Valentine's Dessert Board With Chocolate Fondue

As Valentine's Day approaches, you may need some inspiration to jazz up the tired — but always reliable — chocolate-covered strawberries that inevitably find their way to your table when this holiday rolls around. (Not that there's anything wrong with them. We're just saying, there are other sweet treats to indulge in this Feb. 14.)

This year, try this twist on a dessert board with two types of chocolate fondue — why have one when you can have two? — and plenty of treats for dipping. It's the perfect way to surprise your loved one during your Valentine's Day at home. It also has enough goodies to share with your friends at your Galentine's Day party. Whichever you celebrate, don't forget the cocktails!

I made two fondues for this dessert board, white chocolate, and my favorite, milk chocolate. Then, I filled the board up with all kinds of Valentine's treats that are perfect for dipping, such as cookies and mini donuts. I know I said chocolate-covered strawberries were a bit blasé, but that doesn't mean they're not delicious. Go ahead and add extra chocolate with chocolate-dipped strawberries from our sister brand, Shari's Berries. None of these require preparation; they can go straight from box to board.

The rest of the items require a bit of work — if you consider preparing your favorite fruits to dip into warm, melty chocolate “work." My favorites are bananas, cherries, and cute apples that are ripe for showing your love this Valentine's Day. I also like to include pretzels since they add a, well, salty and crunchy component. I added some decadent cake bites to the board for an extra dose of chocolate, and they pair so well with the salty pretzels. You need the salt to balance all this sweetness.

The best part of a chocolate fondue board is that every snack you include works. Valentine's Day is about treating yourself and your loved ones, so make the board up just how you like. Depending on who you're celebrating with, you can also whip up a few cherry martinis.