Cutie Pies from Laurie's Pie Bar in Long Beach

 When it comes to holiday time desserts, pies take the cake.
Cupcakes do come in a variety of holiday appropriate flavors like gingerbread, chocolate peppermint and eggnog, there's something about pie that sparks that special yule time joy. 

In search of pie for my Dad's then upcoming Christmas visit I stumbled apon Laurie's Pie Bar in Long Beach. No bakery's holiday menu would be complete without the Thanksgiving classic, pumpkin pie and the Christmas favorite apple pie as found on Laurie's menu along with a an assortment of fruit pies, mousses, meringue and my Dad and I's go to this time of year, pecan pie. 

Cutie Pies from Laurie's Pie Bar in Long Beach
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I almost walked right past the quaint downtown storefrontwhere it's so tiny! All of Laurie's pies are baked from scratch everyday, a fact confirmed when you walk into to the cozy little store because it smells like you walked into a piece of pie!
They have vegan pies, gluten free pies and savory pies. You can get a whole pie, slice of pie or a cutie pie. You can even take a pie making and baking class at Laurie's Pie Bar!

Let's go back to cutie pies...

A Cutie Pie from Laurie's Pie Bar is a grab & go pie. Layered inside a small mason jar filled with a mousse pie: pressed crumbled crust on the bottom, pie filling in the middle topped with and fresh whipped creme to top it off. When you pop the lid off the top of a Cutie Pie it resembles a cupcake which brings us to my review. 

At $10 a pop, I was happy to see that the cuties pies are larger than they appear in photos on-line. I got Banana Cream and my Dad got Mexican Chocolate. Both of the flavors we got are only available as Cutie Pies. 

Holiday activies kept us busy so we didn't get to around to enjoying our Cutie Pies until a few days later. 

Banana Cream Cutie Pie from Laurie's Pies in Long Beach
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I thought for sure the whipped cream topping would be melted and sad looking but when I popped the lid off of the mason jar I was pleased to see the whipped cream was still intact. Spoon in hand I dug right in. The thick layer of banana creme made it tricky to get to the crust at the bottom for a fully rounded bite. Tricky but not impossible. 

The whipped cream was still fresh and there was a lot of it. The banana cream was not overpoweringly banana flavored even with the slices of real banana in the middle of it. The graham cracker crust was crumbly and offered a bit of savoriness and texture to the whole, sweet, creamy,  kit and cabodle. It was a tasty mouthful when all three fit on the spoon. Pressing down once reaching the crust layer helped get all three layers of the goodness in one bite. 

The whole banana cream Cutie Pie itself was rather sutble when it came to it flavor. Even with the thick layer of whipped cream and even thicker layer of banana cream it wasn't overpoweringly sweet either. 

It's not an overdulgent sweet treat which is perfect for this time of year when we overindulge in everything or at least tempted to. I gobbled my Cutie Pie right up and honestly could have eaten more. At the end of his visit my Dad still hadn't had his so I sent him off to the airport with a spoon and his Mexican Chocolate Cutie Pie in his pocket. 

 I don't frequent pie shops too often so I'm not sure if there are other Cutie Pies out there. Laurie might be on to something here. Great for eating on the go, pinics, party favors or if you're saving a little pie for later a Cutie Pie from Laurie's Pie Bar is sure to put a smile on your face. 

 

Halsey for the Holidays

Barely three years after releasing her forth album, If I  Can't Have Love, I Want Power angelic faced songstress with a tempest past, Halsey, added album number five to her catalog. On October 25th, 2024  she dropped The Great Impersonator. 

In 2020, Halsey's album Manic topped my best albums of the year list.
Hesitantly approaching my own healing adventure, I found that listening to her lyrics from that collection of songs soothed me before realizing that they did so because they made me feel seen.
Learning more about Halsey herself made me appreciate her more.

There's a lot of therapy talk these days, however the negative stigma that characterizes mental illness is still strongly prevalent. And it doesn't dissipate when and if you find yourself coming to terms with having a mental illness yourself.
Halsey understands.
That understanding is monumental because it leads to compassion which takes away shame carried with it. The heavy burden of internal shame can lead to autoimmune diseases, various health aligments, chronic pain, further mental illness, substance abuse, addictive behavior, depression or suicide.
Learning about your or a loved one's mental illness and figuring out the tools to use to manage it, or them, is self care though it may not feel like anything but at the time.

