Well, it’s Valentine’s Day. Or it’s about to happen anyway. And you spaced it out.
Probably not the first time. Maybe it’s expected at this point.
Tingling.
But I won’t hit you. In return, we will give you a card that allows you to stay out of the kennel. Because the people on this list are here to support you with gorgeous goodies that will make you look like you’re on something this year.
Most people will want to go early and get their hands on something beautiful before other people who came late to the party peel the case clean. (Don’t forget to visit Walgreens or Publix to buy flowers and cards.)
If you’re working late that day, you can still go to places like Peterbrook Chocolatier in Winter Park. We’re open from early morning to late night all week long, including Valentine’s Day and The Glass Knife, with cases stocked and doors open, so you don’t have to show up empty-handed.
Godspeed, Valentine. There’s still time.
Gideon’s Bakehouse
When Gideon’s existed solely in founder Steve Lewis’ kitchen, he sold cakes at a cheesecake center.
“The recipe was passed down from an Italian family,” says Lewis. “And in the last 10 years, it had never been replicated in a cake until this month.”
Valentine’s Trinity Cake features layers of strawberry cake, chocolate cake, and Italian cheesecake. There are three types of buttercream: strawberry, chocolate, and marshmallow. It will be available at both stores from February 14th to 15th.
Eternal Flame Cookie speaks the truth that love is best with passion.
This velvety chocolate cookie is infused with Gideon’s signature ancho, cayenne, and cinnamon spice mix, infused with cherry essence, and topped with a chocolate-covered cookie.
“Deep chocolate flavor, followed by a tingly warmth like a first kiss and the sweet presence of cherry,” says the poetic Lewis, who describes the spiciness level as medium. It will be on sale at both venues from February 14th to 15th.
Held monthly at both locations, Strawberry Delight is a “sentimental cookie release” celebrating the month of love.
Reminiscent of the strawberry creme found in Valentine’s candy boxes, these limited edition strawberry cookies feature a carefully crafted strawberry dough made with homemade strawberry puree, filled with dark chocolate and topped with strawberry-infused sugar. There are no extracts, Lewis says.
“Our strawberries are sourced directly from Mother Earth.”
If you go: East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando. or Disney Springs, 1486 Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista, gideonsbakehouse.com
glass knife
In case you didn’t already know, there are currently two locations where you can get gorgeous The Glass Knife merchandise for Valentine’s Day and forever. And they’re both in Winter Park.
That’s right, TGN has expanded to a new spot on Park Avenue. Not only can fans find all the delicious food for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, but they can also stop by for a last-minute sweet treat.
This year’s deck features the Red Velvet Whoopie Pie Heart ($5), a crimson cocoa cookie cake heart filled with a luscious vanilla marshmallow fluff filling. Strawberry Snack Cake Heart ($7.50) is a moist strawberry cake layered with strawberry cream filling, hand-dipped in pink white chocolate and topped with gold glitter and scarlet stripes. Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Pastry ($13) is a light cheesecake mousse with a strawberry cake base filled with tangy lemon curd and homemade strawberry mousse, encased in white chocolate glaze and finished with a white chocolate feather set in 23-karat gold. and dried rose petals.
Fancy.
Chocolate Bonbons ($3 each, $12 for gift box of four) are exquisite, hand-painted, shelled chocolates with flavors of caramel bourbon, s’mores, raspberry caramel, and strawberry rose. Beautiful on its own or as an add-on.
If you go: 276 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park, 407-500-2253 or 212 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park, 407-789-2253. theglassknife.com
Kaya
This 2024 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards Restaurant of the Year is constantly innovating, and the newest addition to its list of great bites is Kape Kaya, a new daytime bakery concept featuring (celebrity!) Executive Pastry Chef Clarice Lam. It’s a sale held every Saturday, and luckily for Valentine’s Day who’s late to the party, it’s the big day this year.
That means a small number of pre-orderable goodies will be available on a first-come, first-served basis when business opens at 9:30 a.m.
Celebrity pastry chef Clarice Lam joins Kaya’s team
On hand I have a six-pack mix of amazing Strawberry Shortcake and Milo Champorado Silvana ($50) and a beautiful can of Black Forest Maromar ($50).
If you have a partner who loves pastries, trust me. These truly unique sweets are sure to impress on a grand scale.
If you go: 618 N. Thornton Ave. in Orlando, 407-627-9117; KayaOrlando.com
light on the sugar
If I can’t pinpoint which is my favorite from Light on the Sugar, it’s because those shitty pastries keep floating around.
They are famous for their gravity-defying cream puffs, and this is no different on Valentine’s Day, when you want to feel lighter. Treats that will make your partner sing this year include the beautiful Lychee Raspberry Macaron Cake ($8.95) and Raspberry Brownie Valentine’s Cake ($29.95).
You can also enjoy the luxurious Dubai Heart-shaped Cream Puff ($6.50), which is a homemade choux filled with pistachio cream and topped with crunchy pistachio filo, or the adorable Honey Bear Cream Puff ($5.75), which is a brown choux filled with honey Biscoff cream and finished with a teddy bear design.
If you go: 4270 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park, 407-916-0215; 501 Orlando Ave. in Winter Park, 321-972-8047; 429 N. Alafaya Trail in Orlando, 407-203-1227; Light on the Sugar.com
Chocolatier at Peterbrook Winter Park
Chocolate covered strawberries are the language of true love. Stop by Peterbrook on Park Avenue for freshly dipped berries. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the other items in the shop aren’t delicious as well. There are plenty of choices. Peter Brook Chocolatier in Winter Park will be open from 9 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. on Feb. 12, 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 13, and will extend Valentine’s Day hours from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 14.
If you go: 300 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park, 407-644-3200; Peterbrooke.com/pages/Winter-park
Want to lend a hand? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
