Big Sugar Bakeshop
Categories: Bakeries, Cards & Stationery [Edit]
Neighborhood: Studio CIty12182 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 508-5855
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
23 reviews
Neighborhood: Downtown
"i've gone to MANY asian owned french bakeries in and around los angeles and i must say... frances bakery OWNED them all. between three…" read more »
34 Reviews for Big Sugar Bakeshop
In their quest to find me sneaky sweets, Christopher S. and L'aura L. also stopped in to visit the folks at Big Sugar.
Obviously, my friends have great taste! :)
The red velvet cupcakes (normal sized) were topped with a whipped buttercream frosting (aw, no cream cheese?) that was super tasty, but just not what I was expecting!
The cake itself was moist, but I swear that the paper cup had a funky smell. Not like it mattered though, I ate more of those suckers than I care to admit!
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You know that show whose name I can't remember but people want to be millionaires and they can call lifelines to help them guess when they're too stupid to know the answer themselves?
Well, L'aura L. was my lifeline, when I found that my plan A for pastries wasn't going to work out for the big Surprise party. She had recently gone through a similar dilemma, and so I recruited her assistance. I tell, you, it was like pulling teeth to get her to come along with me and try some great cupcakes all over the city, but I managed to finally convince her. Our first stop was this hidden little bakery right around the corner from my second home. L'aura L. and I ordered a red velvet cupcake and split it between the two of us. The icing was flavorful without being overwhelming.
Both of us found our half of a cupcake to be extremely satisfying, and inquired about ordering a cake for the following evening; they said they couldn't guarantee it would be done in time. So we continued our cupcake odyssey in search of greener (and more timely) pastures.
However, the surprise party for the princess was turning out to be more popular than had been thought, and so Buttercheeks ended up purchasing about ten red velvet cupcakes from Big Sugar Bakeshop just to be on the safe side. And there was much rejoicing.
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3.5 based on the red velvet cupcake
Okay, I admit it, I love cream cheese frosting. And Big Sugar does not pair their red velvet cupcakes with it. Instead, you get a super whipped buttercream which went well with the cupcake. I still missed the cream cheese frosting though.
The actual cupcake itself was a beautiful sultry red that begged, beseeched and blatantly flirted with you until you took a bite. And another. Until the whole darn thing disappeared!
It's also an airy cupcake which leaves you to think you could have another. But I won't. Oh no, until next time, dear red velvet cuppiecake!
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Alas, I was not impressed with the sweet selection. The cupcakes were just ok, and not all that big for $2.50 a pop. (At least, not when you're used to the jumbo ones from the Westside shops...) We tried vanilla, red velvet, chocolate and hummingbird (pineapple, coconut & cream cheese frosting), and I wouldn't really go back for them.
Their brownies, however, were quite tasty. Normally I'm not too jazzed about mint, but the "girl scout" brownie (with thin mints) was so freakin good. I liked it much better than the peanut butter brownie, a combination which would usually win hands down for me. Another peanut butter disappointment was the "buckeye." Maybe it wasn't sweet enough for me, but I just wasn't into it.
But I think Big Sugar Bakeshop may have an ace in its pocket with the doughnut muffin....I will definitely be back to try that.
Plus, the shop is very cute, lots of quirky things like kid-sized leopard print aprons, handmade cards and such lining the walls. There was an adorable card that said "Let them eat cake" with a Marie Antoinette-esque woman that I would have liked to purchase....but it was $25. Yeah, yeah, it was a unique work of art, not a Hallmark card, but I still couldn't get over the price.
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BROWNIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have every kind: nuts, no nuts, volcano, etc.
They do this amazing thing with a peanut butter center, it fried my brain so I don't remember what it's called.
I liked the t-shirts they were selling but, alas, I eat and am not a size 6.
The staff was friendly when approached but more interested in gossiping about another employee. They did give helpful suggestions when it looked like I started to walk away from the cupcake display.
As for parking, there is a parking lot nearby but it's not theirs. So parking for free would involve walking 1 block.
If I could give 2.5 stars, I would, but I don't feel positive enough to round up, and I have to remind myself that the fact that the store sold cute and quirky tchotchkes and some tantalizing cherry-vanilla jam does not compensate for the cupcakes. Admittedly, the peanut butter cookie I got was good, and my friend was stoked that they offer free coffee, which is pretty cool.
On to the cupcakes:
Vanilla w/ vanilla frosting: The cake just tasted like, well, CAKE, not vanilla. Kind of Duncan Hines-y. Same problem with the frosting, and it was too buttery and made my teeth feel coated.
