While others might be busy making plans and stressing over their agendas for the evening of February 14th, I’ve turned my attention to the much more laid-back morning of Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s because I’m embracing an early bedtime in the spirit of prioritizing sleep in 2022, but I’d argue that the morning hours just might be the best time for a V-day rendezvous. And, of course, all of that starts with whipping up breakfast in bed for the one you love. (Note: If that’s yourself, the more decadent, the better.) The following recipes will inspire you to give your morning routine a little next-level love. I’m talking about the fluffiest pancakes, the prettiest waffles, and perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing avocado toast you’ve ever seen. Without further ado, here are 15 romantic breakfast in bed ideas that’ll help you show your S.O., or yourself, a whole lot of Valentine’s Day love. Bon appetit!
Feature image by Suruchi Avasthi.
Lemon-Elderflower Waffles from Brit & Co.
Why We Love It: Can it get any more romantic than this? When it’s love that you’re going for, color, comfort, and a little sweetness all come into play. These waffles (and all the best waffles, for that matter) combine a crispy exterior with a chewy bite. For a little added luxury, the recipe instructs you to separate the eggs and mix the yolks until light, pale, and creamy. But it’s the whipped egg whites that make these waffles delightfully fluffy. Of course, a garnish of edible flowers never hurt anyone.
Hero Ingredient: Elderflower liqueur concentrates all the floral beauty of the delicate flowers, mixing in a small nod to spring.
Mini Dill Frittatas
Why We Love It: While my cast iron skillet can do it all, the pan serves a few key purposes: shakshuka, dutch babies (savory and sweet), and my favorite easy brunch recipe: frittata. And while a full-size frittata makes for a simple crowd-pleasing dish, when it’s just you and your partner (or your overnight V-day guest), elegance always wins out. These mini, individual frittatas are a breeze to bake in your muffin pan and the presentation is bound to impress.
Hero Ingredient: Frittatas are the ideal “anything goes” recipe. But if there’s one thing to keep in mind as you’re whipping these up, it’s that your mini frittatas’ final, resulting flavor is fully dependent on buying the highest quality eggs you can find.
Raspberry Croissant French Toast Bake from Damn Delicious
Why We Love It: If you’ve ever tried to make individual servings of French toast for a crowd, you’ve likely committed to never doing it again. This recipe was designed to help you avoid brunch-induced stress at all costs. My favorite thing about this foolproof French toast? You can assemble everything the night before and pop the whole pan in the oven the morning of. Set an alarm, snooze a little more, and you’ll be greeted with a breakfast that’s fluffy, golden, and warm. Domestic bliss, indeed.
Hero Ingredient: After about an hour in the oven, the raspberries get jammy and burst in your mouth with a pop of fruity and tart flavor. Oh, and red? For Valentine’s Day? As everyone’s favorite Meryl Streep villain would say: groundbreaking.
Lemon Chai Cake from Half-Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: Meet my, and soon to be yours, go-to loaf cake recipe. It’s perfect for mid-February when we’re all a little more than ready for the spring season but still want to be cozy and warm with loved ones. And while citrus sweets are expected in the winter, it’s the chai-infused milk that sets this cake apart from its competitors. Pro tip: Don’t let up on the glaze. The cake has a flavor-packed crumb that’s hard to beat, but add to that a lemon-laced icing, and whoever you’re sharing a slice with is sure to be yours for life.
Hero Ingredient: If you have to, search far and wide for Meyer lemons to use in this recipe. They might seem like a nice-to-have, but their sweeter taste mimics a lemon-orange mix of flavor with delicious execution.
Maple Baked Donuts from Killing Thyme
Why We Love It: Nothing beats the morning duo of maple and coffee. With my New England roots near and dear, I’ll take my maple syrup in any and every form, but my favorite by far has been these donuts. They’re cakey, sweet, and perfectly spiced. Be sure to give them a dip in the buttery maple glaze. I’ve never known anyone to say no to a little romance in the form of a delicious donut.
Hero Ingredient: Pecans are the perfect pairing for anything that involves even the smallest hint of maple.
Baked Egg with Ricotta, Thyme & Chervil
Why We Love It: Whenever I go out for breakfast and order eggs for my morning meal, I default to scrambled. It’s more habitual than anything, and though I do love the sunny and soft eggs on top of my toast, I can recognize when it’s time to switch things up. Baked eggs are as easy as any other prep method, but they get a little touch of romantic glamour by being served in small ramekins. My set of white stoneware ramekins is one of my most prized kitchen possessions because of this recipe.
Hero Ingredient: I love that this take on baked eggs dresses things up with a mix of greens, fresh herbs, and lemon zest for a bright, zingy flavor. But if I had to pick one key ingredient (which is harder than it seems), the ricotta does it for me. The soft cheese makes this dish satisfying without weighing you down with the heavy cream that many recipes call for.
Cinnamon Rolls from Love & Lemons
Why We Love It: Cinnamon rolls, while definitely indulgent, can fall into the “just another cinnamon roll” trap. These, my friends, are anything but. They’re gooey, they’re pillowy, they’re buttery, and they’re full of cinnamon flavor. And beneath a thick layer of cream cheese frosting, they’re hard (well, impossible) to turn up. While some of the other recipes are more of a one-baker-in-the-kitchen affair, these are easy and fun to make with another person, letting you both feel proud of what you baked together.
