Try These Extra-Special Treats for Valentine’s Day

This Valentine’s Day, think beyond standard red roses and basic chocolates with this roundup of creative gourmet goodies from across the West.

Vancouver

Butter Baked GoodsGet struck by Cupid’s arrow with these adorable sugar cookies or indulge your loved ones with a gorgeous pink ombre buttercream iced cake, available in chocolate or vanilla from Butter Baked Goods from now until Valentine’s Day. butterbakedgoods.com KaramellerMix and match a box of sweet Swedish treats—my personal favourite are the Hallonhjärtan raspberry jelly hearts—at Karameller in Yaletown, where they’ve got more than 100 varieties of imported goodies. Limited quantities of special cubes, themed jars and bags full of hearts, lips, and pink and red chocolate sweets are available until February 14. Best of all, Karameller Candy is free from GMOs, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup. karameller.com Marsh&MallowCelebrate the season of love with pillowy-soft gourmet creations from Vancouver-based online boutique Marsh&Mallow. Their special edition Valentine’s treats are made with organic raspberry fruit puree and swirls of Callebaut dark chocolate—taking order from now until February 29. marshandmallow.ca Terra BreadsLet these classic homemade raspberry jam-filled sandwich cookies from Terra Breads warm your heart. The perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea, or just plain delicious all on their own. Available from now until February 14 at all four locations. terrabreads.comCartemsAt Cartems Donuterie you can expect the unexpected when it comes to decadent flavour combinations, but they may have outdone themselves with these Valentine’s specials: raspberry glazed rings with a balsamic reduction and chocolate shards, strawberries and Champagne, strawberries and cherry blossom sponge cake, or a special order passionfruit mousse doughnut for two. Available February 12 to 14. cartems.com  FaubourgThese dainty heart-shaped macarons look almost too lovely to eat. Filled with dark chocolate mousse, fresh raspberries, and a salted caramel centre, they are sure to make your Valentine swoon. Get your advance order in now or pop into one of Faubourg’s three locations across Vancouver from February 12 to 14. faubourg.com Flower FactoryValentine doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Not to worry! Head to the Flower Factory on Main Street in Vancouver for award-winning fresh flower arrangements, which they can design based on your honey’s favourite smells, colours or mood. flowerfactory.ca

Alberta

Sweet LollapaloozaCalgary and Edmonton chocolate lovers, make your way to Sweet Lollapalooza where you can watch artisans craft fine chocolates right before your eyes. Try their new heart-shaped bonbon made with double-fermented chocolate from Brazil and a passionfruit ganache—because what says passion better than passionfruit? sweetlollapalooza.com Jelly ModernSpell it out with these melt-in-your-mouth delicious vanilla and chocolate buttercream frosted delights from Calgary’s Jelly Modern. Craving something salty and sweet? Make sure to try their maple bacon heart doughnut while you’re at it. jellymoderndoughnuts.com Sidewalk Citizen BakeryCalgary’s Sidewalk Citizen Bakery is well known for their hearty breads and savoury options, but this Valentine’s season they’ve sweetened things up with a milk chocolate and passion fruit mousse layered with chocolate and vanilla cake, covered with dark chocolate ganache. Order yours now. sidewalkcitizenbakery.com