Earlier this year when I heard The Great Impersonator for the first time it hit my ears like a call back to the Halsey we heard on Manic. Moreso than on her last album, 2021's  If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power.
With softer tones and melodies rather than industrial driven anthems, Halsey highlights her vulnerable side in a vulnerable way once again on this album. The singer who's always changing her appearance on and off stage, took her chameleon like fashion approach one step further on this one. She fully encapsulated the album title with promotional press photos of herself made up as different music icons from across generations: Dolly Parton to Aaliyah to David Bowie and Bruce Springstein, she pulled off each look flawlessly. 

Halsey's The Great Impersonator album cover 

These Halloween costume inspiring photos are in direct relation to the album title itself. Right under the surface of the psyche of someone who battles mental illness lays something that a lot people do that even more people probably don't  realize.
We mask.
In order to fit in and not be looked down on, pittied, or treated differently for having a mental illness people will essientally "mask" who they are when around certain people or situations to be precieved as being (more) in accordance with what society and culture deem normal therefore acceptable. While masking is a coping mechanism it's not necessarily a healthy one. 

Halsey's The Great Impersonator, from it's title to how was was promoted to the 19 tracks on it is an homage to this mental illness behavior. Another step in bring awareness to and ending the negative stigma surrounding mental illness issues and the people who have them. 

Track number four, "Letter to God (1974)" struck a cord with me and the transition from track 4 to track 5 , "Panic Attack" holds the magic of listening to an album. The way that the songs are paired ttogether in such a way that they melt from one to the next as the album plays on is the audible synchronicity that makes the art an album and listening to an album, rather than single songs on their own, magical. If you're unsure of what I mean, listen for yourself. 
"Panic Attack" sold me on that first listen, it's my favorite song on the album and the stand out one in my opinion. An intentional listen to it's lyrics offers a better understanding of  daily mental battles so many people struggle with in secrecy.

About-Face "Light Lock" lip gloss by Halsey
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Along with making music Halsey also has her own cosmetics line. About-Face launched in 2021 "for the generation of e-girls and e-boys out there who want to express themselves with vibrant pigment and messy make-up" as Halsey herself puts it.
If  you dive a little deeper you'll discover that about-face is a therapy term. In therapy "about face" means a complete change in perspective, attitude or behavior. Essentially a radical shift in someone's approach to a situation or or issue they are working on; it signifies a significant reversal of direction or viewpoint.
Most likely it's not a coincidence that About-Face came about 3 years after Halsey's toxic relationship with rapper G-Eaze ended and she started healing from that.

So far I only have one About-Face product: a frosty blue glittery lip gloss that I would have killed for when I was in the 7th grade and never did find that perfect shade of iridesenct blue gloss. 

Her high performance, vegan, clean make-up and cosemtic products are inspired by and for a diverse artistic community. They're loud, glittery, fun and they come with a message of acceptance. 

I Would Leave Me If I Could - A collection of poems by Halsey
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Ten months after releasing Manic Halsey released a book of poems "I Would Leave Me If I Could" in November of 2020. The passages give more insight to her inner workings. 
 Reading them made me think of the album Manic and I'm pretty sure some of her poetic writings were plucked from the pages and used as song lyrics. It serves as another reminder that as isolating as mental illnesses can be, if you do have one you are not alone and it's nothing to be ashamed of. 

There are three different options right there for giving the gift of Halsey this holiday season, we love options!
 Whether it's the gift of her music, her make-up, her book of poems or all three, the biggest gift that Halsey gives is the gift that keeps giving: compassion and understanding without shame which leads to self love.
Don't keep your or a loved one's mental health underwraps, have a happy holiday!

I Would Leave Me If I Could - A collection of poems by Halsey & About-Face "Light Lock" lip gloss by Halsey 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Doechii @ Camp Flog Gnaw 2024

Tyler, the Creator's live music creation, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival celebrated it's 10th anniversary last weekend. The two day festival was held at Dodger's Stadium in LA. It's line-up is currated to showcase a unique range of hip-hop/rap/soul music and artists with more traditional hip-hop genre sounds to those that are more alternative. This year's line-up included Erykah Badu, Andre 3000, Yves Tumor, The Marias, Raye, plus many more, a slew of surprise special guests and Tyler himself headlining to close out night one. 

