Crixa Cakes

They're open Wednesday-Saturday from 11:30am-3pm. I want to get that good at something where I can have those hours. Whenever I see a place that never closes, it just sounds desperate. Like a Jack in the Box that is always open is so sad. Maybe Jack in the Box doesn't feel confident enough in their food to only be open from 11:30am-3pm on Wednesday-Saturday. They'd probably lose majority of their business. I've only been to Jack in the Box past midnight and I've always regretted going. I'm convinced Jack in the Box is successful through the mistakes and personal misjudgments of people. Anyway, the ginger cake was absolutely delicious here and it was even better knowing I could only get it for a limited time.

First time tried this place out with someone who seemingly knew this place for a long time and highly recommended. Not sure if I had expectations or what but not impressed. Very limited options (maybe timing), I got the last piece of a plum pie, looked nice but certainly not fresh (my bad, lesson learned). Everything is so pricy, e.g., small piece of tiramisu for ~$10 where you can get the whole 6" for $40. Perhaps encouraging buy the whole! No wonder they just work on very limited hours (good for them!) There are limited indoor seating and easy free street parking in front of store.

Since I was younger, I would get a craving specifically for Crixa’s amaretti cake. The sponge is perfectly soaked in hazelnut liqueur…the rich flavors with the creaminess of the mascarpone cream. It’s like a dream that is perfectly balanced with a fragrant black tea (they have a great variety of teas)! Even at the beginning of the pandemic, we ordered a whole cake to pick up for my mom’s birthday and we reminisced about sitting inside the bakery, sharing a piece with a pot of tea. They are quite busy (and I’m sure some of their staff have been in since the early hours baking), so depending on the day you get less personable service at the counter, but they are always professional and courteous! I will always come back for more and definitely one of the first places I think of when I need a celebratory cake or an afternoon tea time. (The cake sign is not included haha I made it back in 2021)

Love their tiramisu!!! Best we’ve had in a loooong time. Order in advance online if you need it at a certain date. Service was nearly nonexistent, but who cares when it’s all takeout anyway. Better off enjoying it at the comfort of your home over a properly brewed coffee.

The bakery had only 4 pies when I came. I asked them nicely how fresh the pies. The person said it is an insulting question. I said it is not, it is normal to ask when if they were made this morning. The woman who was in the kitchen yelled: no one in this country can ask such questions! Ouch. I will never come back here and do not recommend this place.

Amazing European-style cakes and American-style pies. Walk-in early for the best selection or order online in advance. Cakes & pie selection varies. The day's selection is shown on the online order page.

Amazing cake and excellent customer service. I came here with a bit of an ordering mix up due to miscommunications on my end and the staff were so kind and worked with me to get everything smoothed out. The cakes were absolutely amazing, elegant and delicious. If you are in the area and need a cake (or treat) for any reason Crixa Cakes has to be your first stop!!!

Love the pride the owners have of their pies- it’s easy to see why! I live alone and every once in a while I will buy a whole sour cherry pie for myself!

Embarking on a gustatory journey at Crixa Cakes, I was whisked away by their saffron buns - a delectable relic from 1747. (No joke the description in the cafe referenced the original recipe not making this up.) Each bite not only tantalized my taste buds with the rich blend of saffron and dough but also transported me back through centuries of culinary heritage. Authenticity isn't just a concept at Crixa Cakes; it's a meticulously preserved tradition, lovingly served with every pastry. Five stars for a taste of history that transcends the ordinary dessert experience.

I was disappointed after hearing reviews rave about Crixa Cakes. I tried both the tiramisu and amaretti cream cake. They were good, but not worth the $8 per slice price tag, in my opinion. A little sweet for my taste. Tip: take a queue number when you walk in. It was around a 10 minute wait on a Saturday at 12.

