Plehn’s Bakery

Our weekly go-​to. Been to quite a few donut places around the country and Plehn’s can top any of them depending on your style of donut. These are not your hot, straight from the oil donuts, but rather ones that have great texture, volume, and of course, taste. Love them. The Yum-​Yum is my go-​to seconded by the cream filled Long John. A must for any donut lover.

I love Plehn’s! First of all I want to give kudos for the staff for helping me out in a HUGE work crisis. I needed donuts for an event because another provider backed out on me TWO days before the event. It was the week before Christmas and I know all bakeries were swamped. Not only did Plehn’s agree to do the order for me, they let me arrive an hour before they even opened to pick them up! It was kind of awesome to arrive pre-​dawn, walk through the kitchen, smell the goodness, and see the work of those who rise so early to make all the rest of us have a better day!
The donuts are fresh and fluffy. The prices are extremely reasonable. I have also ordered a half sheet cake from them. The decorations were spot on and the cake was moist and delicious. I love all their little cakes on display and can never resist getting a treat (or two) when I am there picking up an order for work.
The one thing I haven’t tried — but can’t wait to — is their old fashioned soda fountain counter. That review is TBD. The only reason for the 4 out of 5 stars is the parking. I know its a little out of their control, but I thought it was only fair, as it IS something to consider.

I ordered a birthday cake over the phone: Lemon cake, with lemon filling, strawberry icing and white buttercream polka dots plus the personalized message. The cake was just as adorable as the shop and it was so good! Everyone loved it! Great customer service over the phone and in house as well.

never. I tried to order a cake from them, I wanted one similar to the one on THEIR facebook page. They told me I needed to come in with a picture. When I said to her I work across town and need it for Saturday, she said, «sorry I cannot help you». I really dislike businesses that think so much of themselves they believe that customer service is not necessary.

Came into the the bakery on a whim, after eating brunch nearby, in search of a last-​minute birthday cake. Store was clean and adorable! Very welcoming atmosphere and I was catered within minutes by The sweetest person in the store! Got a Chocolate Mousse Cake, and she even personalized it free of charge. Will definitely recommend and return

I live for the pretzel doughnut at Plehns! Love all their delicious sweet treats.
Their petit fours are life changing and the cake doughnuts are my go-​to.
Such a great Louisville treasure.

Need the perfect cake? Look no further. We got an Italian cream cake 8″ round that served 12. They decorated to order based on photos I printed out and brought in. The cake was moist, the icing was just right (not too sweet) and the design turned out to perfection. Customer service was wonderful. Thank you for a fabulous addition to a daughter’s 16^th birthday.

Absolutely the best bakery in Louisville! The cakes are absolutely amazing! If you have not had the Angel Dips you are missing out. They are the secret of the place and something you definitely have to experience! Exceptional food, quality, and consistency. Happy every time we go!

This place is absolutely tremendous. Every time I come here there is a plethora of new things for me to try out my tastebuds on. Workers are very sweet and friendly, if you are ever angry enough with them that you are rude chances are you are a Scrooge. Sweetest workers with even sweeter baked goods. I love the eclairs, the filling is good cold and warm and is a taste unlike any icing or topping you have ever had. Very sweet management and service. Fast and easy. But when it comes to eating it you may find it either fast and delicious, or slow and savory. As I write this review my mouth is watering thinking of all the wonderful treat selections they have. I go here all the time with my grandmother and brother and recommend it to anybody new or old to Louisville, it is a taste of history that surely is the sweetest!

I called Plehns to see if they made Petit Fours and low and behold, they did. I ordered up two dozen thinking they would be small. They were so much bigger and better tasting than if ever had. I asked if they ol could make them kind of birthday like instead of Christmas and they did.
They were a hit.
I’d never been in this bakery but will be back, especially after seeing all the other items they bake up! Cookies, pie’s, meringues etc!

Another one of Louisville’s excellent old-​style bakeries also has a soda fountain with reasonably-​priced milkshakes. I’m not in this area a whole lot but it’s always a temptation and a valid choice when that occurs.

