Lark Cake Shop is probably the cutest bakery you may not have heard of yet. This cupcakery and cake shop is a little off the well-worn path in Old Pasadena but well worth the trip. Lark started in Silverlake nine years ago and opened their Pasadena location in February 2015.
“I try to preserve the integrity of what we do,” said John Hensley, owner of Lark Cake Shop.
Since he took over the company five years ago, Lark has grown their wedding business and custom cake orders while staying true to their uncomplicated recipes. Lark focuses classics and gets most of their business through word-of-mouth. They have an assortment of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, scones, pies, and other pastries that are inspired fresh ingredients and homemade desserts.
“What matters to me is authenticity and word-of-mouth [referrals] are the real deal,” he said.
Don’t expect to find the latest dessert craze but rather, a reliably satisfying dessert. Their known for moist carrot cake, seasonal pumpkin spice cake and light Berry Shortbread cupcakes. The Old Fashioned Ice Box cake or cupcake is a stellar option. It features seven layers of thin chocolate wafers cushioned by whipped cream and topped with a sprinkling of crushed cookies. This is the perfect summer dessert to enjoy straight from the refrigerator.
At Lark, each pastry is handmade from ingredients you would use in your own kitchen – whole eggs, milk, flour and sugar. Although their focus is on classic desserts, Lark does offer two vegan cupcakes – Vegan Chocolate Orange and Vegan Boston Banana.
Since their baked goods are free of preservatives and contain less sugar than commercial products, the cupcakes require refrigeration. With the exception of the Old Fashioned Ice Box cake, Hensley recommends letting them come to room temperature an hour before eating to give the flavors time to meld.
“I tell everyone that we’re not doing something incredibly important but what we do is very personal to you,” said Hensley.
This shows through in their commitment to custom orders and attention to detail. Not only do they thrive in the wedding business but have made cakes to celebrate everything from birthdays to the end of chemotherapy.
Dessert may not be the only reason for celebration but it wouldn’t be a party without the cake and cupcakes.
Lark Cake Shop is located at 1355 N. Hill Avenue Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 798-1031 or visit www.larkcakeshop.com.
