Five Decadent Dessert Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Ok – poo poo Valentine’s Day all you want, but who doesn’t love a day dedicated not only to LOVE but also to CHOCOLATE 🙂

While Danni isn’t really a dessert person (she hasn’t met a crème brûlée she doesn’t like, but other than that, she doesn’t really eat sweets) I, on the other hand love everything about dessert.

Bring on the chocolate, the donuts, the cheesecake, the cupcakes, the tarts – you name it – I LOVE. In fact, the more carbs the better.

AND

If you are at a restaurant with me – please don’t ask me to share my dessert. I REALLY, REALLY want my own!

So – today, in honour of Valentine’s Day we are bringing you FIVE decadent dessert ideas.

Nope – these are not our creations, but let’s face it, when we are looking for ideas, we all check out google. Well – I’ve googled, sampled and tested and these are the five BEST we’ve come up with and all in one place, just for you! We’ve got our vegan friends covered, and one that is pretty kid / family friendly – if your definition of a Valentine’s celebration includes the littles. And guess what? AIR FRYER dessert anyone – yes please?

Read on friends… read on

Air Fryer Mocha Pudding Cakes

How many of you have joined the AIR FRYER craze? Um – everyone?

I’m late to join the obsession, but I do know that if you LOVE your air fryer – you LOVE your air fryer.

I haven’t heard much about the air fryer in terms of dessert, but I’m willing to try anything – especially in the name of SUGAR (and research of course!)

These Air Fryer Mocha Pudding Cakes are number ONE on our five decadent dessert ideas for Valentine’s Day. These are Yum, Yum and Yum – and I’m a sucker for a great, soft, chocolate, pudding cake and an even bigger sucker for a dessert that is quick with an easy clean up. Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year, so this is the perfect after work dessert.

Why not give an air fryer dessert a try this year?

Find the recipe HERE

Nutty Dark Chocolate and Strawberry Chia Jam Cheesecake – VEGAN

Ok – so full disclosure, I am NOT Vegan, or even vegetarian – but hey, we know those of you that are, need a scrumptious dessert for LOVE day too, and we are here for you.

This amazing dish is a must try because it is the brainchild of one of our fav. YYC food bloggers, Food By Maria, and hey – it’s cheesecake – need I say more? I love that this is a vegan recipe that isn’t too crazy difficult, and doesn’t take much time (no soaking the cashews for days on end).

I’m pretty sure this one would be “Danni-Approved!” As a side note, if you are vegan, you should be following Food by Maria. Not only does she offer this wonderful dessert, she’s got lots of other great recipes you will enjoy as well.

FInd the recipe HERE

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Saltine Cracker Toffee – Valentine Version

There may be a few of you that know this recipe all too well. I’ve heard this lovely snack referred to affectionately as “Christmas Crack” but I really love the Valentine spin Kylee from “Kylee Cooks” has given it. Kylee is my perfect definition of a home chef. She just loves to cook, and loves to share that with her followers. Her recipes are made with simple ingredients and seem really doable. I love that.

This Saltine Cracker Toffee is totally simple and cheap to make. I love this kind of recipe because it is totally old school. It’s the mushroom soup casserole of desserts… 🙂

The thing I love about “old favorites” is that you know they will taste delish, and you can pretty much guarantee to please a crowd. Also, this is a fun one to make for teens or young adults and leave on the counter for after school. Totally unexpected, but so FUN!

Ok – this one probably wouldn’t be approved for an everyday after school snack, but on Valentine’s Day – come on Mom, this will be great!

Find the recipe HERE

Featured DESSERT Blog: Handle the Heat

Ok – I know, I know – this is supposed to be 5 decadent dessert ideas for Valentine’s Day – but I have to tell you – I just could not decide which dessert was the most swoon-worthy on this amazing food blogger’s site.

I am fairly new to “HANDLE the HEAT” and I’ll tell you how I happened upon Tessa’s blog.

Being new to AZ, at the beginning of my time here, I received all my news from Canada still. I got updates from CTV and CBC, and still checked in on my food favs in YYC. But as I started to settle in, I realized that I had to really immerse myself in what is going on here, in my new home. As I started to shift, I pointedly visited quite a few blogs – both on the food side, and on the “happenings in AZ” side! Wow – there are a ton of talented people in this valley sharing their passions.

I LOVE Handle the Heat because it is ALL yummy treats and baking – my ultimate weakness. And hey, if you are going to make something sweet – it better be worth the effort, right?

One visit to this site, and you will totally get what I mean, when I said I just could NOT decide on one dessert to feature on the blog. Should it be the Ultimate Nutella Cupcakes? OR what about the Cookie Dough Hearts? Oh never mind – guess what – Tessa has an entire section of her blog dedicated to Valentine’s desserts. And I couldn’t recommend her ideas more…

Find the Valentine’s section HERE

What about your friends Mojo and Moxie??

Not to brag, but hey, we’ve got a few recipes here on the blog that will work for you too – just sayin’

Have you tried our HEALTHY Light Chocolate Mousse recipe?

