Hi Friends! Love is in the air and romance is on the horizon this Valentine’s Day! To make this special occasion even more delightful, my amazing friends Britney (from Britney Breaks Bread), Cheryl (from Bakes by Brown Sugar), Anina Belle (from Le Chef’s Wife), and I (your humble leader right here at Begin with Butter) have collaborated to bring you an abundance of incredible recipes: our 42 Must-Make Ideas for Valentine’s Day!
Are you in need of an appetizer? Look no further! Craving something deliciously savory to pamper your sweetheart? My talented friends have got you covered with can’t-miss appetizers and main courses. From mouthwatering appetizers to an exquisite cheese course, and even a delightful coffee-infused dessert, we have meticulously planned your entire Valentine’s meal.
Let’s embark on this culinary adventure together and indulge in pure deliciousness!
With love and culinary delights,
Shani, Britney, Cheryl and Anina Belle
Appetizers
Charcuterie Skewers
From Britney Breaks Bread
Introducing the ultimate party appetizer – Charcuterie skewers! These easy antipasto skewers are the epitome of fun and deliciousness, offering a delightful twist on the classic charcuterie board. It’s a burst of flavors and textures in every bite, tantalizing your taste buds and making for most mouthwatering treats!
Charcuterie Board
From Le Chef’s Wife
Everything you need to know about making a French Charcuterie Board. Whether it is for date night, a sit down dinner party, a potluck or an apéro dinatoire (also known as a cocktail dinatoire or heavy cocktail), here are some simple tips to making a perfect charcuterie board.
Hamachi Crudo
From Britney Breaks Bread
Hamachi Crudo is an easy and impressive appetizer that features buttery yellowtail in a garlic and citrus crudo sauce! It’s topped with serrano peppers, sesame seeds, red onions, and capers for a delicious combination of bright and umami flavors. With just three simple steps, you can create this recipe that is sure to be the star of the show. Save this crudo recipe for dinner parties, brunch, or date night!
Scallops and Leeks with White Wine
From Le Chef’s Wife
Pan Seared White Wine Diver Scallops and Leeks make for a delicious and elegant French-inspired appetizer. The sweet, buttery taste of the scallops pairs beautifully with the slight tang of leeks. This dish is super simple to make and yet is impressive to serve.
Asparagus with a Champagne Vinaigrette
From Le Chef’s Wife
This French Asparagus with a Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette is simple and flavorful. The bright flavors of citrus and the pop of champagne pair beautifully with fresh spring Asparagus, cooked to perfection. Did I mention that it is a vegan recipe, too?
Soups
Heirloom Tomato Soup
From Britney Breaks Bread
Heirloom tomato soup is a delightful blend of vibrant heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and garlic – simmered to perfection. This comforting classic captures the essence of simplicity with its rich, smooth texture and balanced flavors. Enhanced with coconut milk, basil pesto, and fresh herbs, this heirloom tomato soup recipe will be one that you’ll be making all year long!
French Onion Soup Gratinée
From Le Chef’s Wife
This French Onion Soup Gratinée is perfect for date night. The rich, comforting broth. The ooey-gooey cheese pull. The bits of crispy cheese that stick to the edge of the bowl (you know you eat those too!). I also love the warm conviviality of the dish. It is impossible not to laugh and make mmmmm sounds as you eat French Onion Soup Gratinée. You can’t take yourself too seriously as you are in ecstacy over gobs of cheese. There is a moment of shared experience that brings people closer.
Bread
Goat Cheese Skillet Focaccia
- From Begin with Butter
- Goat Cheese Skillet Focaccia with sun-dried tomatoes is the perfect dish to share with your loved one on Valentine’s Day. The combination of creamy goat cheese, crispy focaccia, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates a truly indulgent and romantic meal.
Sourdough Garlic Bread
From Britney Breaks Bread
Homemade Cheesy Sourdough Garlic Bread is a hearty sliced loaf slathered with butter, garlic, herbs, and cheese, then baked to crisp perfection. Who doesn’t love a cheesy bread full of garlic and herbs?! With a crunchy crust on the outside, and warm buttery goodness on the inside, and an epic cheese pull, this is the perfect appetizer or side to round out any meal!
