Custom sweet treats make Bae's Baekery a must in Louisville. Here's what to order

It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that when Sweet Surrender announced its closure in 2022, I was devastated.

Not only am I a sucker for sugary treats, but the dessert shop was the site of happy memories for me. It was one of the first local businesses I visited upon moving to Louisville, and I still remember the pure bliss I felt sitting on the patio on a spring day, enjoying a decadent piece of chocolate cake. Over the years, it became my go-to spot for friends’ birthday cakes, and at random times when I needed a sweet pick-me-up.

Thankfully, Bae’s Baekery — another locally-owned business of which I was already fond — quickly took its place. The store’s new location on Frankfort Avenue brought additional offerings, with even more to come. Abigail McGreevy, who co-owns the shop with her husband, Griffin, got me up to speed. Here are five things to know about Bae's Baekery.

Bae's Baekery began in an apartment

Abigail didn’t set out to begin a bakery business. But when she started whipping up cookies from her apartment kitchen in 2019, the spare-time venture took off quicker than she ever imagined.

“(By) mid-2019, we moved into Chef’s Space,” (a food incubator on Louisville's West End), she told The Courier Journal. “As soon as we phased out of Chef’s Space, we opened our own location during the pandemic in 2020.”

When their Old Louisville lease came to an end, Sweet Surrender announced its closure — so the couple jumped on the chance to move to Clifton.

“(We) loved Old Louisville more than anything,” Abigail said, “(but) we were looking for more of a foot-traffic situation, (and) we had no seating available there. That was the biggest catalyst (for) us looking (for) a new space.”

Sweet Surrender permanently closed its doors in December 2022, and Bae’s Baekery began welcoming customers in March 2023.

There's more to Bae's than baked goods

The customer seating and additional space have allowed Abigail and Griffin to significantly expand their menu offerings. Regulars can still expect to find a plethora of cookies, brownies, blondies, scones, and the like, including the popular jumbo-stuffed cookies and cakes by the slice. But there is also a selection of savory options available.

“We’ve introduced soups, (as well as) a lot of vegan (and) gluten-free items,” Abigail said. “My husband has more of a kitchen background than I do. … He grew up in kitchens, so he’s developed all the soups himself.”

Takeout soup options typically include a white chicken chili, broccoli cheddar, and one additional rotating offering, like chicken enchilada.

“It’s a good way to get our foot into the door,” Abigail added. “We want to eventually (have) cafe-style offerings here.”

Try a customized coffee at Bae's Baekery

I often walk past Bae’s Baekery while strolling down Frankfort Avenue. One day, I saw a sign on the sidewalk promoting a new offering: the shakerato. I decided to pop in and try its version of the classic Italian iced espresso drink — and it was delicious. Unsurprisingly, it’s a popular pick with other Bae’s guests and Abigail herself.

“That’s my number one drink,” she exclaimed. “That’s what I drink every single morning.”

The coffee options, she adds, are not limited to shakeratos, lattes, macchiatos, and other typical espresso drinks. Barista Dade Allen gets creative with his beverage offerings and is happy to craft a customized beverage if guests can’t find what they’re looking for on the menu.

“He (can) concoct any type of delicious drink that anyone is wanting,” Abigail said. “He does an incredible job. We try to do whatever drinks people are throwing at us.”

Give this unique — and unadvertised — birthday treat a try

Bae’s offers custom cakes featuring everything from succulents and the solar system to unicorns and Minnie Mouse. Abigail even offers cake decorating classes so guests can unleash their inner baker and design their sweet creations.

But when guests are looking for a quick yet original gift and can’t find the exact kind of cake they’re looking for, she says a jumbo-stuffed cookie with “Happy Birthday” written on it can be the perfect solution. Though custom cookies aren’t listed on the menu, guests are more than welcome to add a special icing message to their yummy treat.

“If somebody comes in and asks us for something,” Abigail explained, “as long as it’s in our realm, we will try to do whatever we can to provide it for them.”

She added that birthday or not, the jumbo-stuffed cookies are a must-try.

“My favorite is the stuffed s’mores cookie,” she said. “It’s called S’more Dat. A close second is our cookie butter cake by the slice.”

More hours and special events are in the works at Bae’s Baekery

Whether customers are looking for cookies, cakes, or something else, they’ll soon have more time to shop for them.

“We’re about to start late-night hours in the summer,” Abigail said, adding they plan to stay open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays. “We’re going to start experimenting with that at the end of April, just to see how it goes. Then we plan on doing that a lot more often.”

She added that trivia nights and other themed events are also underway. Pop star soirees — like a Taylor Swift night — will be announced on the website as well as on Instagram, at @baesbaekery.

“We want this place to not only be a bakery but also somewhere (that) people are coming and making memories,” Abigail said. “They’ll get more out of this place than just baked goods.”

Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

Bae's Baekery

WHAT: This is a local mom-and-pop, employee-owned-and-operated boutique bakery that emphasizes creating treats that taste delicious, look beautiful, and evoke a sense of nostalgia.

WHERE: 1804 Frankfort Ave.

SERVICES: Indoor dining, outdoor seating, online ordering, carryout, and classes; Wednesday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday

CONTACT: 502-409-4703, baesbakerylou.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bae's Baekery in Louisville is a must for custom sweet treats