[1] Four tiers of truffles, caramels, and buttercreams in a keepsake box (all photos © Dean’s Sweets).

[2] Conversation hearts in fine chocolate.

[3] Homemade marshmallow hearts.

[4] One of the seasonal flavors of truffles: maple.

There are more than a few reasons to visit Portland, Maine: the Old Port waterfront, the Western Promenade with stunning river and mountain views, the West End, a neighborhood of Victorian-era homes, including the Victoria Mansion museum.

And then, there’s Dean’s Sweets, our Top Pick Of The Week.

Dean Bingham started making chocolate as a hobby, and friends and family said what many artisan food makers hear: “These are so good. You should start a business.” Dean’s Sweets was born.

Dean and his wife Kristin went from making truffles in their home kitchen in 2004 to operating a 1,200-square-foot professional kitchen and two retail stores in Portland.

Fans across the country know that more than 30 varieties of truffles, caramels, and buttercreams are only a few clicks away.

 
Each and every bite is splendid, luxurious, and certain to please your Valentine(s).
 
 
VALENTINE TREATS

Red Jewel Case.  Open the top of this reusable gift box (photo #1) to savor four tiers of elegant hand-dipped chocolates. There are two sizes, 32- or 64-piece bounty of truffles, caramels, and buttercreams, a mix of dark and milk chocolate

Conversation Hearts. Turn nostalgia into fine confections, with little conversation hearts crafted in dark, milk, and white chocolate (photo #2). You’ll never want the “original” version. With Dean’s version, you get bites of fine chocolate. So TXT Me, Q T Pie, U R Cute—and send chocolate!

Chocolate Enrobed Marshmallow Hearts. Homemade marshmallows are dipped in luscious shells of 70% dark chocolate and decorated with creamy milk chocolate Xs and Os (photo #3). We X and O them.
 
 
BEYOND VALENTINES 

Fans of fine confections will enjoy perusing the entire website. Some of our favorites:

 
The latter is the treat to end all treats: a large assortment of chocolates sent monthly (or for as many months as you choose).
 
GET YOUR DEAN’S 

Head to DeansSweets.com and make someone happy!
 
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*Beer from Allagash Brewing in Portland, butter from Casco Bay Creamery in Scarborough, coffee from Coffee by Design in Portland, cream from Misty Brook Farm in Albion, organic maple syrup tapped in Madison, potato chips from Fox Family in Mapleton, sea salt from Marshfield, and spirits from Cold River Vodka in Freeport.