Normally, London's bakeries, cafes, and restaurants have a few cute Valentine's Day treats on offer to customers looking for a treat for someone special or to treat themselves. This year, some of those bakeries and cafes remain closed due to the pandemic, but I've provided a few options below that are still open. Some of these options do also deliver in case you're looking to treat that special person in your life. Unfortunately, I've not been able to really get out this year due to obvious reasons.
Humble Crumble: Humble Crumble have become a firm favourite selling crumble in a short amount of time. They only launched at the beginning of 2020, and they have managed to do well with their delicious crumbles. The crumbles have been made seasonal by different toppings, and the Valentine's Day option does not disappoint. Last year, the Valentine's Day option had a simple marshmallow rose on top. This year, it could also include a solid ruby chocolate heart. The flavour of the crumble was Prosecco and strawberry. Visitors also received a tulip with their orders.
Photo courtesy of Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme:
The American doughnut company became a firm favourite on British shores when it opened its first shop in Harrods around twenty years ago. While they no longer sell in Harrods, they have several high street shops, sell in some Tesco grocery stores, sell online, and also sell via courier websites in some areas. This year, Krispy Kreme have partnered with Swizzle Love Hearts for their Valentine's Day special: Krispy Kreme Love Hearts. There are four different flavours, each in a different colour and topped with different slogans, such as "love me" and "hug me". Green is chocolate kreme filling, pink a strawberry and sherbet kreme filling, yellow a lemon and sherbet kreme filling, and purple a sherbet kreme filling.
I had actually purchased three of these different doughnuts from the limited edition range, but they got completely smashed in my bag, and I've had to use a stock photograph from Krispy Kreme instead of a creative photograph that I planned. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I'm restricting what I carry to avoid possible transmission of the virus to protect my safety.
The doughnuts do have a similar taste to the Love Hearts candy. I love the kreme filling, but my favourte are the chocolate-iced doughnuts with vanilla kreme filling, which they have not sold in the UK for a few years now and only bring out on special events.
Blondies Kitchen: Last year, I treated the bloke to a giant Valentine's Day cookie from Blondies Kitchen. Founded in 2016 by two professionally-trained chefs, they are a relatively new cookie company. They opened a cookie and milk bar at Selfridges on Oxford Street and have started nationwide deliveries last year, offering their delicious cookies and cookie gifts during lockdown. During Valentine's Day, they make personalised large cookie "cakes". I've eaten their cookies a couple of times, and I am picky when it comes to cookies. They're delicious.
Lola's: Lola's Cupcakes have been selling cupcakes in London for several years now and on the back of the cupcake craze that took place more than ten years ago. Their well-designed cupcakes are available from a range of different locations throughout London, and they always release seasonal ranges throughout the year. They always offer a Valentine's Day package, and this year is no different. Some of their cafes are still open for take-away across London, and they do deliver a range of brownies and other items, though some of the items depend on the receiver's location.
I was able to purchase a couple of their Valentine's Day cupcakes. They have many different designs and flavours to choose from.
Photo courtesy of Hummingbird Bakery
Hummingbird Bakery: Cakes and cupcakes are the speciality of this bakery that became a London staple over ten years ago. They now have several different bakeries throughout London and will deliver to some addresses in London. Many of their shops are closed, but a couple are currently open. Valentine's Day cupcakes always feature.
Milk Train: Milk Train first gained traction in Covent Garden a few years ago for selling ice cream clouds of cotton candy/candy floss. Since then, they often create a seasonal Milk Train are currently closed due to the lockdown.
Yolkin: Yolkin gained fame several years ago for selling ice cream macaroons out of a little kiosk in a Soho Market at Rupert Street. They opened their first permanent cafe on Rupert Street (Chinatown end), and they often create cute seasonal macaroons and ice cream macaroons. Unfortunately, they are closed due to the lockdown.
Photo courtesy of Bubblewrap
Bubblewrap: Bubblewrap, based in Chinatown, offers ice cream served in a waffle-batter wrap. For Valentine's Day, they have created a blossom petal with slices of strawberries, and the ice cream is a rose and strawberry flavour.
Photos courtesy of Konditor - https://www.instagram.com/konditorcakes/
Konditor Cakes: A London staple for over ten years, Konditor Cakes (previously known as Konditor & Cook), offers seasonal cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and other treats. Their products were always eye-catching and well-presented. Their London bakeries are open (although hours and days open vary between branches), and they can deliver some items to some London postcodes, but brownies can be sent nationwide . Brownies and cakes are a couple items that are popular with customers.
Photo courtesy of Whipped London - https://www.instagram.com/whipped_london
Whipped London: Cheesecake lovers should visit Whipped, which opened their new branch on Endell Street in Covent Garden last year, replacing their smaller shop on Drury Lane. Seasonal products are photogenic and perfect for social media, and their products taste delicious. They are relatively new to the London scene, but they have already established themselves as a favourite. Their shop is shut every day except for Saturdays, and they do deliver to some London addresses.
Photos courtesy of Peggy Porschen - https://www.instagram.com/peggyporschenofficial
Peggy Porschen: Peggy Porschen has become a firm favourite and go-to location for Instagram users in the short time it was founded in Belgravia at the pretty pink corner cafe. A couple of years ago, it opened its second cafe on King's Road in Chelsea. Themed decor and treats - cakes, cupcakes, and biscuits - are always popular and change seasonally. The Belgravia branch is currently shut, but the King's Road branch is open for takeaway and local deliveries.
Floozie's Stuffed Cookies: Floozie's Stuffed Cookies is a temporary pop-up cafe located in Covent Garden. They have a seasonal cookie, and February's seasonal cookie is "Devil's Food", which is a chocolate cookie stuffed with Devil's Food cake batter. It is sprinkled with hearts.
I hope that you have enjoyed my round-up of Valentine's Day treats in London in 2021. Maybe next year's will be normal and we can have drinks and meals out again.
Leave a comment