Bakes and Pastes

In the diverse and dynamic food scene of Southern California, Bakes and Pastes stands out as a true culinary gem, specializing in high-quality, authentic Filipino cakes and pastries. Located in Artesia, a community known for its rich cultural offerings, this bakery provides a vital connection to beloved Filipino traditions and flavors, all while appealing to a broad range of local dessert enthusiasts. Far from a typical sweets shop, Bakes and Pastes is a passion project born from the unexpected circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, started by a dedicated husband and wife duo, Mark (Binoy) and Zarah.

This business quickly grew from "pandemic cravings" and home experiments—such as perfecting Silvanas, Yema Cake, and the beloved Sans Rival—into a celebrated, full-fledged bakeshop. Their mission is simple: to bring the rich flavors and warm traditions of Filipino baking to Artesia, sharing delicious desserts and pastries with the local community. What sets Bakes and Pastes apart is its commitment to quality, balanced sweetness, and nostalgic Filipino recipes, ensuring every bite evokes a sense of home and celebration. The enthusiasm from local customers, often calling it an "accidental find" and a "big hit" at parties, confirms its status as a must-visit destination in the area.

Bakes and Pastes is centrally located in Artesia, CA, a city celebrated for its unique cultural presence and accessibility in the Southern California landscape.

Address: 17826 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701, USA

This Pioneer Boulevard location makes it highly convenient for residents across Orange County and the wider Los Angeles region. Accessibility and convenience are key priorities for the business:

• Accessibility: The shop features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring easy access for all community members.
• Parking: Customers benefit from multiple parking options, including a Free parking lot, Free street parking, and On-site parking, eliminating the typical frustration of finding a spot in a busy retail area.
• Planning: The bakery is designed for a Quick visit, making it ideal for swiftly picking up pre-orders or grabbing a quick, freshly baked treat on the go.
• Payments: Transactions are easy and modern, accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Bakes and Pastes offers an exciting menu focused on authentic Filipino desserts, breads, and gourmet cakes, appealing both to those seeking nostalgic flavors and those new to the cuisine.

Services Offered

• Specialty Filipino Cakes: Offering popular, highly-rated cakes, including the signature Zion Cake and BZ Cake (named after the owners' children's initials), known for being moist and perfectly balanced in sweetness. Other favorites include the Yema Cake and Matcha Cake.
• Sans Rival: Specializing in this famous Filipino dessert cake—a layered masterpiece of meringue, buttercream, and chopped nuts—available in classic Cashew, Pistachio, Macadamia, and modern flavors like Almond Nutella.
• Silvanas: The frozen wafer cookie—a variation of the Sans Rival—made with layers of buttercream sandwiched between two meringue wafers and dusted with crumbs. Available in Assorted, Cashew, Pistachio, and Cookies and Cream flavors.
• Signature Breads and Pastries: Featuring traditional Filipino baked goods like the soft, buttery Ensaymada, sweet and nostalgic Spanish Bread, classic Pandesal, and the signature fusion pastry, Ube Cheese Pandesal (a soft roll with creamy ube and melty cheese).
• Chocolate Dream Cake: A decadent, multi-layered chocolate cake often served in a tin can, perfect for gifting or sharing.
• Takeout and Pre-Order: Primarily a takeout business, they facilitate easy pre-orders online with a one business day minimum notice (or until fully booked) to ensure freshness.
• Seasonal and Specialty Items: Regularly introducing new flavors and seasonal items, such as the highly anticipated Ube (purple yam) items and the unique Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bar.

The bakery’s unique identity in the California food scene is built upon its commitment to quality, authenticity, and the personal story of its founders.

Features and Highlights

• The Art of Sans Rival and Silvanas: Bakes and Pastes is celebrated for their mastery of these two iconic Filipino desserts. The customer reviews that describe the Sans Rival as "OMG so good" highlight the exceptional quality of their meringue, nuts, and creamy filling.
• Signature Cake Innovations: The Zion Cake and BZ Cake are fan favorites, with the Zion cake specifically lauded for being "out of this world" and "not too sweet but perfect," addressing a key preference for many Californians who often find traditional desserts overly sugary. The BZ Cake even has a unique origin story, claiming the perfect recipe came to the owner, Zarah, in a dream.
• Authentic Filipino Breads: Beyond cakes, the bakery offers a true taste of Filipino tradition with items like Ensaymada and the trending Ube Cheese Pandesal, which brings a modern twist to the beloved Filipino breakfast roll.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Patrons consistently praise the service, with reviews highlighting that the owner is "super nice" and handled a "hiccup with our orders" right away. This dedication to a friendly and professional experience builds a loyal local customer base.
• Husband-and-Wife Dedication: The personal narrative of the bakery—founded by a couple during a challenging time—lends a cozy, charming, and community-focused atmosphere to the shop, making it more than just a place to buy baked goods.

For those planning a visit to secure these highly sought-after Filipino treats, here is the necessary information for Bakes and Pastes in Artesia, CA.

Contact Information

• Address: 17826 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701, USA
• Phone: (562) 202-9184

Customers are encouraged to call the bakeshop directly during business hours to inquire about walk-in inventory, especially for popular items that may sell out quickly, or to place pre-orders at least one business day in advance.

For Southern California locals looking to experience the best of modern Filipino baking, Bakes and Pastes offers an incredible and memorable array of desserts that are truly worth the visit.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Bakes and Pastes means selecting a bakery that excels at specialty Filipino desserts, delivering both nostalgia and gourmet quality.

• The Best of Filipino Classics: If you're craving authentic, high-quality versions of Sans Rival or Silvanas, this is the undisputed local choice. The balance of creamy, crunchy, and nutty flavors is executed flawlessly, transporting you straight to a true Filipino home kitchen.
• The Perfect Sweetness Level: The recurring feedback that their cakes, particularly the Zion Cake, are "not too sweet" is a huge draw for health-conscious and modern palates in California who prefer flavor depth over excessive sugar.
• Ideal for Parties and Gatherings: As noted in a customer review, bringing their wafers and pastes to a party guarantees they will be a "big hit." The beautiful presentation and exotic yet comforting flavors make them excellent conversation starters and crowd-pleasers for any event or family gathering.
• Supporting a Local Success Story: By visiting, you are supporting a family-owned business that successfully pivoted during the pandemic to share their heritage and passion. This sense of community and dedication shines through in the quality of every freshly baked good.

Bakes and Pastes is a cultural hub and a dessert paradise in Artesia, making it an essential stop for anyone in the Los Angeles and Orange County regions looking for quality, delicious, and distinctly Filipino baked goods.