A Valentine’s Treat To Fall For: Love Cake With Passion Fruit Curd & Spiced Pineapple

This Love Cake from chef Daniel Kenney of Lavantine is the ultimate Valentine’s Day dessert, combining rich almond flavors, warm spices, and a luscious passion fruit curd. Topped with caramelized spiced pineapple and crunchy pistachios, this indulgent yet surprisingly simple cake is a celebration of love in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special someone or treating yourself, this dessert is sure to steal hearts. —Vita Daily

Love Cake with Passion Fruit Curd and Spiced Pineapple

Serves 8

Love Cake

300g Almond Meal
180g Granulated Sugar
125g Unsalted Butter (cubed)
260g Labneh (or Greek yogurt as a substitute)
2 tsp Ground Cardamom
2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1 Egg
Pinch of Salt

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond meal, sugar, and cubed butter. Rub the ingredients together with your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Add the egg, labneh, salt, and spices to the bowl. Mix everything together using a wooden spoon or spatula until smooth and well combined.
• Pour the batter into a cake pan lined with parchment paper and spread evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then flip it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, garnish the top with roasted pistachios, sliced almonds, and a generous dollop of passion fruit curd (see below).

Passion Fruit Curd

100g Passionfruit Puree (fresh or frozen)
65g Granulated Sugar
2 Whole Eggs
1 Gelatin Sheet (optional for extra thickness)
170g Cold Butter, cubed
2g Kosher Salt

Method:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the passion fruit puree and sugar. Blend until smooth.
• Add the eggs to the mixture and blend again until the color turns pale and the texture is smooth.
• Pour the mixture into a small pot and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until the curd thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
• Once thickened, remove from heat and pour the curd into a blender. Add the cold butter and salt, and blend until fully incorporated and smooth.
• Let the curd cool down and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Spiced Pineapple

400g Diced Pineapple (fresh or canned)
100g Granulated Sugar
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
½ tsp Rosewater
100g Water

Method:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the diced pineapple, sugar, cinnamon, rosewater, and water.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to caramelize and thicken (about 10-15 minutes).
• Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Chill in the fridge if desired.

To Assemble the Cake:

• Once the love cake is fully cooled, place it on a serving platter.
• Spread a generous amount of passion fruit curd on top of the cake.
• Spoon the spiced pineapple mixture around the edges or over the top as a sweet, tangy garnish.
• Finish with a sprinkle of roasted pistachios and sliced almonds for a crunchy, festive touch.