By Reese Meister
The moment a customer steps into Paderia, they will be thrilled by what they see. It’s not just the typical bakery brownies and cupcakes that they will find. Instead, they’ll be drawn to a display case full of globally inspired creations like Filipino ensaymadas and Portuguese egg tarts.
Paderia offers cookies, pastries and a selection of drinks. Their menu appeals to a wide range of flavor preferences and can work as breakfast, dessert or even a middle-of-the-day snack. Recently, they extended their hours all the way to 8 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, giving customers a wider time frame.
When I walked into the store on a Sunday afternoon, there seemed to be a substantial line at first, but the customers received their food and cleared out quickly. The waiting area is somewhat small, but the interior is decorated in a modern yet cozy style.
Excited by my options, I decided to sample the traditional horchata. The first sip was absolutely amazing because the foamy cream that topped the drink created the perfect texture and consistency. It was full of sweet, milky flavor with a nice amount of cinnamon, almost like a liquified cinnamon roll. Although I opted for the classic horchata, Paderia also offers variations on the drink with flavors including matcha, strawberry and dulce de leche. In addition to horchata, Paderia sells teas and coffees, which similarly come in a range of enticing flavors and each cost around $7.
Next, I couldn’t resist trying a malasada, a Portuguese donut coated in sugar. I chose the cinnamon sugar one, though other varieties came filled with vanilla cream, Nutella or lemon lavender cream. While this malasada was delicious and flavored nicely, I wouldn’t say that it stood out particularly from other malasadas that I have tasted. That being said, it may be better to purchase the malasadas in the morning when they are fresher. The malasadas cost around $2.25, and other baked goods range from about $3.75 to $7.
The cookies at Paderia are unlike any other cookie that I have seen. At first glance, the giant mounds of baked dough seem like muffin tops in their impressive size and height, and there was no doubt in my mind that I would need to try one. The difficult part is choosing which of the six mouth-watering flavors to try; I decided not to get all of them since each cost $5.50. While blueberry coconut pecan and chocolate walnut cookies were tempting, I ultimately landed on sea salt chocolate chip and peanut butter chocolate.
Taking a bite of a Paderia cookie for the first time was a blissful experience. The outside layer is very sturdy and chewy, providing a delicious protective shell for the wonderful mass of dough that lies within. Since the cookie is so large, the dough inside borders on raw, but in the best way you could imagine. In the chocolate chip cookie, the chocolate chips melt into the soft dough in the center, creating a delectable blend with the buttery flavor. To make it even better, the sprinkle of sea salt sitting on top is a perfect touch to balance the sweetness.
However, for me, the star of the order was the peanut butter chocolate cookie. Like the chocolate chip cookie, the inside was much softer than the outside. The dough is made from dark cocoa powder, creating a deep color and taste, and peanut butter chips are melted into the inside. The dough is satisfyingly dense, and this item is very comparable to a brownie wrapped by a layer of cookie. If you do opt for this scrumptious dessert, though, I suggest having a cool glass of milk or water nearby since its rich, chocolatey flavor and creamy peanut butter will leave you craving something to wash it down with.
The items were a bit pricey, so this probably isn’t a realistic option for high schoolers to turn to on a daily basis. However, the delicious food and refreshing drinks are definitely worth the expense as a special treat. If you would like to see what Panaderia has to offer for yourself, you can find it at 18279 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, or order delivery through Uber Eats or Postmates.
