Say “I Love You” The French Way, And Gluten Free! http://frenchmadebaking.com/en/

French macarons have been trending for a couple of years and are still high on the 2012 must-have list of every food lovers. If you wish to break free of traditional gift ideas for the upcoming Valentine’s Day and hit the (sweet) spot, these heart-shaped macarons baked by French Made Baking will do the trick. This limited edition will be available in the store at 81 Kingsway, Vancouver, from February 10 to 14 but it is recommended to pre-order.

Handcrafted with love by a Parisian-born baker, they are flavoured with all-natural rose water, crispy on the outside but smooth and chewy in the middle. They “melt in your mouth like a snowflake” as Sadie D., a customer, puts it. Made of almond meringue and buttercream they are naturally gluten free.

Before opening a brick-and-mortar location in December, this family-run Parisian-style bakery has gained the favours of Farmers’ and Bakers’ Markets shoppers with its baked goods over the last year. It has made a speciality of being creative with macarons, giving them a contemporary look while sticking to a very traditional recipe. Limited editions for Halloween, Movember and to show support to the Vancouver Canucks during the 2010 Stanley Cup Final all proved very popular.

Owners David and Catherine Introligator are driven by a common passion for good food and the desire to share it. They are convinced it is possible to recreate typical French pastries in Vancouver, just as good as they are in France, while sourcing most of the supplies locally. They have built a solid reputation with the macarons and canelés de Bordeaux but also offer all sorts of croissants, tarts and cakes in the store as well as macarons making classes.

Valentine’s Day macarons price (tax included): $2.25 each  /  6 for $12   /  12 for $22. Various packaging available.