Sweet Valentine
Raspberry Meringue
Apple-Almond Cake
Carrot Cake
Kartoffelkager
Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookie
Returning from Louisiana Museum in Humlebæk, a one hour bus ride from Copenhagen that is worth every penny and minute, it was with nearly three hours until dinner that the coach pulled into Nørreport, another perfect opportunity to stop into nearby Torvehallen for a snack, this time paying a visit to Sweet Valentine where the staff was beginning to clean up for the evening but more than happy to make a sale from their remaining products.
One of the few places in the market that closes on Mondays, but open from beginning until end of Torvehallen’s business hours Tuesday through Sunday, Sweet Valentine features the work of Marianne Valentine who has been called one of Denmark’s best producers of Wedding Cakes, and whether one is shopping for a custom job from the offsite bakery or something quick to brighten their day the collection of products is one worth investigating closely as the fairly basic display does little to convey their quality.
Offering a wide range of items, everything from Cookies and modern Cakes to Danish classics, Pies and Scones available depending on the day, it was just past 17h00 that guests were greeted by a young man and woman tucked behind glass cases and although the selection had been somewhat depleted over the previous seven hours the remainder was still quite inviting, a tasting of five items starting off with a rosy Meringue wrapped around Raspberry Jam, the exterior giving way with a crisp break to an interior that was soft, sweet and sticky.
Seated at a small table towards the market’s center aisle, enough room for two at most, it was with the rest of the items unbagged that the tasting continued by way of a Chocolate Chip and Hazelnut Cookie that was unfortunately far too dry to be enjoyed without a beverage, the Danish Potato Cake, based on shape and not name, called Kartoffelkager a far more memorable investment as the 35DKK Cake topped in Cocoa Powder was moist yet light with a layer of Yellow Cake topped in Vanilla Pastry Cream and Marzipan.
Best known from her time on a Danish version of Cake Wars where she worked as a judge, it seemed completely irrational to visit Sweet Valentine without tasting some of Chef Marianne’s market slices, none of the typical ‘wedding’ options available at this time but not really an issue in the face of a dense and mellow Apple-Almond Square or the sort of Carrot Cake that those who prefer spice to sweet are likely to fall in love with as the thin layer of Frosting is little more than a linger atop lofty notes of Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger and Anise.
http://www.sweetvalentine.dk/Forside