This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Drake chapter.

If there’s one thing I learned in life, it’s that desserts make everyone happy. Use one (or all) of these recipes help your Valentine fall in love with you this V-Day.

Mini Vanilla Cake

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time:1 hour Cook time: 30 minutesTotal time:1 hour 30 minutesServings:2 servings

Instructions

Using the instructions on the box, bake a vanilla cake in a 9×9″ pan.
Trim the top of the cake so there’s an even layer.
#SpoonTip: Use a serrated knife for the easiest cutting.
Using a glass or cookie cutter, cut out 4 small circles of cake.
To make the frosting, cream the butter in with a beater.
Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream and red food coloring until the buttercream is light and thick.
Pile frosting on top of the first cut-out cake and even out the layer of frosting.
Put the other cake cut-out on top of the frosting, and spread a light layer of frosting around the entire cake. Put the cake in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
While the cake is in the fridge, melt the almond bark in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Fill a piping bag with a very small tip with the melted almond bark.
Draw out designs with a permanent marker on wax paper.
Flip the wax paper over, and begin tracing the outline with the almond bark.
Once the chocolate has cooled, peel the chocolate design off the paper.
#SpoonTip: Use the edge of the table to do this without breaking the chocolate, as shown in the photo. Do this 3 more times.
Take the cake out of the fridge and add another layer of frosting.
Gently place every chocolate design on each side of the cake.
Add red sprinkles on top, and then add the final chocolate design on the cake.

Chocolate Strawberry Mousse

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: minutesTotal time: 15 minutesServings:8 servings

Instructions

Combine the vanilla pudding mix and 1-quart heavy cream in a mixing bowl.
Whip with a wire beater until thick.
While the pudding is mixing, combine the diced strawberries and sugar in a small bowl. Let sit until the mixture is liquid and some syrup is formed. Then, add to the pudding mixture.
Combine the chocolate pudding and other quart of heavy cream. Mix until the same consistency as the vanilla mousse.
Layer the chocolate mousse in a small glass bowl.
#SpoonTip: Layer it at an angle to make it extra fancy.
Layer one sliced strawberry over the chocolate mousse.
Layer the strawberry mousse until the mousse is even with the edge of the glass.
Add whipped cream on top.

Red Velvet Lava Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 20 minutesCook time: 20 minutesTotal time: 40 minutesServings:4 servings

Instructions

Grease 4 6-oz. ramekins.
Melt the butter and white chocolate together in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar.
Add the eggs and egg yolks.
Stir in the food coloring.
Add the flour and cocoa powder and stir until just combined.
Pour the batter evenly into the ramekins. Bake until the outer edges are done, about 15-20 minutes.
#SpoonTip: If you don’t have ramekins, you can use muffin tins. They will bake for less time, about 7-10 minutes.
In the meantime, microwave the cream cheese until it’s soft.
Add in 1 cup of powdered sugar and the milk until the glaze can be poured.
Drizzle the icing onto a plate. Then use that same plate to turn the ramekins over, so the cakes are upside down. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.