Valley/NOHO/818: Big Sugar Bakeshop, A Sugar Rush for Street Art Enthusiasts

Big Sugar Bakeshop, just two doors away from Fabien Castanier Gallery, takes the cake for artful baked goods and really comfortable interior design. Vintage Formica tables and chairs invite you to enjoy your baked goods with complementary coffee; a selection of vintage aprons and cookware, as well cookbooks are as as tempting as sweets behind the glass cases. Big Sugar Bakery is homey and cozy, not cluttered or cloying.

And the baked goods aren’t cloying either. My biggest complaints about “cupcakeries” (aside from that hideous portmanteau and the obsessively cute-widdle-girrl vibe of cupcake stores, as though baking isn’t srs bizns) is the ratio of frosting to cake (too much!) and how tooth-curdlingly sweet the frosting always turns out to be. Big Sugar Bakery has the frosting/cake ratio right. And oh the flavors!  My favorite is the Belgian chocolate, though the dulce de leche gets high marks.

Next time you’re checking out the art at Fabien Castanier, recharge at Big Sugar Bakeshop, where owners Lisa and Mary bake not only cupcakes, but brownies, blondies, cookies, bars, shortbread, and breakfast baked goods. (Their apple pie bars were named  Best Apple Dessert by Food and Wine). On Friday and Saturday they are open until 8pm, making this a great place to meet before an opening at Castanier.

Big Sugar Bakeshop
12182 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 508-5855
Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.