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The Best Treats For Your Valentine When Chocolate Won't Do

Christine Peddie

Written By

Christine Peddie

The Best Treats For Your Valentine When Chocolate Won't Do

Chocoholics, avert your eyes. Though February 14th is oft associated with the popular confection, not everyone is a fan. Some sweethearts prefer complex creations built from cake, buttercream and love. Others harbour covert cravings for sugary candies or savoury bites. Unsurprisingly, some merely want a sophisticated cocktail to warm their hands and hearts come Valentine's Day.

If only the best treats that aren't chocolates will do for your valentine, we've got you covered.

Financial District

60 Adelaide St E

XO Bisous

Pick up one of XO Bisous' treat boxes this Valentine's Day. The box comes overflowing with chocolate covered strawberries & raspberries, cookies, macaroons, candy and more!

XO Bisous

Financial District

60 Adelaide St E

Pick up one of XO Bisous' treat boxes this Valentine's Day. The box comes overflowing with chocolate covered strawberries & raspberries, cookies, macaroons, candy and more!

The Social Blend

The Social Blend is celebrating the year's most amorous month with new flavours of their beloved macarons and dacquoises. From rose milk tea and pineapple macarons to yuzu black sesame and Lady Grey dacquoises, each box of nine includes an assortment of flavours you'll find hard to share -- even with your one true love.

The Social Blend

The Social Blend is celebrating the year's most amorous month with new flavours of their beloved macarons and dacquoises. From rose milk tea and pineapple macarons to yuzu black sesame and Lady Grey dacquoises, each box of nine includes an assortment of flavours you'll find hard to share -- even with your one true love.

Avenue and Lawrence

1970 Avenue Rd

The Rolling Pin

Buttery, funny and delicious, The Rolling Pin's Valentine's Day Heart Saying Cookies are perfect when you've overdosed on too many sappy sentiments.

The Rolling Pin

Avenue and Lawrence

1970 Avenue Rd

Buttery, funny and delicious, The Rolling Pin's Valentine's Day Heart Saying Cookies are perfect when you've overdosed on too many sappy sentiments.

West Queen West

1162 Queen St W

The Grand Order of Divine Sweets

You can never go wrong with cupcakes, especially a six-pack of red velvet ones from The Grand Order of Divine Sweets. Decorated with chocolate or vanilla buttercream, and a profusion of sprinkles, these cuties will bring a smile to all your valentines, big and small.

The Grand Order of Divine Sweets

West Queen West

1162 Queen St W

You can never go wrong with cupcakes, especially a six-pack of red velvet ones from The Grand Order of Divine Sweets. Decorated with chocolate or vanilla buttercream, and a profusion of sprinkles, these cuties will bring a smile to all your valentines, big and small.

Kensington Market

68 Wales Ave

Sweet Hart Kitchen

Sweet Hart Kitchen's giant, customizable cookie grams make it easy to wear your heart on your sleeve. They're also just one of the many plant-based, gluten-free goodies you'll find on Sweet Hart Kitchen's Valentine's Day menu.

Sweet Hart Kitchen

Kensington Market

68 Wales Ave

Sweet Hart Kitchen's giant, customizable cookie grams make it easy to wear your heart on your sleeve. They're also just one of the many plant-based, gluten-free goodies you'll find on Sweet Hart Kitchen's Valentine's Day menu.

Staij and Co

Patisserie

Pretty in pink, Staij and Co.'s Sweetheart Snack Mix is a sweet and salty blend of popcorn, pretzels, sprinkles and blush-coloured melted white chocolate. You're sure to impress the snack-happy types with this one.

Staij and Co

Pretty in pink, Staij and Co.'s Sweetheart Snack Mix is a sweet and salty blend of popcorn, pretzels, sprinkles and blush-coloured melted white chocolate. You're sure to impress the snack-happy types with this one.

Patisserie

North York

1945 Avenue Rd

Short and Sweet Bakeshop - North York

Short & Sweet Bakeshop has an entire menu of goodies perfect for Valentine's Day gifting. Still, it's the shop's exuberantly decorated, 8-inch cookie gram that's calling our name. Available for pickup or delivery on February 11, 12 and 14, each chocolate chip treat sports a sentimental message and the most luscious crown of buttercream you've ever seen.

Short and Sweet Bakeshop - North York

North York

1945 Avenue Rd

Short & Sweet Bakeshop has an entire menu of goodies perfect for Valentine's Day gifting. Still, it's the shop's exuberantly decorated, 8-inch cookie gram that's calling our name. Available for pickup or delivery on February 11, 12 and 14, each chocolate chip treat sports a sentimental message and the most luscious crown of buttercream you've ever seen.

