single-serving cakes. You can make the chocolate mixture and whipped cream a day in advance. When ready to serve, dust the cakes with powdered sugar and top with cream cheese whipped cream.
White Chocolate Raspberry Loaf Cake
This loaf cake can work for a lovely Valentine's Day brunch with your S.O. It's easy to frost and doesn't require any layers. Serve slices with even more fresh berries.
Little Layer Chocolate Cake
Ivy Odom
These 18 thin cake layers are a labor of love. It's hard to believe this height-defying cake is complete in under two hours. After all the baking and icing, wait at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure you get the perfect slice.
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
If you've never made a cake with mayonnaise, trust us. The rich chocolate flavoring, enhanced with coffee, balances the light, fluffy buttercream frosting. Allow the layers to cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.
Chocolate-Coconut Pavlova Cake
If you need to cater to specific dietary restrictions, this flourless showstopper is dairy-and-gluten-free with no shortage of flavor. This cake gets its rich texture, without flour, from using coconut cream. Be sure to use canned coconut cream, not coconut milk or water.
Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake
This recipe is the ideal sweet treat for your galantines. Get a classic pink hue in this dessert by using freeze-dried strawberries and rosé wine. Substitute freeze-dried raspberries for strawberries if you prefer.
Red Velvet Cake Balls
Help make this romantic day memorable with these bite-sized minis packed with red velvet flavor. These cake balls are made simpler by using a box of cake mix. Combine the cake with a cream cheese frosting, then coat the balls in white chocolate.
Valentine's Day Cake
There's never been a better sheet cake for Valentine's Day. This festive cake is large enough to feed a crowd. Fill your sweetie's heart with strawberries and buttercream frosting.
Strawberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Pound cake is a Southern classic. Premade strawberry glaze helps quickly achieve a marbled look for an elegant presentation. To complete the marbled look, dollop the glaze in layers throughout the pound cake batter.
Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Chocolate cake, chocolate chips, and chocolate icing are the perfect trio. The instant espresso enhances the chocolate flavoring as if there isn't enough chocolate already. Try alternating buttermilk and chocolate glaze for an even more spectacular presentation.
Honey Bun Cake
A honey bun-inspired cake for your honey bun. Need we say more? Expect a cozy, cinnamon-spiked Bundt.
Classic Chocolate Pound Cake
Sometimes simple is best, and this no-fuss recipe proves just that. The decadent cake is so rich it doesn't need any frosting. If you want an extra sweet dessert, pair it with some ice cream or add a chocolate drizzle.
Strawberries-and-Cream Sheet Cake
A sheet cake makes icing and serving a breeze. Large enough to feed a crowd, this strawberries-and-cream cake is perfect for parties and easy to transport. Garnish with fresh strawberries for even more strawberry flavoring.
Chocolate Mousse Cake
This ultimate chocolate creation starts with a layer of velvety cake, topped with a layer of rich mousse, and then covered with a thin layer of dark chocolate ganache. Silky mousse pairs perfectly with the saltiness in dark chocolate.
Red Velvet Layer Cake
This layer cake is just as fitting for Valentine's Day as it is for Christmas. You won't find any cake as festive and delicious as a pretty slice of this red velvet cake. Letting each cake cool entirely on a wire rack helps when frosting each layer.
German Chocolate Cake with Coconut-Pecan Frosting
If you haven't already, it's time to make this Southern classic that is the definition of decadent—thanks to chocolate, coconut, and pecans. How could anyone resist? Strong brewed coffee helps keep each cake layer moist.
Lemon Raspberry Cake
Fresh berries give the icing in this layer cake a pink hue, making it fit for the occasion. Raspberry and lemon are a refreshing pairing, combining zesty and sweet flavorings. The thick layer of frosting in the center of this cake will be a pleasant surprise.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Boxed brownie and cake mixes are the secret ingredients that make this dessert easy to pull off. Use a piping bag to help achieve the draped-on topping. Look for edible flowers at your specialty grocery store for an elegant presentation.
Caramel Cake
There's a good chance you already have all the ingredients you need to make this old-fashioned favorite. Smothering this decadent cake in icing puts it in a new sweetness category. Plus, it requires just 15 minutes of hands-on time.
Old-Fashioned Pound Cake
Serve this classic cake with whipped cream and fresh berries of your choice. Pound cake should be sweet and rich but also light as a cloud. Follow this recipe for the perfect cake, including creaming the butter and sugar.
Chocolate Ă©clair Cake
We don't even need to explain ourselves with this cake. It just makes sense. While this cake may take a little more time than your average, it is worth it.
Chocolate Italian Cake
Southern Living
This chocolate version of a classic Italian Cream Cake is almost better than the original. They may argue that it's better if you ask a chocolate lover. Encircle the cake with pecan halves as an elegant garnish.
Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake
This cake may be a birthday tradition in New Orleans, but this labor of love is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Store-bought lemon curd and chocolate pudding help this cake's layers assemble quickly.
Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake
This cake is no ordinary chocolate cake. Even without the cake toppers, it's sure to impress your Valentine. If you want to impress, try making homemade Magnolia Flower toppers from vegetable shortening, edible luster dust, food coloring, and ready-to-use gum paste.
Hallmark's Honey Almond Cake with Berries and Mascarpone Cream Fraiche
A cake created in Hallmark's The Secret Ingredient inspired this dessert. Have your own Hallmark moment and watch a movie marathon with your Valentine this year. Vanilla and honey add a simple yet refreshing glaze.
Chocolate-Cinnamon Latte Cake
Serve this cake alongside a cup of coffee to top off your home-cooked Valentine's Day meal. This slow cooker recipe, starting with a box of cake mix, couldn't be more straightforward. Add a package of dark chocolate morsels between cake layers.
If you want to make an entire homemade meal this Valentine's Day, check out these romantic dinner recipes for date night at home.
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