Vanille Patisserie holds 'Stud Muffin' contest

Our friends from Vanille Patisserie stopped by to share some delicious treats plus give Ryan a surprise!

For Valentine's Day, Vanille is holding a 'Stud Muffin' contest. Individuals can submit the name of Stud with a flavor combination that best describes him. If chosen, the store creates that cupcake and names it after the winner. The contest runs now through Feb. 5. The winner will be chosen on Feb. 12.

Submissions must be made via email to studmuffin@vanillepatisserie.com. The winner's Stud Muffin will be sold at all Vanille locations through the month of February.

We surprised our very own stud Ryan with his own 'Stud Muffin' cupcake! The "Ryan" is made up of white buttermilk cake, filled with passionfruit curd, topped with Italian buttercream, dipped in chocolate ganache and topped with a chocolate passionfruit macaron. The 'Ryan' will be sold at all Vanille stores through the entire month of February, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to a charity Ryan supports, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Also, from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7, all customers will receive a free, legendary Vanille macaron. Also, the first 25 customers through the door each of those three mornings will receive a $25 Vanille gift card for their next visit. Everyone can enter to win a $500 Vanille gift card.

Vanille specializes in French-inspired artisanal pastries including delicious entremets (mousse cakes), tarts, handmade chocolates and candies, fresh baked croissants and classic French macarons. Vanille also creates gorgeous, customized cakes for weddings, birthdays and other occasions.

Vanille currently has two locations and is opening a third in Lakeview on Feb. 4. They are rolling out gluten-free cakes and introducing a special line of macarons for dogs. The store doesn't offer Wi-Fi so it allows its customers to unplug and enjoy the moment and pastries, rather than be buried in phones and laptops!