French Baguette
From Le Chef’s Wife
This is the best quick, easy French Baguette recipe ever! Want to learn how to make the most beautiful, crusty French Baguettes even if you are a complete beginner at baking? This French Baguette recipe will immediately add a “je ne sais quoi” to your meal. The perfect accompaniment to a French cheese board or French charcuterie board.
Special Occasion Cinnamon Roll
From Begin with Butter
Looking to surprise your beloved with a memorable Valentine’s Day breakfast? Indulge their senses with these exquisite Special Occasion Cinnamon Rolls. A delightful and sweet gesture that will surely make their heart flutter with love!
Brioche Dinner Rolls
From Britney Breaks Bread
Brioche Dinner Rolls are soft, pillowy mounds of rich, slightly sweet bread and they are the perfect appetizer, side dish, or snack. You won’t want to pass these brioche rolls at the dinner table because you’ll be too busy hogging them!
Main Courses
Butter Poached Lobster
From Britney Breaks Bread
This Butter Poached Lobster Recipe is the perfect addition to any special occasion. Tender lobster tails poached in buttery sauce full of garlic and fresh herbs and enjoyed with pasta in a creamy white wine sauce. In under an hour, you’ll have juicy and delicious lobster tails, packed with flavor!
Beef Bourguignon
From Le Chef’s Wife
This Beef Bourguignon, or “Boeuf Bourguignon” dish is one of the grand classics of French Cuisine, for good reason. Tender chunks of braised beef that melt in your mouth. A rich, winey sauce that envelops the beef and the supple vegetables. A dish you can’t resist saying “yum” after just one bite – just like in the movie, Julie & Julia.
Beef Osso Buco
From Britney Breaks Bread
I love to gather the family on a cozy Sunday afternoon and enjoy a meal together. Osso buco can hang out in the oven, braising away, while you are at church or running errands. Then it’s simple to pull out a family meal when it’s ready.
Coq au Vin
From Le Chef’s Wife
Coq au Vin sounds fancy but the dish can actually be made rather simply. The chicken is seared, then braised in a rich red wine sauce with bacon, mushrooms and beautiful pearl onions that infuses it with so much flavor, you will say, “mmmmm” with every bite.
Bavette Steak
From Britney Breaks Bread
Bavette steak is a mouth-watering juicy steak that’s flavorful, versatile, and easy to make. It’s marinated in a dijon sauce and topped with a creamy garlic butter sauce for a show-stopping dish that’s perfect for every occasion.
Surf ‘n Turf
From Le Chef’s Wife
Surf ‘n’ Turf, or Steak & Lobster dinner, is a romantic dish to serve to your loved one. An American steak house classic, but this recipe has a French twist with a decadent Champagne, shallot and herb butter that you will want to pour over everything! Not to mention a generous serving of perfectly sautéed haricots verts.
Bone in Ribeye Steak
From Le Chef’s Wife
Do you want to cook a Bone-In Ribeye steak at home that tastes just like it does in a fancy restaurant? This recipe is the best way to cook a steak like a Chef. In this blog post I will share with you a step-by-step guide to making restaurant worthy steaks at home. What better cut to impress your loved ones with than a bone in ribeye steak?
Lobster Mac n Cheese
From Le Chef’s Wife
This recipe makes the absolute creamiest homemade lobster mac and cheese I have ever had. With the addition of lobster, it becomes an elevated comfort dish that you could serve at a chic brunch or dinner party with friends at home.
Filet Mignon
From Le Chef’s Wife
How to cook Filet Mignon like a French Chef. Filet Mignon is one of the most tender cuts of steak and when cooked properly at home feels very luxurious. Le Chef and I enjoy serving steak at home because, like with the Seared Scallops and Leeks in White Wine appetizer, the star of the show is the product. There are no fussy cooking techniques, no long list of ingredients – just simple, really good steak. Less dishes to clean up afterwards and more enjoyment in the cooking process.
