Back in October, I got a DM (direct message) on Twitter that got me really excited.

“We really enjoy your posts! My sis will be in HI next week. I’d love to send you some treats! We wouldn’t turn down a review on your blog :)”

That came from @velvetropebakes, the Twitter account for Velvet Rope Bake Shop, a LA-based dessert shop that opened in 2010 and specializes in handcrafted cake truffles and sweet-and-salty cookies, all made from scratch and in small batches.

But here’s the best part: you can buy them online!

I say this because when I travel, I love to hit bakeries. And not all of them have products that can survive the flight back to Honolulu. So when I find bakeries or dessert shops like this one — or Levain Bakery in New York City and Sweet Lydia’s in Lowell, Mass. — that sell their specialities online, I get overly excited.

So here’s the deal: Owner Eric Katigbak was a TV commercial and music video producer who had a passion for baking. After years of baking treats for friends and celebrity clients, he decided to turn his love for baking into a full-fledged career.

Now he sells his goodies online and in stores in Southern California and Texas.

And yes, he delivers to Hawaii.

“He wants me to taste test his cake truffles?” I thought to myself. “Did he really have to ask?”

Eric sent me a box of assorted cake truffles (top). For $25, you a gift box filled with nine different flavors of cake truffles: red velvet (above) double chocolate, lemon, carrot cake, chocolate-covered banana, coconut, peanut butter chocolate, cafe mocha and s’mores.

The box of truffles can last up to two weeks in your refrigerator, so you don’t have to eat them right away. In fact, I didn’t. I took my time eating them, savoring each one.

The red velvet, which, I’m assuming is its signature flavor, was a dense piece of cake coated in white chocolate. These truffles look small, but they’re packed with flavor that eating one is enough. The flavor of the red velvet cake was subtle — maybe I had it in the fridge too long — but it was still a nice ending to my dinner that night.

Though I enjoyed the lemon and carrot cake truffles, my favorite was the double chocolate. I felt this flavor worked the best with the concept of using a dense cake covered in a chocolate coating. It was rich and decadent — just how I wanted it.

The verdict? This would make a great gift for anyone who loves cakes and chocolate. And the flavors are interesting enough to satisfy even the most finicky dessert eater. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s unique and special and beautifully packaged.

Velvet Rope Bake Shop Cake Truffles can be found online and at the following sites: www.cocodot.com, www.mamarockys.com, www.sneakpeeq.com, www.davia.com. They’re also sold at The Curious Palate in West L.A., Fresco Community Market in L.A., and Hubbell & Hudson Market and Bistro in The Woodlands, Texas. Follow them on Twitter @velvetropebakes and Instagram @velvetropebakeshop.