Since Badash Bakes opened its doors on April 29, sweets enthusiasts have found a consistent line out the door on Colorado Boulevard, just east of Marengo Avenue. One social media influencer reported over an hour-and-a-half wait for Ashley Cunningham’s traditional and beautiful ceremonial grade-matcha cinnamon rolls, coffee, matcha lattes, red velvet cake, banana bread loaf, blueberry muffins, brownies, and banana pudding.

Cunningham also offers 10 different cookie varieties, such as s’mores, toffee chocolate chip, matcha, and a slightly salty and sweet cornbread. Staff frequently bring out freshly baked goods to the display case, but most still sell out. “We sell out of cinnamon rolls every day,” says the founder and pastry chef. “We sell out of cookies most days. Last week, someone came in and said, ‘Whatever you have, I’ll just take the rest.’”

In mid-May, an unofficial passing of Los Angeles’s Black-owned bakery torch was underway at Badash Bakes. Sweet Red Peach’s legendary owner, Karolyn Plummer, visited Southern California’s hottest bakery and introduced herself to Cunningham. Plummer opened her Pasadena outlet for Sweet Red Peach in late March, but doesn’t see Badash Bakes as competition. “She is so genuine with a sweet spirit, and a passion for baking,” says Plummer. “It’s inspiring for anyone to follow their dreams, especially at such a young age. Ashley reminds me of when I started baking.” (Cunningham is 29; Plummer just turned 55.

Cunningham, who grew up in Lakeview Terrace near Sylmar, started competing in culinary competitions during high school and won a scholarship to the Art Institute of North Hollywood, earning a degree in Culinary Arts. After that, she worked at Katsuya in Glendale before transitioning into work as a private chef for three years. She first started to make waves on social media by showcasing her cooking for clients like filmmaker Jordan Peele and NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns. Drawn to the quieter element of being a pastry chef, Cunningham began baking from an industrial kitchen in November 2023 until late 2024. Her followers bought them immediately.

“I amassed a large following on TikTok,” says Cunningham about her nearly 600,000 followers. “People love to see what famous people are eating. They followed me through the transition to baking and shipping cookies all over the country.”

Cunningham ceased cookie shipping operations after signing a lease directly across the street from the Paseo retail mall and working with Nicole Rangel to design the bakery. From day one, Badash Bakes has remained busy — it will host its grand opening on Saturday, May 31. Badash joins a rush of Southern California Black-owned bakeries that opened in recent years, including Fleurs et Sel in West Adams, View Park-Windsor Hills’ Creme Brulee LA, Culver City’s Lei’d Cookies and Des Croissants, and the forthcoming brick-and-mortar location for All About the Cinnamon in Sherman Oaks.

Cunningham says she is sometimes overwhelmed and asks for patience from those waiting for sweets. She’s also deeply grateful for the support. “I’m so proud of everyone. Sweet Red Peach’s owner came in yesterday, and they were so supportive and kind. We need these spaces with faces that look like us, and owners who look like us. It’s such a positive thing,” she says.