Photos: Emily J. Davis
Top off Valentine’s Day with scrumptious desserts.
Sometimes staying in is the sweetest way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Take an irresistible sample of our line-up of delicious, local desserts that are takeout-ready and sure to delight dates, kids or anyone else who could use a treat—including you!
Luna’s Specialty Bakery & Café
Check out Luna’s fruit bouquets for something a little less sinful. Choose your price point and the amount of chocolate you’d like incorporated. Or go more traditional with Luna’s full line-up of pies, cupcakes, caramels, cookies and muffins. Call ahead at least three days out for bulk bakery or custom orders and one day for fruit bouquets.
319 Central Ave., Osseo
763.496.1284
Take a trip to Paris—in a box! Patrick’s Passion Cake is a looker, with fruit mousse and vanilla mousse layered up with coconut, cinnamon and almond cake. “It pairs well with red wine,” says catering director Traci Dutcher. “We will also have several other Valentine’s treats available, including heart-shaped cakes and fruit tarts.” Individual Passion Cake $6; Medium (serves 6-8) $36; and Large (serves 10-12) $42. Try to order 24 hours ahead.
12489 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove
763.420.7770
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Is there anything more Minnesotan than a Bundt cake? Celebrate with a traditional cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes made with real butter, real eggs and cream cheese frosting. The brand has earned a cult following nationally, with cakes in a variety of sizes and flavors. Last year, the Maple Grove location offered a chocolate turtle cake variation for the month of February, “made with our signature Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake, then drizzled with caramel and our signature cream cheese frosting,” says manager Bianca Januik. “All our flavors are delectable, but for Valentine’s Day, I feel that our Red Velvet, Chocolate Chocolate Chip or White Chocolate Raspberry are fantastic options. We do offer gluten free options, as well.” Add an optional holiday wrapping, order ahead for guaranteed availability and get a certificate for a free Bundtlet with any $10 purchase on Valentine’s Day.
8085 Wedgewood Lane N., Maple Grove
763.350.3877
Owner Dawn Olson-Wallerus ran a Facebook poll to arrive at this year’s Valentine’s Day feature: Chocolate Cherry Cake with white chocolate buttercream filling, chocolate buttercream frosting, topped with cherries in the shape of a heart. The cake is a Ghirardelli cocoa base with chunks of chopped cherries and cherry juice. The frosting features melted Ghirardelli white chocolate and dark chocolate chips, and “I don’t use any shortening in my frosting, so you don’t get that overly sweet and waxing texture in your mouth,” she explains. Just like many of the other delicacies available from the home-based company, it can be made gluten-free. Order early. “Last year, I filled up about two weeks before Valentine’s Day!” she says.
13793 89th Place N., Maple Grove
612.618.7824
Roxie’s Baked Goods
Roxie’s is a cottage bakery, with beautiful confections made out of the home of certified baker Roxanne Minor. New last year, Roxie and her kids peddled old-fashioned cookies at the Maple Grove Farmers Market, but that’s just about as mainstream as the tiny company gets. For Valentine’s Day, check out the Red Velvet Oreo Truffle Brownie. It’s as decadent as it sounds, and Minor created a from-scratch version instead of the mix suggested by travel bloggers Kevin and Amanda. “We use the best chocolate (dark); the best butter we know (Irish); local, fresh farm eggs and organic whipping cream. We’re always looking for better food coloring, and we have found some made from the pigment of flowers. These really are insanely delicious … come on, just look at them!” Online ordering opened January 13. Pro tip: There’s a 10 percent discount on orders of 10 or more.
6251 Meadowlark Lane N, Maple Grove
763.312.1157
Food Notes
Temper, Temper
“Tempering” chocolate simply means improving its consistency, durability or hardness by heating and cooling it. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have perfectly dippable chocolate to make your own DIY treat.
- Rest a metal bowl on a saucepan with an inch of simmering water in the bottom.
- Reserve ¼ of the chocolate as a “seed” for later. Stir the rest in the pan until smooth.
- Bring the chocolate to 118° F (dark) or 112° F (milk). Add the reserved chocolate, so it brings the temperature down to 89-90° F (dark) or 86-88° F (milk).
- Keep it at temperature with a cool water bath or by reheating. Voila!
The Perfect Pair
What’s dessert without a perfect pour? Bill Princeton, of Princeton’s Liquors, offers recommendations for romantic drinks at home.
Cooper & Thief Bourbon Barrel-aged Red Blend ($24.99)
“This is a dark and jammy red blend that’s loaded with bourbon-inspired flavors and aromas,” Princeton says. “The wine is aged for three months in bourbon barrels, which gives way to soft, velvety tannins with a subtle heat.”
Six Grapes Reserve Porto ($24.95)
There’s a reason port is suggested with dessert. “This is a big-hearted wine, sourced from the same vineyards that contribute to Graham’s famed Vintage Ports … it’s full-bodied, with rich black fruit on the palate, and fragrant blackberry aromas,” he says.
Rose Regale Sparking Red ($19.99)
“Afraid the person across from you doesn’t like Champagne?” Princeton says. This one’s aromatic with hints of raspberry, strawberry and rose petals.
Kringle Cream ($19.99)
“The name isn’t a Christmas reference. Rather, a Kringle is a hand-rolled Danish pastry filled with fruit, nuts and spices and topped with icing. This super-rich liqueur combines the pastry flavor with Wisconsin cream. Reminiscent of milk punch, it’s creamy white, with slightly nutty, butterscotch-y notes. Try it in coffee.”
Robin’s Nest Cocktail
If you just want to mix a cocktail to pair with dessert, Princeton suggests one that uses a local vodka. How local? Brooklyn Park!
- 1 oz. Skaalvenn Vodka
- 1/2 oz. White Creme De Cacao
- 1 oz. cranberry juice
Shake ingredients in a shaker, and strain into a martini glass.
Princeton’s Liquors
12790 Bass Lake Road, Maple Grove
763.559.3257
Facebook: Princeton’s Liquors
