Long before Simply Sweets became a beloved Hillsborough bakery, it began in Lauren Warmke's home kitchen, where baking was simply a way to create something special for her children. What started as family recipes soon grew into farmers market booths, custom celebrations and a brick-and-mortar bakery known for cakes that taste every bit as beautiful as they look.
Today, Simply Sweets has become a destination for handcrafted desserts that celebrate life's biggest moments. From elegant wedding cakes to birthday traditions and custom cookies, every order reflects Warmke's belief that great baking starts before the first decoration is piped onto a cake.
"I've always believed that what's inside the cake matters just as much as what's on the outside," Warmke says.
While many bakeries use pre-made mixes, Warmke creates every cake, caramel and buttercream from scratch using real, high-quality ingredients. Although beautifully decorated cakes fill social media feeds, she believes exceptional flavor is what transforms a beautiful dessert into a lasting memory. Every bite should reflect the same care and craftsmanship as the intricate decorations covering the cake.
That attention to detail has become the hallmark of Simply Sweets.
Every custom order begins with a conversation. While customers often arrive with inspiration photos, Warmke prefers learning about the celebration itself. Invitations, party colors, décor and personal details all help shape a design that feels uniquely tailored to each occasion.
"I want every cake to tell someone's story, not just match a picture," she says.
Those personalized touches have allowed Simply Sweets to become part of countless family traditions. Wedding cakes often become anniversary cakes, then baby showers, first birthdays and years of celebrations that follow.
Some traditions are especially memorable. One family picks up a birthday cake every year so their children can celebrate the moment they officially turn a year older—at midnight.
Behind every finished cake is a carefully orchestrated process that begins days before pickup. Baking starts early in the week, followed by filling, frosting and decorating, ensuring each custom order is made fresh instead of waiting on a shelf.
The schedule requires precision, organization and plenty of early mornings. During retail weekends, Warmke's day often began at 3 a.m. to prepare pastries before opening the doors.
Those long hours have also inspired the bakery's next chapter.
This summer, Simply Sweets paused its regular retail offerings to focus on growing its custom cake business, corporate catering and educational workshops. The transition creates more production space while allowing Warmke to return to the vision she originally imagined: a creative cake studio where customers can not only order beautiful desserts but also learn the craft themselves through decorating classes.
"I love teaching because it gives people the confidence to create something they're proud of," Warmke says.
While custom cakes remain the heart of the business, the bakery's signature treats continue to earn devoted fans. Cinnamon rolls, French macarons and Warmke's beloved carrot cake have become customer favorites, but if she had to recommend just one first bite, it's the Cornflake Marshmallow Crunch Cookie—a sweet-and-salty creation she jokingly describes as "impossible to stop eating."
Through every change, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to quality, creativity and genuine connection.
Simply Sweets isn't just creating desserts. It's creating traditions, celebrating milestones and proving that the best recipes are made with the heart.
Find your next favorite treat at simplysweetsbylauren.com.
“I've always believed that what's inside the cake matters just as much as what's on the outside," — Lauren Warmke.
“I want every cake to tell someone’s story, not just match a picture." — Lauren Warmke.