Rivertowns Biz Snippets: Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Treats From By The Way Bakery

Though Hastings' is usually closed on Tuesdays, owner Helene Godin will open specially this week to serve her festive and tasty Valentine's Day treats.

Godin highlighted her mini-cupcakes that come topped with handmade chocolate hearts. They come in three varieties: lemon with raspberry frosting, chocolate with raspberry frosting and chocolate with chocolate frosting.

"The raspberry frosting is new for Valentine's Day," Godin said.

Starting with her regular frosting base, Godin and her team add real raspberries to the mix with a little organic raspberry powder to boost the flavor and color.

"Originally, I tried raspberry extract for the frosting, but that gave it too much of a chemical taste," Godin said.

Other Valentine's Day specials include Coconut Cloud Cake—one of her most popular items—with chocolate hearts and a raspberry cake that has four layers of vanilla layer cake with organic raspberry jam between each of the layers. It's frosted with the signature organic raspberry frosting, making the vibrant pink cake pop when it's on display.

Godin said about 40 percent of her clients are actually allergic to gluten, but the majority just like her baked goods—regardless of whether they're made entirely without wheat. 

Godin suggests ordering cakes and cupcakes by Sunday, but she said there will be Valentine's Day cakes available on Tuesday as well. 

Learn more about By the Way Bakery here.