Salt Gourmet Foods

This year, Salt Gourmet Foods has two Valentine's Day sets, each brimming with local treats. Opt for the XOXO set, with pre-mixed Negronis from Mercatto, spiced nuts from La Palma and Hershey Kisses. Or, choose the Be My Valentine, and gift an array of treats ranging from Forno Cultura biscotti, to caramel corn from Comeback Snacks and a bottle of bubbly.

Salt Gourmet Foods

This year, Salt Gourmet Foods has two Valentine's Day sets, each brimming with local treats. Opt for the XOXO set, with pre-mixed Negronis from Mercatto, spiced nuts from La Palma and Hershey Kisses. Or, choose the Be My Valentine, and gift an array of treats ranging from Forno Cultura biscotti, to caramel corn from Comeback Snacks and a bottle of bubbly.

Pretty Little Layers

There's more than one way to take your lover's breath away this Valentine's Day. Present anyone with a Sweethearts cake from Pretty Little Layers and prepare for the cries of ecstasy sure to follow. Available for pre-order pickup, each entremet cake can be ordered in a range of flavours, from salted caramel to mango, raspberry dark chocolate, and more.

Pretty Little Layers

There's more than one way to take your lover's breath away this Valentine's Day. Present anyone with a Sweethearts cake from Pretty Little Layers and prepare for the cries of ecstasy sure to follow. Available for pre-order pickup, each entremet cake can be ordered in a range of flavours, from salted caramel to mango, raspberry dark chocolate, and more.

Queen Street West

717 Queen St W

Nugateau Patisserie

Celebrate romance with some of the city's loveliest desserts. Opt for eclairs in Valentine's Day colours, and surprise your sweetheart with a dessert treasure trove perfectly suited to the day.

Nugateau Patisserie

Queen Street West

717 Queen St W

Celebrate romance with some of the city's loveliest desserts. Opt for eclairs in Valentine's Day colours, and surprise your sweetheart with a dessert treasure trove perfectly suited to the day.

Nadege

With an almond biscuit base, crunchy praline, creme jivara and maple mousse, Nadège Patisserie's Love is All Around individual cake hides a symphony of flavours in one adorable package.

Nadege

With an almond biscuit base, crunchy praline, creme jivara and maple mousse, Nadège Patisserie's Love is All Around individual cake hides a symphony of flavours in one adorable package.

Love of Cocktails

With three Valentine's Day kits on offer -- Grey Goose Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Dillon's Gin -- Love of Cocktails has a set sure to please. Each includes ingredients and instructions for making three inspired cocktails, along with a selection of sweets from Acorn Chocolates.

Love of Cocktails

With three Valentine's Day kits on offer -- Grey Goose Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Dillon's Gin -- Love of Cocktails has a set sure to please. Each includes ingredients and instructions for making three inspired cocktails, along with a selection of sweets from Acorn Chocolates.

Scarborough

6758 Kingston Rd

Lamanna's Bakery

Take the guesswork out of love with the emojis your crush understands. Lamanna Bakery's Valentine Love Emoji Donuts are the cutest and most delicious way to let your love know how you really feel.

Lamanna's Bakery

Scarborough

6758 Kingston Rd

Take the guesswork out of love with the emojis your crush understands. Lamanna Bakery's Valentine Love Emoji Donuts are the cutest and most delicious way to let your love know how you really feel.

Firebelly Tea

For the simplest of comforts on a cold winter night, hug a mug of Firebelly Tea's After Dinner Mint herbal infusion. Like sipping a warm dark chocolate mint that's infused with valerian to help lull you to sleep, this cup is the perfect counterpoint to some of Valentine's Day more hedonistic pleasures.

Firebelly Tea

For the simplest of comforts on a cold winter night, hug a mug of Firebelly Tea's After Dinner Mint herbal infusion. Like sipping a warm dark chocolate mint that's infused with valerian to help lull you to sleep, this cup is the perfect counterpoint to some of Valentine's Day more hedonistic pleasures.

Little Italy

567 College St

Kiss My Pans

Each Graze of Love platter from Kiss My Pans is a work of art that just so happens to be made from a host of tasty tidbits. Impress your date with this lush assortment and we promise you won't be disappointed.

Kiss My Pans

Little Italy

567 College St

Each Graze of Love platter from Kiss My Pans is a work of art that just so happens to be made from a host of tasty tidbits. Impress your date with this lush assortment and we promise you won't be disappointed.

Junction Triangle

128A Sterling Rd

Henderson Brewing

If you've ever thought that your sweetheart would like nothing more than to sip on a liquid cookie in beer form, look no further. A collaboration between Henderson Brewing and the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies, new Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Porter, boasts chocolate, vanilla and molasses notes with a lingering roasted coffee finish.

