Love-ly chocolate cake recipes for Valentine’s Day.

I don’t know about you, but I’m planning to spend Valentine’s Day with my beloved (of 25 years, ifyoucanbelieveit) right here at home, glass of California bubbly in hand. We enjoy cooking so much—and enjoy cooking together—that it’s a treat to make something just a little fancy on a weeknight.

If you’re planning to dine at home with your Valentine, then you’re no doubt looking for a simple chocolate dessert recipe, maybe even something you can make a day ahead. And I have two ideas to share with you: both decadent and deeply chocolate-y, but not at all difficult to make.

2 chocolate cake recipes for Valentine’s Day

Chocolate hot-fudge pudding cake—See the chocolate-y smudge on the table in the photo at left? That’s the pudding. When this simple chocolate recipe bakes, the cake rises to the top in a layer of brownie-like goodness, while the warm pudding makes a sauce underneath. This chocolate pudding cake wants a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.

Chocolate red wine cake—Deeply flavored, with the rich fruitiness of a good Shiraz (my preference), this simple chocolate bundt cake is all about the romance. Make it a day ahead; the flavors blend nicely over time.