Outside the box (of chocolates)

At Valentine’s Day, all other desserts must make way for the goddess Chocolate. People who are otherwise indifferent on the topic of food become fanatical when it comes to chocolate’s sweet superiority. From the fussiest soufflé to the humblest brownie, chocolate rarely disappoints. That’s why it’s the perfect Valentine treat—and why we’ve created these 10 dessert recipes, one for every kind of chocolate-loving Valentine.

Nothing here requires a candy thermometer or a pastry bag, so don’t worry that you’ll spend Valentine’s Day stressing over the stove feeling anything but festive. No matter what type of sweetheart you’re celebrating this year, we have something he or she will love receiving and sharing.

1. Chocolate Caramel Brownies with Sea Salt

For the adventurous: a caramel brownie topped with ganache and a sprinkle of sea salt to add depth and surprise. Download the Chocolate Caramel Brownies with Sea Salt recipe

2. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

For the kid at heart: a rich cookie with a light dusting of powdered sugar over its dark crinkles. Download the Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe

3. Peanut Butterscotch Cups

For the nutty: a delightfully fun peanut cup. Download the Peanut Butterscotch Cups recipe

4. Dark Chocolate Almond Bark

For the healthy: an easy almond bark filled with good antioxidants for your sweetie's sweet tooth. Download the Dark Chocolate Almond Bark recipe

5. Molten Lava Cakes

For the bold: a molten lava cake that can be prepared ahead and put into the oven for 10 minutes before being demolished in a blaze of chocolate glory. Download the Molten Lava Cakes recipe

6. Dark Chocolate Fudge

For the mysterious: a deep, dark, grown-up-tasting fudge that is actually sophisticated. Download the Dark Chocolate Fudge recipe

7. Hot Cocoa for Two

For the cuddly: a genuine, creamy cocoa to warm the warmhearted. Download the Hot Cocoa for Two recipe

8. Simple Truffles

For the elegant: a simple chocolate truffle, perfect alongside coffee. Download the Simple Truffles recipe

9. Black Russian Bundt Cake

For the spontaneous: a seemingly innocent Bundt cake with a surprise black Russian flavor. Download the Black Russian Bundt Cake recipe

10. Spicy Brownies for Two

For the homebody: homemade brownies for two. (The perfect base for ice cream.) Download the Spicy Brownies for Two recipe

Hungry for more? Check out all our recipes

Jennifer Fuijta cooks and overeats in Kansas City, where she's a writer for Hallmark. Her husband and teenage sons say she's nice except when she is in the kitchen, where she's a total bossypants.