Henderson Brewing

Junction Triangle

128A Sterling Rd

If you've ever thought that your sweetheart would like nothing more than to sip on a liquid cookie in beer form, look no further. A collaboration between Henderson Brewing and the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies, new Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Porter, boasts chocolate, vanilla and molasses notes with a lingering roasted coffee finish.

Goûter

There's nothing like a cookie the size of your loved one's head to let them know you care. Available for pre-order until February 10, these sizeable sweets will also be available in-store in limited quantities.

Goûter

There's nothing like a cookie the size of your loved one's head to let them know you care. Available for pre-order until February 10, these sizeable sweets will also be available in-store in limited quantities.

Drinks On Friday

Just because Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Order a Love Day Kit from Drinks On Friday and the trio of pre-made cocktails, can of Lambrusco, and sweet snacks are guaranteed to help chase away the Monday blues.

Drinks On Friday

Just because Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Order a Love Day Kit from Drinks On Friday and the trio of pre-made cocktails, can of Lambrusco, and sweet snacks are guaranteed to help chase away the Monday blues.

Dlish Cupcakes

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Dlish has filled vanilla cupcakes with strawberry marshmallow and topped them with strawberry whipped cream. Decorated with heart-shaped sprinkles, these are the Valentine's Day treats of our dreams.

Dlish Cupcakes

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Dlish has filled vanilla cupcakes with strawberry marshmallow and topped them with strawberry whipped cream. Decorated with heart-shaped sprinkles, these are the Valentine's Day treats of our dreams.

Financial District

TD Towers

Delysées Luxury Desserts

This year, change things up with roses in cake form from Delysées. Each St. Valentin Rose Box Set includes four delectable, flower-shaped cakes in the pastry shop's most popular flavours.

Delysées Luxury Desserts

Financial District

TD Towers

This year, change things up with roses in cake form from Delysées. Each St. Valentin Rose Box Set includes four delectable, flower-shaped cakes in the pastry shop's most popular flavours.

David's Tea

Warm your resident tea-lover's heart with the Love Collection Tea Sampler from David's Tea. Each cozy set includes five Valentine-themed teas and infusions -- from Pink Velvet Cake to Cherry Blossom and more.

David's Tea

Warm your resident tea-lover's heart with the Love Collection Tea Sampler from David's Tea. Each cozy set includes five Valentine-themed teas and infusions -- from Pink Velvet Cake to Cherry Blossom and more.

Cured Catering

Pamper those with a salty tooth to a Charcuterie Bouquet filled to bursting with an abundance of savoury nibbles. If your honey salivates for salami, and cherishes cheese served with all its best accompaniments, then this is the bouquet you'll want delivered come February 14.

Cured Catering

Pamper those with a salty tooth to a Charcuterie Bouquet filled to bursting with an abundance of savoury nibbles. If your honey salivates for salami, and cherishes cheese served with all its best accompaniments, then this is the bouquet you'll want delivered come February 14.

Church and Wellesley

483 Church St

Craig's Cookies - Church

A cookie delivery is as good a way as any (the best, some might say) to express your love. With a heavenly assortment of seasonal favourites -- from red velvet to shortbread, Ferrero Rocher, and more -- Craig's Valentine's Mix says "I love you" loud and clear.

Craig's Cookies - Church

Church and Wellesley

483 Church St

A cookie delivery is as good a way as any (the best, some might say) to express your love. With a heavenly assortment of seasonal favourites -- from red velvet to shortbread, Ferrero Rocher, and more -- Craig's Valentine's Mix says "I love you" loud and clear.

Coterie 72

Surprise the wine lover in your life with a monthly subscription of three or six curated bottles from Coterie 72. Or, opt for the new Love Potion No. 72 box, complete with two artisanal wines (a bubbly Parés Baltà Cava Rosé plus a Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore) and a dried bouquet from Thyme Studio.

Coterie 72

Surprise the wine lover in your life with a monthly subscription of three or six curated bottles from Coterie 72. Or, opt for the new Love Potion No. 72 box, complete with two artisanal wines (a bubbly Parés Baltà Cava Rosé plus a Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore) and a dried bouquet from Thyme Studio.

Continental Noodles

Elevate your Valentine's Day menu with Continental Noodles' heart-shaped ricotta ravioli. All-natural, these fluffy bites pair beautifully with your favourite sauce, a fine bottle of wine and a quiet evening spent celebrating love.

Continental Noodles

Elevate your Valentine's Day menu with Continental Noodles' heart-shaped ricotta ravioli. All-natural, these fluffy bites pair beautifully with your favourite sauce, a fine bottle of wine and a quiet evening spent celebrating love.

