Sweets for Your Sweet

They say the way to a man’s hearts is through his stomach. This time of year, that applies to us ladies too. As we all know, the customary gift to give on Valentine’s Day is a box of chocolates. Not always the most creative offering, but appreciated nonetheless. This year, why not think “outside the box” and present your Valentine with some chocolatey, taste-bud tantalizing confections you wouldn’t typically give? Here are some ideas:

Box of Chocolates: As mentioned, a box of chocolates is standard-issue on Valentine’s Day. Luckily for Richmonders, we have access to some of the best chocolatiers around, namely Gearhearts on Libby and Grove. Their 16-piece assortment is a good starter, filled with such flavors as Raspberry-Zin, Mint Julip, Vanilla Bean Brule, Maple Pecan, Almond Mocha, Tequila Lime, and 10 other luscious yet unique flavors. You also can’t go wrong with Godiva at Short Pump Mall or local chocolatier “Chocolates by Kelly,” which you can find online at www.chocolatesbykelly.com or at local stores like Ellwood Thompson’s.

Cupcakes: Richmond has a wealth of delectable cupcake purveyors to choose from, so take your pick: Carytown Cupcakes, Pearl’s, or Frostings in Short Pump. Also in Short Pump is Two Sweet, which is off the beaten path but well-worth seeking out, especially for their Salted Caramel, German Chocolate, and White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake flavors.

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit: Make your own plate of love by simply melting some milk chocolate. Then, hand-dip some strawberries in the hot goo and let cool. Or get some pre-made from Edible Arrangements (Richmond has several locations). Go for something out of the ordinary with the chocolate-dipped apple wedges or other non-strawberry “fruit bouquets.” Add some bubbly and voila, instant romance.

Ukrop’s Cookies: Just like any other celebrated national holiday -- Halloween, Christmas, the Super Bowl -- Ukrop’s Bakery at Martin’s goes all out on Valentine’s Day with festive white, pink, and red cakes and cookies. Ukrop’s also competes well with the other local gourmet shops on the Valentine’s-themed cupcake front.

Krispy Kreme Donuts: Valentine‘s Day donuts? Really? If someone gave them to me for Valentine‘s, I wouldn’t turn them away. You can always count on Krispy Kreme to have a special holiday donut for Valentine’s, but a box of glazed or chocolate iced with sprinkles will also surely send your loved one’s heart racing (although that easily could be mistaken for sugar-induced palpitations).

Chocolate Martini: Absolut Vodka has a very simple yet very yummy-looking recipe on their website (click here) that you could make at home. Or, ask of your local bartender to whip it up. All you need is ice cubes, vodka, and chocolate liqueur. A bottle of Bailey’s Crème Caramel presented to your Valentine would also likely be appreciated.

Candy, Candy, Candy: Running out of time? They don’t call it a convenience store for nothing. If you forget to get something for your sweetie, run -- don’t walk -- to your local CVS, Walgreen’s, or Rite Aid and fill up a basket with Red Cinnamon Candy Hearts, Hershey Kisses, SweetTarts, heart-shaped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, red, white, and pink M&M’s, and whatever else you can find and hope that he or she won’t notice your last-minute, slapdash presentation.

The next two are storefronts that deserve their own stand-alone props for how all-out they go for Valentine’s Day:

For the Love of Chocolate: It’s pretty much Valentine’s Day every day of the year at For the Love of Chocolate in Carytown, where you can find any chocolate treat your heart desires: Milk Chocolate Pops, Chocolate-Covered Cherries, Heart-Shaped Truffles, Red Velvet Almonds, Valentine Chocolat-Grahams, Chocolate-Dipped Oreos, Chocolate Body Paint -- and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Fresh Market: If you haven’t been to Fresh Market lately, well, then, you need to go. The festive, expansive display of red and pink sugar-infused and chocolate-covered treats is impressive and drool-worthy. Load up your cart with sugar cookies with red sprinkles, Valentine’s Drizzle Pretzels, Jelly Belly Deluxe Valentine’s Mix, Strawberry Crème Peeps, and Cupid Candy Corn. Consider tossing in a package of Ground Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Coffee as a bonus for your honey. Maybe your loved one would even like a Brown Sugar Ham from the deli to cleanse the palette?