Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us and for those couples choosing to opt for an intimate home cooked meal, a heavenly dessert is sure to set hearts fluttering at the end of the evening. The only danger is that nothing which follows will top it!
Bohemia Restaurant’s Head Pastry Chef Ellen de Jager has given her top tips on creating an indulgent and luxurious dessert to help you impress your loved one. So, here are 5 IDEAL tips on the best Valentine’s Day desserts.
CHOCOLATE IS A WAY TO A WOMAN’S HEART
Sweep your sweetheart off their feet with some traditionally romantic chocolate covered strawberries. Everyone knows that chocolate is the way to a woman’s, and man’s, heart and it is scientifically proven to release happy hormones. Chocolate dipped strawberries are a simple and easy way to finish the meal, but a delicious delight nonetheless. Add a sprinkle of edible glitter, chocolate chips or salted caramel bites for an extra flourish.
NOTHING SAYS ‘I LOVE YOU’ LIKE RED VELVET
Chocolate tends to steal the limelight in the Valentine’s Day dessert stakes, but red velvet is a scrumptious alternative, and still provides the meal’s finish with a hint of cocoa. The ruby red colouring is perfect for Valentine’s Day and red velvet gives you the scope to bake cookies, cakes, brownies and more. Be creative and surprise your other half with a batch of velvety heart-shaped goodies – the time spent baking will be appreciated and really shows you care.
A SPLASH OF ALCOHOL IN YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY SWEETS
Add a sophisticated grown up twist to your recipe with a dash of spirit, bubbly or wine. It is the perfect excuse to add your favourite tipple to a delicious dessert and tastes fantastic paired with chocolate, fruit and more. An easy way bring a touch of the celebratory to the holiday of love, then, is with a sweet and boozy dessert.
IF YOU LIKE IT, THEN YOU SHOULD PUT A MERINGUE ON IT
A meringue-based dessert looks and tastes amazing, and doesn’t require chef-like skills to master. Pop to the supermarket and purchase individual meringue cases and simply crumble the meringue and mix with whipped cream and fresh strawberries to make a traditional English favourite Eton mess. If you are feeling fancier, fill the meringue case with fluffy pink raspberry mousse and top it off with bright red strawberries. With these crunchy and sweet treats, love will certainly be in the air!