As the end note to a Valentine's Day steak dinner, choose desserts that balance the steak's richness without being too heavy. Opt for rich chocolate desserts, indulgent classics like crème brûlée and cheesecake, or elegant fruit-based desserts.
Quick Answer
Whether it's a steak grilled in butter and herbs or a lush steak salad, I recommend desserts that feel luxurious and indulgent, but that won't overwhelm. Think of things like molten chocolate lava cake, crème brûlée, or chocolate-covered strawberries, or light, fruity desserts like berry tarts or panna cotta. Avoid heavy or dense desserts.
Best Valentine's Day Desserts After Steak
Rich Chocolate Options
- Molten Lava Cake: Dramatic presentation and rich chocolatey goodness, and pairs nicely with coffee cocktails and vanilla ice cream.
- Chocolate Mousse: Light and airy, yet Indulgent without being overly heavy.
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: These are a Valentine's classic, and are a great make-ahead option.
- Chocolate Pavlova: Pavlovas are airy and delicate, but ours has added richness from Nutella, a fresh cream topping, seasonal berries, and shaved chocolate
Elegant French Classics
- Crème Brûlée: Always a beautiful presentation, and the caramelized sugar top provides some delicious textural contrast. As a bonus, it's make-ahead friendly
- Chocolate soufflé: Always impressive, but I'd say to skip this unless you are a soufflé pro, since a lot can go wrong for soufflé first-timers. And even for pros, timing is a headache - as in you'll need to bake it while eating dinner.
- Profiteroles: These are ice cream-filled light choux pastry drizzled with chocolate.
Fruit-Forward Options
- Strawberry Shortcake: Fresh berries, fresh whipped cream, and light-yellow cake make for a light and festive end to the meal.
- Strawberry & Cream Layer Cake: For a richer version of strawberry shortcake, our layer cake will steal the spotlight.
- Berry Tarts: Beautiful presentation, and pairs especially well with champagne.
- Poached Pears: Elegant, not too sweet, and always sophisticated.
Creamy Indulgences
- Cheesecake: My personal favorite on the list. Rich, smooth, and decadent without being overwhelming. I'd opt for either berry-topped or chocolate shell.
- Panna Cotta: A silky Italian custard that's lighter than cheesecake. Works nicely with fruit toppings.
- Tiramisu: Indulgent yet light. As a nice bonus, the coffee flavor works as a palate cleanser.
Tips for Best Results
- Consider Timing: I recommend make-ahead desserts like crème brûlée or cheesecake to avoid kitchen stress. Less time in the kitchen, more time for what matters.
- Balance Richness: After a heavy steak with sides, lighter desserts or fruit-forward desserts prevent making the meal too heavy. Basically, think of chocolate mousse rather than dense chocolate cake.
- Presentation Matters: Valentine's Day calls for elegance, and that means not skimping on presentation. Use fresh berries, mint leaves, or edible flowers as a garnish, no matter what's for dessert. Serve on your nicest plates with whipped cream and sauce drizzles. My wine syrup is a go-to for exactly this.
- Wine Pairing: Valentine's Day means dessert wines. A quality Port, late-harvest Riesling, or Champagne are must-haves. Match wine sweetness to dessert sweetness.
- Temperature Contrast: Our palates love contrast, and that holds true to temperature contrast. Pair warm desserts (lava cake, soufflé) with ice cream to create a temperature contrast on the palate.
Bottom Line
Choose desserts that feel luxurious and romantic without being too heavy. Chocolate, berries, and French classics are your best bets for a memorable Valentine's dinner.
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