The Ultimate NYC Sweets Guide
Regardless of your relationship status, Valentine’s Day is the one day a year where sweets take the spotlight. Sugar lovers rejoice! Sure, it’s a day all about love, but nobody said you can’t love yourself! You eat for health & vitality every day; make this day about pure pleasure, lovers. No need to throw your non-negotiables out the window – you can still find out-of-this-world desserts sans animal products & gluten. So gather up the girls & go get the goods – it’s gonna be one hell of a Galentine’s.
Confectionary (East Village)
First up we have tried & true Confectionary. This East Village staple was established in 2016 & it’s been thriving off of love ever since. You cannot walk in & not light up with a smile. The entire goodie case is vegan, with a special section of gluten-free treats, as well as an entire selection of chocolates & macaroons that are all entirely sans gluten. Welcome to paradise. Not to mention that the girls that work there are just as sweet.
Now listen up: Do. Not. Leave. Without. The Oat Bar. You will think to yourself, “meh, that sounds boring. I want dessert, not breakfast.” No offense, but you have never been more wrong. It’s salty, it’s decadent, it’s laced with a chewy but not too sweet jam. Heaven on earth – trust. Your boyfriend won’t even realize its vegan gluten-free – don’t tell him until he’s already spellbound.
While you’re over in the gluten-free section, you might want to also snag one of the most decadent brownies of your whole life. No, really. Fudgy, rich, chewy, chocolately. Really could eat one a day, but best to save yourself for special occasions like Valentine’s – or Fridays.
Now let’s move into the macaroons. Made with a soy blend, these egg-free lovelies aren’t just delicate & gorgeous, they will also tickle your taste buds & keep on going. The flavors change daily (*fresh AF*) but here are some of our favorites: vanilla (not your average vanilla!), pistachio, chocolate, lavender (0% soapy, 100% breathtaking), earl grey, and rose. They do classics so well, but don’t be afraid to try some of their outlandish combos too – like thyme & absinthe. You really can’t go wrong.
Chocolate fans, you’re up. These flavors also shift daily, but here are some dependable regulars you can count on to blow you away: the tahini chocolates are mouth-watering insanity. The turtles are better than your favorite candy bar – I know you can’t believe that, but just you wait. The peanut butter cups give Reese’s a run for their money. & the hibiscus white chocolates are sure to open up that heart of yours. Go get ‘em, babe.
Erin Mckenna Bakery (LES)
Next up is Erin McKenna’s Bakery. Nestled into the eclectic streets of the Lower East Side since 2005, this spot is just something special. Not only is everything entirely vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO, they also only use the highest quality sweeteners & coloring agents. Read: no belly aching. I told you this place was special.
Not only are the ingredients as sound as can be, all of the treats are absolutely out of this world. Now get back down to earth & select the éclaire from the case. Did you know that éclaire means enlightened in French? Coincidence? No. Prepare to be blown away. While it doesn’t have the classic appearance of a standard éclaire, that’s because it’s anything but. It looks more like a frosting sandwich, quite honestly, but don’t be fooled. The dough itself, while a bit more dense than the classic, only further compliments the epic pastry cream you’re about to experience. Again, denser than you’d expect but not overly sweet like a frosting. Truly magic that they were able to replicate the delicate flavor & subtle sweetness of a pastry cream sans all the animal products. Okay, magic, imagination & talent. Topped with that classic chocolate stripe & sprinkled with fleur de sel, you won’t even remember that you already have a Valentine.
Let’s move over to the cookies. The vanilla cookie sandwich, nestled between two chocolate chip cookies was well beyond expectation. You see a frosting sandwich & you imagine the stomach ache that will inevitably ensue, but not this one – she’s special. Not too sweet & subtly salty, you WILL want to take her home. While you’re there, snag a thin mint to dunk in your tea tomorrow. Better than the boxed variety you used to love.
Donut lovers rejoice – you finally have zeroed in on the most delicious vegan & gluten-free donuts you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. While they are more of the dense cake variety, that’s just exactly what makes them so scrumptious. We opted for the chocolate glazed & it did not disappoint. Point is: get here now or forever hold your peace.
Casse-Cou (East Village)
Last but certainly not least is Matthew Kenney’s latest endeavor: Casse-Cou. Translating to dare-devil, this tiny little confectionary situated in the East Village just outside Bowery will have you acting dangerously. Good news is that it’s entirely vegan & gluten-free, so go wild. While the treats aren’t cheap, neither is the flavor, so invest in the experience of melt-in-your-mouth chocolates & stunning flavor combinations.
We went for a box of 5 a la carte: The pistachio saffron caramel is out of this world decadent. The matcha truffle is just as earthy & vibrant as the superfood itself, but it’s taken even further being paired with white chocolate. The yuzu truffle is bright & floral, a beautiful contrast to the cocoa. The chai latte truffle packs the same powerful punch as your favorite latte, but it’s rounded out with the sweet shell.
Saved the best for last: the miso toasted soybean powder praline. It pays to get a little adventurous at Casse-Cou, because this flavor combo cannot be missed. Salty, sweet, toasty – unreal. Umami & je ne sais quoi all wrapped into one enigma. You’ll find yourself desperate to try them all. We won’t tell.