Hero Ingredient: A tablespoon and a half of cinnamon in the filling? That’s not a typo, and believe me, you’ll be happy about the heavy-handed sprinkling of the spice rolled up in every bun.
Lemon Cream Cheese Scones from Two Peas & Their Pod
Why We Love It: Hot take: Scones > any other breakfast baked good. How can I be so confident in making such a bold statement? Easy. Scones balance a dense crumb with tender layers. They’re buttery while also feeling light. And with the lemon flavor brought into every bite of these best-ever scones, I can guarantee these will play a main role in a meal to remember. In other words: perfection.
Hero Ingredient: Some recipes rely on a mix of butter and cream for tenderness. But these scones let cream cheese do the work. Not only that, but the genius substitute takes everything a step further and adds a little tang that’s a perfect match for the lemon’s refreshing flavor.
Old-Fashioned Baked Donuts from Baked by an Introvert
Why We Love It: Proof that you don’t need protective eyewear and a whole quart of frying oil to make donuts at home. These donuts couldn’t be easier, They take little more effort than mixing together a batter, filling your donut pan, and letting the oven do its magic. Plus, a whole lot of vanilla extract, a little pinch of nutmeg, and the dreamiest vanilla glaze give these donuts plenty of old-fashioned flavor.
Hero Ingredient: See note about nutmeg above.
Toasted Coconut Breakfast Porridge from Pinch of Yum
Why We Love It: At first glance, there might not seem to be anything romantic about a bowl of oats. But, look at this recipe a little further (or simply hold a bowl of this porridge in your hands) and you’ll be surprised to find just how sexy the combo of oats and quinoa can be. Seven ingredients plus whatever toppings you want make this recipe unbelievably easy and quick to make. And if you’re like me and make comfort a priority, you’ll quickly begin making this your go-to morning meal. (Hint hint: It pairs perfectly with your favorite pair of pj’s.)
Hero Ingredient: I’m of the opinion that porridge is only as good as its toppings. A little drizzle of honey sends this home.
Easy Apple Coffee Cake from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: PSA: Apple-dominant breakfasts and desserts aren’t just for fall. I love their sweet, juicy flavor throughout the entire cold-weather season. There’s something inherently warming about the magical moment cinnamon and apples meet. Plus, a buttery, crumbly topping? There’s a reason we’ve made it socially acceptable to eat coffee cake before noon. It really doesn’t get more comforting and cozy than this.
Hero Ingredient: Almond flour not only helps this cake stay gluten-free friendly, but it gives a little nutty flavor that ties in beautifully with the apple-y, cinnamon-y bites you won’t be able to get enough of.
Avocado Toast With Egg & Frisée
Why We Love It: Sometimes, you make avocado toast because it’s 9 p.m. on a Thursday and it’s what your cravings are calling for. Other times, you make avocado toast because you want to take the classic combo to the next level. This recipe, my friends, is a beautiful example of the latter case. The formula is simple, but special, and fit for the loved one you’ll be sharing your breakfast with.
Hero Ingredient: Spreading Dijon mustard on each slice of bread before the avocado gives your toast a little heat that’s unexpected, but very (very) welcome.
Super Fluffy Pancakes from Lemons + Zest
Why We Love It: If it’s a thin and crispy pancake you crave, that’s when you order crêpes. But, if you want fluffy, height-defying pancakes stacked in a tower on your plate, you make these. Believe me when I say, they are thick beyond belief. These pancakes may give your fork a little extra work, but trust me, they go down easy.
Hero Ingredient: Some pancakes have to rely on a heavy pour of maple syrup for flavor. But with two tablespoons of lemon zest grated into your batter, your breakfast will taste like pure sunshine (a flavor we’re all craving in the dead of winter).
Whole Roasted Sweet Potato, Two Ways
Why We Love It: Sweet potatoes? For breakfast? You better believe it. This beta-carotene-heavy spud has stolen our hearts, and these are destined to do the same for your S.O. Roasting your potatoes in the oven until they’re soft to the touch makes for a super creamy base for any of the toppings you can dream up. Sweet or savory, here’s what’s certain: You’ll both be pleasantly satisfied and have hours of energy to take on whatever else your V-day calls for.
Hero Ingredient: I’m a sucker for the old-as-time combo of sweet potatoes and sour cream. If you’re vegan, feel free to swap in coconut yogurt instead.
One Bowl Morning Glory Muffins
Why We Love It: When it comes to Morning Glory Muffins, folks either love ‘em or hate ‘em. It’s true, some recipes can seem like a twisted ploy to get you to eat your veggies first thing in the morning. But these muffins are the furthest thing you could get from a salad in disguise. They’re unbelievably moist thanks to a healthy serving of applesauce, maple syrup, and olive oil. Plus, the three (!!) cups of grated fruits and veggies not only boost their nutritional value but give your batter a complex sweetness that’ll have you reaching for a second muffin sooner than you think.
Hero Ingredient: Finishing things off with a few sliced almonds gives your muffins a little crave-worthy crunch.
Which recipes will you be making the morning of the most romantic day of the year?
Breakfast in bed on Valentine’s Day is the best! Love those heart pancakes.
http://www.livinginsteil.com
Love all of these yummy ideas!
Sweet potato scones, s’il vous plaît!
These recipes look so good! I am trying the cinnamon rolls this weekend.