They're open Wednesday-Saturday from 11:30am-3pm. I want to get that good at something where I can have those hours. Whenever I see a place that never closes, it just sounds desperate. Like a Jack in the Box that is always open is so sad. Maybe Jack in the Box doesn't feel confident enough in their food to only be open from 11:30am-3pm on Wednesday-Saturday. They'd probably lose majority of their business. I've only been to Jack in the Box past midnight and I've always regretted going. I'm convinced Jack in the Box is successful through the mistakes and personal misjudgments of people. Anyway, the ginger cake was absolutely delicious here and it was even better knowing I could only get it for a limited time.

This review is only for the Black Forest Cake, which I love. Not everyone carries this cake, so I was excited to find the Crixa made it, and in fact, was nominated for it by bon appétit. I had hubby order this for my birthday cake. You need to order this in advance. The cake was super small and they even charged you for a happy birthday chocolate sign . The cake tasted like it was over doused with alcohol, which was why I marked it down. In honesty, I have not taste anything else from the bakery. Cake wasn't bad, but it wasn't great, and for the size and price, I would go elsewhere next time.

Their sour cherry pie is my new all-time favorite pie, and I have been eating pie for most of my five decades of life. My cousin turned me on to it, and I will be forever grateful. This is not the gloopy, overly sweet cherry pie that has filling that comes from cans -- straight from the 70s. This is a completely different experience. The sour cherries are sweetened but not overly so. The result is a sweet and tart bite of pie that sings. I highly recommend it, and if you pre-order and bring it to a dinner, people will be amazed if you say "cherry pie" but deliver this. And you will be invited back! Do yourself a favor and get or make some whipped cream without too much sugar, too. I have to go now, because I have 1/2 a pie left & it's not going to eat itself (thank goodness). Enjoy!

I stopped by to get a saffron bun and poppyseed kifli since these looked like some more unique items from this bakery and I do like poppyseeds and saffron. Both had a generous amount of powdered sugar on top, and the saffron is more on the inside for the bun. I liked the poppyseed kifli slightly more overall since I have a sweet tooth, but felt they were both yummy. I appreciated the fast service from the workers and that they were all masked.

Best flourless chocolate cake ever. Seasonal pies are fantastic. It's an old-school no frills bakery that's ALWAYS reliably fantastic.

Cakes are incredible especially their chocolate .,.. and apple cake when available get there early for availability and selection. You can also call ahead their cakes are fabulous though one time we got a strawberry topped cake that should have had more strawberries we had to get extra strawberries from the market which made everything great. Go to for cakes for special occasions all our baker friends agree.

I have been eating at this amazing bakery since 2006. I am so happy it exists because it is simply the best. I recently started ordering pies and other baked goods for holidays after not going here as much and I realize how much I missed it. I love the pies and anything with a flakey crust. The chocolate pave is also really good and the cakes. You really can't go wrong with anything from Crixa.

Simply the BEST. They're a Hungarian bakery with something for everyone, and everything is absolute perfection. The pies are a standout with yums like pear with rose custard. Best flourless chocolate cake ("pavé".) Apricot Kifli like my grandma used to make. Bread pudding like I've never had anywhere else. Expensive and Worth it!

Stopped by for a coffee and sweet treat fix. A cute little shop with a variety of cakes and pies. We had the Marion berry pie and it was the delicious. Might have to say the best crust on a pie I ever had! It's definitely a must have and one pie was enough for two people. Took a star off because I wish there was indoor or at least outdoor sitting so we could enjoy the treats there versus to go.

Always delicious. Reat homemade quality. Friendly and efficient service. Love the apple cake. Perfectly seasoned.

