Homemade Chocolate Desserts for Valentine’s Day

Chocolate is one of our favorite treats. On Valentine’s Day, we are surrounded by chocolate. Instead of buying that box of chocolates, create some homemade chocolate treats at home.

Chocolate is actually good for us. Let me rephrase that before you make a run on the store.

GOING TO THE DARK SIDE CAN BE GOOD FOR YOU!

Dark chocolate is actually full of good things like antioxidants that help to keep our bodies healthy. Consuming a little dark chocolate each day has a beneficial effect.

That's all I need to hear!

Remind your sweetie of that on Valentine’s Day. This may sound like a bit of a put on, but as long as you purchase dark chocolate, they don’t have to feel guilty about eating sweets – and visa versa. Use some dark chocolate to create homemade chocolate desserts to enjoy on Valentine’s Day.

JUST PICTURING THIS ONE IS MAKING ME LOOK FORWARD TO VALENTINES DAY!

A favorite chocolate dessert is lava cakes. Just like the name implies, once you cut into the cake, the gooey chocolate runs out of the center. Use a stencil to create a powdered sugar heart on top of each one. This one sounded so good that I had to google the recipe.

Here are a few versions. I haven't tried any yet – I'll keep you posted.

Wacky  Mommy's Chocolate Volcano Cake

The Leftover Queen – Chocolate Volcano Birthday Cake – an Ode to Mom -
this is really sweet – love the liquer idea! Better make a seperate one for me and another for the kids :0)

Dora the Explorer Chocolate Volcano Cake – seems a little messy, but hey, sounds absolutely decadent too! Even without Dora!

MELTING CHOCOLATE – NO TEARS

When making chocolate desserts that call for melted chocolate it is important to do it right. We have all had those boo-boo’s in the kitchen with chocolate that we’d rather not mention.

For instance, turning the burner on high will not melt the chocolate any faster—neither will adading water to the pan and swirling the chocolate around. All you’ll end up with is a very expensive mess. 

Chocolate bricks are not cheap so use them sparingly and wisely. If you need to melt chocolate, do so in a non-stick saucepan. Chocolate melts best over low heat. Using a double boiler can be a good idea. One more tip… don't add milk to try to thin it out. It will react and give you a thick, unworkable glob. Not that I would know anything about that .

You don’t need to stir the chocolate for it to melt. Once the chocolate takes on a glassy appearance, it has melted. The chocolate can be removed from the heat and stirred into the recipe.

A HINT OF CHOCOLATE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – OR NOT!

Even a hint of chocolate in the dessert can be tasted by us chocolate connoisseurs. If you are making a cake, add a bit of melted chocolate to turn it into a chocolate pound cake or a chocolate cheesecake. It is good to keep in mind however that some people actually don't like chocolate and prefer vanilla! I know it's strange, but if that's the case in your family, it's a nice opportunity to create a nice presentation and provide both vanilla and chocolate.

For a sinful dessert create icing to top your chocolate creations. A chocolate cake, cupcake, or pie covered in chocolate icing or chocolate sauce makes it heavenly. Only those with a really sweet tooth can handle such a chocolate dessert. It is not for newbies.

There are tons of chocolate desserts you can create for Valentine’s Day to surprise your gal or guy. Try out some chocolate truffles or a chocolate trifle bowl dessert. Chocolate is also an aphrodisiac so watch out if you eat too much!