The 33 year old mastermind released his eighth studio album, Chromakopia, on October 28th and it quickly hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Chromakopia may have come a little too late for Grammy Award nominations this time around, however, Camp Flog Gnaw 2024 brought more than one artist to it's stages who are nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award. 

One of those artists who's coming in hot with four Grammy Award nominations is Doechii. She's also featured on one of Tyler's new songs from his latest album, Chromakopia, titled "Balloon". 

The 26 year old from Tampa Florida dropped her third mixed tape, Alligator Bites Never Heal on August 30th. The mixed tape, which is commonly musical projects with less constraints and less commerical pressure of an album or extended play, garnered Doechii a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance for her single "Nissan Altama" and Best Remixed Recording for "Alter Ego" Kaytranada remix featuring Kaytranada and JT. 

Doechii @ Camp Flog Gnaw 11/16/2024
photo by Nikki DeMartini

By 3:30 on Saturday afternoon a formidable crowd gathered at the CAMP stage, also known as the Main Stage, to see Doechii. It was quite a scene seeing that many people at a stage that early at a festival.
She hit the stage ten minutes behind schedule but was right on time to give her fans one of the best sets of the weekend.
Before getting things going she greeted the crowd, reminding us that she'd just wrapped up her own tour and was ready to keep it going at Flog Gnaw. 

Decked in GOLF appropriate attire: a striped polo shirt, booty shorts, knee high stockings and stileto heels, the first three songs came from Alligator Bites Never Heal to get the crowd going. And they do so, effortlessly. Next up was "Spookie Coochie", a throw from her 2020 debut. After that the already amped up crowd got evn more amped when Doechii brought out special surprise guest SZA for the song "Persusasive". The crowd roared as SZA, a vision in a pink and yellow butterfly top and baggy cargo pants emerged and worked the stage. Their combined energy was electric, bringing some fans to happy tears as the two songtresses performed together. Once the song was over, SZA sung Doechii's praises before handing the stage back to her. 

SZA on stage with Doechii @ Camp Flog Gnaw 11/16/2024
photo by Nikki DeMartini

As the set went on Doechii showed us what shes made of. She started off with a taste of spoken word poetry. She rapped. She sang. She sped things up then she slowed things down. She got the crowd involved with vocal ques. She twerked a little. And she did all that without losing her breath or a beat. 

By the time she started singing one of her biggest singles, the Grammy Award nominated "Nissan Altama"at the end of her thirty minute set, with the help of her bacing DJ, Doechii kicked off her shoes so she was free to run around the stage. 

A ray of positive energy, Doechii's drive, ambition and passion for her craft prevailed. She thanked Tyler for creating a space for all of the weirdos to be creative and keep creating in their own way, while also congratulating him on his 10 year Anniversary of Flog Gnaw. 

Out of all of the great sets that took place at this fest, I'm glad I was able to catch this one. 

Doechii set-list at Camp Flog Gnaw 2024: 
1. BOOM BAP
2. BOILED PEANUTS
3. DENIAL IS A RIVER
4. Spookie Coochie
5. Persuasive
6. Stressed 
7. DEATH ROLL
8. PROFIT
9. Crazy
10. CATFISH
11. NISSAN ALTAMA

Get Your Day of the Dead Bread from Gusto Bread

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with Gusto Bread on 4th Street in Long Beach!
The Mexican holiday where families gather to welcome back the souls of deceased loved ones with food, drink and celebration comes right after the beloved holiday of Halloween here in the States. The celebration of life and love happens over November 1st and 2nd, All Souls Day or Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Tradition says that the gates of heavan open the night of October 31st and spirits of children can visit their family members for 24 hours while the spirits of adults can do the same on November 2nd. 

Pan de Muerto & Calavera Macarons from Gusto Bread
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Gusto Bread is a delicious modern artisanal panaderia that offers renitions of different kinds of bread including loafs, sweet breads, tradional Mexican pastries and those with a bit of a twist like their double baked concha (!!).