COVID-19 UPDATE: It's nice to see the bakery still getting consistent customers. However it's ridiculous they don't have a separate line for pickup. Currently standing in a single 40-people deep where walk-ins and pickups are not segregated and the line has not moved at all for the past 10 minutes. Not a fan... I've been coming here for years but keep forgetting to leave a review. As an undergrad I would go dessert hopping whenever I wanted to treat myself and hit up a bunch of bakeries and gorge (La Farine, Crixa, and Katrina Rozelle). Berkeley is not lacking in homey cake shops but I feel like each one has their own speciality, so it really depends on your mood. Crixa has a modest menu and a distinctive Eastern European influence (they sell pierogies and kifli!). I've tried almost all their standard cakes and their crowning glory has to be their tiramisu. The sponge cake is always perfectly moist and rich with espresso flavors, while the mascarpone is airy, light, and never too sweet. I'm partial to their Soprano version which is made with a smoky dark chocolate. I also recently tried their vanilla bizet, which is like a pavlova, all ethereal and Christmas white. The meringue base was firm yet dissolved into perfect flaky sweetness once I bit into it and the vanilla cream was exquisite and again, not too sweet. Truly a local's delight and one that I hope continue to flourish in Berkeley for years to come!

I wanted to give this place a try and hoped to find a new favorite tiramisu spot. My experience was a huge disappointment and regret going there. Staff was rude and I lost all appetite for a cake. I ordered a tiramisu online and came to pick up the order 2 days later. There were a handful of people in the store ordering things. They had this number system to handle their line, but since I was picking up, wasn't sure if I needed a number or even need to wait. So I thought I'd let the counter person know that I was there to pick up an order, and asked whether I need a number. He was extremely annoyed by my simple question, and yelled to me "YES YES TAKE A NUMBER". The cake was meh, nothing special or extraordinary. For the price, ($38) you can find far more delicious cakes around.

Make my slice of cake an extra large one, especially when the cakes are as delicately made by the hard working team at Crixa Cakes. Crixa Cakes is an artisanal small-batch Bakery that specializes in European and American baked goods, with gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and egg-free options, and is located on Adeline Street in the South Berkeley neighborhood of Berkeley, California. The name Crixa comes from the Richard Adams' novel "Watership Down" where it translates into the word "crossroads", which represents where Crixa Cakes on the site of an old horse stable at the crossroads of Adeline Street and Shattuck Avenue. I have been to Crixa Cakes a handful of times since they opened back in 2008, and it's their quality slices of baked cakes that always had me coming back for more, as every cake, pie, and baked goods is scratch-baked on-site. Scratch-baked means that the baked goods at Crixa Cakes are made from basic ingredients and not from any packaged mixes. It also means that they make all of their own doughs in-house, such as the crust for their pies, rather than purchasing them ready-made. Crixa's use of pure ingredients and slower hand-made processes isn't new or trendy, but it's a direct result of why their baked goods taste better than so many of their competitors. After dining on many slices of their cakes in the past, I knew I had a small intimate birthday party to host on one weekend evening and wanted to get the guest of honor a birthday cake to celebrate the big occasion. After perusing the many local purveyors of cakes on my trusty Yelp app, the one that kept coming up was Crixa Cakes. After clicking on the link to their website, I saw that ordering a small six inch cake was super easy and safe to do online with a simple credit card purchase and since it was a preorder, they do recommend that you order two days in advance. Although their online menu had no fewer than eight different cake options of which to order from, I felt that two options, one being their six inch Tiramisu and the other being their six inch Amaretti Cream Cake were my top two favorites. I love Tiramisu and will always order it no matter how many times I see them on a dessert menu, but since I had never ordered it before, I felt that ordering their Amaretti Cream Cake with its two layers of vanilla sponge cake made with hazelnut liqueur, two layers of mascarpone cream, and two layers of crushed amaretti cookies was something so special that it would be perfect for a birthday celebration. The fact that this cake, like most of the cakes sold at Crixa Cakes, was sold for 36 dollars before tip, and extra $2.50 fee for a Chocolate Happy Birthday Plaque, which I felt was reasonable considering all of the high prices for ingredients nowadays. Picking up my order was super easy, as they were open from noon till 3 p.m. on the Saturday that I went. Parking can be a challenge, especially for this area of South Berkeley, but luckily there was street parking on nearby Ward Street and a simple walk to their storefront was all there was to it. Upon entry I realized that I had not been inside Crixa Cakes in quite some time as everything was now sleek and modern, with a more commercial kitchen aspect to everything, gone are the tables and chairs that many previously used to sip coffee and enjoy a slice of cake as they were allowed to work on their laptops and now there were two full glass cases of full cakes and other sweets such as buns, pies, and containers filled with chocolate mousse. But I was here to pick up my cake and in due time I was already walking out with it. Now, would I have considered ordering another slice of say their signature Apple Cake or their Raspberry Capri Cake? Sure, but on this day, the service was more businesslike and no-nonsense with a sense of getting me in and getting me out with my order for the day. Upon returning home with my full cake, it is recommended that you immediately put your cake in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it, and that's exactly what we did. And once we did slice into our cake, what an extraordinary experience it was, as upon first slice into the cake, it was like light and fluffy and upon first bite, you could tell they used quality ingredients when creating it, as everything tasted wonderful without being overly decadent. After ordering my first cake from Crixa Cakes in quite a number of years, I was not disappointed in the least, as we got a beautiful cake creation that was composed with thoughtfulness and sold at a decent price point. You better believe that return visits are in order when I am searching for that extraordinary cake made specifically for a special occasion. After almost a decade and half of being in business Crixa Cakes has brought locals an originality and playfulness to their unique cake creations we should all appreciate, and a lasting continuation of European meets American culture-based slow food tradition in the sweetness of the culinary world.

