Celebrate Valentine's Day With Sweets for your Heart

Valentine's Day is coming, which means sugary somethings are on your mind, for your sweet heart or your sweet tooth. Too saccharine? That's what V-Day is for.

The first Valentine's Day I remember, I was in second grade and every kid in the class had to give everyone else a Valentine so that each child felt included. I remember my crush handing me a crumpled, slightly torn, Disney Valentine's card with his name on it, which I carried with me everywhere for weeks.

Now, I've upgraded to eating so many sweets for this article that sugar cannot touch my lips come February 14th. That is not to say I didn't try some of the best desserts I've every tasted during my hunt.

This week, I didn't specify the dish. In the spirit of the holiday, I am celebrating the entire dessert menu. I visited bakeries, cake shops, restaurants, even pizzerias for their sweet specialty, and I discovered that no two desserts taste alike.  

In the list below (which is in no order-- each one is a winner in it's own right) I have compiled some of the tastiest desserts in the neighborhood:

I Like It Like That Bakery - 1180 Bedford Ave.

This bakery recently opened up on Bedford Avenue and is embracing the Valentine's Day tradition with window decorations and heart-shaped cakes (red velvet included). They boasted a superb sweet potato cream cheese pie. So I gave it a try and was far from disappointed. It tastes like a perfect combination of sweet potato pie and cheese cake - not nearly as rich and thick as the typical cheesecake, but much creamier than your average sweet potato pie. 

Nero Doro - 395 Classon Ave.

This Italian cafe on Classon and Greene has a Valentine's Day Special: A flourless chocolate cake with a confectioners sugar heart shape on top (you can also buy it by the slice). It is deliciously rich in flavor, while not too dense. The cake itself is, in fact, very light. But the dark chocolate taste may bring you to tears.

Abu's Bakery - 1184 Fulton St.

This bakery on Fulton Street near Bedford Avenue is known for its bean pie, which comes in three sizes. The filling is soft and mild in flavor, and is topped by a thin layer of cake-like crust with a strong taste of cinnamon. In each bite, you taste the cinnamon first, followed by the cool, smooth filling that balances out the more prevalent flavors. 

Nice Pizza - 340 Franklin Ave.

This French pizzeria on Franklin Avenue is known for its pizzas and sandwiches. But have you tried its raspberry clafoutis? This thick, eggy custard is topped with sweet, but slightly sour raspberry topping, made with fresh raspberries and confectioners sugar. The flavors compliment each other so well, it's surprising this dessert isn't on every menu in Brooklyn. The custard melts in you mouth, and the raspberries add a sweet kick. 

Cinnamon Girl - 327 Nostrand Ave.

Another new addition to Bed-Stuy, this cafe specializes in vegan pastries. I have to admit I was skeptical when they recommended a pumpkin-flavored vegan cheesecake (a contradiction in terms?). But I was completely shocked to bite into perhaps one of the best cheesecakes I have ever tasted. For starters, it was extremely creamy (I don't want to find out how they do that, it's much more mysterious and romantic this way) and had a mild pumpkin spice flavor that added to, but didn't overpower, the cheesecake. 

Dough - 305 Franklin Ave.

I am torn over which filled doughnut to tout, since Dough offers both a chai cream-filled doughnut and a Nutella-filled doughnut. The doughnuts are yeast based, which makes them fluffy and moist, and the creams are exceptional. The chai cream is smooth, thick and actually tastes like a creamy chai. Whereas, the Nutella is lighter, sweeter and oozes out of the doughnut (consider enjoying this doughnut with a bib). 

Peaches Hothouse - 415 Tompkins Ave

This southern style restaurant on Tompkins and Hancock has a bourbon brown butter cake that is the best yellow cake I have ever tasted. Topped with real whipped cream, this cake is moist, light, and mildly sweet with a vanilla flavor. The best part is the icing, which tops the cake in a light drizzle and tastes strongly of bourbon. The mellow cake combined with the bourbon twang warms your belly and leaves you wanting more.