Red velvet: The color was good and I liked the red sugar on top of the frosting, but the cake didn't have a true red velvet flavor (chocolate undertones), and the frosting wasn't cream cheesy enough. It also made my teeth feel coated.
Chocolate w/ chocolate frosting: The easy winner. The cake was dark, rich, and startlingly bittersweet. The frosting had a good chocolate flavor and chocolate sprinkles on top.
I'll give props, though, for the cupcakes being far cheaper than at most other cupcake places, but I'd rather pay more for a tastier product. Check my cupcake list for better places to go.
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$2.50 for a red velvet cupcake... sweet! Plus it was light & fluffy.
Right across the street is Chin Chin - order some chocolate covered fortune cookies and your sweet fix will be taken care of.
went here today...stopped and got my customer 4 cupcakes......
2 coconuts
1 vanilla cream
1 special of the day
and they had candles, which was perfect cause it was his Birthday last week.....anyway I didn't taste all of them...but the coconut was delicious........it was a vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting and then covered in soft sweet grated coconut....not to sweet...just perfect.....
I will visit again...lost a star cause the parking is a pain in the ass.....
Although the atmosphere is friendly and the shop is adorable, I was disappointed by a very limited selection and some odd choices.
Red Velvet cupcakes with buttercream? NO! Cream cheese frosting, people!!!
Also, parking is a bitch. Have money for meters, if you are lucky enough to find a spot on Ventura.
I tried their mini-cupcake sampler and wasn't impressed. I've had much better cupcakes.
But then again if you like simple cupcakes with light frosting and not very sweet cake...then you might enjoy this place...
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While I have never ventured out to the actual bakeshop itself, after gorging myself on a gift basket sent to my office, I feel fully confident in Big Sugar's mad treat-baking skills. Those are some delightfully fluffy cupcakes and killer cookies. The brownies and bars are good too, but sadly, the glut of cupcakeries around town has made me a more discriminating dessert-eater and good just doesn't cut it anymore. But oh man, that chocolate-white chocolate chip cookies...wow. I may have to venture out to Studio City.
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Was out shopping one day on the strip in Studio City and walked right past the door when suddenly, mycupcake radar went "ding, ding, ding, ding!" Very cute place with tiny old fashioned diner tables, and all sorts of fun little things to look at and buy. The pastry display case was better than some I've seen, and I quickly honed in on my prey, a red velvet cupcake. The cake was a little dry, but not bad; the icing - really, really good. The staff was, well, not as friendly as you would think but I was in such a hurry to sit down and enjoy my cupcake that I didn't let it bother me. I'm still searching for THE best red velet in town, until I find it, Big Sugar is one of my favorites.
Let me preface this by saying I have a sweet tooth. An insatiable sweet tooth. A sweet tooth that aches at night when it isn't fed. That being said, I'd been stalking Big Sugar online for a few weeks when I suddenly had the opportunity to order a bunch of treats for a meeting at work. I ordered and my Sweet Tooth Twin (STT) ran for pick up.
Here's what we got: Lemon Bars - Unbelievable. I hate lemon in anything and I swallowed half a bar after trying a crumb. Seven Layer Bar (-1/2 star) - It was...not bad. There was a whole lotta coconut and a wee bit of caramel. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie - Didn't last 2 seconds in my hand, it was thick, chunky and not so sweet that you couldn't taste the oatmeal. Sugar cookies - They were pretty but basic, a little flat for my taste, but those who like more of a crunch to their cookie might be happy.
And now we come to the Pecan Bar. They were giving away free samples. STT and I were so entranced that we went back the next day for more...and then we had a throwdown to decide who would become Mrs. Pecan Bar.
Third trip included a Cinnamon/Chocolate Cupcake and a Red Velvet. Both good, though I prefer the Chocolate Cupcake at Susie Cakes above all else.
I'll go back ad nauseum, if only to see my fiance, Mr. Bar.
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I like Big Sugar Bakeshop because its very cute and well designed. There are little gifts and trinkets to buy and the the overall store feels very cute and quaint. I ordered four cupcakes here and so far I've only gotten through the red velvet. I'm a bit disappointed, I didn't like the frosting and I thought the red velvet tasted like plain vanilla. Each cupcake ranges from about $1.95 to $2.25. I'll add to this review if anything changes after I finish the other three cupcakes but i doubt it. =( Cute shop with nice things to buy or else I would have rated it at two stars because the cupcakes didn't impress me.
