Many people think of Valentine’s Day as the love-themed holiday. They associate it with romance and sappy movies and couples and candlelit dinners. But when I think of Valentine’s Day, only one thing comes to mind – and that thing is chocolate.
To me, this is just another food-centric holiday – just another excuse to bake your little heart out and eat until you’re pregnant with food quintuplets, regardless of your relationship status.
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/giphy-13.gif)
GIF courtesy of giphy.com
So when you do indulge this Valentine’s Day, and you KNOW you will, why settle for a lame box of store-bought chocolates just like every other year? Instead, try something new and check out these ah-mazing desserts.
1. Chocolate-Covered Slutty Rice Krispie Treats
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/22984662600_3d0a91aeee_k-e1449516894307.jpg)
Photo by Phoebe Melnick
Meet the slutty brownie’s even tastier cousin. Recipe here.
2. Hot Chocolate Cookies
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/DSC02915-4-1024x768.jpg)
Photo by Ashley Kim
Why drink your hot chocolate when you can bake it into something this delicious?
3. Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/IMG_64431-670x467.jpg)
Photo by Analiese Trimber
When you combine your favorite breakfast food and your favorite cookie, magic happens. Get the recipe here.
4. Strawberry And Chocolate Waffles
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/vday3-1024x683.jpg)
Photo by Serena Ajbani
Because chocolate-covered waffles are always a good idea. Recipe here.
5. Chocolate Chip Cookie-Stuffed Brownie Cupcakes
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/IMG_52071-1024x778-1024x778.jpg)
Photo by Julia Benson
We’re not sure if it’s a cupcake, a brownie, or a cookie. We just know it’s delicious. Find the recipe here.
6. Chocolate Linguine With Chocolate Sauce and Berries
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/P1011337.jpg)
Photo by Benjamin Martin
Who said you can’t have dessert for dinner? Get the recipe.
7. Dark Chocolate Macarons
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2015-02-25-at-3.49.15-PM.png)
Photo by Bon Jin
There’s no need to go all the way to Laduree for the perfect macaron.
#SpoonTip: But if trendy NYC desserts are indeed your thing, check these out.
8. Chocolate Chip Caramel Peanut Butter Bars
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/IMG_26861-624x467-1.jpg)
Photo by Claire Thompson
Sweet, gooey, tooth-rotting, and delicious. Recipe here.
9. Chocolate Biscoff Crunch Ice Cream Cake
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/17050425198_c76f6015b5_c.jpg)
Photo by Shivangi Surana
If you still haven’t tried Biscoff, you haven’t lived. Use this recipe.
10. Cinnamon Roll Waffle Sandwich with Bacon, Nutella, PB and Chocolate Chips
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/23109716532_8ddd88dccc_z-1.jpg)
Photo by Phoebe Melnick
All of your favorite things combined into one unreal handheld dessert.
11. Double Chocolate Fudge Avocado Cookies
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/Baker_Katherine_avocado_fudge_cookies_2-1.png)
Photo by Katherine Baker
So good no one will ever suspect that they’re vegan. Recipe here.
#SpoonTip: Click here for even more vegan goodness.
12. Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/finished-cookies-on-rack-reresized-1024x691.jpg)
Photo by Erin Grady
For when you want to put an elegant twist on the chocolate chip cookie. Find the recipe here.
13. Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/DSC_3886-1024x680-1024x680.jpg)
Photo by Helena Lin
Mindblowingly tasty and even more mind-blowingly easy to make. Recipe here.
14. Peppermint Oreo Cupcakes
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/IMG_93742-1024x6831-1024x683-1024x683.jpg)
Photo by Morgan Willie
Use up your leftover peppermint Oreos from the holidays in these cupcakes. Your tastebuds will thank you.
15. Almond Pecan Brownies
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/1751.jpg)
Photo By Emily Stamp
I’m sure you’ll be NUTS for this crunchy and vegan take on the classic brownie. Find the recipe here.
16. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Biscotti
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/biscotti17-1-1024x682-1024x682.jpg)
Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu
One of the world’s oldest and most delicious flavor combinations, guaranteed to impress. Recipe here.
#SpoonTip: Check out this article if you love all things chocolate and peanut butter.
17. Oreo Marshmallow Fluff Brownies
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/DSC00629-670x449.jpg)
Photo by Alison Mally
After eating these, we promise you’ll never look at brownies the same way again. Find the recipe here.
18. Chocolate Mocha Pancakes
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/finish-1024x768-1024x768.jpg)
Photo by Sara Tane
These pancakes are the ultimate morning-after breakfast.
19. Chocolate Chip Cookie and Nutella Ice Box Cake
![chocolates](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/159/2016/01/WPpicture_resized.jpg)
Photo by Clarisse Callahan
Ice cream, cookies, and Nutella. Triple yes. Get the recipe here.
#SpoonTip: Real Nutella-lovers, click here.