10 Best Valentine's Day Recipes For A Perfect Date

If you’re wanting to chef it up with your partner this Valentine’s Day, you’ve come to the right place.

Here at Universal, we’ve put together this guide on the best recipes you need to make for the perfect date.

Forget about forking out on a fancy meal together or struggling to get a dinner reservation for Feb 14th, cook from the heart and maybe even share a few cheeky cocktails from the comfort of your student flat.

There’s recipes for every couple in this guide from red velvet cupcakes to romantic cocktails to strawberry cinnamon rolls to vodka pasta to Oreo truffles, be sure to take a read!

If romance is in the air, food is in the oven…

valentines day recipes

1. Red Velvet Cupcakes

It wouldn’t be a list of Valentine’s Day recipes without including some red velvet cupcakes!

They’re just the best and an utterly romantic dessert.

If you and your significant other are after a real treat to cook up for the big day, why not try out this gorgeous recipe which is super soft and velvety?

We’ve done inspo from TikTok user @kaotickrunch for this one, here’s what you’ll need to make it and how you can make this PERFECTION.

Ingredients: 

  • 163 g (1 1/4 cup) Plain flour/all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp (6 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 57 g (1/4 cup) Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 70 g (1/3 cup) vegetable oil
  • 120 g (1/2 cup) buttermilk
  • 1/2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 150 g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs (UK-medium size) (weight without shell = 100 g), at room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 – 1 tsp Red food gel colour

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting: 

  • 113 g (1/2 cup) Unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 226 g Cold Cream cheese (straight from the fridge)
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 195 g (1 + 1/2 cup) Icing sugar/powdered sugar, sifted

You can watch a simple step by step video on how to make these delicious cupcakes on TikTok.

We’re sure you and your loved one will really enjoy these cakes, they’re the perfect dessert to enjoy whilst watching your fave film!

Red Velvet Cupcakes 

2. Penne Alla Vodka

For the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner for you and your partner, cook up some Penne Alla Vodka.

Since the viral TikTok recipe first hit our for you page, we haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

This delicious dish is a classic pasta tossed in a rich creamy sauce and vodka.

Although, you can make it with or without vodka.

Whilst the recipe itself wasn’t created by Gigi Hadid, it’s been ever popular since the model shared it on Insta, and we can sure see why.

It’s easy to make and tastes unreal, here’s how you can make it for yourself!

Ingredients: 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 banana shallot or ½ onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ¼ tsp chilli flakes
  • 100g tomato purée
  • 5 tbsp vodka
  • 100ml double cream
  • 200g penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 30g grated parmesan or vegetarian alternative, plus extra to serve
  • small handful of basil leaves, to serve

If you’re wanting to make this home cooked meal for your date night this Valentine’s, head over to the BBC Foods website.

Penne Alla Vodka

3. Valentine’s Day Cocktail

If you’re wanting a romantic evening with your partner, try bringing the bar to you and make some Valentine’s Day cocktails together!

Not only will you save some money on buying drinks out and about, but it’s also a great activity to do with your valentine.

Have some laughs, release your inner bartender and see what creations you can come up with.

We’ve got the ideal cocktail if you’re needing some inspiration, check out what you’ll need to make a ruby-red tipple below!

Ingredients:

  • 150ml cranberry juice
  • 1 tsp grenadine
  • 50ml vodka
  • handful of ice
  • 1 lime wedge
  • 4 raspberries
  • chilled prosecco or sparkling wine, to top up

If you’re not the most talented of cocktail creators, don’t worry as BBC Good Foods has a whole method for making it on their website!

Valentine's Day cocktail

4. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like some chocolate dipped strawberries, right?

We mean, they’re the perfect combination of healthy and well, not so healthy.

You can’t go wrong with this classy and romantic treat to enjoy after your dinner or to give as a gift!

Lucky for you, we’ve got just the recipe for you and that special someone to make this Valentine’s from TikTok creator @sugargeekshow.

The best part? This comforting pudding can be ready in 20 minutes.

Everything you’ll need:

  • 24 medium (288 g) strawberries
  • 227g semi-sweet chocolate chopped finely
  • 227g milk chocolate
  • 227g white chocolate
  • 946g cool water
  • 255g white vinegar

Not the best baker? Check out this step by step video to see how to make your own recipe.

Just an FYI, you’ll be craving them after watching!

chocolate covered strawberries valentines day recipes

5. Steak With Diane Sauce

Next in our post to Valentines Day recipes is this steak with Diane sauce, the perfect dish to impress your partner!

If you haven’t made steak with Diane sauce before, it’s a sauce made from the seasoned pan juices and it tastes amaaazing.

Steak is one of those dishes you associate with a special occasion, or an absolute banging dinner.