November 3rd is the last day to get their special Day of the Dead Bread.
Pan de Muerto is a Mexicn sweet bread assiocated with Dia de los Muerto. This smooth, round bun is a symbol of  the circle of life because of it's circular shape and with extra dough arranged on top to respresent a skull, cross bones and tear shed of the living. It's to be enjoyed at Dia de los Muertos celebrations, shared on alters in remembrance or both. 

 Calavera Macarons from Gusto Bread
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Gusto's day of dead bread with toasted fennel, orange zest and dusted it with floral vanilla and rose sugar is definitely something to celebrate! The roll is as perfectedly round as a bread roll can get. It's texture is fluffy yet firm. Biting into it is almost like biting into pillowy Challah bread. The orange zest was immediately decectable, delicately springing my tastebuds to life. The fluffiness and the zest paired with the floral sugar coating had me humming mmmm with every bite. 
 Before I knew it I finished my Pan de Muertos before I finished my cup of coffee.
I wasn't done yet though.
Gusto Bread keeps the Dia de los Muertos celebration going with Calavera Macarons! These super cute almond meringue cookie sandwhiches filled with cafe de olla buttercream are shaped and decorated as sugar skulls and are super yum! The macarons are light and chewy with a hint of almond and the cafe de olla buttercream is to die for. It's a buttercream frosting filling fit for a cupcake. 

They also have a whipped cream filled Pan de Muerto made with Sonora flour grown and milled from Farmer Mai Nguyen. It's big enough for the whole family to share and enjoy. 

Calavera Macarons from Gusto Bread
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Don't delay! Tomorrow is the last day to get your Dia de los Muertos treats from Gusto Bread until next November. Get there early because once their Pan de Muertos and Calavera Macarons are gone, they're gone!

If you dont't make it to the store in time to buy a Gusto Pan de Muerto here's a receipe from Gusto to make your own at home. 

In October We Wear Pink

Halloween tends to overshadow the fact that the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The movie Mean Girls reminds us that "on Wednesdays we wear pink", however in October we wear pink in support of and in solidarity with Breast Cancer patients, surviors, those who lost the battle and as an important reminder that early detection is key. 

In January of 2023 I found out while doom scrolling one night that a good friend from high school had lost her battle with breast cancer. Stacey was just shy of 40 years young.

 Back in high school we were two peas in a pod in a most tumultuous way induced with heavy underage drinking, Marlbro Lights and lots of late night romps. As teenage girls we grew up in the early 2000s before the Me Too movement, before thearapy talk of toxicity in relatonships or trauma, when body positivity was not a thing. It was anything but an empowering enviroment for budding little women and while I was secure in all of my insecurities, Stacey was the opposite.
With her blonde hair and curvy body she flaunted her confidence and it seemed that she usually got what she wanted.

Whether it be: a local punk rock show at an obscure venue, a night out of town for Motocross or Monster Trucks, a house party, camping, leaving a concert early to get a show poster,  making up choreographed dances to "Forgot About Dre" in the middle of the night, wreaking havoc around our hometown in her yellow cabriolet with the top down, dancing Thursday nights away at Popscene, going to underground raves, or dressing in a Moulin Rouge-esque outfits at a Country themed school dance, if I was in, Stacey was down.

Stacey was living her best life way before that was a popular moto. She wasn't even 18 yet and I was right by her side. 

When I found out about her passing it hit me hard, literally knocking the wind out of me.
We had an unhealthy falling out a while ago but I never had ill-will towards her and all of the memories we shared over the years. I couldn't help but think of all time spent together partying and sharing cigarettes. As cliche as it sounds, it could have been me but it wasn't, it was Stacey.
Stacey was young and lived fast and hard and big, anyone who knew her in our high school years knew that. I like to imagine she did after our friendship faded, too. 
 All of a sudden the phrase live fast die young made too much sense in a moment when nothing made sense.
Stacey died of Breast Cancer. 

When I saw that SusieCakes has Breast Cancer Awareness cupcakes I saw it as an opportunity to pay tribute to my old friend who lost her battle with the disease at such a young age and to help spread awareness to other women, young ladies, girls and families.

