Sweets for your sweetheart

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means sweet things are in the works for those we love. Why not surprise your significant other with a gift of goodies? These local spots offer a delicious way to surprise a sweetheart:

Strands: The little coffee shop and patisserie downtown has garnered a reputation for amazing chocolates—and with good reason. Handmade and preservative-free, ingredients include Tahitian vanilla bean, homemade butterscotch, honey and chicory. strandscafe.com

Baum’s: Baton Rouge’s oldest bakery offers plenty of bite-sized handmade treats ranging from petit fours to adorable cake squares. A box of one of their pretty pastel pastries is sure to be received with pleasure. baumspastries.com

Ambrosia: In addition to homemade pastries, you can grab delectable chocolates from Sweet Shop USA at this venerable Red Stick bakery. For an extra-special treat, why not pick up a single serving of one of their famous strawberry cakes to split? ambrosiabakery.com

Red Stick Spice Co.: If your sweetheart has a more adventurous sweet tooth, Red Stick Spice Co. offers a way to woo with unique chocolate teas. Varieties like chocolate monkey (a fruity, chocolate-banana blend) and Mayan chocolate truffle (chocolate, chili and strawberry) will make a tasty gift that’s a little out of the ordinary. redstickspice.com

What’s your favorite indulgent treat? Click here to let us know in the comments.