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    The Butter End Cakery

    4.8 (53 reviews)

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    That lemon sour cream is the best
    karen i.

    Seriously amazing cupcakes! Maybe the best I've ever had. I had a sample at an event in Santa Monica a few months ago, and just ordered a few cupcakes and cookies as a sweet treat. The lemon sour cream cupcake is my favorite! The next big event, I'll be back to order more (or the next time I need something sweet)!

    Box
    Aileen H.

    This is the new Santa Monica location for this Gardena-based bakery. The store is very cute. They offer a variety of cupcakes, pastries and coffee. However, there is no seating inside. This is more of a grab-and-go place. I got the vegan vanilla cupcake with vegan buttercream. It was made with almond milk. The texture of the cake was moist which I loved. I found the frosting to be too sweet but my daughter enjoyed it. I also tried their blueberry walnut cake with lemon buttercream. I found the flavors more balanced in this one. I loved the tartness from the blueberries. Again I found the buttercream to be too sweet but the cake itself was delicious. Paige was very helpful. The cake shop is 5 blocks away from the beach. I found street parking on a weekday afternoon. Parking can be challenging on the weekend.

    Cupcakes and cookies galore
    Jon M.

    The blueberry scone dipped in vanilla bean butter made me let out a loud involuntary moan--it was that kind of good. The place is much more cakes and cupcakes than pastries (which is what I went in looking for) but the few I found were delightful. The woman behind the counter (who I assumed to be the owner) was very kind. This is beautiful work, check it out!

    Artisan cupcakes that'll blow your mind
    Chantal C.

    When you first open the door, the ambiance just wraps around you. Warm, elegant, a little bit Paris. It's modern but cozy, understated but intentional. Then you see the case. It's like a jewelry store--but instead of diamonds, it's filled with cupcakes that look like edible art. I'm not exaggerating. Each one was displayed like it belonged on a pedestal, and honestly? It did. Let's talk flavors--because every single one of the six I bought hit the mark. I started with the Banana Chocolate Chip (Edie's Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting), and it was shockingly good. Like, "wait a minute--is that real banana?" Yes. It was. No fake flavors. No overpowering sugar bomb. Just moist, perfectly balanced cake with rich chocolate chips and a frosting that didn't coat your teeth with sugar. Then there was the Coconut Cake with Passion Fruit Buttercream, which has its own backstory: they created it for a groom who wanted passion fruit, and it became a shop favorite. I can see why. That passion fruit buttercream? It's now my weakness too--bright, tangy, tropical, and just plain addictive. The dark chocolate one with a cherry on top (which I'm guessing was the Chocolate Almond Cherry Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Buttercream) was another standout. Rich, slightly boozy in vibe, made with marzipan, and layered with just the right amount of cherry. You don't always get nuance in cupcakes, but these--every one of them--had depth. Like they weren't trying to win you over with sugar; they were trying to impress you with actual craft. And now... let me pause for the carrot cake. Kimberly's Carrot Cake with Walnuts & Cream Cheese Frosting was a spiritual experience. Moist, warm, soft, rich with spice and texture--you could taste that it was made with real grannies in mind. Organic carrots are hand-peeled and grated, walnuts are chopped by hand, and they even mix the batter with a wooden spoon in a bowl. It's not just a story--it's baked in. It felt like something your grandmother would make if she had a James Beard Award and impeccable taste. There was heart in that cupcake. And that frosting? Perfect. Every cupcake had its own identity. The chocolate wasn't flat. The vanilla bean (with actual flecks!) was rich and luxurious. Nothing was cloying, artificial, or overdone. Just beautifully balanced, deeply satisfying desserts made with top-tier ingredients: cage-free eggs, hormone-free butter, organic milk, real vanilla extract (no imitation anything), organic fruit--you can taste the difference. They also make cakes--gorgeous ones with real flowers, displayed like they were ready for the cover of Martha Stewart Weddings. I tried to get a photo, but the sun through the window didn't do it justice. You've gotta see it in person. The staff? Friendly, warm, knowledgeable. The guy who helped me actually knew the products and gave me a recommendation I'll be dreaming about until next time (that carrot cake, again--yes, I'm still talking about it). If you think all cupcake places are the same, you haven't been to The Butter End. This isn't mass-produced. This is handcrafted, intentional baking at its finest. This is officially my new favorite cupcake shop. And trust me--once you taste one, it's going to be yours too. Run don't walk yo the Butter End cakery!

    Carrot cake & cherry
    Kassandra S.

    Cute bakery! Stopped here on our way to another store, but stopped to look at their amazing cupcake display Their cupcakes were enjoyable and thoughtful in their flavors The only barrier here is that there are no tables or chairs inside or outside to enjoy eating the cupcakes. My friend and I had to eat it on the sidewalk, which became difficult. The server was attentive and knowledgeable about the cupcakes they were selling. This location has been around since August of last year You can also order cupcakes in advance for any event!

