45 Valentine’s Day Comfort Foods

Chocolate Comfort Cake

This moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for holiday dinners. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Also, treat your sweetie to one of these decadent Valentine’s Day desserts and you’ll capture their heart forever.

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Horseradish-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

Wow friends and family with this tender beef encased in a golden horseradish crust. Roasted garlic boosts the robust flavor even more. —Laura Bagozzi, Dublin, Ohio

Check out these romantic Valentine’s Day dinners to make at home.

Tuxedo Strawberries

Dress up special occasions with these high-fashion fruit treats! The strawberries are easy to decorate, and folks love them. —Gisella Sellers, Seminole, Florida

How sweet are these Valentine’s day cookies?

Pork Chops ‘n’ Pierogi

The Polish dumplings are traditionally served as a meal, with applesauce or sour cream. This meal in one is a different way to use pierogi. —Greta Igl, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Double Chocolate Martini

Is it a beverage or a dessert? Don't let its looks fool you: This chocolate martini recipe is potent but good! —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona

Valentine’s Day recipes should be sweet and festive—and all these pink treats fit the bill.

Swiss Potato Puffs

Encourage guests to mingle by serving these cute little morsels. They’re transportable, mess-free and easy to eat in a few bites. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Raspberry Meringue Hearts

Here’s a lovely dessert that your guests will think is almost too pretty to eat! I love the graceful heart shape of the raspberry meringue. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah

Wendy's Apple Pomegranate Salad

My grandparents grew pomegranates, pecans and walnuts and would send us some each year. Some of my best memories are the days I used to spend with my grandmother learning how to cook with her. Whenever I make this, it's like having lunch with my grandmother again. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

Chocolate Espresso-Nut Torte

I love chocolate and nuts, and they come together deliciously in this torte. Serve it with sweetened whipped cream or your favorite ice cream. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Mother's Rolls

These golden cloverleaf dinner rolls were one of my mother's specialties. We always looked forward to them on holidays and special occasions. —Patricia Baxter, Great Bend, Kansas

Crab and Asparagus Soup

I get rave reviews from family and friends whenever I make this soup, but the biggest compliment was when my son called to ask for the recipe so he could make it for his roommates. —Patti Bogetti, Magnolia, Delaware

Conversation Cupcakes

Enjoy frosting sweet sentiments onto these Valentine cupcakes by baking a batch ahead of time using no-fuss cake mix. You don’t even need a heart-shaped muffin tin to make them. — Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Your sweetie will love these other Valentine’s Day cupcakes.

Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee

This decadent drink can stand alone as a final course or as a complement to dessert. Our family loves it for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio

Cherry Hand Pies

There's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts

We love to entertain, this is one of my favorite ‘special’ recipes to welcome dinner guests. The nuts add an elegant touch, and it fills the house with a great aroma. —Penny Davis, Newman Lake, Washington

After dinner, serve some of these Valentine’s Day desserts.

Valentine Cutouts

Cool, fruity and creamy, these gelatin valentine cut outs are noticeably richer than plain gelatin. They're a fun finger food that can be easily cut into whichever shape you'd like for any holiday or theme. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia

Slow-Cooker Chocolate Pots de Creme

Lunch on the go just got a whole lot sweeter. Tuck the jars of rich chocolate custard into lunch bags for a midday treat. These portable desserts are fun for picnics too. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Pork and Red Wine Sauce

Is there any dish cozier than tenderloin with red wine sauce? This one is an easy option when you need a quick dinner that still feels like a full meal.

Vanilla Bean Fizz

A homemade vanilla bean syrup from our home economists fabulously flavors Champagne. The bubbly beverage is ideal for holidays throughout the year.

Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad

Sweet, tangy and bursting with the fresh flavors of summer, this easy strawberry poppy seed salad is a gorgeous, versatile side dish to serve the second warm weather arrives.

Spice-Crusted Steaks with Cherry Sauce

If you’re hosting meat lovers, these impressive cast-iron skillet steaks are guaranteed to please. They’re perfect for a special-occasion dinner without too much fuss. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Our triple chocolate mousse cake is a treat that impresses without fuss. With a sweet cookie crust and layers of bittersweet, milk and white chocolate mousse, this dessert is easy to make and loved by all.