Cheese Course
Cheese Board
From Le Chef’s Wife
This post includes everything you need to make a perfect French Cheese board. With a focus on quality, not quantity, a French board is simple to make with a few tips!
Dessert & Cocktails
Baba au Rhum Pound Cake
From Begin with Butter
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with a delightful treat: Baba au Rhum. This exquisite dessert combines a light and fluffy cake, drenched in a sweet syrup with a hint of rum. Indulge in its decadence, as it sets the perfect mood for a truly romantic evening. Show your loved one just how much you care with this truly captivating delight.
Meyer Lemon Tart
From Bakes by Brown Sugar
Creamy, fruity Meyer lemon curd is combined with a nutty sweet crust for an amazingly tasty dessert.
Dessert Charcuterie Board
From Britney Breaks Bread
If you’re looking for a fun way to entertain guests, look no further than this simple dessert charcuterie board. It’s a fun way to combine all of your favorite treats into the easiest dessert ever. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, holiday party, movie night, valentine’s day, or just a girl’s night in – this gorgeous dessert charcuterie board is the perfect addition.
Moelleux au Chocolat
From Le Chef’s Wife
The absolute best Moelleux au chocolat recipe. Moelleux au chocolat is also known as a chocolate lava cake, fondant or as a mi-cuit au chocolat. This recipe, Le Chef’s recipe, makes for a cake that is rich on the outside and decadently gooey on the inside – positively oozing with dark chocolate. The perfect dessert to make for the one you love.
Salted Caramel No-Churn Ice Cream
From Begin with Butter
Not only is Salted Caramel No-Churn Ice Cream a delicious treat, but its rich and indulgent flavors make it the perfect dessert to share with your special someone on Valentine’s Day. With every creamy spoonful, you’ll taste the love and sweetness that this dessert represents, making it a truly romantic choice for the holiday.
Raspberry Cupcakes
From Bakes by Brown Sugar
These raspberry cupcakes are moist, full of delicious raspberry flavor and topped with a creamy tart raspberry buttercream that you’ll absolutely love.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
From Britney Breaks Bread
This glorious chocolate chip cheesecake recipe is a chocolate lovers dream! Creamy smooth cheesecake with chocolate chips in every bite, then topped with a chocolate ganache and whipped cream for the most delicious dessert!
Soufflé au Chocolat
From Le Chef’s Wife
A beautiful rise. A fluffy, flavorful, lighter than air, filling. A dessert that sighs as you delve in to it with your spoon. These are the makings of a perfectly made Soufflé. A French dessert so iconic that all the best restaurants feature one but few people attempt to make them at home. I am going to share with you the best chocolate soufflé recipe – full of Chef’s tips and tricks to succeed at making this intimidating dessert at home. Are you ready to feel like Julia Child in the kitchen?
Red Velvet Cupcakes
From Begin with Butter
Red velvet cupcakes are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day as their rich, decadent flavor and deep red color symbolize love and passion. Additionally, the act of baking them together can be a fun and intimate activity for couples to enjoy on the special day.
Raspberry Shortbread Cookies
From Bakes by Brown Sugar
These easy to make Raspberry Shortbread Cookies are a buttery shortbread cookie filled with freeze-dried raspberries and topped with a ruby chocolate glaze.
Red Velvet Cake
From Bakes by Brown SugarThis delicious red velvet cake is the perfect blend of chocolate flavor, vanilla, and velvety smooth texture, all topped off with a decadent mascarpone frosting
Orange Creamsicle Spritz Cookies
From Begin with Butter
Orange creamsicle spritz cookies are the perfect treat to impress your significant other on Valentine’s Day. The creamy texture and citrus flavor of these cookies make them a delightful and romantic choice for this special occasion.
Limoncello Layer Cake
From Begin with Butter
A slice of Limoncello Layer Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream provides a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors, making it the ideal dessert for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. The delicate layers and beautiful presentation of this decadent cake add an extra touch of romance to any special celebration.
