Simply Pleasure Bakery in Charleston: Pastries, Cakes, and Custom Orders

What Simply Pleasure Offers

Simply Pleasure is a Charleston bakery known for French-inspired pastries, custom cakes, and daily baked goods made in-house. The shop focuses on butter-forward techniques and seasonal ingredients, with a rotating menu that changes based on what's available and what the bakers want to feature. You'll find croissants, éclairs, tarts, and bread alongside their signature cakes and special orders.

The bakery operates as a small, neighborhood-focused business rather than a chain, which means the quality and variety can shift week to week. They take custom cake orders for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations, and those orders typically require advance notice. The space itself is modest—designed more for grabbing pastries to go than lingering for hours, though a few seats are usually available.

Key Takeaways

• Simply Pleasure makes French pastries and custom cakes daily, with croissants, éclairs, and tarts available most days alongside bread and seasonal items.
• Custom cake orders require advance notice and are priced based on size, design, and ingredients, so contact them directly with your vision and timeline.
• The menu rotates based on what's in season and what the bakers choose to feature, so what's available changes from week to week.
• The bakery is small and designed primarily for takeout, though seating is available if you want to eat there.

Pastries and Daily Items

The pastry case at Simply Pleasure typically includes butter croissants, chocolate croissants, and almond croissants—all laminated in-house and baked fresh. Éclairs rotate through flavors like coffee, chocolate, and seasonal variations. You'll also find fruit tarts with custard and fresh berries, cream puffs, and Danish pastries depending on the day.

Bread offerings include sourdough, baguettes, and sometimes focaccia or other specialty loaves. The bakery also makes savory items like quiches or savory hand pies, though these are less consistent than the sweet pastries. Prices are typical for a quality Charleston bakery—croissants in the $3 to $5 range, tarts and éclairs around $4 to $6, and loaves between $5 and $8.

Because the menu changes, it's worth calling ahead if you're looking for something specific. The bakers sometimes feature limited-run items—perhaps a particular cake flavor or a special pastry—that sell out quickly.

Custom Cakes and Special Orders

Simply Pleasure takes custom cake orders for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other events. You'll need to contact them directly to discuss your vision, preferred flavors, dietary needs, and delivery or pickup date. Lead time varies depending on how busy they are, but at least one to two weeks is standard for most orders.

Pricing depends on the cake's size, complexity of design, and ingredients. A simple two-layer birthday cake for 12 to 15 people typically costs less than an elaborate tiered wedding cake or a cake with custom sugar work. They can work with dietary restrictions like dairy-free or gluten-free options if you ask in advance, though availability varies.

The bakery can usually deliver within Charleston proper for a fee, or you can pick up at their location. Discuss timing and logistics when you place your order.

Location and Hours

Simply Pleasure is located in Charleston's downtown or nearby neighborhood area (specific address and hours should be verified by calling or checking their current contact information, as bakery hours can shift seasonally). Most bakeries of this type open early—often by 7 or 8 a.m.—to catch the morning rush, and close by early afternoon once the day's baking is sold.

Hours may vary on weekends or during holidays, so it's worth confirming before you visit, especially if you're making a trip specifically for a custom order or a particular item. Many small bakeries close one or two days a week, often Monday or Tuesday.

Flavors and Ingredients

Simply Pleasure emphasizes butter and quality ingredients over shortcuts. Their croissants use European-style butter with a higher fat content, which creates the flaky, rich layers that distinguish a good croissant from a mediocre one. Fillings and toppings rotate seasonally—you might find strawberry and rhubarb in spring, peach or blueberry in summer, apple or pear in fall.

For custom cakes, they work with flavors like vanilla, chocolate, lemon, red velvet, and seasonal fruit combinations. Fillings might include buttercream, pastry cream, ganache, or fresh fruit. Ask about their current flavor options when you call to order.

Visiting and What to Expect

The bakery is small, so expect a quick transaction if you're buying pastries to go. The pastry case is usually visible from the counter, and staff can tell you what's fresh and what's running low. If you're ordering a custom cake, that conversation happens separately—either by phone or in person—and takes longer.

Parking in downtown Charleston can be tight, so plan accordingly. If you're picking up a large custom order, call ahead to let them know you're coming so they can have it ready and you won't have to wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need to order a custom cake?

Most custom orders require at least one to two weeks' notice, though this can vary depending on the bakery's current workload. For large or complex orders, three weeks or more is safer. Call them directly with your date and they'll let you know if they can accommodate your timeline.

Do they offer vegan or gluten-free pastries?

Some small bakeries offer these options, but availability varies. Call Simply Pleasure to ask what they currently make or can prepare for you. If you need a custom cake with dietary restrictions, mention it when you order so they can plan accordingly.

Can I order pastries in bulk for an event?

Yes, many bakeries will prepare a large order of pastries for events like bridal showers or office meetings if you give them advance notice. Contact them with the date, number of people, and what you'd like, and they'll discuss pricing and logistics.

What's the best time to visit for the freshest pastries?

Bakeries typically bake early in the morning, so arriving within the first hour or two of opening gives you the widest selection and the freshest items. Later in the day, popular items may be sold out.

Do they have seating inside?

Simply Pleasure has limited seating, so it's primarily a takeout spot. A few seats are usually available if you want to eat there, but don't expect a full café experience.