5 Chocolate Bakes to Woo Your Valentine!

I would have loved to create a delicious, lustful bake for the up and coming Valentine’s Day 2014 but my travels around southern Vietnam are busy and fun-filled baking-less days. So I’ve taken the slightly bit cheaty option and dipped into my archives to give you five chocolate treats that are sure to win you a few hearts. Now you don’t mind that do you?

French Chocolate Cake

This heavenly chocolate cake is rich yet light and won’t leave you feeling stodgy, a sublime end to a Valentine’s meal. A perfect dessert for many an occasion in fact, chocolate cakes don’t come more divine than this! Oh, and it is naturally gluten and nut free.

Chocolate Meringue Cake with Blueberry Compote

Take some brownie-esque cakes baked with a cocoa meringue layer and sandwich with freshly whipped cream and two-minute blueberry compote and you’ll wow your intended! It’s simple to make yet looks impressively decadent. Naughty but very, very nice!

Reine De Saba Cupcakes

These chocolate and almond cupcakes are as romantic as Paris, cute and sophisticated with a glossy glaçage au chocolate to crown them. Based on a recipe by Julia Child and inspired by travels to the city of light.

Black Forest Brownie

From my experience, brownies get you some! I’ve even had {admittedly jokingly} a marriage proposal from a batch of brownies! They may not be the prettiest of bakes but they make up for it with wickedness. This brownie is made with ground almonds instead of flour making it naturally gluten-free. The luscious chocolate batter is swirled with cream cheese and succulent morello cherries.

Full of Beans Vegan Brownie

This brownie is dense and fudgy, sure to win a vegan heart. Studded with walnuts and super chocolately yet free from fat {no butter, marg or oil} and eggs. Satisfyingly brownie-like and healthy to boot, and so pretty with a stencilled sugar heart.

Well I hope I’ve encouraged you to bake something special for your loved one this February, as far as I’m concerned food and love are very closely linked.

If you want a bit more Valentine inspiration take a peek at my Valentine’s Pinterest board. Are you on Pinterest? I’d love to see your pins!