Fantastic pies - coconut custard and blackberry-rhubarb. Also enjoyed the flourless chocolate pave and saffron bun. Apparently the rude employees that others encountered were off the day I was there. The gentleman behind the counter was quite pleasant.

Honestly I wish I could give eight or nine stars. I had the amaretto cake and it's one of the yummiest things I've ever experienced in my 56 years on this earth. I felt like eating the whole cake but I have just enough discipline not to. Service was excellent, the guy at the register (I'm assuming he was the owner) was very friendly. Would recommend. You may be ruined for other cakes though.

I first tried their tiramisu at my friend's place when I was in Cal, and immediately asked where the cake was from. Even after graduation, my gf and I drive up to Berkeley from San Jose just to get their cake. Today, I stopped by here when I was visiting Berkeley and picked up their pear and rose pie(and of course a whole tiramisu cake too) to make my gf surprised, but later on I was more surprised than my gf by how amazingly good the pear and rose pie was.

Even better than I remembered it from 9 years ago! Passing through Berkeley, we dashed to make it to Crixa cakes right before they closed. Picked up the chocolate Pave. And my god! So soft and moist and flavorful. How do they do it with such consistency. And over 9 years!! Even Tartine in SF isn't as good as it was nine years ago. These folks need to win some sort of award. Also, the gentleman behind the corner was very patient and warm and welcoming. Already dreaming of my next trip to Berkeley to get another chocolate pave.

This was definitely the best dessert I've had in Northern California. Refined and not so much sugar

I love the cakes here But with pandemic hours are so iffy. Sorry I love your pastries but my needs don't seem to fit your schedule

Crixa Cakes is AMAZING! We had the tiramisu and apple cake (yes cake not pie) and both were to die for. I honestly was blown away by how good both items were. The tiramisu was soft and melts in your mouth. The apple cake was decadent and the walnuts complemented the apples nicely. Also loved how carefully packed all the to-go boxes were. Eg the tiramisu box had a little paper cup to prevent the tiramisu from sliding around and getting damaged. That level of attention to detail and care is inspiring. It's obvious the owners really value their craft. Heads up that Crixa is quite popular though and a line does appear around opening time. So make sure to get there early before they sell out.

Shockingly, shockingly delicious cakes. The coconut custard pie was probably the most delicious thing I have had in years. Creamy, coconuty filling with a snap-crispy pie crust. The Russian honey cake was exceptional. Just do yourself a huge favor, and go buy some cake from these talented bakers.

