Valentine’s Day 2024: Five Sweet Ways to CelebrateBy Alicia Grimshaw
Nothing says V-Day like a sweet treat. Yes, flowers are great but there’s truly no better day to indulge in a guilty pleasure quite like the holiday of love. Whether you’re doing Galentines/palentines day, wanting to treat your lover or just looking for some solo sweet perfection, we’ve rounded up the best foodie treats for the season.
1. For Doughnuts: Crosstown
What: Crosstown have created four new dough bite flavours to celebrate Valentine’s Day, which can be purchased individually in-store or in gift boxes of 3 or 15 for delivery direct to your door nationwide. New flavours include: Lychee & Cinnamon topped with a delicate cinnamon glaze, Passion Fruit & Chocolate hand-finished with a gold rose petal, Ruby Chocolate & Cherry Liqueur, and Sauvignon Blanc & Strawberry.
Where: Order online
2. For an XXL Pudding: Big Mamma
What: This Valentine‘s Day, Big Mamma is rolling out the pink carpet and polishing Cupid’s bow with its showstopper dessert – ‘Falling in Love with Choux’. A twist on its much-loved XXL profiterole, the Valentine‘s Day special consists of a giant home-made choux bun, filled with homemade fior di latte gelato, topped with fresh raspberry jam and crunchy pink praline, and topped with plenty of chocolate sauce.
Where: Big Mamma’s ‘Falling in Love with Choux’ will be available from 14th – 18th February at each of their restaurants: Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario, Jacuzzi and Carlotta.
3. For a Bakery Range: Gail’s
What: Bid farewell to traditional roses and tuck into GAIL’s buns and biscuits with the bakery’s ‘Buns not Roses’ Valentine’s range. The curated collection includes the Baker’s Breakfast Hamper containing the delicious Cinnamon Bun and the return of their much-loved Hot Lips biscuits (rich chocolate shortbread adorned with raspberry icing, featuring a romantic touch with extracted colours from beetroots, plums, and radishes).
Where: Find your nearest Gail’s here
4. For Love Infused Donuts: DUNKIN’
What:Mark the season with DUNKIN’ UK’s Leaps of Love range. The limited time collection will see the return of the Hazelnut Mocha Latte alongside six brand-new love infused donuts within a limited-edition box and a further two craveable beverages. Thanks to the leap year, you can get your hands on DUNKIN’s latest offerings for that little bit longer with the Leaps of Love range available exclusively from February 1st to February 29th.
Where: Order online
4. For Bakes and Cakes: The Proof
What: The Proof has brought back its Valentine’s Day range with a selection of puddings, cakes and its iconic shag cake. The much-loved profiterole has been sculpted into a heart-shaped wreath, filled with crème Chantilly and topped with silky dark chocolate and decadent gold leaf. There’s also sticky toffee pudding Heart with a rich toffee sauce (vegan option available) and a shaggy heart cake with vintage piping.
Where: Order online
Photo credit: Charlie McKay
5. For Brownies: Ottolenghi
What: Ottolenghi has recently introduced new brownie boxes to its bakery roster, available for delivery to your door. Choose between Ottolenghi’s soft-centred signature Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Gianduja Brownie Box. Or go for the ultimate treat with the Brownie and Bakes box featuring the perfect trio: signature Brownie, Caramelised White Chocolate and Macadamia Cookie, and Brown Butter Oatmeal and Raisin Cookie.
Where: Order online