***Update*** Okay Big Sugar has redeemed a star. I am in love with their passion fruit cupcake. I don't think they taste like passion fruit but I think they taste so goood. There is another chocolate flavor that was very moist but i forgot the name. Four stars for a cute store and great passion fruit cupcake!
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The cupcakes here have won me over with their K.I.S.S. method. They 'kept it simple stupid'.. Their frosting wasn't too sugary and over the top and the cupcake batter was flavorful and didn't make you feel like an elephant afterwards.
The three flavors that I tried were, red velvet (scrumptious), coconut (yummy!) and vanilla (such a pure taste!).
This place rocks and in my opinion, kicks Sprinkles overrated bootay.
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Likes:
-great red velvet cupcakes
-reverse cookies [you may develop crack-like cravings to this cookie]
-cute shop - they carry such novel, kitchy items i.e. skulls & roses aprons, oven mitts, etc.
Things you need to know:
-if you want to get red velvet cupcakes on Saturday, you best get there early as they can run out quickly, however, they are pretty quick about putting out more as soon as they are ready from the oven
-GREAT SAMPLES available all the time.
-the employees are a great help - one time i ordered multiple items and one of the employees helped me to bring them to my car, even when i was parked almost 3 blocks away (STUDIO CITY street parking on a Saturday is horrendous)
Wowsers! I love my sweets and cake especially. I tend to be disappointed with some of the cupcake places out here (like Sprinkles) but Big Sugar Bakeshop is awesome! I had the Red Velvet cupcake and the Chocolate Peanut Butter. MMMMM. The cakes were most and fresh and the icing was so good. What was great was it had the homemade touch. I would take the trip to Studio City any day for these.
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"Where did these come from?" I asked my co-workers as I walked by the tiny telling white boxes innocently resting upon the filing cabinet in my office this afternoon.
"From evil!" They all responded in unison, looking up from their decadently frosted cupcakes and treats with pained expressions on their faces.
Could it be true? Did Spencer from "the Hills" hand-deliver these precious boxes of sweets to my place of employment? I feared that the delectable looking baked goods might contain traces of arsenic or anthrax, and planned to keep on walking, but then I spotted it. Someone had considerately left 1/4th a blondie-type bar in the corner of box #3. I can resist many things dear yelpers, but blondies ain't one of them. I immediately snatched it up, and proceeded to slice off a chunk of an oreo brownie as well. (If you are going to indulge, at least do it right, no?) I happily bounced my way back to my cubicle, ignoring the "evil" commentary that was spewing forth from my now sugar-coma-ed fellow employees.
I took a bite of the blondie item (after later investigation on the website, I discovered it is known as the "Gold Rush" bar). I paused. Nope, no anthrax. Spencer must have dropped the ball on this one, because clearly there was some angelic forces behind this brilliance of bakery confections. Gold Rush, you can rush my stomach any time.
As for the aforementioned oreo brownie? Let's just say, it found a home in my garbage can. The oreo was too mushified from the brownie bakage, and the brownie was too crumbly, and had that fake chocolate taste. In other words, Spencer did to it what he did to Heidi's nose/lady lumps.
But the Gold Rush... oh the Gold Rush...
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This was my first five star. Love the brownies and the coffee. Wish I could visit more but the hours make it tough sometimes.
[previously submitted]
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So I had a craving for a cupcake, so I headed to Studio City to try out Big Sugar. I wasn't utterly wowed, but my red velvet cupcake was decent. I'm sad they didn't use the traditional cream cheese frosting, though...Seriously they need to change that! The frosting was a sugary plain vanilla flavor I guess, not bad but not too dense or rich. I was left wanting more! The red velvet cake was good, though. The interior is super cute, the gifts are quite overpriced (seriously, $6.85 for a teeny b-day card with one sparkle on it? uh no thanks), and two workers (on their break?) using one of the few tables there to gab while one worker actually worked. The cupcake was $2.25 and there were only a few other options. I'll give it another try, though, since I'm always shopping in the area. The cakes looked good!
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I've been a frequent visitor to Big Sugar Bakeshop ever since they opened, and I really think their cupcakes are the best in the Valley, hands down. There's not a whole lot of choice in flavors, but they're gradually working on that, and besides, what they *do* have is delicious so it's all good. Their red velvet is perfect - not too sickly sweet, light, fluffy moist cake with delicious frosting. The price is good, too, and I love that these delicious confections are priced around $2. Less than some of the other local cupcake bakeries who're jumping on the cupcake wagon, but selling dry, artifical tasting little cakes with way too much super-sweet frosting. Their full sized cakes are equally delicious, and my little girl is hooked on their delicious buckeye treats. The store itself is very cute and filled with lots of food related stuff (aprons, cookbooks, etc) as well as some good quality boutique items. Between that, the great goodies and the friendly staff, I'm always happy to spend my money at Big Sugar!
