It was almost too good to be true. It was after 2PM but I spotted Cruffins in the display case and no line. No, I wasn’t at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse where the Cruffin, a cross between a croissant and muffin, became the trendy treat with those still partaking in gluten. I was at Cake House in Koreatown, housed on the bottom floor of the Koreatown Galleria. The Cruffins also caught my daughter’s eye, so it seemed only fitting to buy one, along with some other sweets.

I was curious as to how the Cake House Cruffin would measure up to the original Mr. Holmes Bakehouse version. It was no comparison. While the Mr. Holmes Cruffin somehow contained a crunchy exterior that shattered when you bit into it, yielding a soft, flaky buttery center stuffed with cream, the Cake House cruffin was more like a croissant baked in a muffin pan. Not that it mattered to my daughter, who had never tried the original. “So good,” she said between bites, downing the entire Cruffin. Ignorance is bliss.

The mini donut was completely adorable, but at $1.60, not a great bang for your buck. I’d much rather have a full-size donut for the same price.

The blueberry bread looked enticing, but turned out to be a lightly sweetened dough with six fresh blueberries, brushed with glaze. On a positive note, I didn’t feel guilty eating it.

Cake House carries regular croissants, including a chocolate cream-filled croissant. Like most Asian pastries, the dough is much lighter than its Western counterpart, less dense with butter – almost like a croissant lite.

Prices at Cake House are pretty cheap, compared to upscale bakeries like Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. The Cake House Cruffin at $2 is half the price, though a pale imitation of the original. If you want to try a Cruffin, you could brave the lines at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse and possibly risk not getting a Cruffin as they sell out. Or you could go for the sure thing and visit Cake House, where there’s no limit on the number of Cruffins you can buy. Your wallet will thank you, and probably your waistline as well.

Location – 3250 West Olympic Blvd., #103, Los Angeles 90006. Additional locations in Koreatown and Buena Park.
Website – http://www.cakehouse.com
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – No
Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Vegan/Gluten-Free Options – No