iN PHOTOS: Sweet treats made by local artisans in Kamloops, Okanagan

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and with so many talented local artisans making chocolates, pastries and creative sweet treats in the Thompson-Okanagan region there’s a lot to choose from.

These are just a few of the local makers that go over-the-top on desserts and most have Valentine’s Day-themed treats and packages with online ordering available.

Run by a local couple for ten years, Karat Chocolate and Pastry Boutique in Kelowna has won 60 international chocolate awards in that time. They make decadent chocolate confections and flaky, cream filled pastries.

The shop and café are located on Ellis Street with treats on shelves at wineries and shops around the Okanagan. The sweet confections can be viewed and ordered online here.

Cotton’s Chocolates, located in downtown Vernon, sell products made by hand with high quality ingredients by local chocolatiers. The most popular treats offered are bearclaws, chocolate Guinness stout cupcakes, salted caramel peanut butter cups and chocolate covered Swedish berries.

The shop is located at 3334 30 Avenue and the chocolate treats can be viewed and ordered online here.

Okanagan Cake Pops in Vernon makes custom cake pops and can be seen at local markets throughout the year. The bakers are focussed on custom orders with one of their most popular flavours being Funfetti which is made with custom colours and toppings. Orders can be made through the Okanagan Cake Pops Instagram. 

How Sweet Candied Treats located in Kamloops is a local company known for their Dubai chocolate strawberry cups and candied fruit among other delicious offerings.

A Dubai Strawberry Cup is a dessert with fresh strawberries layered with mascarpone cream and Belgian chocolate. The treat comes with a choice of two toppings including various nuts, candies and drizzles. A Dubai Chocolate Lovers Tray and spicy Valentine’s Day chocolate bars are available.

The treats can be viewed and ordered online here.

Located in Kamloops, Mary Anne’s Macarons specializes in decorative, hand made and designed macarons with themes for every occasion and season of the year. The macarons come in numerous sweet flavours and are topped with painted designs and festive piping. The Valentine’s Dubai inspired macaron cake has a layer of pistachio buttercream with a bright strawberry filling. The middle layer is pistachio paste and crispy kataifi pastry, and it is finished with chocolate buttercream and a glossy chocolate ganache.

View Mary Anne’s Macarons and order online here.

Subzero Snack Shop is run by a Kamloops couple who are experts at making colourful freeze-dried candy. Different kinds of candy go into a freeze drier and come out looking different with a crunchier texture and more intense flavour. The talented candy makers behind the business do not have a store or a website but can be found at a winter market at Sahali Mall in Kamloops on Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.