UPLOADED/REDIRECTED Valentine's Day Sweet Treats

Wondering what sweet treats will impress this Valentine’s Day? We’ve compiled some of our favorites from local chocolatiers and confectioners to make Valentine’s a little sweeter from traditional european technique to modern american favorites, to an experiential Valentine’s celebrations featuring the Butler Sweet Tooth trail, this list has you covered.

Sinful Sweets

With everything made fresh daily in their downtown Liberty Avenue store since 2011, Sinful Sweets is a go-to for pecan turtles, salted caramels, and toffee. Founder Chris Weck comments, “My mom always said that there’s love in food,” and her sweet sentiment comes across in the chocolate, mixed in with a spark from Chris. “My family owns a traditional chocolate-making business in Chicago, and I’m always breaking the rules a little bit. I love making candy for kids and families, and supporting Pittsburghers with this business.” Sinful Sweets just added a second location at Ross Park Mall. sinfulsweetspgh.com

Tabbara Artisan Chocolate

Nancy Tabbara is reviving three generations of family tradition with her exquisitely crafted bonbons. Her offerings blend the sophistication of mid-century Beirut with a sharp, contemporary sense of flavor and design. Classics like chocolate-covered macadamia clusters and candied orange peel join modern fantasies like beautiful-to-behold chocolate bonbons filled with passion fruit or raspberry jelly and vanilla ganache. tabbarachocolates.com

Sarris Candies

Founded by Frank Sarris about 60 years ago, and now run by his son, Bill, and other family members, Sarris Candies is all about quality and generosity. Well-known for their philanthropy, and for empowering the fundraising efforts of schools and organizations around the country, the company is also a source of a vast variety of delicious sweets. The chocolate-covered pretzels and potato chips shown here are popular salty-and-sweet crowd pleasers. But the big picture is much broader, and best perceived with a visit to the flagship Sarris store in Canonsburg. sarriscandies.com

Toffee Taboo

All in Good Taste Productions founder Bob Sendall started this chocolate line in 2004 with his signature Toffee Taboo. The recipe? Start with toffee-encrusted almonds and cashews in dark Belgian chocolate. Top with kosher salt and drizzles of white and dark chocolate. Infuse the combo with Sendall’s always upbeat, always sunny energy, and you have one of Pittsburgh’s most delectable sweet treats. store.allingoodtasteproductions.com

Milkshake Factory

Edward Marc Chocolatier and The Milk Shake Factory, started by fourth-generation chocolatier siblings, spring from their family’s century-plus of gourmet confection legacy to elevate every dessert occasion. The Milk Shake Factory, a modern twist on the old-fashioned soda shop, features flavors including Peanut Butter Brownie, Bananas Foster, and Fried Ice Cream. Limited edition items appear every season, including creamy Hot Chocolate and festive shakes. Among the most popular chocolates are Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels, Chocolate Covered S’mores, Fresh Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, and fun seasonal gifting chocolates. themilkshakefactory.com

Lux Artisan Chocolates

Shelby Ortz began her exploration of tempting flavors and beautiful food compositions in the pastry kitchens of Eleven and Soba. She struck out on her own in 2013 with Lux Artisan Chocolates, her all-handmade, all-natural line of chocolate bars, bonbons, and more. We’re big fans of her chocolate bars, and there are several hidden in drawers around the office. Our favorites? Dark chocolate with macadamia, almond, and coconut. luxartisanchocolates.com

**Beyond the Box of Chocolate**

An experiential sweet treat trail

This Valentine’s day hit the road and explore the county through its sweets, from ice cream shops and local bakeries to candy stores. The trail, as they say, will make you “feel like a kid again…” as long as you keep your elbows off the dinner table.

Our advice? Break up the trail with lunch at the Chop Shop on Butler’s Main Street. Fend off the sugar crash with a Reuben or seitan shawarma! We also loved The Harmony Inn on Mercer Street in Harmony, whose sandwiches and diverse beer list are sure to please.

To get you started, here are the spots we visited on a trip down the trail:

Peace, Love, and Little Donuts

Pint-sized donuts are the shop's specialty. Find them in flavors like apple pie, birthday cake, chocolate chip cookie dough, and much, much more.

Tin Man Sweets Bake Shoppe

Find everything you need (and more!) inside the pastry cases at Tin Man Sweets Bake Shoppe, from tartlets and eclairs to cakes, chocolates, and cupcakes. The bakery has one goal – make everything taste as good as it looks. We can assure you, it does!

Baldinger’s Candy

Take a step back in time at Baldinger’s, an old-school candy shop. Stop inside to see their famous, 19th-Century cash register and grab a bag of hard-to-find candies, like anise squares and wax lips.

Wendereusz’s Candy and More

Using recipes that have been passed through generations, Wendereusz’s crafts artisan, delicious chocolates. Find them in all kinds of shapes and flavors! We’re fans of their famous turtles, made with pecans and caramel, traditional cherry cordials, and long list of filled truffles.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Bundt cakes are the stars of this Cranberry Township bakery. 10 flavors – red velvet and chocolate chocolate chip are two of the fan favorites – make up their menu of mini Bundtlets and bite-sized Bunitinis, every one finished off with their signature cream cheese icing.

Photography Dave Bryce / Story and Styling Keith Recker