You might think you know what to give your significant other or best friend for Valentine’s Day, but we have a surefire home run for you: a sweet gift from a local bakery or cafe. Here’s our little guide to sweets with big flavor that will help you make the best impression with someone else, or even as a lovely treat for yourself.
Field & Fire Bakery and Cafe
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
The Pain Au Chocolat here is a must-have, made with amazing flaky croissant dough and imported French chocolate batons from Valrhona. Worried about what’s inside? Try the vegan and gluten-free double chocolate muffin. It has an incredibly rich moist texture, plus Belgian chocolate, which melts away any problem.
Le Bon Macaron
951 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids
A wonderful balance of a delicious, fluffy, and light can be found in these famous macarons. For a sweet flavor for your sweetie, try their raspberry or strawberry swirl macarons.
Nantucket Baking Co.
615 Lyon St. NE, Grand Rapids
Incredibly soft and creamy texture with intensely delicious chocolate cheesecake can be served up on a plate and eaten right there or, better yet, put it in a box to go so you can enjoy it again at home.
Victorian Bakery
512 N. Park St., Kalamazoo
Powerful flavor comes in these deliciously moist cake bites — try their classics: carrot, chocolate, pistachio and vanilla. For this season, they have lemon and raspberry-chocolate as well.
Rise Authentic Baking Co.
1220 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
A throwback to the best parts of childhood: buckeyes, magic cookie bars and more. Always nostalgic flavors, always fresh, and always vegan and gluten-free.
Sweetie-Licious Bakery
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
108 N. Bridge St., DeWitt
Lemon-blueberry muffins — a wonderful balance of classic flavors with the sweet blueberry and a refreshing hint of lemon to pucker you up perfectly.
