Sweet Treats for Sweethearts

Those Searching for a Valentine’s Day Surprise Have Local Options to Choose from with Ties to the Community

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

As February 14 approaches, there is no shortage of local options when shopping for a sweetheart this Valentine’s Day—whether celebrating your honey, BFF, kids or coworkers, and whether they are local or distant.

Laura’s Brownies

Palisadian Laura Silvera is gearing up for Valentine’s Day with several options to send to loved ones this year.

Offerings include a Caramel Brownies Box, available in a 12-, 24- or 40-pack, and Heart Box with Ribbon, filled with caramel brownies and available in red or pink. Silvera also can put together a White Heart Tin, as well as a Heart Tin, which comes in red with 18 brownies.

A Gold Foil Box come in three sizes, with a combination of treats, including Marshmallow Brownies, Lemon Bars, Apricot Bars and Pecan Bars, dependent on the size ordered.

And for those looking to share the love with someone long-distance, Laura’s Brownies offers shipping.

“Show some love to the ones you can’t be with by sending Laura’s Brownies,” a post on Instagram explains. “They will be overjoyed.”

The deadline for Valentine’s Day orders that need to be shipped is February 10, but Silvera will continue to offer free local pickup as well as orders through DoorDash closer to February 14.

Visit laurasbrownies.com for more information or to place an order.

Sweet Laurel

Laurel Gallucci and Claire Thomas serve treats that are free of gluten, grain, dairy and refined sugar throughout the year at Sweet Laurel—and February 14 is no exception.

The Sunset Boulevard shop, part of Palisades Village, has a litany of Valentine’s Day-themed offerings available to spoil a sweetheart.

“Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a heart cookie cake,” Sweet Laurel shared. “This seven-inch, vegan chocolate chip cookie is the perfect gift for loved ones.”

There are four options to choose from to personalize the cookie: XOXO, LOVE, I <3 U and BFF. These will be available in-store, as well as online for local delivery and nationwide shipping.

Sweet Laurel will also offer Heart Linzer Cookies and Pink Vanilla Coconut Jam Cake + Floral Decor.

Deadlines to order for Valentine’s Day for in-store pickup is by Friday, February 12, local delivery by Thursday, February 11, and shipping by Wednesday, February 10.

Visit sweetlaurel.com or the cake shop at 15279 Sunset Blvd.

Cookie Good

Cookie Good, founded and ran by Palisadians Ross and Melanie Canter, will offer an assortment of Valentine’s Day flavors this year from its Santa Monica shop, including Chocolate Fleur de Sel, Red Velvet and White Chocolate-Raspberry Truffle.

There will be a Valentine’s Day box available in every size, including mini boxes, which fit six cookies. The store will also sell individually wrapped “Valentine Cookie-grams” that have a heart label that can be written on.

Also available for Valentine’s Day will be bars, with flavors like Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownie and Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie.

The store will have a “limited stash of cookies available for drop-ins,” but they recommend placing pickup orders in advance—or through Postmates and DoorDash.

As far as a deadline for ordering, Melanie explained, it is dependent on what the customer needs and where it is going. Pickup and delivery orders can be placed up until Friday, February 12, but shipping orders need to be placed before February 8.

For additional flavors and information, visit cookiegood.com.

See’s Candies

As See’s Candies celebrates more than two years of having a storefront at Palisades Village, the Los Angeles-based brand is celebrating “a century of sweet valentines.”

Roots started with a mom and son opening a small candy shop 100 years ago, selling handmade confections using Mary See’s original recipes. And now, as Valentine’s Day approaches, See’s Candies is offering a sweet assortment of gifts, ranging from romantic to Galentine’s Day or for the family.

“Make them swoon with new treats and classic favorites in a keepsake tin,” the See’s Candies website reads. “Theirs to cherish forever.”

Options include a Centennial Heart Tin, which is available both in stores and online and includes approximately 16 pieces.

“Our nostalgic nod to the memorable ’50s,” according to a description from See’s Candies. “Give them this limited-edition tin with classic favorites and new heart-shaped sweets celebrating our 100th year, like our Milk Raspberry Heart Truffle and Dark Peanut Butter Heart.”

Other Valentine’s Day-specific treats include a box of Milk Raspberry Heart Truffles and a Classic Red Heart, featuring Assorted Chocolates—all available both in shops and online.

For more information or to order, visit seescandies.com or swing by the shop at 15225 Palisades Village Lane.

Baked With Love By Ivy

Fourteen-year-old Ivy Woolenberg, an almost lifelong-Palisadian, has been baking her whole life, leading her to share her treats with the community through Baked With Love By Ivy.

“I sell custom cakes, cupcakes and treats, as well as teach Zoom baking classes,” Woolenberg explained to the Palisadian-Post.

For those who are not just looking to spoil their loved one with a treat, but to teach them how to make their own, Woolenberg is offering a step-by-step class on how to bake red velvet cupcakes on Thursday, February 11.

The 90-minute class, part of her February Baking Series, is open to those ages 8 and over with a fee of $25.

“The recipe card, Zoom link and instructions will be sent out after I receive your sign up,” Woolenberg explained. “I hope to see you all there!”

Those interested in learning more or signing up can do so at bakedwithlovebyivy.com.