3 Valentine's Day Recipes Worth Staying In For 💘

Valentine’s Day is all about a little sweetness, a little sparkle, and maybe even a little indulgence — but that doesn’t mean you have to stray from your goals. These three recipes bring together flavor, fun, and ingredients that let you enjoy every bite while still supporting a balanced lifestyle. From a heart-shaped strawberry flan to a fizzy sorbet sip and a vibrant cake pop bouquet, these treats are delicious, approachable, and made for sharing — or keeping all to yourself. Grab your apron (and your camera), because these are made for both the table and your feed. 💕

💖 Recipe #1 — Strawberry Protein Heart Flan

Highlighted ingredient: Nutricost Strawberry Milkshake Protein

This creamy, dreamy flan gets a subtle protein boost while still keeping that classic, silky texture you expect from a traditional dessert. Baked in a water bath and set in a heart-shaped mold, it’s a showstopper for any Valentine’s spread.

Macros:

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 14–16g 
• Carbs: 55g
• Fat: 16g

Ingredients

Flan Custard

• ¾ cup sugar
  

• 4 eggs
  

• 12 oz evaporated milk
  

• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  

• 1 tablespoon vanilla
  

• 4 oz cream cheese
  

Strawberry Cake Layer

• 1 box strawberry cake mix
  

• Ingredients called for on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, water/milk)
  

• 1–2 scoops Nutricost Strawberry Milkshake Protein
  

Instructions

1. Make the caramel

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ¾ cup sugar until golden brown and smooth, stirring occasionally.
   

2. Carefully pour the hot caramel into greased heart-shaped molds, tilting to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside to harden slightly.
   

2. Prepare the flan custard

1. In a blender, combine eggs, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
   

2. Carefully pour the custard over the set caramel in the molds.
   

3. Bake the flan custard

1. Place the molds in a larger baking dish and add hot water to create a water bath (about halfway up the sides of the molds).
   

2. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
   

3. Let the flan cool slightly while you prepare the cake layer.
   

4. Prepare the strawberry cake layer

1. Preheat oven according to cake mix instructions.
   

2. Prepare the cake batter following the box directions.
   

3. Stir in 1–2 scoops Nutricost Strawberry Milkshake Protein until fully incorporated.
   

5. Add the cake layer and bake together

1. Carefully pour the strawberry cake batter over the baked flan custard in the molds.
   

2. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for an additional 20–25 minutes, until the cake is fully baked and a toothpick inserted in the cake layer comes out clean.
   

3. Allow the combined flan + cake to cool to room temperature.
   

6. Chill and serve

1. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for best texture.
   

2. To serve, run a knife around the edges of the molds and invert onto a serving plate so the caramel tops the flan.
   

3. Optional: garnish with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of strawberry sauce.
   

Tips

• Pouring the custard over caramel first ensures the classic flan top.
  

• Adding the cake batter after the flan is baked creates a distinct cake layer while keeping the custard intact.
  

• Protein in the cake layer boosts nutrition without affecting flavor or texture.

💘 Recipe #2 — Cupid’s Protein Sip

Highlighted ingredient: Nutricost Clear Protein Tropical Punch
Serves: 1

Light, fizzy, and refreshing, this sorbet “float” drink is equal parts dessert and beverage. The Tropical Clear Protein blends smoothly with cold water, then pairs beautifully with tart raspberry sorbet and bubbly Sprite Zero — perfect for a flavorful treat that still supports your goals.

Macros:

• Calories: 150–180
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 18–22g
• Fat: 0g

Ingredients

• 1 scoop Nutricost Clear Protein Tropical Punch
  

• 8 oz cold water
  

• 4–6 oz Sprite Zero
  

• 2–3 scoops raspberry sorbet
  

• Ice (optional)
  

Instructions

1. In a shaker or glass, mix Tropical Clear Protein with 8 oz cold water until fully dissolved. Chill if needed.
   

2. Add 2–3 scoops of raspberry sorbet to a tall glass.
   

3. Slowly pour the protein drink over the sorbet.
   

4. Top with Sprite Zero for fizz.
   

5. Let it foam slightly, stir gently if desired, and enjoy immediately.
   

Tips

• More Sprite = more fizz ✨
  

• Less Sprite = stronger tropical flavor 🌴
  

• Serve very cold for the best float vibe.
  

🌹 Recipe #3 — Sweet Glow Cake Pops

Highlighted ingredient: Nutricost Unflavored Collagen Peptides
Makes: 12 cake pops

These cake pops use strawberry cake mix for a sweet, fruity flavor while still giving a subtle boost from collagen. Once assembled into a bouquet, they double as both a treat and a centerpiece — perfect for sharing or gifting.

Macros:

• Calories: 190–210
• Protein: 4–5g
• Carbs: 26g
• Fat: 9g

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 box strawberry cake mix
  

• Ingredients called for on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, water/milk)
  

• 1-2 scoops Nutricost Unflavored Collagen
  

Binding

• ⅓–½ cup vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  

Coating

• 8–10 oz white, pink or milk chocolate melting wafers
  

• Sprinkles (optional)
  

Instructions

1. Bake the cake

1. Preheat oven according to cake mix instructions.
   

2. Prepare the cake batter following the box directions.
   

3. Stir in 1- 2 scoops Nutricost Unflavored Collagen until fully incorporated.
   

4. Pour into a greased pan and bake as directed on the cake mix box.
   

5. Let the cake cool completely.
   

2. Form the cake pops

1. Crumble the cooled cake into fine crumbs.
   

2. Mix in frosting gradually until dough holds together (not sticky).
   

3. Roll into 12 evenly sized balls.
   

4. Chill for 20–30 minutes.
   

3. Dip & decorate

1. Melt chocolate according to package instructions.
   

2. Dip cake pop sticks into chocolate, then insert into balls.
   

3. Dip fully, tap off excess, add sprinkles if using.
   

4. Let set upright or on parchment paper.
   

Tips

• Collagen is unflavored — it won’t change taste or texture.
  

• Chill between steps for cleaner dipping.
  

• Using strawberry cake mix adds a festive pink color and fruity flavor.