Valentine’s Day: 17 recipes for chocolate lovers

This recipe for spicy cherry chocolate brownies delivers a little kick.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

This recipe for s’mores cupcakes brings together the perfect mix of textures and flavors in a dessert.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

This recipe for meringue layer cake features layers of cloud-like meringue and sweet chocolate.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

This recipe for chocolate-y, red velvet cupcakes actually clocks in at less than 150 calories, for those watching their figure.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Make your own Nutella with this recipe for chocolate hazelnut spread.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

It’s as if Lawry’s took everyone’s favorite flavors and combined them in an easy-to-make dessert, with Nutella, chocolate, espresso and Kahlua liqueur folded into a mousse. And the best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes.
Recipe: Lawry’s Nutella chocolate espresso Kahlua mousse
  (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

Recipe: Warm chocolate bread pudding

This rich and creamy dessert delivers chocolate accented with a hint of port. Recipe: Frozen chocolate zabaglione

Wow your date with this bittersweet chocolate tartufo with olive oil gelato and olive oil-fried croutons.   (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

Rich custard filling is flavored with bourbon, chocolate and nuts in this recipe for bourbon chocolate pie.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Recipe: Julienne’s double-chocolate espresso walnut cookies

This recipe for chocolate cake includes a heavenly chocolate ganache filling.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Recipe for an irresistible Mexican hot chocolate.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)