Whether you’re looking for a birthday cake, a special dinner party dessert, or a little slice of something to sweeten up your day, Manhattan Beach has an extra helping of great bakeries to choose from. Some of them have been around forever and some are part of the designer bakery craze. Whatever your tastes, go and sample them all and you won’t be disappointed.
Becker’s Bakery & Deli
1025 Manhattan Ave.
310-372-3214
www.beckersbakeryanddeli.com
Becker’s is the hometown favorite. Doing business on the same downtown corner just steps from the sand since 1942, every local child has stopped in for one of Becker’s sugar cookies or enjoyed a Becker’s birthday party cake. The famous picture cookies, emblazoned with logos from sports teams, TV shows or made to order, are $2 a piece. Colorful cakes run from $26 for a 7″ round cake that serves 8-10, on up to multi-tiered cakes that run in the three digits. Becker’s also makes delicious sandwiches. You can cater your bambino’s birthday party through Becker’s with sandwich platters and the cake. Don’t forget to invite me.
Lido Bakery di Manhattan
3001 Sepulveda Blvd.
310-545-8955
www.lidobakery.com
While Becker’s baked goods are more fun, Lido is all about elegant, upscale desserts. Chocolate layer cakes with choices of German chocolate, chocolate strawberry, chocolate raspberry and almond rocca fillings will make your mouth water. Yellow layer cake fillings include berries and cream, white chocolate raspberry, Italian rum and coconut, to name a few. Cakes range from $45 for an 8” up to $105 for a 12” that serves 30-40 people. Wedding cakes, cheesecakes ($35), English trifle, tiramisu, flourless chocolate cake, flan, tarts, lemon bars, Linzer cookies, brownies ($1.50), I’m running out of room and getting hungry, so I’ll stop.
Manhattan Bread and Bagel
1812 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
310-545-7553
www.manhattanbread.com
Primarily known for their bagels and sandwiches, Manhattan Bread has been baking bagels since 1992 and artisan breads since 1994. After you’ve enjoyed a bagel and cream cheese, do seek out their delicious pastries. There are tables inside and out for sit-down breakfast and lunch, whether you choose the crème brulee French toast or raspberry scone, or a turkey and gouda sandwich or spinach and cranberry salad. Don’t ignore the loaves of banaa break or the giant chocolate chip cookies.
Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach
916 Manhattan Ave.
310-372-9200
www.cupcakescouturemb.com
This a newer, designer bakery, as the name implies. And they had the guts to open up across the street from Becker’s. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling and everything is pink, white, and pristine. This place does cupcake parties, weddings, special events and corporate gifts. Couture” cupcakes include the Sunday Mismosa, “a champagne cupcake filled with a blood orange curd topped with a mascarpone citrus frosting topped with blood orange caviar.” Note: this cupcake is available Sunday only. Couture cupcakes are $7; designer cupcakes are $4. I guess I’m just more a Becker’s kind of gal.
SusieCakes Bakery
3500 N. Sepulveda
310-303-3780
www.susiecakesbakery.com
SusieCakes is part of a California chain of cake shops that bring back memories of bakeries from a bygone era with cute décor, bakery girls in old-fashioned uniforms and clear windows that let you see the decorating action in the kitchen. The cake decorating can’t be beat. But expect to pay top dollar for what you buy. Cakes start at $33. Extremely rich, frosting-filled cupcakes are $3 each. SusieCakes also sells old-fashioned whoopie pies, iced molasses cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, lemon squares and brownies. SusieCakes is located outside of the Manhattan Village Mall.
Cake Bakeshop
3319 Highland Ave.
310-545-CAKE
www.cakebakeshop.com
This is another cute and crisp little designer bakery on the north side of town, away from the downtown competition. Cake has a streamlined selection of cake and cupcake flavors, including delicious lemon cupcakes. Pound cakes like Hilda’s Amaretto and Brown Sugar Bourbon also sound intriguing. Pick up cookies and bars as well. A dozen cupcakes are $32. An 8″ cake is $50. (Yikes!)
Nothing Bundt Cakes
1570 Rosecrans Ave.
310-297-9530
www.nothingbundtcakes.com
The cleverly-named Nothing Bundt Cakes opened late last year next to Bristol Farms and though I’ve yet to try it, I’ve heard from friends that the bundt cakes are scrumptious. This is part of a national franchise that offers in-store pickup, local delivery and nationwide shipping. The cakes come in ten flavors with 40 unique, holiday-themed designs. An 8-inch, decorated cake is $29.50.
