6 Valentine’s Dessert Recipes That Love You Back

Whole-food plant-based, gluten-free sweets from Chef AJ—naturally sweetened and made without added oil or refined sugar

Eating well is often misunderstood as giving things up. More restriction. Fewer options. Less joy.

But anyone who has spent time with whole-food plant-based (WFPB) cooking knows that the opposite is often true. When familiar favorites are made with better ingredients, many people find they enjoy them even more.

We feel that way about the recipes listed below, all of which come from Chef AJ. Her desserts are not about deprivation or perfection. They are about taking the foods people already love and reimagining them in a way that supports long-term health while still feeling deeply satisfying.

Valentine’s Day offers a perfect opportunity to lean into that. Even if you do not have much of a sweet tooth yourself, chances are someone in your life does. And few gestures say “I love you” more clearly than a homemade treat made with care.

Several of these recipes, and many more like them, are featured in Chef AJ’s newest cookbook, Sweet Indulgence.

1. Chef AJ’s World-Famous German Chocolate Cake

This cake has become something of a legend in the plant-based community. Rich chocolate layers and a coconut-forward topping make it feel every bit as celebratory as the traditional version.

What surprises many people is how satisfying it is without relying on refined sugar or added fat. Sweetness comes from whole ingredients like dates and applesauce, creating a dessert that feels familiar and special at the same time.

It is the kind of cake people remember, and often request again.

2. Chocolate FUNdue

Fondue naturally invites connection. It slows things down and brings people together around the table.

Chef AJ’s Chocolate FUNdue keeps that experience intact while simplifying the ingredients. Cocoa powder, nut butter, and date paste come together into a rich, dippable chocolate that pairs beautifully with fresh fruit.

It is easy to prepare, fun to share, and perfect for an unhurried Valentine’s evening.

3. Raspberry Coulis

Sometimes the smallest addition makes the biggest difference. This raspberry coulis adds brightness, color, and a burst of fruit-forward flavor to nearly any dessert.

Drizzled over cake, brownies, or banana nice cream, it turns simple dishes into something that feels intentional and elegant. Once you make it, you will likely find yourself reaching for it well beyond Valentine’s Day.

4. Sweet Potato Sundae

This is one of those recipes that shifts expectations. By roasting, chilling, and air frying sweet potatoes, Chef AJ brings out flavors comparable to toasted marshmallow.

Paired with banana nice cream and berries, the result is comforting, subtly sweet, and deeply satisfying. It is a reminder that whole foods, when prepared well, can be made to feel indulgent too.

5. Outrageous Brownies

Dense, fudgy, and unapologetically chocolatey, these brownies are often the recipe that changes minds.

Black beans provide structure and moisture, while dates and cocoa powder deliver richness. Most people never guess what is in them, and that is part of the fun.

They are ideal for sharing with friends or family who may be skeptical of healthy, plant-based desserts.

6. Snickerdoodles

Warm cinnamon and vanilla make these cookies feel familiar from the first bite. Dates provide gentle sweetness, and the texture is soft and comforting.

They are easy to make, perfect to gift, and well suited to cozy winter evenings.

Cook with Chef AJ Live on February 10

Join us to cook along with Chef AJ during her live lecture and cooking demo on February 10: Sweets for Your Sweetheart.

During the event, she will demonstrate:

• Mint Chocolate Mousse Torte

• Thumbprint Cookies

• Key Lime Snowballs

• Desert Date Shake

Click here to register! After the event, the full recording will be available in the RLMI Community.

Chef AJ will also share her broader philosophy on joyful, sustainable eating, a topic she recently discussed in an interview with RLMI founder, Ted Barnett, MD, FACLM.

A Different Way to Think About Dessert

Healthy eating does not have to mean leaving beloved foods behind. Often, it simply means learning how to make them differently.

These desserts offer a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with intention, generosity, and enjoyment.

Sometimes, the most meaningful treats are the ones that leave everyone feeling good long after the last bite.

Find more WFPB Recipes of all kinds inside the RLMI Community, and fall in love with healthy eating.