Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you’re celebrating solo, with your lover, or with friends, no V-Day party is complete without a delicious dessert. We’re talking lava cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, French macarons—the whole nine yards!
While we’d be totally content with a simple (but tasty) dessert, some of our favorite bakers have taken their Valentine’s Day treats to a whole new level of cute. These 16 love-themed desserts are, as the kids say, completely “extra”—extra fabulous and extra adorable, that is! They’re guaranteed to make you squeal, and we can’t wait to share and celebrate these talents with you.
1. Adorable Animal Macarons
A post shared by Melly Eats World (M.E.W.) (@mellyeatsworld) on Jun 15, 2017 at 10:33am PDT
Bear, bunnies and macarons, oh my! If these little confections don’t make you smile, we don’t know what will.
2. An Eclectic Heart-Shaped Biscuit
A post shared by Adi Klinghofer (@adikosh123) on Feb 4, 2018 at 6:00am PST
Is it a cake? Is it a biscuit? All we know is that this heart-shaped treat is pure perfection with its frosting, fresh flowers, strawberries, macarons, and more.
3. A Pretty in Pink Drip Cake
A post shared by Peggy Porschen (@peggyporschenofficial) on Jan 29, 2018 at 10:07am PST
4. Valentines for 4-Legged Friends
A post shared by joanne (@burberriejam) on Jan 15, 2018 at 1:32pm PST
Don’t leave Fluffy out of your Valentine’s Day plans! These heart-shaped cookies pay homage to several cute puppers, and we certainly wouldn’t mind spending Valentine’s Day with one of those sweet dogs.
5. Intricate Gelatin Cakes
A post shared by Gelatin Art Market (@gelatinartmarket) on Jan 28, 2018 at 1:28pm PST
If you haven’t seen how these hyper-realistic gelatin cakes are made, go watch the video right away. It’s totally fascinating, and the end result is a beautiful one-of-a-kind cake that will put you in the mood for love.
6. Beautiful Valentine’s Day Bears
A post shared by Nicole K Abedrabbo (@macaronsbynikki) on Jan 21, 2018 at 1:33pm PST
Forget teddy bears. This year, it’s all about the bear macarons! These little fellas just look so happy that we almost might feel bad for eating them…almost.
7. Super Luxe Chocolate Strawberries
A post shared by Canberra Cake Designer (@laombrecreations) on Feb 2, 2018 at 2:31pm PST
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a quintessential Valentine’s Day dessert, and these pink and gold berries are a luxurious twist on the classic. We think they’d go perfectly with a few flutes of Champagne, no?
8. Bear-y Cute Doughnuts
9. Amazingly Artistic Bonbons
A post shared by Susanna Yoon (@susannayoon) on Feb 6, 2018 at 3:58pm PST
These chocolate bonbons could probably be on display in an art museum. The vibrant colors and entrancing patterns are truly next-level.
10. A Better Box of Chocolates
A post shared by Mary and Brenda (@cakegirls) on Jan 25, 2017 at 9:46am PST
Why settle for a box of chocolates when you can have a cake shaped like a box of chocolates?! If you’re feeling particularly ambitious this Valentine’s Day, Cake Girls has a tutorial on how to make this phenomenal cake. Or you can just appreciate it via Instagram.
11. A Whimsical Care Bear Cake
A post shared by Susanne Ng (@susanne.decochiffon) on Aug 6, 2017 at 6:14am PDT
There are admittedly a lot of bear-themed treats on this list, but here’s another one that we couldn’t leave out. How amazing is this Care Bear cake? So sweet—literally.
12. Beautifully Simple Rose Cupcakes
A post shared by Tessa Huff (@stylesweetca) on Feb 3, 2018 at 8:18am PST
These cupcakes are simple, but they’re done so beautifully that it makes our hearts go pitter-patter. Imagine getting a bouquet of these on February 14? (Psst…the pastry chef also has an incredible watercolor heart cookie you have to see for yourself.
13. Baking Love
A girl after our own heart! If this assortment wasn’t sweet enough, click on the image to watch the mesmerizing video of the artist outlining and filling the oven cookie.
14. Chocolate-Covered Macarons
A post shared by Jenna Rae + Ashley Nicole (@jennaraecakes) on Feb 5, 2018 at 7:03am PST
Not only are these heart-shaped macarons perfectly formed, they’re dipped in chocolate and sprinkles for a little added flair. After all, there’s no better way to say “I love you” than with chocolate.
15. Purrrrfect Pusheen Cookies
I think you’re purrretty cool ❤? / sprinkles from @sweetestelle
A post shared by samantha | elleventy (@elleventy) on Jan 29, 2017 at 2:19pm PST
Nothing makes us squeal quite like Pusheen the cat, and these cookies are almost too adorable to handle. We’ll take a dozen, please!
16. Pink Donuts (Need We Say More?)
Special delivery ?? for @haleybogaertface
A post shared by Sugar Queen By Scene Queen (@sugarqueen_sq) on Nov 30, 2017 at 10:27pm PST
Mini doughnuts get a pink and intergalactic, almost ombré, effect, officially making them the doughnuts of our dreams. The subtle glitter dust puts them at gold status, in our minds.
Which sweet treat delighted you the most? (We honestly can’t choose.) Share your favorite with us below!
(via Food52)