COVID 19 update: they're accepting advance orders and walk-ins (only one person allowed inside at a time) Advance ordering info from their site (https://www.crixacakes.com/shop/advance-order-menu/2): - For Wednesday pickup, place your order Friday after 9 AM - For Thursday pickup, place your order Monday after 9 AM - For Friday pickup, place your order Tuesday after 3 PM - For Saturday pickup, place your order Wednesday after 3 PM We've ordered: - Pumpkin pie - Ginger cake - Pavé Vergiate - aka Flourless Chocolate Cake :: I don't even like chocolate and I inhaled this! It was mindblowing-ly delicious! Came on a Tuesday in late October at around 2pm and was able to walk inside and order at the store. They were super limited to sliced items, but had a few whole cakes and pies. Got a slice of pumpkin pie, ginger cake, and flourless chocolate cake! Everything was so good, esp the flourless chocolate cake! OMG! So light and fluffy! TIP: try their amazing flourless chocolate cake!

One of the best cake and pastries shops in East Bay ! Items sell out fast ! It's best to order online

We've been going to Crixsa Cakes for years and loved it from day one. We went again yesterday and regret not buying more goodies to bring home, especially since we now live over 100 miles away. We won't make that mistake again. If you love great desserts developed by very talented local artisans that have perfected their craft, this is your place. My hat goes off to the owner for consistently producing such delicious, high quality and reasonably priced results. Thank you!

Gotta be honest.. I'm not sure why the ratings were so high..? Perhaps we ordered the wrong things..? I dont know. We ordered the bread pudding, which was just plain bad. We ordered the poppyseed walnut cake, equally not good. The last thing we ordered was the apple pie which was DELICIOUS! But can anyone really screw up apple pie? We had hot chocolate, which wasnt good and tasted like it was instant. The coffee was excellent! Things to note: The prices are high. The customer service leaves A LOT to be desired. The establishment is cozy and quaint. I would go back for the coffee and perhaps try a different cake, but the first experience wasnt a good one.

I am so glad that they have an online system for ordering cake - the process is super easy. Ordered a 6" tiramisu with inscription. I would say that the inscription is a little expensive but the writing was so pretty that it's worth it! The tiramisu tasted so good. It's fluffy and moist with a balanced flavor of sweetness and bitterness. Will definitely order more cakes from them! Can't wait to try the other items on the menu.

Amaretto Cake Price: $32 Wow, I really like the cake here LOL Amaretto is an Italian liquor that is usually made from almonds. The cake with Amaretto wasn't bitter and it was very creamy and rich with vanilla butter cream. It served about 7-8 people!

Delicious and unique pastries! Be sure to order in advance or they can run out of whole cakes. Definitely recommend for special occasions.

Their cakes are delicious. I would travel far for them Everything is well made and not too sweet. This is a great Old World style bakery. A gem.

I've wanted to stop in for years, so yesterday I did! Cute little pastry shop with the correct amount of selections to choose from. I purchased a slice of cherry tart and ginger cake for a family treat. The pie and cake were incredibly fresh and well appointed with quality ingredients. Neither of the two were overly or overtly sweet. The cherry tart was tangy and had the flakiest crust. The cake - well, I have never tasted anything quite that good. It was moist, dewy, springy, spiced and had just enough sweetness. My husband asked if I could try baking one - just like it - and I simply laughed.