    Linda L.

    The Butter End makes my favorite cakes in the entire world. They also did my wedding cake, so it's nice to be able to relive my wedding night dessert through their amazing cupcakes. The Chocolate Almond Cherry Cake w/ Cherry Cream Cheese Buttercream is an absolute cake game changer. Their signature buttercream frosting is out of this world and not too sweet. While the cake is dense, it's also moist at the same time. Trust when I say it's like no other cake you've ever had. The owner, Kimberly is extremely talented and created a beautiful custom sculpted cake of our pup for our wedding. She's also a judge on a couple of Food Network shows, so you know she's the real deal. The new bakery in Santa Monica is modern and the staff is extremely friendly. They also accept custom cake orders online. Be sure to try their cakes for your next event!

    Look how cute these look!!!
    Kwon S.

    The cupcakes and cookies here taste SO good super fresh and rich and NOT TOO SWEET! Ashley was really kind and helpful, which made it even better:D Definitely worth stopping by

    Tani P.

    I needed a cake for a friends birthday on short notice and The Butter End was fantastic. They were able to pull it off and the Chocolate Cherry Almond cake was not only spectacular but it was delicious. 10/10.

    Andre B.

    My boss the MVP carrier of the bar treated me and the rest of her staff to these amazing cupcakes. I have not even been on location but these cupcakes were so good I felt compelled to write a good review. These are intensely rich flavors that hold well even in a fridge. They pair well with dessert wine, cognac, whiskey or rum and all of the above. I will frequently request that my boss bring more of these or I will be forced to arrive myself to devour these and order more for the rest of my coworkers.

    Kristen S.

    This place is so nice! The girl (I really wish I got her name), was super kind and informative. The cupcakes looked absolutely delicious. Tastes delicious too! I cant decide which one is my favorite yet!!

    Lemon macaron w lemon curd inside
    Michelle W.

    So exciting that this bakery finally opened!! I've seen it in the works for a while, and have been waiting eagerly for it. I think that they are currently in their soft opening phase right now. I believe the owner/head baker is there on a daily basis working with the pastry chefs there to make sure they get the cupcake recipes perfection. She was so friendly in chatting with, describing different cupcakes, and even giving me samples and asking for feedback as they perfect it. The cupcakes are beautifully decorated with flowers and sprinkles, but in a very tasteful way...think adult cupakes. Speaking of which, they actually do have an adult cupcake -- a chocolate bourbon cupcake. They also have a variety of pastries, including macarons that are perfection. I think that they are continually adding more pastry offerings, including a bacon scone, coffee cake, etc. This is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

    Six amazing cupcakes

    I always get the oatmeal cookie which is divine and today received an amazing box of six assorted cupcakes which I shared with friends. We each thought they were fabulous, a delectable balance of deliciousness and comfort, not too sweet nor rich, just perfect. The best cupcake I ever ate in my life. Thank you.

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    6 months ago

    We've ordered birthday cupcakes a few times. I like the variety of flavors and the cakes are delicious.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing bakery in Santa Monica. The display case reminded me of patisserie's in Paris

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    Kimberly B.

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    Kimberly B.

    Thank you so much for the warm welcome! :)

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    Ask the Community - The Butter End Cakery

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    Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee

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    Five stars for consistency, taste, delicious samples, wonderful service, and did I mention the…read morefreshest donuts ever? If you don't already have the app, I suggest you download it for deals and freebies! Their Vietnamese ice coffee was delicious and paired with ANY of their donuts = addiction and gamechanger! I loved this location as there was ample outdoor seating, the service was fast and the inside of the establishment was clean. Would definitely make sure to stop by this donut shop any time I'm in the area - and if I want to bring a donut to the beach with me!

    Sidecar is supposed to be very special donuts and they do have a unique selection of donuts, but…read moreit not for me. I found their donuts to be stale and no fancy type is going to correct that. The place is super cute and very clean. The staff is fine, nothing to write home about. They really don't see too interested in the customers. But they are okay. Parking is pretty easy. What they do make well is coffee. I love dark black coffee and they have that and more and it is very good. Their prices are high-- I think too high. They do have a decent selection on hand. I would go there for coffee, but I won't bother with their donuts anymore. I really hope they work on making sure all donuts are fresh. Their cornbread is good. I have a friend who wanted to try them so we went back and I still found them stale tasting, but great coffee.

    Photos
    Seasonal flavor
    Seasonal flavor
    Inside
    Inside
    Passionfruit pavlova

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    Passionfruit pavlova

    The Butter End Cakery - cakeshop - Updated August 2026

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