What's Cooking | Dreamcakes owner shares sweet treat for Valentine’s Day

When love is in the air, cooks will surely express themselves the best way they know how: food. So with Valentine’s Day approaching, sweet treats for special someones are in high demand.

In this series, we ask local culinary professionals to dish out the details on some of their favorite creations. Today, we talk with Jan Potter of Dreamcakes Bakery, 960 Oxmoor Road.

Q: How long have you been baking? 

A: We started Dreamcakes in 2009, but before that we made wedding cakes.

Q: What do you like about working at Dreamcakes? 

A: It’s just a lot of creative freedom … we can change the menu in a day if we want.

Q: What’s a recipe you love to serve as a Valentine’s Day dessert? 

A: The Sweetheart Tart.

Q: What do you like about it? 

A: This I love just because it’s very simple to put together and has few ingredients, but it’s very pretty to give as a gift.

Recipe:

► 1½ cups heavy cream, divided

► 6 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped

► 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

► 15 large strawberries 

► White chocolate curls for garnish

► Precooked pie crust

Steps:

1. Bring ½ cup cream to simmer in 1-quart saucepan on low heat. 

2. Place chopped white chocolate in medium bowl and stir in hot cream until smooth. Cool until room temperature. 

3. Gradually add vanilla bean paste and remaining cream, and mix. Beat 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form. 

4. Spoon mixture into regular size or miniature pie crusts, as desired. Spread mixture to fill crust. 

5. Cap strawberries and cut them in half. Make a V-shaped cut at the top of each half to create a heart shape. Place strawberries on top of tart. 

6. Using a vegetable peeler, scrape curls off of a block of white chocolate. Sprinkle curls onto tart. 

7. Keep chilled until served.