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I am pretty much in love with this place. I decided I had to write a review today after I ate one of their Belgian Chocolate cupcakes. It was perfect. The frosting is better than any frosting I've ever had. The place is a bakery, but is also a store, selling great gifts of every kind. They have stationery and gourmet items and vintage aprons and great books and super cute stuff for kids. I love it and I am doing a lot of my Christmas shopping there. I think this is one of the most awesome places anywhere.
How great is it that we have a primo bakeshop in the neighborhood? I just celebrated my 40th Birthday (crowd claps, D waves to the audience "Thank You!") with a cake from Big Sugar. I am not a huge chocolate cake fan, so I ordered a cake made especially to my liking - how cool is that? Triple layered white cake with a cream and thin layer of pineapple filing topped with Coconut frosting -Ai Chi-Hua-Hua! Needless to say Big Sugar delivered with a out of this world delight. My guests were blown away and it really contributed to a perfect Birthday dinner. Lisa and crew did a great job, and were so eager and ambitious to please. My only one star left off, is that I hope in the future, they have some of the cakes to try by the slice , to help you in ordering for your cake.
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ATTENTION ALL YELPERS WHO LOVE SWEETS, HAVE GOOD TASTE AND WANT TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE YUMMIEST NEW BAKERIES AROUND!!!
Did I get your attention, damn I hope so, because oh my god, this place is awesome! Not only are the baked goods AHHmazing, BUT you can also get your shop on here. Cute little vintage aprons, little jars of sugar, super cool place mats, plates, pens, oven mitts, scull aprons, dish towels, you name something cute and awesome and they've got it!!
Now let's talk about the edible goods. Wow. I tried one of their Reverse Cookies which is basically a deep chocolate cookie with bittersweet and white chocolate chunks. It was soooo good, I honestly wanted to buy a few and take them home, but I knew I would be trying on pants later, and hey, I need all of the help I can get :)
They also have a Mexican Wedding Cake here that looked and smelled amazing. It has cinnamon in it, so I was SOL, but judging from the 5 people around me who tasted it and had their eyes rolling back in their heads in sheer baked orgasmic glory, me thinks, it's a winner. Another unique little treat they offer is the Doughnut Muffin. It's all the yummy taste of a donut, but not fried, yay!
Other sweet nibblies that looked awesomely deeelish were the fudge walnut brownies, the chocolate malted pie, the Belgian Chocolate cupcakes and the Damp Gingerbread. YUM!
I'm telling you, this place rules and I don't care if you live in the 213, 323, 310, 626 or beyond, get your arse to the 818 NOW and try this place!! Also check their website for daily specials. You won't be sorry! :)
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After a day of shopping at Studio City I was walking along Ventura and I happen to pass by this little cute bakeshop. I saw that it recently opened so I decided to give it a shot. Walking in you will see a whole display of goodies you can buy like stationary, cups, and other stuff that I didn't really take notice of because I was only there for one thing and that was the FOOD! (but I must admit they had a good collection of buttons)
I must have come into the store at the wrong time cause they only had a few baked goods left... urghhh just my luck! It was about 5:30pm probably near to their closing time so the choices I had were: the chocolate cupcake with sprinkles which was excellent very moist and oh so chocolaty, coffee cupcake which tasted delish with cappuccino icing I could have sworn it gave me a slight caffeine high, and the red velvet cake which had 3 or was it 4 layers of gooey cheese ?!?! But no matter it was all too... Yummy!
Okay looking back I guess I bought all they had left! Hey... I had to be food warrior and try em.
You should definitely give this little bakeshop a try.. it's still new so give this bakeshop some business will ya?!
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Average cupcakes at best. I had the red velvet cupcakes and the vanilla cupcakes. The frosting was very sugary with no distinct other flavors on both of them and lacked a nice texture. It was a little too liquified for my tastes. The red velvet was rather distant tasting and had much to be desired. The vanilla had a decent taste to it, but not much different than Betty Crocker yellow cake. Both cupcakes were too dry. I might try it again. Perhaps, this was a fluke.
when they make vegan cupcakes ill be able to write a personal review. i ask each time i go in there and buy non-vegan ones for anyone else -- which is often. everyone i buy these for LOVES them.
cute shop.