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Pancetta

Classic American mashed potatoes take a trip to Italy with the flavors of olive oil, garlic, and pancetta. —Bryan Kennedy, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Lobster Tail

Learn how to cook lobster tail at home with this simple recipe. You don't have to visit a restaurant for a rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

White Chocolate-Strawberry Tiramisu

Our strawberry tiramisu recipe is a twist on a classic tiramisu, using ladyfingers as the base structure for a delicious dessert with flavors reminiscent of a strawberry cassata cake. Fresh strawberries are the star of this tasty treat that's topped with creamy layers of luscious flavor. Be forewarned; you may want to keep the entire dessert for yourself!

Turkey Cordon Bleu with Alfredo Sauce

For our annual Kentucky Derby party I wanted to create a twist on a traditional Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, and my turkey cordon bleu was born. The turkey is tender and flavorful, full of smoky ham and melted cheese, but the crispy bacon really sets the dish off. —Sandy Komisarek, Swanton, Ohio

Chocolate Mousse

Our favorite chocolate mousse recipe makes a light, fluffy, rich showstopper of a dessert.

Caramelized Pork Tenderloin

This is the best pork tenderloin recipe! It is a little bit savory and a little bit sweet, and best of all, tastes grilled even though you made it on the stovetop. —Debi Arone, Fort Collins, Colorado

Hot Cocoa

Making this hot cocoa recipe from scratch is almost as easy as preparing a store-bought version—but it turns out even more delicious.

Shrimp Marinara

Cozy up to this simple shrimp marinara that comes together in a snap in your slow cooker.

Chocolate Pecan Fondue

When our kids have friends sleep over, I like to surprise them with this chocolate treat. Our favorite dippers include fruit, marshmallows, cookies and pound cake. —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia

Traditional Cheesecake

Looking for an easy cheesecake recipe that’s luscious on the palate and super simple to make? This one’s exactly that—just 20 minutes of prep and no water bath needed. This one’s perfect to make ahead of time and bring to a gathering.

Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes

These cute stacks really stand out in a holiday appetizer buffet. Tasty, cool and crunchy, they come together in a snap. —Ashley Nochlin, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Rustic Fruit Tart

My husband and I love pie, but we can't eat a whole 9-inch pie by ourselves. So I make these easy tarts using rhubarb and raspberries picked at home. Sometimes I substitute apples, peaches or our garden blueberries for the rhubarb. —Naomi Olson Hamilton, Michigan

Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

You’ll love the freshness from the parsley and thyme in these little cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Our family loves them! —Rachel Reed, Gainesville, Georgia

Broadway Brownie Bars

I named these dessert bars for Broadway because they're a hit every time I serve them. I especially like to make them as a gift for anyone with a sweet tooth! —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York

Salted Dark Chocolate Tart

When I was little, my grandpa always had a bag of caramels in his truck and a few in his pocket. Whether we were camping or going to a movie, I enjoyed sharing caramels with him. Now I try to put caramel in as many of my desserts as possible, including this sweet and salty tart. —Leah Tackitt, Austin, Texas

Flank Steak Pinwheels

The secret to these pretty flank steak pinwheels lies in their butterfly treatment. Because the steaks are flattened, marinade isn’t need. Instead, they’re filled with a colorful stuffing of red pepper and spinach and draped with a flavorful, homemade blue cheese sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Parmesan Risotto

Parmesan risotto is a good way to get your feet wet if you love risotto, but have been too intimidated to make it at home. It's a relatively simple recipe, so you can focus on getting the technique right.

Amaretto Cherries with Dumplings

You can't beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer

Conveniently, a pitcher of this non-alcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Neapolitan Cheesecake

This rich, creamy cheesecake is a crowd-pleasing standout. It has won first-place ribbons at numerous fairs and is my family’s favorite dessert. It’s an indulgence sure to elicit oohs and aahs when served to guests. —Sherri Regalbuto, Carp, Ontario

Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast

This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Strawberry Tart

Showcase those farm-fresh, red-to-the-core summer berries with this outstanding strawberry tart.

Traditional New England Clam Chowder

I left a cruise ship with a great souvenir...the recipe for this splendid chowder! It's a traditional soup that stands the test of time. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario