Romantic Desserts to Celebrate Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world, and in Spain, where any occasion is a good reason to celebrate, Valentine's Day is no exception. It is commemorated every February 14th, and according to records, the first celebration took place in the year 494. It is not only for the young but for everyone who wishes to pay tribute to love. The date evokes romance, special details, and, of course, exquisite cuisine, especially in the form of desserts. Although today we associate this day with chocolate, cream, and strawberries, its origin dates back to ancient Rome, where the story intertwines with myths, religion, and the evolution of customs.

The Origin of the Holiday

According to historians, since the Middle Ages, it was customary to write letters and send sweets as a gesture of affection. In the Victorian era, chocolate began to gain prominence, as it was believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Today, cuisine is key in the celebration of Valentine's Day with classic options to surprise such as chocolate fondue with fresh fruits, strawberry and whipped cream tart, raspberry and white chocolate macarons, chocolate mousse, sometimes slightly spiced, or brownies or cakes with caramel filling. Ultimately, these desserts have the ability to transform the evening into a magical moment. Whether prepared at home or enjoyed during a special dinner, what matters is the love and intention with which they are shared.

Pastry with a Malaga Accent

Malaga's pastry chefs have added this celebration to their annual calendar, expanding their offerings beyond traditional King's Day cakes, Christmas panettones, San Juan's coca, Easter sweets, fresh ice cream cakes for summer, or those ice cream flavors with a Malaga accent, like those handmade by Helados Capricho based in Coín since 2018. During these dates, their showcases are filled with irresistible proposals.

In these lines, we tell you about some sweets to share. Love and food have always gone hand in hand, and Valentine's Day is no exception. Don't forget to pair these desserts with a sweet wine from Malaga, such as a Moscatel or a Pedro Ximénez. In many cases, the production involves wines made from sun-dried grapes, natural sweet wines, very old wines of more than 20 years, and syrup made from the same variety. Aromas of raisins, dates, caramel, coffee, or dark chocolate. A guaranteed success.

Sweet Proposals to Fall in Love

Cati Schiff, Obrador Dulce & Salado

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Cati Schiff is one of the pioneering pastry chefs to open a space and market her desserts, as well as savory dishes, already prepared both for hospitality and for the end consumer. The loving proposals for this holiday will be some of her classic hand-made butter puff pastry tarts, in this case in the shape of hearts and filled with whipped cream, custard, pistachio cream, chocolate, or lemon mousse. You choose the filling. Also, small sweets bathed with a bright red glaze with blackcurrant – cassis – and whipped cream; yogurt and pistachio; and Williams pear and Lotus biscuit. All these have a butter biscuit base to provide a crunchy and delicious touch. Address: C/ Fuensanta, 2, Fuengirola. Phone: 673 734 243

Dulce Virguería

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Carmen Rodríguez studied pastry and cooking at the CIO Mijas Hospitality School. Her passion for cakes and sweets led her to open this pastry shop last year located in Teatinos. "I specialized in the world of custom cakes and cookies because I discovered that, beyond the flavors, I could tell stories through each design," says Rodríguez. For Valentine's Day, her proposal includes several butter cookies bathed with royal icing, a white glaze made with egg white, icing sugar, and lemon juice. Also included is a selection of 'bento cakes', small cakes for two people made with chocolate sponge cake and filled with creamy chocolate and Ferrero Rocher; another with vanilla sponge cake with cream and Lotus biscuit crumbs; and finally, a chocolate sponge cake with red fruit cream. Address: C/ Alonso de Aguilar, 50, Málaga capital. Phone: 614 135 291

Pastelería Daza

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They have already won awards such as the best apple pie in Spain. But for this day, it's time to create and revisit some creations that have evolved and succeeded over the years at this pastry shop, established in 2008 under the leadership of Puri Morillo and Antonio Martín, her husband. Returning are the 'Love' chocolate bars, hence its name and shape, filled with hazelnut praline with broken wafer. Their popular custard-filled mille-feuille "full of love" are also available. Additionally, you can find chocolate bears and heart-shaped lollipops. And this year, the sweet treat is named Pistaccio, a white chocolate mousse, interior of pistachio mousse, and coconut dacquoise. Address: C/ Correo de Andalucía, 4, Local 11, Málaga capital. Phone: 671 511 632

Pastelería Los Verdiales

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Based in Estepona, Sergio Martín and his wife Rosa Montaño make a perfect team. Since 1987 they have been working to elevate their craft to the highest level. However, a year and a half ago, they decided to make a dessert called 'petit choux'. Unlike profiteroles, this is elongated and usually filled. It is a light dough, possibly one of the oldest in French cooking and pastry, made with milk, butter, flour, egg, and salt. "We use water to make the dough lighter. This sweet has become our flagship product and star item. Today we have more than 30 flavors," says Martín. On this occasion, they have prepared a box with six flavors: passion fruit and coconut; 70% chocolate; raspberry and elderflower; strawberries with cream; salted caramel; and white chocolate with pink pepper. One more note. Montaño is a sommelier and has in the same workshop a selection of more than 50 wines, including organic and sparkling wines from small producers to pair with any sweet bite. Address: C/ Veintiocho de Febrero, Estepona. Phone: 952 803 801

Pastelería Ñanduti by Dora Ortiz

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Dora Ortiz, owner of Ñanduti in Málaga capital, has become fond of the world of panettones. From her oven come each season new creations, many of them championing kilometer zero products from the province. The same goes for sweets. This year, her suggestion is inspired by the rose from the movie 'Beauty and the Beast'. Chocolate, various chocolates, and gummies form this red flower. Individual sweets prepared with Madagascar vanilla mousse and a jelly made of natural strawberries will not be missing. The finishing touch, a thin layer of chocolate velvet. Address: C/ Canales, 3, Málaga capital. Phone: 951 498 002

Yuzu Pastry

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This pastry shop located in Fuengirola, a pioneer in marketing Japanese desserts such as mochis or the famous Japanese 'cotton cake' cheesecake, has launched a new proposal for Valentine's Day. It is called Valentinas, a creamy tiramisu presented inside a special can, available in two irresistible flavors. The classic version, with a soft and creamy tiramisu, covered with a crunchy layer of Belgian chocolate and sprinkled with cocoa, and the pistachio version, with a light cream of this nut, white chocolate, and decorated with candied pistachios. The cans carry unique phrases depending on your choice. One for couples: "I want to keep giving you the can" and another for singles: "Now I give myself the can". Address: C/ Córdoba, 25, Fuengirola. Phone: 644 871 002

Sueño Pastelería Francesa

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It's causing quite a stir. This French pastry shop opened in October 2022 and is worth a visit. Swiss Leila González and Canadian Theo Stez continue to grow. They already have expansion plans, and it's not surprising since they fill their shelves with small sweets and, by the end of the day, they sell out. As usual, they always innovate and seek to add that sweet touch. On this occasion, a pink macaron, a French preparation made with almond flour and egg white, filled with a rose water cream, lychee—a tropical fruit—, raspberry, and red rose petals. A bite to fall in love with. Address: C/ José Iturbi, 2, Málaga capital. Phone: 613 595 877