So, why not show off your cooking skills this V Day and try this recipe?

Bonus points is that it only takes half an hour to make!

Ingredients: 

  • 4 (6-ounce) center cut beef tenderloin steaks or another cut of your choice
  • Salt
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup finely minced shallots
  • 4 tablespoons cognac or brandy
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped

If you’re not quite Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen, check out the full recipe from Simply Recipes.

Steak With Diane Sauce valentine's day recipes

6. Coconut Curry Chicken

For an impressive home cooked meal, this coconut curry chicken is a great option.

If your significant other loves Indian cuisine then they’ll be in heaven with this curry which is packed with flavour.

Plus, it’s fairly hassle-free to make if you’re not a pro-chef and can be ready in no time at all!

Ingredients: 

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts (skinless and boneless, cut into bite size pieces)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 14 ounce coconut milk (1 can)
  • 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes (1 can)
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)

Skip ordering in a takeaway, you’ve got your romantic meal sorted with our help.

For instructions on how to make this hearty dish, check out the Jo Cooks site.

coconut curry chicken valentine's day recipes

7. Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls

Forget about splashing the cash on Cinnabon this V Day, you can whip up your own homemade cinnamon rolls.

We’re absolutely living for this strawberry cinnamon rolls recipe from TikTok creator @homemeide.

So, it’s only right to share it with you love birds out there.

This is a must bake (get it?) recipe that you really need to make for that special someone.

Whether it’s for a delicious breakfast or an after dinner treat, they’ll fall in love with you all over again!

Everything You’ll Need: 

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp instant dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 2 egg filling
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 2 tbsp (or more) cinnamon
  • 1/2 – 1 cup of diced strawberries
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tbsp butter softened
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk

If you’re wanting to get stuck in and make this gorgeous and easy to follow recipe, give the TikTok video a watch.

strawberry cinnamon rolls valentine's day recipes

8. Salt and Pepper Squid

For a flavourful seafood starter or to accompany a meal, you need to try this Salt and Pepper Squid recipe.

Salt and Pepper dishes are taking the world by storm in recent years, but one which really stands out to cook for V Day is calamari.

This batter-coated, deep-fried squid with a Chinese spice mixture by Jamie Oliver is just unreal for you and your partner to feast upon.

Pssst, you can get salt and pepper spice mixes from the likes of Home Bargains or B&M – it tastes like a Chinese takeaway!

Here’s how you can make it…

Ingredients: 

  • ½ a bunch of fresh mint , (15g)
  • 4 spring onions
  • 8 medium whole squid , (500g), gutted, cleaned, from sustainable sources
  • vegetable oil , for frying
  • white pepper
  • 100 g plain flour
  • 1 small handful of fresh mixed-colour chillies
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon white or red wine vinegar

This Valentine’s Day recipe takes a little longer to cook, so be prepared to spend around 45 minutes in the kitchen.

Although, it’s worth it for the end result!

If you’re not sure where to start, check out the Jamie Oliver website to find out how you can make this crispy delicacy.

salt and pepper squid valentine's day recipes

9.  Biscoff French Toast

Few things in life are better than breakfast in bed with your partner, don’t you agree?

Well, you can kickstart Valentine’s Day the right way with this flavourful Biscoff French Toast recipe – thank us later!

It can be ready in under 10 minutes and doesn’t require too many ingredients, which is an absolute dream if you don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen.

Instead, you can have that all-important quality time with your significant other.

Ingredients: 

  • 4 bread slices
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter for the pan
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons Biscoff cookie spread + more for topping

For instructions on how to make the perfect brunch dish or heartwarming snack, head on over to the Yummy Notes website.

Biscoff french toast valentine's day recipes

10. Oreo Truffles

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you!

For the ultimate sugary treat, bake up some oreo truffles this Valentine’s Day.

This is such a cute alternative rather than buying a store bought baked treat for your partner, and it’s easy and fun to make with only 3 ingredients – what a winner.

Our favourite Oreo truffles recipe is by TikToker @moribyan, you can find out below what you’ll need to make it yourself.

Ingredients: 

  • 54 Oreos
  • 12 ounces cream cheese softened
  • chocolate
  • sprinkles

This recipe is the perfect treat and if you’re unsure on how to make it, go give the TikTok video a watch.

You can even make them into heart shaped truffles if you’re wanting to really get the romantic vibes flowing this V Day!

Oreo Truffles valentine's day recipes

For an oh-so romantic Valentine’s Day in 2023, try out these recipes for your date night.

We’re sure your partner will love them and really appreciate the time and effort you’ve put in!

Enjoy your special day love birds, and don’t forget to show us your Valentine’s Day recipes @universalstudentliving. 

We all love a dinner without the faff, right? Check out our guide on lazy dinner ideas for some inspiration!

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