BadAshBakes
Bakery · Downtown ·
Matcha and traditional cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, and coffee
Matcha and traditional cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, and coffee
"When this social media darling opened in Pasadena, lines stretched onto East Colorado Boulevard; while things have calmed (except on weekends), I still find it worth the trip for sky-high pastries, matcha lattes whisked to order, and warm service from the mother-daughter team led by owner and baker Ashley Cunningham. The signature cinnamon roll delivers: a plush swirl swiped with cinnamon–brown sugar and balanced by tangy cream cheese frosting; though the matcha version is visually striking, I recommend the original because the green tea lacks the earthiness I expect. Cookies are thin and chewy with crisp edges—no cakiness—with the cornbread cookie (which feels like summer) and the toffee chocolate chip standing out as a superlative chocolate chip cookie with pops of toasty toffee. The banana pudding can compete with any bakery’s, with silky vanilla-flecked pudding latticed with freshly sliced bananas and softened wafer cookies. For drinks, go for the double matcha or a classic matcha latte; the strawberry and strawberry-banana versions overwhelm the delicate flavor. Do note the limited, not-so-comfortable seating—the low bubble couches look cute but aren’t functional—so I plan quick visits, and for the best selection I go right at 8 a.m. on Saturdays or stop by on weekdays." - Kat Thompson
"Next door to Pasadena’s Lunasia, this bakery is home of the matcha cinnamon roll, and I like to grab a strawberry banana matcha latte and a toffee chocolate chip cookie to go or to enjoy while I wait." - Sarah Medina
"This popular Pasadena bakery drew hour-long lines for its cinnamon rolls." - Mona Holmes
"Arguably the most visually flawless cinnamon rolls on this guide, the cinnamon rolls at Badash Bakes look like neat Fibonacci spirals you could measure with a protractor. But it’s not just looks that won us over. The balance between fragrant cinnamon and not-too-sweet frosting is spot-on, and the dough has the softness of a memory foam mattress throughout—no dry edges here. The cinnamon rolls tend to be the first items to sell out at this Pasadena bakery, so on weekends, show up around when they open to secure one.Is It Better Than Cinnabon?Yes" - Cathy Park, Garrett Snyder
"Between August 13–16 Badash Bakes in LA will be offering matcha blondies as a limited-time Off Menu item." - Eater Staff