How about our AMAZING Heart Shaped Chocolate Cake?

No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s Day – make sure you cap it off with a special yummy treat and make sure you share those treats with us by tagging Mojo and Moxie.

Happy Valentine’s Day friends!

“Besides Chocolate, you’re my favorite!”

xx

C

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

We’ve put together our last minute Valentine’s Day gift guide because let’s face it – whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, this year, the people you love might need a little pick me up.

1. Because we all love something sweet

For just about anyone…

I actually LOVE anything sweet – and a new addition to Calgary’s chocolate market has us super excited. We love finding local gems! For a little something sweet why not check out TEN DEGREES CHOCOLATE and their Valentine’s Chocolate Pack. For under $10 you can pick out a cute Valentine’s pick me up for anyone you treasure.

2. Because there is no better time than NOW to learn to cook

For the Young Adult…

I actually picked up this cookbook as a stocking stuffer for my eldest and guess what? A few days ago I actually got a text saying he’s tried a few of the recipes and they were big hits. I figure any book that gets my son into the kitchen MUST be great. And at 21 they don’t really want a Valentine from mom anyways!

BUY: Tasty Adulting – All your fav’s All grown up

3. Because we are all still looking for COZY

For your sleepy teen

Have you heard? I guess these snuggly hoodies are all the rage – a true blanket you can wear 😉 and with temps hitting the high minus 20’s this week here in YYC, we are all about anything that screams “cozy.”

BUY: The Comfy Hoodie

4. Because everyone loves getting jewelry

For your Bestie

Have a friend who is struggling – or just someone you want to show a little extra love to this February 14th? Why not celebrate “Galentine’s Day” this year with a Canadian designer from a local boutique in YYC. Era Style Loft has a ton of great options for your bestie, but the new Jenny Bird Love collection is sweet, edgy and a terrific price point.

Check out the Jenny Bird “All Love Pendant” HERE

5. Because real roses don’t last

For your Mom

Why not surprise your mom this year with a Valentine? Most of us are feeling the distance these days – and who doesn’t love a beautifully packaged candle with a nod to the special Valentine’s rose. Yes please!! Beautifully packaged, what better way to show mom you love her?

Diptyque Limited Edition Roses Candle from Holt Renfrew

6. Because our girls need a little love these days

For the teen / tween girl

At Christmas, I stumbled across a few items I “thought” my teen would love, but when I purchased them – I didn’t realize just what a hit they would be. These days, with all of our time at home, and our teens living a considerably more solitary life, this guided journal – which asks both tough and fun questions is a great way for our teen girls to get out their thoughts and feelings.

Burn After Writing

And – for a little something retro they are sure to love, check out the cool band T’s from Daydreamer

The Doors Band T

7. Because your love deserves some love

A Valentine’s gift for him

While they continue their social distanced entertaining on the back deck (scotch and cigars anyone?), why not some cool “outdoor slippers to keep them warm and trendy? Buy a pair for yourself and join him for a glass of vino alfresco…

Here is our fav (budget friendly!) option:

Union Puffer Slipper

8. Because they deserve to be spoiled too

A Luxe choice for your Valentine

If you feel like splurging (and these days who doesn’t) why not check out this sumptuous unisex scent from Tom Ford.

Lost Cherry

If you have decided your Valentine’s Day will include love notes, heart shaped napkins, and a special meal check out our Easy, Healthy and Light Valentine’s dinner

However you choose to celebrate – take the day to CONSCIOUSLY tell those you love how much they mean to you and hold them close in your heart if you can’t physically. If we’ve learned anything this past year, it is certainly that.

Check out some of our other “Love Day” posts here:

Valentine’s Day as a Mature Couple

FIVE Ways to Connect with your Teen on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day and Chocolate Cake

xx

C

5 Ways to Connect with your Teen on Valentine’s Day

Last year our blog featured an article on keeping the love alive in your relationship – Valentine’s Day as a Mature Couple. This year, we are exploring Five Ways to Connect with your teen this Valentine’s Day.

It is not easy to foster engagement and connection with our teens and young adults. Between the preoccupation with their phones, and keeping up with the latest social media craze (Tik Tok anyone?) most of the time we feel like they really don’t want us around. Sure, they need us to get them from point A to point B (until they have a car of their own) and make sure they are fed, but otherwise, we are left to try and figure out the best way to be a part of their world. So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we have come up with a few fun ideas on ways to connect with your teen.

Cioppino and Chocolate Mousse: Our Easy, Healthy and Light Valentine’s Dinner

We’ve made it to February (whew!) but we still have at least six weeks of winter still to survive so we thought it is probably time to bring out Cioppino and Chocolate Mousse: our easy, healthy and light Valentine’s dinner.

I always love having little things to look forward to at this time of year. Whether it is a dinner with friends, a massage or a drive to Banff for a mini get away – these are the little joys that make those short days and long nights manageable. Also, my husband travels for work a lot, and I have been travelling with our daughter so it also feels like we are ships passing in the night. It might be time for a special dinner?