Ever wonder why a growing percentage of Americans are developing diabetes? The Big Sugar Bakeshop is one of those reasons. If you already have diabetes, take your insulin shot because this place makes yummy cupcakes and other treats.
I visited the place on Valentine's Day as a sweet treat to myself before heading off to work at the See's in Sherman Oaks. Its the one day in the year that my company asks office staff to volunteer at the shops. I was so happy to find out it was located between my comic book store, DJ's Universal, and the Sherman Oaks mall. I made sure to include a visit before reporting to duty.
My roommate and I love red velvet cupcakes and I always seek them out at bakeries. I'm glad this place offers them. They were moist and the frosting wasn't too rich. I also had one of their fudge walnut brownies which wasn't too dense or too rich either. Just right. 6 cupcakes and the brownie cost me about $14. The cupcakes average about $2 each.
This bakery also offers cakes, pies, muffins, and cookies. The cakes cost around $35 each and they have a variety lo select from like Grammy's Chocolate Mousse, German Chocolate, and Praline Cheesecake. The best part is they also offer Red Velvet cakes. That day, they were sold out of red velvet cakes by 11 AM. They recommended that if you want a specific cake, to preorder it a day in advance.
The place has only been open since January, but I'm sure word will get out soon. Their main competition is Yummy Cupcakes up the 170. I've eaten at Yummy Cupcakes several times when I used to work in Burbank and the cupcake quality and price are about the same. The best time to visit the Big Sugar Bakeshop would be before noon, when most of the goodies on display have been freshly baked. There is only street parking, so make sure to feed the meter. I'm definitely planning to add Big Sugar as one of the places I visit when I'm on Ventura Blvd.
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I must've had a bad cake or something because I did not think it was that great. We had a vanilla cake with buttercream frosting and the frosting was so thick and sweet that even I (the ultimate Cake Bandit) could not stomach it. The cake was dry and spongey which shocked me. I expected it to taste so good because I thought the packaging was cute and the presentation was really sweet. My aunt introduced me and she said the other baked goods are fantastic, so maybe, just maybe, we'll have to try this again...
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I am proud to say that I'm the 3rd person to write a review for this place...proud because I'm usually the 23,321st one to write about a place because of all you hardcore yelpers =)
Made a quick trip to Studio City today to see what all the buzz is about for this place. And, just as Stephy described, it's a cute little bakery with some fantastic baked goods. I tried their chocolate cupcake and it was super moist and the frosting was just right. Also bought a vanilla and red velvet one but was too full to try it as of this review so that will have to wait.
They also have some other rather tasty looking items such as a 7- layer bar (with chocolate, caramel, and some other good stuff), home made banana bread, as well as an assortment of cookies.
Definitely give this place a try. I'm sure it'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Just be warned that this place doesn't have tables or seats. It's strictly a to-go bakery.
Fantastic owners and staff, cute shop and awesome baked goods. They recently made a special birthday cake for someone very special and it was loved by all. Can't wait to try more of their desserts!
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shortbread tea cookies. ninety five little cents for perfect dainty little cookies. comes in four flavors: original, green tea, lemon and espresso chip. that is all.
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it's so terribly cute inside (and out!), and their color scheme is gorgeous. but all the merchandise hanging around is kind of annoying and distracting. basically your typical over-priced specialty items you can find at most stationery and paper goods stores. they have complimentary coffee and tea which I think is a really great idea... although I don't like the cow they put the milk in. it made me feel squeamish, and since they were out (fortunately!) I asked them to put milk straight in my cup but the guy insisted on bringing it to me in the damn cow. the chocolate cupcake was so-so. I had a few other things all which were pretty good. the sales staff were extremely kind and helpful even though I popped in just as they were about to close.
I would also have to say the prices are extremely decent which might bring me back someday.
Big Sugar is a tiny little bakeshop on Ventura Blvd near Mexicali Restaurant with a big heart. A perfect combination of "just like mom makes" baked goods and one of a kind gifts. The store is a delightful surprise! I found Blinth cards and Maribelle chocolate along with the cutest aprons. It looks like the baked goods are made in small batches. Some of their selections remind me of Magnolia or Buttercup Bakery in Manhattan.
My favorites include the brownies, seven layer bars and delicious hummingbird cupcakes. Prices are reasonable and they have complimentary coffee and tea. The staff looks like they are working hard to please.
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