 

For the month of October SusieCakes teamed up with Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, to create a recipe for change in an effort to make days better for those affected by Breast Cancer. From October 1st through October 31st SusieCakes has a few different options of Komen Cupcakes and cakes and throughout the month will donate $1 of every Komen cupcake sale and $5 of every Komen cake sale to Susan G. Komen to help find a cure. 

There are a few different ways your sweeter side can support Breast Cancer Awareness month with Susie and Susan: 

Komen Cupcake: your choice of chocolate or vanilla cake topped with a natural pink buttercream frosting complete with the signature SusieCakes swirl and sprinkled with natural pink sugar.
- $4.99 each 

Komen Ribbon Cupcake 4-pack: two chocolate cake and two vanilla cake cucpakes topped with the same natural pink buttercream frosting only these ones are decorated with a pink ribbon stencil and bordered with natural pink sugar. 
- $23.96 for the four pack (24hr notice required)

Komen Ribbon Flourless Cupcake 4-box: four flourless chocolate cupcakes topped with natural pink buttercream frosting decorated pink ribbon stencil and boardered nautural pink sugar. 
- $25.96 for the four pack (24hr notice required)

Komen Cake: A delicious 6-inch vanilla cake with pink buttercream frosting. This cake ships nation wide and comes with a complimentary candle, match box and you can customize the message on it. 
- $94.00 (shipping prices are included in the price of the cake)

All SusieCakes treats are baked fresh daily and 80% of the team at SusieCakes are female. One on every eight women in the United States will confront a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, SusieCakes' founder Susie Sarich is one of those 1 in 8 women.

Breast cancer isn't just a satistic, it is a harsh reality. Susan G Komen is the world's leading breast cancer organization, dedicated to saving lives and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and one day cure breast cancer. The goal of this sweet partnership is to create a recipe for change and make days better for those affected by breast cancer. 

If you got your fill of cake but still want to donate to raise awareness you can donate directly to Susan G Komen . 

The American Cancer Society offers a Breat Cancer screening guidline you can share with loved ones to spread awareness about breast cancer and early detection even further. 

The National Breast Cancer foundation offers insight on Breast self exam, explaining what they are, how to do them and when to do them. You can download a free early detection guide for yourself, friends and family. 

Another valueable resource for women's health is Planned Parenthood where you can also get information about Breast Cancer, awareness, prevention, etc.
Utilizing services offered at Planned Parenthood is where I was advised to get a second opinion from a primary doctor which resulted in my first mamogram before the reccommended age of 40 for annual mammograms. Subsequently this led to my first bisopsy which never would have happened without without a visit to Planned Parenthood. 

Don't forget to wear pink this month and share this post with friends and family!

Alice Phoebe Lou shows

 Berlin based, South African born, Alice Phoebe Lou has stelthfully been on the alt-indie rise. With five albums under her belt since 2016 the 31 year old singer/songwriter has been coming up under of the radar, as rising indie music starlets tend to do. Since the fifth instalment to her catalog, 2023's Shelter, Alice Phoebe Lou hit the road with her own North American tour this past Spring. 

By September Lou was back on the road not only opening for fellow indie starlet Clairo on the Charm tour while simutaneously playing limited shows of her own.  That's right,  Lou played headlining sets at intimate venues that coincided with her opening sets on Clairo's tour. 

As if she isn't giving making a name for herself her all already, a couple days ago Lou announced she'll

be opeing for yet another indie starlet. Next April is your chance to see Alice Phoebe Lou open for Remi Wolf at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado!
Tickets to that show are on-sale tomorrow, Friday October 18th. 

She's currently still on The Charm tour opening for Clairo with a show of her own in Mexico City at the end of this current run.

October 17th = The Salty Shed in Chicago, IL

October 20th = Kemba Live! in Columbus, OH

October 21st = The Anthem in Washington, DC

October 23rd = Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada

October 24th = Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada

October 25th = Massey Hall in Toronta, Canada

October 28th = Roadrunner in Boston, MA

October 29th = Roadrunner in Boston, MA

October 30th = Roadrunner in Boston, MA

November 1st = Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia, PA

November 2nd = Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia, PA

November 4th = Opry House in Nashville, TN

November 5th = Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte, NC

November 7th = Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA

November 8th = Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA

November 10th = Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY

November 15th = Corona Capital in Mexico City, Mexico 

Bob's Donuts: cruffin or cupcake?

