One of the first questions people ask me is: “Wait, your cupcakes have no butter?”
And I get it. It sounds impossible. Or like a compromise. But that’s the thing it’s not.
Before I started my Mettelina journey, I wasn’t much of a cake-person, but had a huge love for ice cream. I loved the looks of cakes, but often found them to be disappointing, dry or too sweet or heavy. With cupcakes it was no different and when I tried my first ever cupcake, I got so disappointed. I really loved the idea of this beautiful decorated individual wrapped cake, but the taste didnt match the look. Thats when I got obsessed by the idea of trying to create my own version of a cupcake😊
When I started experimenting with recipes, I wasn’t trying to be clever. I just wanted something that would taste and feel better after you eat it, kind of like ice cream. I didn’t want the sugar crash or the heaviness from butter after one bite. I wanted joy, not guilt and a cupcake that leaves you wanting for more.
So I started adjusting things. Less sugar. No butter. Smooth frosting that feels like ice cream. I practised, took courses to understand the chemistry of baking and different ingredients. I aimed for a balance of texture and taste that still feels indulgent, but in a lighter way.
When I first started Mettelina, I never imagined I would be hosting workshops. I thought it would be all about the cupcakes. The recipes. The flavours. The frosting.
But over time, I realised the best part of this journey is not just in the baking. It is in sharing the process and the fun in being creative. In bringing people together around something light, joyful, and just a little bit messy.
So this year, I am doing something I have wanted to do for a long time.
Cupcake workshops are coming to Mettelina.
These workshops are not about being perfect. They are about having fun. They are about giving yourself permission to play, to decorate with too many sprinkles, and to walk away with a box of cupcakes that you made yourself even if one of them leans slightly to the left.
We will decorate together, learn from each other and laugh over frosting that goes in all the wrong places before it lands on the right ones.
You do not need any experience. Just a bit of curiosity and maybe a friend or a colleague to join you. We will provide the cupcakes, the tools, the snacks, the drinks, and the good music.
Whether you are looking for something different to do with your team, a special way to celebrate a birthday, or just a quiet afternoon or evening of creativity, I would love for you to be part of it.
I will be running the first one soon in Valletta and if you are on our mailing list, you will be the first to know when bookings open.
I cannot wait to see you there.
Mette
Hi, I’m Mette Saliba Lorenzen, founder of Mettelina. Today I run a cupcake café, but my story began in a very different world.
The Early DreamSince I was young, I dreamed of having my own business, inspired by my dad who ran his for over 30 years. I didn’t know what that business would be — only that I wanted to create something of my own. Life, of course, had other plans. I studied Business Communication and Marketing, considered teaching and journalism, and eventually moved to Malta in 2009 — following love and adventure.
Starting OverLife in a new country wasn’t easy. My first job was as a waitress, barely covering rent. I joined a local handball team to improve my English and integrate — a decision that unexpectedly changed everything. Thanks to my coach at that time, I got an interview in the iGaming industry, starting as a Customer Service Agent supporting Danish and German customers.
Finding My PathI quickly discovered a love for problem-solving, communication, and creating great customer experiences. Over the years, I progressed into leadership roles, eventually becoming Director of Global Customer Service, managing over 300 people worldwide. Those years taught me a lot about people, purpose, and perseverance, but my childhood dream quietly waited in the background.
The Leap of LoveIn March 2025, I finally followed that dream. I left my corporate role to focus entirely on Mettelina, turning my passion for food and creativity into a business I could call my own.
Where It All BeganMettelina started in 2010 as a small side project. I wanted to create cupcakes I loved — lighter, softer, and with a frosting smooth as ice cream. The name comes from my Maltese nickname, given by my mother-in-law: “Mettelina” — meaning something like “sweet little Mette.” It perfectly reflects my Danish roots and Maltese home.
In 2020 during Covid, I found the perfect home for my Mettelina business in Valletta, but it was a long project that finally was finished and ready to open in 2025.
Creating MettelinaMettelina is about more than cupcakes. It’s a space inspired by hygge, the Danish art of coziness, connection, and joy. Here, every cupcake is unique, handcrafted with care, and every detail is designed to create a meaningful moment.
At Mettelina, you’ll find gourmet cupcakes, artisan coffee from LOT61, fine teas from Tettiera, champagne by the glass, and Danish delicacies like Copenhagen Sparkling Tea and Bülow Lakrids — products I personally love and believe make the experience special.
The Journey ContinuesMoving from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship has been challenging and rewarding. In many ways, the two worlds aren’t so different: both require vision, empathy, resilience, and purpose.
The biggest change? Every cupcake, every decision, every detail now carries a piece of me — and that is what makes this journey truly worth it.
Looking forward to host you at Mettelina.
Mette
