Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and that means it’s time to think pink. We’re sharing over a dozen colorful, festive recipes guaranteed to put a rosy spin on the midwinter holiday. These blushing bites in shades of pinks and reds are whimsical, easy to make, and taste as good as they look. Whether you’re cooking to impress that special someone, hosting a gal pals get-together, celebrating with family, or just treating yourself, these cheery, colorful pink foods are a simple way to show some love.
Pink Sauce Pasta
Forget the restaurant reservation and cozy up at home this Valentine’s Day with a plate of pasta dressed for the festivities. Even first-time cooks can make this simple, five-ingredient recipe featuring canned beets, which add a rosy tint to your favorite jarred alfredo sauce.
Get the recipe: Pink Sauce Pasta
Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze
Start Valentine’s Day off on a sweet note with breakfast inspired by dessert. Cocoa powder and a splash of food coloring turn pancakes made from boxed mix into red velvet hot cakes finished with decadent cream cheese icing. Bonus: There’s no need to start cooking before the sun. These pancakes take just 20 minutes to come together.
Get the recipe: Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze
Homemade Chocolate Truffles
Get the kids in the kitchen with this fun, fudgy homemade delight. Scoop a mixture of bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream into small truffles and roll in freeze-dried strawberries and sprinkles for the perfect pink exterior.
Get the recipe: Homemade Chocolate Truffles
Strawberry Confetti Cake in Jars
Invite all your sweeties for a Valentine’s Day celebration, or take the fun to go, with this dessert served in individual glass jars. Freeze-dried strawberries are the secret ingredient that adds flavor and color to fluffy homemade frosting, layered between rounds of yellow cake studded with sprinkles.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Confetti Cake in Jars
Raspberry Marshmallow Cupcakes
Kids can help decorate these fruity cupcakes that are perfect for children’s parties and classroom celebrations. White chocolate and frozen raspberries enhance the batter for gluten-free cupcakes topped with pink marshmallow frosting and sprinkles.
Get the recipe: Raspberry Marshmallow Cupcakes
Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake
Turn summer’s favorite drink into a showstopping dessert that’s perfectly pink for Valentine’s Day. This luscious layer cake with lemony cream cheese frosting gets a head start from strawberry cake mix.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake
Valentines Marshmallows
Everyone will have a twinkle in their eye when they see these sparkling Valentine’s Day treats. Pomegranate juice gives a rosy hue to store-bought marshmallows dipped in white chocolate and finished with glistening red and pink decorating sugar.
Get the recipe: Valentine’s Marshmallows
Heart-Shaped Cherry Hand Pies
These sweet hand pies are the perfect way to show someone they hold a piece of your heart. Refrigerated pie dough lets you bypass some of the prep for individual heart-shaped cherry pies drizzled with pink icing.
Get the recipe: Heart-Shaped Cherry Hand Pies
Cake Mix Strawberry Meltaways
Your valentine will be tickled pink by these blushing, merengue-like cookies that come together with four ingredients. Freeze-dried strawberries and angel food cake mix blend into light and airy meltaway treats that are ready in less than 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Cake Mix Strawberry Meltaways
Red Velvet Love Bugs
This sweet and silly dessert is certain to crawl right into your heart. Melted dark chocolate and edible candy eyes transform mini red velvet cakes made from boxed mix into adorable love bugs. It’s the perfect five-ingredient recipe for kiddos!
Get the recipe: Red Love Bugs
White Chocolate Pretzel Hearts
A little sweet, a little salty, these totally delicious treats offer something for all the valentines on your list. Kids can help make this no-cook recipe that turns white chocolate-dipped pretzels into hearts decked in red and pink sprinkles. It’s great for tossing in a lunchbox for a little midday love to share.
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Pretzel Hearts
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
This bright and beautiful Valentine’s Day breakfast is naturally sweetened with fruit and a touch of honey. Silken tofu adds filling protein to a spoonable strawberry smoothie topped with crunchy granola and fresh berries.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
Beet Hummus
This marvelous magenta dip makes an eye-catching addition to any Valentine’s Day snack spread. Fresh beets give a hot pink hue to the classic chickpea hummus dip, flavored with garlic, lemon, and tahini.
Get the recipe: Beet Hummus
