In the days leading up to Halloween, dessert shop Valerie Confections is hosting a free, five-day dessert tasting, showcasing their fall line. Today's menu kicks off with Blum's coffee and lemon crunch cakes. Other morsels in-store this week include a new line of casual, everyday sweets: almond toffee treats, peanut toffee treats, chocolate citrus bark and chocolate-dipped shortbread. Sample new petits fours flavors such as vanilla bean cake with passion-fruit ganache and orange cake with handmade marzipan filling.

“We want to indulge our customers,” says Valerie Gordon, who co-owns the store with partner Stan Weightman Jr. Inspired by the farmers markets of Los Angeles, Gordon will be sampling products such as white fig and Fuji apple jam, mini market cakes, along with paired Gorgonzola cheese and prosciutto.

Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake; Credit: Valerie Confections

Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake; Credit: Valerie Confections

"Valerie at the Market" collection Hand Pies; Credit: Michelle Youssefzadeh

“Valerie at the Market” collection Hand Pies; Credit: Michelle Youssefzadeh

Chocolate Dipped Shortbread; Credit: Valerie Confections

Chocolate Dipped Shortbread; Credit: Valerie Confections

Chocolate Assortment; Credit: Darcy Hemley

Chocolate Assortment; Credit: Darcy Hemley

Peanut toffee treats; Credit: Valerie Confections

Peanut toffee treats; Credit: Valerie Confections

Valerie Confections, 3360 West First Street, Los Angeles. (213) 739-3140.

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