It's one of my favorite cake places to go. I go there for my birthday, a grand celebration, or a nice special surprise to bring home to my family. My family is a fan of Crixa Cakes, and so far, we love all of the pastries and cakes that we have tried there. I follow them on Instagram and occasionally view their website to see their cake menu. I enjoyed the time when it was Valentine's Day and the website displayed many different and rare desserts. My sibling and I purchased the heart shaped chocolate cake to present to our mother on Valentine's Day. What we love most about their cakes is how rich, dense, but surprisingly light and has a gentle sweetness. The chocolate ganache has a great rich chocolate taste, it tastes like a great mixture of cream and chocolate. The whipped cream on the cakes are creamy but also as fluffy as clouds. On some cakes, the sponge is soft and airy, others can have a fancy spice of brandy or alcohol soaked at the lower half of the sponge cake. Today, we ordered the Pave Vergiate, which is a flourless chocolate cake. We were first amazed on how soft the sponge was. It melted the moment it went into our mouths. It was crazy soft. I didn't know I can describe this for a cake. This cake was bought on a cold winter day, so the powdered sugar didn't melt. It was very good - something I want to try again. Oh yes, there are some cakes that are only available on weekends. Sometime in the future we want to visit on a Saturday to try the Kremes. It's like a square custard sandwiched between crisp pie-like crusts. - Great place to try new cakes - Come early, or cakes will be limited - Coffee is strong and goes well with the cake

Crixa has the most amazing baked goods in town; in fact, they are my favorite bakery in the Bay Area. The plum and apricot kifli are super yummy as are any of their seasonal pies. The standard, moist ginger or apple cake are perfect for a simple tea time treat!

This is by far the closest to Eastern European style cake I have had in the Bay Area. We have been to Eastern Europe 3 times now, loved it, but couldn't find a regular cake supply here in the Bay Area. The cakes are fresh, moist, not too sweet, and just the perfect taste. The cakes are not cheap but you can buy the slice to try different ones.

This was by far my favorite bakery. I don't know how I came across it. I don't know why I walked in. But I'm sure glad that I did. Every cake that I tried was the absolute bomb! I loved it. I loved them. The alcohol added flavor when it was included. I loved the bread pudding, the jamaican rum cake, the bizet, the tiramisu cake, the kremes, the chocolate mousse and the pave verigiate (sp). But now I'm limited to eating only the chocolate mousse and the pave because they are free of gluten. For that reason, this place is not a destination, like it used to be. But when in the area and in the mood (a rare happening) I'll go by. Otherwise, I'll go visit my friends and reminesce about good old times.

Hands down, Crixa Cakes have some of the BEST cakes around the Bay!! I am a huge sucker for sweets and I don't discriminate but if I have to pick out some of my favorite all time bakeries, Crixa makes the list. If you are a tiramisu fan, it's a must that you try theirs. Whenever I am in the Berkeley area, I make it a point to stop by here for a slice or two of whatever is available, along with picking up a whole cake for the family. If you come on the weekends, do come early as they sell out quick. By mid-day, most cakes are gone. Once you take a bite of this cakes, you will understand why too. While I have many favorites at Crixa, I can never pass up a Boston Cream or Coconut Creme cake whenever they are available. I know the holidays just ended but this is a great place to get yours pies too for the holidays/special occasion, especially their pumpkin pie through their Advance Order Menu. I'm not big on pumpkin pies, but this is one that I don't mind eating more of. The Mr. literally raves about the pumpkin pie to everyone that has never tried it, he likes it that much! Aside from their cakes, I love their fresh ginger ale too. Strong ginger taste w/ the right amount of fizzle, it goes well with every cake that I have eaten there. You are seriously missing out if you have never had Crixa Cakes before. Definitely a must try!

*Little slice of Hungarian paradise* Apparently this place has been here since 1998. Weird- because I've never noticed it in the neighborhood. Swear my little piggy self noticed & STOPPED by EVERY sweet shop between my granny's house (insert image of little red riding hood.. except .. I'm clearly brown) and UC Berkeley (back when I took summer classes there Circa '2002ish) Whatevs This place is so cool. Glad my friend's bf recommended this spot. They have class, culture, cute decorations and the most delicious sweets ever . Not to mention their espresso is pretty decent annnnd they have the most adorable Short coffee cups to go. (Toddler size) So I stopped by around 5:00 & they close at 5:30 on a Tuesday. They were extremely patient and not rushing to clean up- which is nice (hate walking into a store that closes in 1 hour and they're cleaning up). I recommend their almond cream cake which was so dang moist and light as a feather ($5ish). If you like white cake with a slight nut flavor- you'll go for this, and I do mean SLIGHT. It was so good and light I finished the cake on autopilot in 2.2 seconds. Other tasty treats : tiramisu, their seasonal strawberry cake and this awesome looking chocolate cream cake Notes: - great shaded parking out front - chill location - apparently hecka Hungarians show up on Saturday's which is cool if you identify with that culture - patient staff - all cakes cost around $5/$5.50