Butter Baker

Garnished for the season with sweet pink chocolate hearts, Butter Baker's Strawberry Shortcake hits all the right Valentine's Day notes. Perfect for any duo, each cake features a sumptuous combination of pink vanilla chiffon cake, vanilla cream, house-made strawberry jam and fresh strawberry slices.

Butter Baker

Garnished for the season with sweet pink chocolate hearts, Butter Baker's Strawberry Shortcake hits all the right Valentine's Day notes. Perfect for any duo, each cake features a sumptuous combination of pink vanilla chiffon cake, vanilla cream, house-made strawberry jam and fresh strawberry slices.

Bomou Artisanal Bakery

Bomou has a host of Valentine's Day sweets perfect for every sweetheart, big or small. Still, it's the shop's large Ispahan macaron, with rosewater cream, fresh raspberry and lychee, that's stolen our heart.

Bomou Artisanal Bakery

Bomou has a host of Valentine's Day sweets perfect for every sweetheart, big or small. Still, it's the shop's large Ispahan macaron, with rosewater cream, fresh raspberry and lychee, that's stolen our heart.

Leslieville

1121 Queen St E

Bobbette & Belle

Awash in pastels year-round, Bobbette & Belle is the perfect spot for gorgeous, delicious baked goods sure to impress your sweety. Order a Valentine's Day Cake in chocolate hazelnut, red velvet or vanilla with raspberry and lemon, and spend a quiet evening falling for each other between luscious bites.

Bobbette & Belle

Leslieville

1121 Queen St E

Awash in pastels year-round, Bobbette & Belle is the perfect spot for gorgeous, delicious baked goods sure to impress your sweety. Order a Valentine's Day Cake in chocolate hazelnut, red velvet or vanilla with raspberry and lemon, and spend a quiet evening falling for each other between luscious bites.

Biscotti Queen

New this year, Biscotti Queen is making a limited-edition biscookie (a hybrid biscotti cookie with a tender bite) just in time for Valentine's Day. Available as of February 1st, the "Be-scookie My Valentine" features buttery dough bursting with a trio of pink chocolate gems, mini white and dark chocolate chips.

Biscotti Queen

New this year, Biscotti Queen is making a limited-edition biscookie (a hybrid biscotti cookie with a tender bite) just in time for Valentine's Day. Available as of February 1st, the "Be-scookie My Valentine" features buttery dough bursting with a trio of pink chocolate gems, mini white and dark chocolate chips.

Becked Goods

Available for pre-order pickup and delivery on February 13, Becked Goods Valentine's Day sugar cookies are a colourful way to brighten anyone's day. Order a box for a friend, and one for yourself, because you won't want to miss out.

Becked Goods

Available for pre-order pickup and delivery on February 13, Becked Goods Valentine's Day sugar cookies are a colourful way to brighten anyone's day. Order a box for a friend, and one for yourself, because you won't want to miss out.

Bar From Afar

Bar From Afar's Valentine's Day Experience takes the guesswork out of mixology so you can spend the evening focused on love. With everything needed to make three different cocktails, along with a delightful truffle to match each sip, this kit has (almost) everything a successful Valentine's Day requires.

Bar From Afar

Bar From Afar's Valentine's Day Experience takes the guesswork out of mixology so you can spend the evening focused on love. With everything needed to make three different cocktails, along with a delightful truffle to match each sip, this kit has (almost) everything a successful Valentine's Day requires.

Aster's Refined Cakes

Place your orders early for this Etobicoke bakery's coveted, mousse-layered gems. For Valentine's Day, we're eyeing the individual Rosa Mascarpone Blueberry and Heart Strawberry Vanilla cakes, but larger sizes are also on offer if you feel like sharing.

Aster's Refined Cakes

Place your orders early for this Etobicoke bakery's coveted, mousse-layered gems. For Valentine's Day, we're eyeing the individual Rosa Mascarpone Blueberry and Heart Strawberry Vanilla cakes, but larger sizes are also on offer if you feel like sharing.

All The GRAZE

Order a Truffle in Paradise box from All The GRAZE and have enough savoury and sweet bites to see you and your sweetie through hours of Valentine's Day shenanigans. Nibble on one of four cheeses, including truffle Moliterno and cranberry goat, then sample biscotti, macarons and berries with abandon.

All The GRAZE

Order a Truffle in Paradise box from All The GRAZE and have enough savoury and sweet bites to see you and your sweetie through hours of Valentine's Day shenanigans. Nibble on one of four cheeses, including truffle Moliterno and cranberry goat, then sample biscotti, macarons and berries with abandon.