Visiting Scratch Baked Goods & Shortnin’ Bread

I’m in trouble. I have a gigantic sweet tooth. As much as I try to avoid dessert I can’t resist it’s sugary, sweet goodness. And now I found two outstanding bakeries in Long Beach that are conveniently close to each other. Double trouble, I say. Double. Trouble.

Scratch Baked Goods is located on 4th street in the Belmont Heights area and it’s sign calls to me like a Siren.

Once inside I’m greeted by an assortment of handmade goodness.

Whoa boy…what to pick? My sister swears by their sea salt brownies but I’m partial to their cakes. Funny enough, on the day I took this pick they had a run on cakes and only one was left when I got there.

Look at that chocolatey goodness! They also have a lemon meringue cake that is out of this world. Seriously. When I told the employee it was my absolute favorite she said that somebody had come in that day and bought the entire cake. The only part that surprised me was that the someone wasn’t me. Family? Friends? Strangers? Be sure to remember this the next time my birthday rolls around.

They also make freshly baked bread but it’s not available every day. It’s just one of those things where sometimes it’ll be there sometimes it won’t. If it’s there, BUY IT. The sourdough is the best I’ve ever had. It’s $7 a loaf but it’s worth every penny.

Scratch Baked Goods would seem like reason enough to head on over to Long Beach but I’ve got another special treat for ya! Shortnin’ Bread – so cute that I want to live there.

See what I mean? And don’t for one second think that the pretty package masks a mediocre product. Au Contraire! Shortnin’ Bread is deeelicious!

I can never resist their s’mores brownies. And last time I had their strawberry scone and it was so, so good. Confession time. They happen to be right around the corner from Fingerprints. I stopped in on my way to the Best Coast show to get some change for the meter and the strawberry scone caught my eye. So I bought it and ate it on my way to the show. Then….after the show was over I went back for another. I told you I’m in trouble.

They also make shortbread cookies that are amazing. I love the chocolate sea salt and I’ve given the lime rosemary to friends who have nothing but rave reviews.

So there you have it – two outstanding bakeries in the heart of Long Beach. How did I get to be so lucky?

Scratch Baked Goods Shortnin’ Bread

3950 E. 4th Street 401 E. 3rd Street

Long Beach, CA 90814 Long Beach, CA 90802

open Tues-Sat 7:30-6 open Tues-Fri 8-6, Sat 9-6, Sun 9-4