If the way to your heart is through judicious amounts of sugar, then we have just the guide for you. Here's our pick of the loveliest looking (and tasting) Valentine's treats hitting London this month.
Valentine's cakes at Birley Bakery
28-30 Cale Street, London SW3 3QU
This newish Chelsea bakery has a special Valentine's bake (£18) featuring a pair of heart-shaped cakes. One is pecan and raspberry, with a nutty, crunchy base, and a roasted pecan sponge. The second cake is vegan with a crunchy chocolate base, layered with a vegan chocolate mousse and ganache. Both are topped with white chocolate hearts.
Bagel Factory's heart bagels
Across London
Start the morning on a loved-up high with this Valentine's bagel from the Bagel Factory. On offer from 5-18 February they're a mix of half sesame and half plain bagel made with red bread to add a touch of romance and filled with Nutella and strawberries. They're £4.39 for takeaway and £5.27 for eat-in (at Liverpool Street only).
Valentine Entremet at The Connaught Patisserie
The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
Pastry chef Nicolas Rouzaud's loved-up offering is a cake made with chocolate mousse, chocolate nibs crème brulee, hazelnut praline, chocolate sponge and hukambi chantilly. It's £38 and available from 12-18 February to take away.
Heartbreaker Cakes at Chin Chin Labs
Soho and Camden
To get personal this Valentine's you'll need to head over to Chin Chin Labs where they're taking orders for heartbreaker cakes - chocolate sponge sandwiched with peanut butter buttercream and covered in a chocolate glaze. Each cake is hand-piped with personalised messages by the chefs. A box of four cakes is £22 or eight for £44.
Valentine's Babka from Honey & Co
Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury
Fall in love with Honey & Co's limited edition babka for Valentine’s Day. It's made with cardamom cream and their house raspberry jam, then topped with rose petals and packed in a special Honey & Co. signature print tin. Pre-orders are £35.
Loved-up mochi donuts at Japan Centre
Westfield London and Leicester Square
Both the Japan Centre food halls are going to be selling a limited edition dessert for Valentine's. Their ‘Love at First Bite’ strawberry glaze mochi donuts are decorated with pink hearts and sprinkles and will cost £3.99. They're going to be available at Ichiba Westfield London and Japan Centre Leicester Square until 29 February.
Strawberry toadstool at Harry's
27-31 Basil Street, London SW3 1BB
At Harry’s, their always-on toadstool dessert has had a Valentine's makeover. It's currently a sharing plate of white chocolate, strawberries mascarpone mousse, with iced vanilla parfait and chocolate biscotti crunch served with strawberry ice cream cones and warm pistachio sauce.
Valentine's dough bites from Crosstown
Across London
For the festival of love, Crosstown have four special dough bite flavours - lychee & cinnamon, passionfruit with chocolate, ruby chocolate and cherry liquor and sauvignon blanc and strawberry. Get a box of bites to share with your loved one (or have them all yourself). Vegan and alcohol-free options are also available.
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