The ice cream and pie kitchen has been a Louisville staple for 40 years, and they’re celebrating their birthday with special deals starting Monday. All pie kitchen locations will offer 40% off their signature Birthday Cake ice cream.
Gina and Mike Cox opened the first Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen as a lunch counter in 1982 in an old automotive dealership. The sweet baking smells overwhelmed the lunch counter, and customers were soon flocking for pies and ice cream.
Pies

The ice cream and pie kitchen is a sweet, casual joint that serves up ice cream, sorbet, cakes, cookies, pies, and more. It also has two pet-friendly outdoor tables.
One of Milk Bar’s breakout hits is its namesake pie, which has a gooey filling of butter, cream, and sugar in a toasted oat crust. It’s not quite traditional pie, but it is a surprisingly delicious slice that will satisfy any craving.
Another pie that will keep any dessert fan happy is Steve’s Key Lime Pie, which is a bit different than the typical key lime pie and is made with real key lime juice. It’s a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in a traditional dessert this holiday season, but there are also mini versions available for a more convenient grab and go snack.
Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen is a Louisville-based bakery that started out as a lunch counter in an old automotive dealership and became well known for its handmade pies and ice cream. The shop has changed hands twice, but it remains firmly rooted in the city.
There are a variety of pie flavors to choose from at this Gowanus shop, including seasonal favorites like salty honey pie and matcha custard pie. But if you want to try something a little more unique, consider the apple-cranberry pie with a cinnamon-and-sugar crust or the coconut custard pie that’s infused with coconut milk and garnished with white chocolate chips.
A few more of the shop’s pies can be found at its cafe locations in Clinton Hill and Red Hook. It’s also got a wide selection of pies by the slice, from lemon meringue to pumpkin, that can be ordered for pick-up or picked up to enjoy at home.
The best part of this pie shop is that every bite — whether it’s from the fruit, custard, or chocolate varieties — is always fresh and never pre-made. That’s especially important when it comes to pie, because it gives customers a better idea of what’s going into their meal.
Abu’s Bed-Stuy bakery specializes in the navy bean pie, a slightly lesser-known pie that is popular among local Muslims. This sweetened-up version of mashed beans is topped with a layer of spices and not overly sweet. You’ll also find a few more unusual pies, like pecan and coconut custard.
Ice Cream
Ice cream and pie kitchens offer customers a unique experience in the form of a full-service store. They serve ice cream and pies to the public and can also be used as a catering service for events, weddings, and parties.
Homemade ice cream and pies are popular with both families and individuals. They are made using high-quality ingredients and fresh fruit. They are light and fluffy, which appeals to many customers.
They can also be customized with toppings and other treats that suit the customer’s taste. For example, a customer may prefer to have their ice cream on a chocolate-chip cookie or a piece of apple pie.
When creating a menu for your ice cream and pie kitchen, choose flavours that are both unique and seasonal. This can help attract new customers and encourage repeat business.
Keep your ice cream shop clean and organized so customers can enjoy the experience without having to worry about getting messy. This is especially important if you serve ice cream that melts quickly.
A good ice cream and pie kitchen should have adequate storage space for the goods. It is ideal to have multiple freezers so the ice cream is kept cool and fresh.
It is also a good idea to have ample seating for customers so they can relax and enjoy their ice cream. Adding a patio or outdoor seating can increase the number of people who visit your ice cream and pie kitchen.
Having a friendly, outgoing staff can help your ice cream and pie kitchen thrive. A good employee will be able to talk to customers and make sure they are satisfied with their purchases.
You can also provide a tour of your ice cream and pie kitchen, so customers can see how the product is created. This will give them an idea of how much work goes into each item and will make them feel more comfortable buying from you.
Another way to keep your ice cream and pie kitchen on the cutting edge of your industry is to be constantly thinking of ways to get your name out there. One great idea is to host a contest or offer free samples.
Cakes
Whether you have a birthday or anniversary, a wedding or other special occasion on the calendar, a cake can be a delightful way to celebrate. While there are many different kinds of cakes, they all share the same basic ingredients and come in a variety of flavors.
Cakes are a sweet baked breadlike food made from flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder or soda, butter, flavorings and sometimes fruit puree. They are usually topped with icing, which is a mixture of boiled sugar, egg whites and flavorings.
It may also be covered in marzipan, butter cream or crystallized fruit. It is a popular dessert served during celebrations, especially at Christmas and Easter.
A typical cake is a round, baked dish containing layers of flour, sugar, eggs, and fat. The most common types of cakes are layer cakes and sponge cakes, which can be flavored with vanilla, cocoa or fruit.
There are several varieties of cakes, depending on the region where they were developed. They include gateaux (French for cake) and ruckle kape, which are round coconut-and-chocolate cakes from Bosnia and Serbia. Other types of cakes include pound cake, devil’s food, bourbon bundt, and Italian butter cake.
When making a cake, it is important to choose the right ingredients and prepare them properly. For example, it is best to avoid using a lot of sugar, as this can make the cake too sweet. Bakers should use high-quality shortening, as this helps to ensure a moist and tender texture that customers will enjoy.
Another crucial factor in a good cake is the use of high-quality butterfat. It is the primary fat used in baking and ice creams, and plays a vital role in structure development and tenderness as well as emulsification and aeration.
Choosing the right fats will help you achieve a more consistent product that is easy to prepare and store. For example, Cargill’s PalmAgility bakery shortening is designed to meet all the functional requirements needed in a cake, and its high fat content means you can create products that are rich, indulgent and satisfying.
Desserts
Desserts are a type of one-course dish that is usually based on a variety of sweet ingredients. They can include confectionery dishes, fruits and sometimes a beverage like wine or liqueur.
Chocolate is a popular dessert ingredient, but it’s also used in many other forms, including baked Alaska and Boston cream pie. Brownies are square or rectangular chocolate dessert bars that can be fudgy or cakey depending on their density.
Ice cream is a soft, dairy-based dessert made from a mixture of milk and sugar that is then frozen to create a creamy texture. Gelato is a similar dessert that uses a less air-whipped milk base than ice cream and tends to be denser. Sorbet is another frozen dessert made from churned fruit and can be either dairy or nondairy based.
Other desserts include pastry creams, a custard-like dessert made from eggs, sugar, and milk that is often used as a filling for cakes and pastries. Mousse, a light dessert made from whipped cream and egg, is also popular.
According to Technomic, consumers eat dessert at least once per week and almost half of them enjoy it as a mid-afternoon snack. This suggests that foodservice operators should offer a range of sweets that appeal to consumers at any time of day.
Operators should consider using social media to promote desserts and share photos of the delicious treats. When posting, use different hashtags that are relevant to your business and the specific types of desserts you sell.
It’s also important to highlight that desserts are good for your health. Not only do they provide a healthy source of carbohydrates, but they also help to lower stress levels and promote a positive mood.
In addition, a high percentage of sugar helps to produce serotonin and dopamine. These are chemicals that boost mood and reduce the effects of stress, according to The Nest.
As a result, many foodservice operators are offering a wide array of desserts that appeal to all types of customers. Creating restaurant rewards that encourage the purchase of snacks and desserts is also an effective way to entice customers and increase sales.
Beyond the realm of flavor and technique, Adriano recognizes the importance of sustainability and conscious consumption. His writing often explores eco-friendly practices within the ice cream industry, highlighting the use of locally sourced ingredients, reducing waste, and supporting ethical production methods.