Wow, this place is legit! This tiramisu cake is final round British Bake Off quality. The sponge is delicately sweet, light, and moist--the perfect "crumb." I don't even know how they were able to layer cake on top of a layer of fluffy whipped cream while keeping such tidy layers. The flavors are otherworldly and complex from earthy chocolate and coffee mixed with subtle hints of aromatic liquor. Just wow! 10/10 in flavor, texture, and appearance! These people are true professionals. I bought the whole cake for only $30! Unreal!

Tiramisu. Trust Brittney D's review! My sister ordered me the small cake for my birthday. I'm not really a dessert fan, but after one small slice, I opted for seconds! Espresso soaked in a delicate sponge cake laired with brandied mascarpone cream, and polished off with dusted cocoa powder. Deliciously sexy with every bite! Worth putting in the work at the gym for more!

My favorite bakery in the east bay. Everything from their refrigerated cakes and desserts to their cookies, ginger cake and my favorite apple walnut cake are the best. Can't wait til summer for the fruit galettes, they are the best!

This bakery is such a great find in the East bay. They have the most delectable desserts. My sister and her husband are huge dessert piggies . So we decided to head here first before going to the Craneway craft fair. I'm sure glad we did there was a line almost out the door. If you are ever in the area check this bakery out, but I would recommend coming early. Where can you find Rugelach right? I'm sure only here.

They take such great care with everything and you can't beat the prices---I'm shocked about the affordability every time. Truly the best cakes in taste, quality, and elegant presentation. Customer service is outstanding and so accommodating. Street parking out front is super easy. For weeks after an event/party/gathering, I will ALWAYS have several people asking me where I went so they can buy for themselves. We've tried the Amaretti (crowd favorite and so unique), Jamaican Rum Chocolate Mousse Cake, Tiramisu, Sour Cherry Pie, Black Forest Cake.

I can't stand people who don't take pie seriously. They're so shallow. Their latest addition- coconut custard pie - will melt all your cares and woes.

Easy to dismiss this unassuming bakery. Don't. You will be missing out on some of the best pies & cakes. You will need to get there early. I once saw the last slice of Gingerbread cake sold from out under me! I was grouchy & hard to be around for the rest of the day

Went here twice. First time was before the pandemic when I went here to get a full cake for a church event. Cake was pretty good, so I decided to come back again, but this time during the pandemic. What a difference being served personally by the owner makes! When I went there the second time, there were no employees, just the owner. Boy was he condescending! Didn't seem interested in conversation and was annoyed by me asking him when his store will be offering full services. At the end, he said "Thanks for the question though." Won't be patronizing a Parisian-bakery wannabe run by obnoxious owner.

it's amazing how inefficient this bakery is for having such good cakes. maybe they don't care. waiting in line to pick up is such a waste of time, especially in the afternoons when they had two people working and one person who cracking eggs (could have jumped in, clearly didn't care). by the time i got to the front to finally pick up, the staff was rude and obnoxious. they seemed bothered that i was there to pick my cake up - ummm ok?? next time i'll save my money and put it to use at other local bakeries who actually appreciate and respect their clients

I just got the worst treatment over the phone. The person I spoke with was extremely rude. I wouldn't recommend this place at all.