 Back when I was a fresh faced festival worker some more experience festival working friends of mine introduced me to Bob's Donuts. A hole in the wall donut joint on Polk Street in San Franscisco.
Bob's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week which put them on the map with the area's surplus of bar hoppers and donut enthusists alike. The gristle of their deep fried dough made into apple fritters or donuts topped in thick, chocolatey, chocolate frosting or covered their famous crumbs has kept people coming back since 1977. 

Chocolate cruffin from Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Before the pandemic, Bob's branched out of San Francisco's Polk Gulch district with a store closer to the panhandle on Baker Street and outside of SF on Altomonte Street in Mill Valley. The Polk Street store is the only one with a 24/7 status. Since the pandemic Bob's Donuts has branched out from their usual, run of the mill, fresh donuts. These days to stay in the growing donut game, along with their classic cake, raised and old fashion donuts Bob's has more fancy donuts with fancy toppings and fillings.They even have their own take on the cronut.

 

After a two and a half week work fueled visit back to The Bay, I took one of my festie besties to my favorite SF donut spot. She'd had Bob Donuts in years past when we'd worked in SF.
but this was her first experience visiting Bob's Donuts.
We went to the orginial location, my favorite one, on Polk Street. It's a litte rough around the edges like a beloved dingy dive bar. There's just something about that old oil they use and when customers walk in they might find Bob's Donuts donuts being made right in front of them. 

Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Cruffins at Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

We got there at the right time because there was no line!
My friend got to take in the full view of all of the different donuts on display in their store front windows that face SF foot traffic. Something caught my eye as she looked. It was something I hadn't seen in Bob's window before. Being that I used to live only a couple city blocks away I'm quiet familiar with what Bob's Donuts has to offer but this was something new. It looked like a cupcake, a giant cupcake. Upon closer review I thought maybe it was a morning bun? Or some sort of cinnamon roll? Some were dusted with sugar, some with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles, others with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles but what were they?

Chocolate cruffin from Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Chocolate cruffin from Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

When we stepped inside my friend was taken aback that there were even more donuts to choose from inside. My first question was what are those giant cupcake looking things in the window?

Cruffins. 

I took one with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. 

 Introduced to me by Mr. Holmes Bake House not too far from Bob's, I had forgotten about cruffins: the cross-bred pastry creation that popped into exsistance a few years back.

Sadly, the pandemic claimed Mr. Holmes Bake Shop but it didn't claim cruffins.  

Chocolate cruffin from Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The cruffins from Bob's are huge. One took up a brown paper lunch bag all on it's own. 

I love a good maple old fashioned but Bob's chocolate frosting takes the cake for the best chocolate frosting on a donut. Not only is slathered on in generous doses but it's also thick and richly chocolatey. Far from the thin, waxy, hardly flavorful chocolate that passes for frosting at other donut shops, Bob's chocolate frosting is never skimpy no matter what kind of donut you get. 

Chocolate cruffin from Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The cruffin, a hybrid of a crossiant and a muffin, is laminated dough (the dough used to make crossiants) baked in a muffin tin.

The cruffin from Bob's was so big I almost didn't know where to begin, so I unwrapped it and started from the bottom. The billowing muffin top wasn't bothered as I ripped a piece from the tappered bottom, exposing the off-white, fluffy croissiant pastry dough under it's golden exterior. The inside was so bouyant and fresh. Tearing off piece after piece it was easy to gobble this whole monstrosity of a cruffin up with a cup of coffee. Eating pieces from the chocolate covered top was like eating a petit chocolate croissiant with every bite. 

Chocolate cruffin from Bob's Donuts on Polk Street in San Francisco 
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Sure there are fancier cruffins out there but lest not forget that a cruffin is a croissiant baked to look like a muffin and that's what you get at Bob's. A large crossiant, rolled and baked like a muffin that looks like a big cupcake.

Simple yet delightfully delicious. 

Cruffins, cronuts, eye-catching, influencer worthy topped donuts, Bob's Donuts takes signs from the times and rolls with it.
Whatever kind of pastry tickles your fancy can probably be found at Bob's Donuts. Sharing my favorite SF donuts and donut spot with friends and family brings me joy and I love that bringing a festie to Bob's Donuts came full circle with this visit.