Something Sweet-- VALERIE CONFECTIONS

With weather that makes you want to sip tea in front of the fire, we're thinking about delicious baked goods to accompany that tea!  Also, the holidays are almost upon us and while we actually do love baking, for large groups it can be daunting so we have taste tested to see what we might order for friends and family.

And here is what our "research" has netted out:

Everything we have tasted from  Valerie Confections is heaven!  Her cakes look fantastic and impressive and she bakes with less sugar than most of her competitiors so the whole piece of cake tastes divine and not just those first few forkfulls.  And you don't wind up with a sugar hangover.  We love her Farmer's Market Berry Cake-- made with whatever berries are freshest that Valerie finds at her local Farmer's Market, with light buttercream frosting and vanilla cake.

Valerie is also known for her chocolates which take chocolate to a whole new level.  Valerie is based in Los Angeles,  but ships some of her chocolates-- which she also does a variation on as party favors which can be personalized and look chic.

Sorry for those of you who don't live in the Los Angeles area that you have to come visit us here for her heavenly cakes....