My foodie coworkers are extra dangerous on payday Fridays and usually ambitious enough to want to try for lunch and dessert. Today, though, we headed over to Navi Kitchen for pizza (their Oakland Restaurant Week special), Asha for boba and then wondered about what we could do for dessert. I contemplated Cinnaholic, but on the drive to Asha remembered a place a friend of mine mentioned a couple of years ago - Crixa Cakes. I wasn't sure if it was still open or what street it was on, so my coworkers checked Yelp as I drove. Once they found it, though, our conversation was cut short as they began ooh-ing and ah-ing at the pictures of dessert. Nineteen years. This place has been open since 1998 and I have only JUST stepped foot inside. My loss. After surveying the desserts in the refrigerated display case and along the front counter, we decided on the following: chocolate nouveau riche - two layers of vanilla sponge cake with fragrant Jamaican rum and bittersweet chocolate mousse (5.95/slice) ^ i almost, ALMOST felt bad for the woman behind me in line who wanted to order this after she saw it in the display case moments before an employee removed the last slice to package up for MY order. i tried not to make eye-contact with her as i picked up my brown box and headed out the door. honestly, i can see why this sold out. ultra-light sponge cake slices hug a rich layer of bittersweet chocolate mousse, topped with what seems like an inch of fresh whipped cream and all laced with rum (save for the whipped cream... wonder what rum whipped cream would be like, though). this just might be my bday cake request this year... fatima's thighs - tender, flaky pastry filled with slivered almonds, currants, fragrant with rose and orange flower waters (2.50/ea?) ^ ok, ok we ordered this primarily for giggles... though fava beans and chianti action is not really something to laugh about is it? not sure how this pastry got the name it ended up with, but it's like a heavier, stuffed croissant in some ways. i'm not a huge fan of non-chocolate pastries, but i thought this had a really good filling that reminded me of firnee (an Afghan dessert featuring rose water and cardamom). pave vergiate - flourless chocolate cake, very moist and light with an intense chocolate flavor (5.10/slice) ^ if you're familiar with, and like, Japanese-style, cheese sponge cakes you'll feel comfortable with the airy, light texture of the pave vergiate. i can vouch that this is moist and light, but i don't think the chocolate flavor is "intense." took this to-go and it comes with a small cup of whipped cream. vatroushka - Russian-style cheesecake of sweet curd cheese, sour cream and vanilla (5.30/slice) ^ the little placard speaks the truth; this is a RUSSIAN-style cheesecake made with curd cheese so don't expect the same kind of smoothness found in a typical NEW YORK-style cheesecake. took me a couple of bites to wrap my head around the change-up of texture not just in the cheesecake portion but the crust (think more shortbread-y than graham cracker). the sour cream definitely adds a hint of tartness, but it's not as sour as cream cheese. this is like a diet cheesecake factory slice - not bad, just different. Crixa is located on a not-so-busy stretch of Adeline, especially when compared to the bustle of the University/Shattuck area, and seems like a great place to sit and relax. There are 9 circular tables, plenty of chairs and some outlets scattered throughout; it's not a large cafe space by any means, but certainly cozy. A coworker who studied abroad in a number of different Eastern European countries vouched for the authenticity of the desserts, decor and the, um, demeanor of the people working there - plenty of pearly white smiles ;)

OMG!!! I've had this place in my bookmarks since 2012 before I came here early this year. I am so ashamed of myself. I've been missing out for so many years.Their pastries and cakes are SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOD!! Yum cannot begin to describe the deliciousness of their pastries. They're very consistent because the bf and I have come here more than a handful of times. Even twice in one week. I love the plave (flourless chocolate cake) SO GOOD!! Very chocolatey and dense. Heavily recommend. I also enjoy the tiramisu and the chocolate mousse. The bf loves the ginger cake. Not as excited for the pies though they are delicious I just think my mind is like so you got pie and not the plave?? I love that they are always baking in the background and not hiding what's really going on like certain other commercial places that pretend they baked it fresh. The space I think is small to medium. You definitely can find a seat but you definitely see a lot of people milling through. It is bus you're our table. Parking can be sparse but the bf and I have been lucky each time we go. I wish they were open on Sundays. DEFINITELY A MUST TRY PLACE!!