The Easiest Whipped Cream
From Begin with Butter
The Easiest Whipped Cream adds a touch of sweetness and indulgence to any Valentine’s Day dessert. Its light and airy texture is the perfect complement to a romantic evening with your significant other.
Easy Date Night Banana Pudding
From Begin with Butter
Easy Date Night Banana Pudding is a delightful and indulgent dessert perfect for sharing with your significant other on Valentine’s Day. Its creamy texture and sweet banana flavor make it the perfect treat to enjoy while snuggled up with your loved one.
Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce
From Begin with Butter
Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce is the perfect romantic dessert for Valentine’s Day. The smooth and creamy texture of the Panna Cotta coupled with the sweet and tangy flavors of the strawberry sauce creates a delectable and indulgent treat that is sure to impress your significant other.
Kir Royale
From Le Chef’s Wife
The Kir Royale Cocktail is chic, refreshing and romantic. My favorite cocktail, made with champagne and crème de cassis, as seen on the latest season of Emily in Paris.
Simple, Classic Affogato
From Begin with Butter
Affogato is a perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day because it combines the sweetness of gelato with the bitterness of espresso, symbolizing the bittersweet nature of love. Additionally, sharing an affogato with your significant other can be a romantic and intimate bonding experience.
Blood Orange Pound Cake
From Bakes by Brown Sugar
This moist blood orange pound cake recipe is a fun twist on the traditional pound cake and is perfect for anyone who loves blood oranges and their unique taste.
Biscoff Cake
From Begin with Butter
Not only is his biscoff cake delicious and full of flavor, but it also makes for a romantic dessert option for Valentine’s Day. The rich, creamy texture combined with the decadent biscoff cookie crumble is sure to impress your loved one and make for a sweet and memorable evening.
From all of us to all of you, we hope you have an amazing Valentine’s Day celebration with your loved ones!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
BRITNEY BROWN- CHAMBERLAIN
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Britney Breaks Bread began with a passion for food, love of family, and the yearning to create fun and flavorful recipes for everyone to enjoy! I am also an avid traveler and draw inspiration from the foods I’ve eaten all across the world in my own kitchen. My mission is to bring approachable, impressive, and delicious recipes to the dinner table, no matter how experienced the cook!
Since I began my blog in October 2019, I have worked with brands such as Food52, Duluth Trading Company, Sur La Table, and have been featured in The Washington Post, The Pioneer Woman, Buzzfeed and many more!
CHERYL NORRIS
Hello Everyone! My name is Cheryl and I’m the owner and creator of the food blog, Bakes by Brown Sugar. I being this blog out my passion and love for baking and my desire to share recipes with others. My goal is to educate and inspire you with beautiful and tasty baking recipes and to make sure you’re successful in the kitchen. You’ll find everything from a simple buttery shortbread cookie to a beautiful orange tart.
If you like what you see in this recipe roundup please subscribe to Bakes by Brown Sugar Baking Newsletter to get free and delicious treats delivered to your inbox. And connect with me on Instagram and tag me @bakesbybrownsugar to share your recipe remake photos.
SHANI WHISONANT
Hello My Friends! My name is Shani, and I’m the Chief Butter Ambassador and Owner at Begin with Butter and the Begin with Butter Home Baking Academy. It’s my mission to help people become better bakers, whether they’re making one of my recipes or one of the recipes of my esteemed friends! To that end, I’ve created the Begin with Butter Home Baking Academy, where you can learn baking techniques that will help you become a better, more confident baker and have an amazing time! There’s also tons of free content right here on my blog, beginwithbutter.com. Feel free to get cozy with a cup of tea and check it out!
My absolute favorite social circle is on Instagram, but you can find me on YouTube and Facebook as well!
ANINA BELLE GIANNINI
Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (5 and 2) and I have a full time job in hospitality in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that busy people deserve to eat well at home.
I share our French home cooking on Instagram, pinterest and tiktok. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to receive my new recipes and have advance access to cooking classes. I look forward to cooking with you!