Valentine's Recipes for a Steamy Night In

Staying indoors for Valentine’s day? Sometimes those simple, cuddly nights-in make the best evenings— plus, they're a lot more affordable and easier to plan. And best of all, you don’t need to worry about showing too much PDA (awe!). To help you two get started, I’ve collected my top romantic recipes that are practically too good to share.

Cherry Martini

5 m, 1 serving

1 cup ice cubes

• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) chocolate vodka

• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) cherry vodka

• 1/2 fluid ounce grenadine syrup

• 1 fluid ounce creme de cacao

• 1 fluid ounce half-and-half

• 1 dash chocolate syrup

• 1 maraschino cherry

• 1 chocolate kiss candy-- or candy of choice!

• OPTIONAL: You can a pinch of spice if you’re feeling feisty

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Pour in the chocolate and cherry vodka, grenadine, creme de cacao, half-and-half, and chocolate syrup. Cover and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Finally, garnish with a maraschino cherry, a chocolate kiss and a REAL kiss!

Creamy Bites: Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

6 servings, ready in 40m

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons minced green onion

• 1 cup cooked crab meat (or imitation crab) chopped into bits

• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs or substitute for gluten-free ones

• 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon dry or fresh dill weed

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh button mushrooms without the stems

• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 1/4 cup dry white wine

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet; cook and stir green onions until soft-- about 2 minutes. Place the green onions into a bowl. Then, mix in the crabmeat, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, egg, lemon juice, and dill weed, until it becomes a chunky blob.

3. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter in a large baking dish. Now coat the mushroom caps in butter and inside, fill them with the crab mixture and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese. Your mouth should be watering at this point.

4. Pour white wine into baking dish.

5. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and lightly brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

White Chocolate Fondue

15 m 8 servings

• 1 (12 ounce) package white chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, or more as needed

• 1/4 cup light corn syrup

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Add all ingredients to list

1. Melt white chocolate chips, cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt together in top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently, until smooth and glossy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove fondue from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Cutesy Chocolate Cupcakes

8 servings, ready in 1 hour 20 min

• 1 cup white sugar or stevia (diet :D)

• 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour ( or substitute for gluten-free almond flour)

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup cold, strong, brewed coffee

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch pan. Then, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add egg and vanilla, and beat well. Pour in flour mixture, while alternating with coffee. Beat all together to mix!

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes. And FYI, make sure they’re cooled off before frosting (my favorite part!)