Buttermilk Baby’s Sweetheart Shake is strawberry, white chocolate and love at first sip. Credit: Michael Anthony

Heart-shaped cakes are back in bakery cases, chocolate boxes are getting jazzed up, and pink sweets are quietly taking over Houston counters. From luxury chocolatiers to neighborhood bakeries and cafes, these spots are rolling out limited-time Valentine’s Day sweets worth planning around.

Araya Artisan Chocolate, 1141 Uptown Park 

Pre-order your heart-shaped boxes of fine chocolates and macarons at this artisan chocolatier, with flavors from Strawberry Balsamic and Mango Habanero to a Manhattan riff with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Martini & Rossi Vermouth and cherry juice.

Badolina Bakery, 5555 Morningside 

Hit the Rice Village bakery to score mini heart cakes ($10) in the pastry case, plus large heart-shaped cakes available to order ($50–$75) at least 24 hours in advance. 

Buttermilk Baby, 600 North Shepherd 

Buttermilk Baby is celebrating Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day all month long with the Sweetheart Shake, featuring vanilla ice cream blended with strawberry sauce and white chocolate, finished with whipped cream and festive toppings.  

Cacao & Cardamom Chocolatier, 5000 Westheimer

The luxury chocolatier’s Valentine’s Day collection features handcrafted boxes and confections made with premium ingredients and creative flavor pairings. Choose from favorites like the Beating Heart Gift Box, Raspberry Pistachio Heart Bar, or the sweet and charming Starlit Heart Gift Box. 

Common Bond, multiple locations

Common Bond is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a limited-time lineup of festive sweets available in-store across all locations. Highlights include the Strawberry Sweetheart Entremet with chocolate mousse, strawberry jelly, and brownie layers (available through February 15), Raspberry Rose and Strawberry Cheesecake macarons, a Guava Cream Cheese Croissant, and a Strawberry Cake Pop dipped in white chocolate and finished with sprinkles.

Dessert Gallery, 3600 Kirby 

The local institution’s Valentine’s Day collection featuresl sweets available in-store and online, including Valentine butter cCookies and curated gift boxes of six hand-decorated cookies, Valentine cupcakes and seasonal cupcake collections, Valentine petit fours, chocolate-dipped strawberries (individual or six-packs) and a Valentine Cookie Decorating Kit for a fun at-home project.

El Bolillo Bakery, multiple locations

El Bolillo Bakery is offering a lineup of limited-edition Valentine’s sweets available February 1–15, in-store, online and on local delivery apps. Highlights include heart-shaped conchas filled with strawberry cream cheese or chocolate, a six-inch vanilla tres leches Heart Cake with strawberry mousse and mini cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, hand-decorated sugar cookies and festive cake pops.

Kolache Factory, multiple locations

This February, folks can enjoy the limited-time Red Velvet Cupcake, available while supplies last. 

  

Le Madeleine, multiple locations

Guests can try the new Sweet Bakery Board, an indulgent spread designed for sharing and featuring chocolate-covered strawberries, macarons, rich brownies, mini cheesecake, buttery pastries and sweet bites drizzled with decadent chocolate. The special is available now through February 24 for $29.99, both dine-in and carry-out.

Little Rey, 2345 Mid Lane

On February 14 and 15, Little Rey will feature heart-shaped pancakes and soft serve topped with chocolate sauce and strawberries.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, multiple locations

Nothing Bundt Cakes is sweetening Valentine’s Day with individually packaged, gift-wrapped bundt cakes available February 12–13. Choose from a Single Bundtlet Tower ($7.75), Double Bundtlet Tower ($13.50) or Triple Bundtlet Tower ($19.25) at locations across Houston.

Slowpokes, multiple locations

For the month of February, Slowpokes is serving two Valentine’s specialty drinks: a Strawberry Matcha layered with strawberry milk, matcha and cheesecake cold foam; and a Biscoff Cookie Butter Latte topped with cookie butter cold foam, Lotus Biscoff crumbles and caramel drizzle. Both drinks are served iced only at all locations.

Brooke Viggiano is a contributing writer who is always looking to share Houston's coolest and tastiest happenings with the Houston Press readers.