Bake’n Babes is tucked in the back corner of Tampa Bay’s oldest food hall, The Hall on Franklin. The local bakery, established 2013, serves a wide range of including milkshakes, liège waffles, light lunch items, charcuterie boards, as well as cakes, pies, and cookies. The menu boasts a sizable amount of vegan and gluten free options for a bakery.
Trying to pick a sample with such a wide-ranging menu is difficult, but I finally land on a Nutella liège waffle and a flourless chocolate torte. The torte is a gluten free torte made with Belgian chocolate. It is topped with chocolate ganache and a small dab of edible gold, accompanied by raspberry champagne coulis.
The waffle is made like a traditional Belgian waffle. The dough is yeast-based, almost like a brioche bread and 
pressed in a cast-iron waffle press. My Nutella waffle comes topped with imported pearl sugar, Nutella spread, and bruleed banana slices. There is even a little Belgian flag stuck in the top, following the Belgian tradition. Bake’n Babes founder, Julie Curry, told the Tampa Bay Times that a trip to Belgium inspired the unique menu item.
The smiley employee at the counter hands me a pager with a smile and warns me of the wait, “the waffles take a little while, because we make them from a scratch.” While I’m waiting, another customer gets one of the Bake’n Babes daunting Freak Shakes – an over-the-top milkshake that rotates monthly. December’s shake is blue, stacked sky-high with a slice of cake, popcorn, cotton candy, an iced cookie, a light-up snowflake, and a sparkler.
When my own treats arrive, they look beautiful, and taste even better than they look. The flourless chocolate torte is rich and velvety. The accompanying raspberry champagne coulis balances the deep flavor of Belgian chocolate with a naturally brightening tang. This torte feels luxuriant and indulgent. A feeling helped along by the 24k gold dabbed on the top of each slice.
The Belgian waffle is very authentic. The Nutella and banana flavor combination is popular for a reason, and works well on top of the thick waffle. The amount of toppings balance perfectly with the size of the waffle.
Overall, Bake’n Babes is an excellent experience. The 
physical location is not big, but the top-notch customer service, indulgent treats, and ambiance at the hall leave a great impression. Whether you’re looking for a post-workday treat or the perfect place for date night, head to Bake’n Babes in The Hall on Franklin.