Why Simple Bakes Exists
- Stergios Kozakis
- Jan 11
- 4 min read
Baking for Everyone at the Coffee Table
There’s a moment that happens in cafés more often than we like to admit.
A group of friends orders their coffees, oat flat whites, americanos, maybe a cheeky chai latte. Then comes the pause.
Eyes drift towards the cake counter. Someone smiles. Someone hesitates. Someone quietly says, “I’ll just have the coffee.”
Not because they don’t want cake, but because there isn’t one for them.
👉At Simple Bakes, that moment is why we exist.
The Quiet Exclusion No One Talks About
Coffee shops are meant to be welcoming spaces. They’re where conversations unfold, laptops open, ideas spark, and afternoons gently disappear. They are modern community tables.
Yet for years, cake counters have told a different story.
If you’re gluten-free, vegan, or simply trying to eat a little more mindfully, the options have often been… underwhelming. A wrapped bar. A dry-looking slice. Or nothing at all. Meanwhile, everyone else tucks in.
It’s a small thing, but small moments shape how welcome people feel.
👉We didn’t set out to “fix” baking. We set out to fix that feeling.
When “Free-From” Became Full of Possibility
Somewhere along the way, gluten-free and vegan baking earned an unfair reputation. Worthy but joyless. Healthy but dull. The kind of thing you eat because you have to, not because you want to.
We knew that wasn’t the truth.
Almond flour can be rich and indulgent. Olive oil can create the softest crumb. Oats, nuts, citrus, spices, they don’t take away from baking; they add to it.
When you strip back fillers, excess sugar, and heavy dairy, flavour has space to breathe. Bakes become lighter, clearer, more intentional, and far more interesting beside coffee.
👉Simple Bakes was born from that belief: that inclusive baking could be elegant, indulgent, and genuinely exciting.
Designed for Coffee, Made for People
Every bake we make starts with one question:
How will this feel next to a really good cup of coffee?
👉Our slices are balanced, not too sweet, not too heavy.
👉Our textures are soft, nutty, gently moist.
👉Our flavours are designed to complement, not compete.
Because coffee is complex. It has acidity, bitterness, warmth, and aroma. The bake beside it should respect that.
A pistachio–citrus loaf that lifts a flat white.
A fudgy chocolate brownie that softens an espresso’s edge.
A lemon oat slice that dances with a light roast.
These aren’t afterthoughts. They’re intentional pairings, built for café tables, not dessert plates.
Baking Without Fuss (or Fillers)
👉“Simple” isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing things properly.
We bake in small batches using honest ingredients. No gums. No stabilisers. No long lists you can’t pronounce. Just plants, grains, nuts, fruits, oils, and time.
Our bakes are gluten-free and vegan by design, not by compromise. That means everyone at the table can choose freely, without explanation or apology.
And that matters more than people realise.
Because Cafés Are More Than Coffee
Cafés aren’t just places to grab caffeine. They’re where friendships deepen, meetings soften, and moments linger.
When your cake counter reflects that, when it welcomes everyone, something shifts. People stay longer. They come back. They bring friends. Conversations stretch.
👉At Simple Bakes, we believe food should never be the reason someone feels left out of a shared moment.
👉So we bake for the vegan and the coeliac.
For the health-conscious and the simply curious. For the person who wants just one more slice with their coffee.
This Is Just the Beginning
👉Simple Bakes exists to make inclusivity effortless for coffee shops, and joyful for the people who walk through their doors.
Because the truth is simple: When everyone can eat, everyone belongs.
And coffee tastes better when it’s shared.
☕ Ready to Bake Simpler?
If you’re a coffee shop owner, barista, or buyer who believes cake counters should be as inclusive as your menu boards, we’d love to talk.
👉At Simple Bakes, we create small-batch, gluten-free and vegan bakes designed to sit beautifully beside great coffee, balanced in flavour, light in feel, and made to be shared without hesitation. No complicated prep. No long explanations at the counter. Just honest bakes that welcome everyone.
Whether you’re looking to:
Refresh your pastry offering
Add inclusive options without compromising on quality
Create pairings that keep customers lingering longer
…we’re here to make it simple.
👉 Get in touch to sample our bakes, explore seasonal pairings, or chat about stocking Simple Bakes in your café.
Because when everyone can enjoy the counter, the coffee tastes better, and the moments last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simple Bakes?
Simple Bakes is a small-batch bakery specialising in gluten-free and vegan bakes designed specifically for coffee shops. Our focus is on flavour, balance, and inclusivity, without fillers or unnecessary additives.
Why are Simple Bakes products gluten-free and vegan?
Because we believe everyone deserves to enjoy cake without feeling excluded. By baking gluten-free and vegan by design, our bakes can be shared freely by people with dietary needs, preferences, or simple curiosity.
Do gluten-free and vegan bakes taste different from traditional ones?
Not in the way you might expect. Using ingredients like almond flour, oats, olive oil, and natural sweeteners allows flavours to shine and textures to stay light, moist, and indulgent, often pairing better with coffee than heavier traditional bakes.
Are Simple Bakes suitable for coffee shops?
Yes. Every recipe is developed with coffee in mind, balanced sweetness, clean flavours, and textures that complement espresso, flat whites, filter coffee, and plant-based milks.
Who are Simple Bakes bakes for?
They’re for everyone at the table: vegans, coeliacs, health-conscious customers, and anyone who simply loves good cake with good coffee.
Why is inclusivity important in café baking?
Cafés are community spaces. Offering inclusive bakes helps customers feel welcome, encourages group visits, and creates longer, more meaningful moments around the table.
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