Chocolate Desserts for Two by Paula Deen - Chocolate Cake and Ganache Recipe

Chocolate Desserts for Two by Paula Deen

Pecan Linzer Cookies with Lingonberry Filling Recipe by gapersblock

Pecan Linzer Cookies with Lingonberry Filling by gapersblock

Chocolate Chip-Almond-Cherry Cups Recipe  by Pillsbury

Chocolate Chip-Almond-Cherry Cups Recipe by Pillsbury

Flourless Chocolate Truffle Torte Recipe by Jamie Schler

Flourless Chocolate Truffle Torte Recipe by Jamie Schler

Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Frosting by thedesertabode

Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Frosting by thedesertabode

Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies by Recipe Boy

Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies by Recipe Boy

Alton Brown's SUGAR COOKIE Recipe at Yum Sugar

Alton Brown‘s SUGAR COOKIE Recipe at Yum Sugar

Heart-Covered Waxed Paper How-To by the Crafty Martha Stewart

Heart-Covered Waxed Paper How-To by the Crafty Martha Stewart

Molten Chocolate Cakes with Raspberries Recipe by FineCooking.com

Molten Chocolate Cakes with Raspberries Recipe by FineCooking.com

Chocolate-Raspberry Hearts Recipe by Pillsbury

Chocolate-Raspberry Hearts Recipe by Pillsbury

White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Cookie Recipe by Grace Filled Hands

White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Cookie Recipe by Grace Filled Hands

XOXO Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe by the Cake Blog

XOXO Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe by the Cake Blog

Mini Whoopie Pies Recipe by Real Moms Guide

Mini Whoopie Pies Recipe by Real Moms Guide

Be My Valentine Heart Shaped Black and White Cookies by Land O Lakes

Be My Valentine Heart Shaped Black and White Cookies by Land O Lakes

I cringe every year when I see the red colored cakes and cupcakes shared on Pinterest. Artificial colors add no nutrition and studies show they’re harmful. That doesn’t mean a dye-free holiday has to mean a blah Valentine’s Day. You can use natural food coloring available online and in stores like Whole Foods. Or use colorful paper, packaging, and toppers instead of nasty food coloring.

Here are my picks of the best dye-free Valentine’s Day goodies I could find on the web. Click on any of the photos to be taken directly to the creator’s website and the recipe and/or instructions. I’ve included Martha Stewart‘s brilliant DIY crafting wax paper tutorial because it turns any baked good into a Valentine’s Day Treat.

See! Your holiday can be cute, fun, and colorful without the harmful synthetic dyes found in most kitchen cupboards. So next time you think about adding red dye to something, remember there are better ways and try beets or natural food coloring instead!