Boxes of chocolates and candlelit dinners are Valentine’s Day standbys for a reason, but some special occasions call for a little something extra. Whether you’re romantically involved or flying solo, nothing says love like a freshly baked treat. No matter what you’re craving, from gourmet cupcakes to flaky croissants, you’re sure to find something to please your palate at one of Boulder’s best bakeries.
Opened by world-class chef Shamane Simons in 2004, Shamane’s Bake Shop offers an array of pastries and desserts in their café each morning. Sink your teeth into a decadent chocolate molten cake, or pick up a whole pie to take home. If you want to get fancy, you could order a specialty cake or some petit fours to be made ahead of time. Everything is prepared in-house using only the finest local ingredients, and they have gluten-free options, too!
Local favorite Spruce Confections has been a part of the Boulder community since 1992. With baked goods sold in coffee shops all over town in addition to their own storefronts, you might have tasted their baking before and not even realized it. They make everything from scones to cakes, including Danish pastries, cookies, gluten-free breads, and more.
Featuring an impressive selection of flavors and an abundance of colorful designs, T & Cakes’ claim to fame is exactly what you’d expect: cakes! Their inimitable cake pops, cupcakes, and full-size cakes are handcrafted with love and their special brand of creative flair. Enjoy a classic flavor like red velvet, or be adventurous and try lemon lavender. Most flavors are also available in gluten-free and vegan options.
Kim & Jake’s offers an entirely gluten-free menu, but you’d never know it: their cakes are moist, rich, and delicious. They make cookies and bread, but cakes are their specialty. Choose from a variety of enticing, gourmet flavors, some of which are seasonal exclusives. One such cake, the Vindalicious, is a ginger-vindaloo spice cake with salted Thai curry caramel icing, and it’s only available from October through February.
If variety is the spice of life, then Boulder Baked is the spiciest bakery in Boulder. Their cookies and cupcakes come in dozens of flavors, and as if that weren’t enough, they also make cakes, pies, crisps, and a wide range of other desserts. Plus, they’re open late and they deliver, making them a prime location for an after-dinner treat.
It’s well-known that Boulder, Colorado boasts some truly exceptional restaurants, so it comes as no surprise that our city’s confectionery offerings are top-notch, too. Give into your sweet side this Valentine’s Day, and indulge in some sugary delights.