They made things MORE then right. I had ordered 48 mints for a baby shower. I went to pick them up the day before the shower and they had made 48 thumbprint cookies with mints on top of them! The second they brought this big box out to me I knew something was wrong. BUT, they made it all right by telling me to keep the cookies because they would be a «wonderful addition to the shower». AND they gave me gift certificates to cover the cost of the mints.
BEST bakery in town with the BEST service in town! I truly appreciate all they did to make things right for us on this very special day…

Plehn’s Bakery deserves five stars, a happy face, a thumbs up, a perfect 10 … There’s a reason this local business has been successful since 1924 — their baked goods are fantastic can still sit at the old school, soda fountain and eat classic lunches like ham salad and homemade chili topped with an ice cream float.
I’ve been coming to Plehn’s for as long as I can remember. My mom has been a customer since she was a child and we still visit this homey spit together for a sweet treat. Her favorites are the pecan danish and spiced, thumbprint cookies. Mine are the iced, sugar cookies and the mini éclair. I’m also a fan of their salt rising bread, cheese kuchen, and cheese straws.
I’ve eaten most of the items in their cases and enjoyed each morsel. But, I come back for the soft, sweet, sugar cookies that are iced with seasonal things like apples in Aug., pumpkins (now), and watermelons in summertime. Getting home with them in the car, let alone waiting until after a meal, is such a challenge. Get two, just in case!
Plehn’s has made beautiful wedding and birthday cakes for generations. For those who hate white cake, you need to taste their’s. It’s sublime! So tender and flavorful. It will change the way you think about white cakes.
This is the type of old time, neighborhood bakery that has disappeared due to superstores and home mixes. I hope this shop will last well past my lifetime so others can have the sweet and joyful memories that I have of Plehn’s.

I recently used Plehn’s to do cupcakes for a Bridal shower and they did an amazing job. I went in a few weeks prior to check out what they could do and as long as I provided a photo they had no trouble doing it. We did 30 total cupcakes, 15 white and 15 chocolate. The photo I brought in was of two different styles, one had a wedding dress on it and the other was a floral design. Plehn’s nailed both designs perfectly and they cupcakes tasted delicious. It was nice to have such beautiful cupcakes that they could be part of the decoration throughout the shower. The staff here was friendly each time I was in here and they had the cupcakes ready at the quoted time. For the level of design and the number of cupcakes ordered the price was not inappropriate at all. Also, as I was picking up the cupcakes on Sunday I noticed they have all of their pumpkin goodies coming out. I’ll definitely have to come back and get one of those pastries very soon!

So many people in Louisville are obsessed with Nord’s donuts. I’ve had Nord’s donuts and don’t get me wrong they aren’t bad but if you ever try a Plehn’s yum yum donut or chocolate covered honey bun you will never look back. There is some magical ingredient in their chocolate glaze that gets you addicted. They offer typical style donuts, baked, and danish types. I’ve had so many (I have probably tried ¾ of them) and think they are all delicious. Their dough is the right mix of dense and airy somewhere in-​between a Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ and the glazes and fillings they have are made in store and delicious.
There are always too many to chose from and if you go on Sunday’s get there early before the church crowd clears them out or call the day before and place an order for the donuts you want to pick up.
The ONLY regret you will have of choosing Plehn’s over your usual Krispy Kreme or Nord’s is if it’s less convenient to get to because you will definitely find yourself coming back for more.

Of the bakery’s in town this one is my favorite. It’s a quaint little slice of nostalgia parked in the heart of St Matthews. I’m gonna break this down by cookies cake ice cream and other.
The cookies are my all time favorite. The iced sugar cookies are amazing every holiday they have a different cookie design. My favorite one is the Santa Claus cookie at Christmas time. I put one in my kids stockings every year at Christmas. The chocolate chip is very good as well.
The cakes are AMAZING! The classic white cake with butter cream is the go to for a party or other occasion for a lot of people. Buttercream is light sweet and flavorful. Sponge is soft moist and delicious. They did our wedding cake while it was delicious the fun thing was that instead of wrapping up the top layer for you and then you eating dry freezer burnt cake a year later they will remake the the top layer of your cake on your anniversary for free. The Italian cream cake is my favorite I’ve ever had and the carrot cake is great also.
The doughnuts are also delicious but I don’t get them very often now that I don’t live near by. I’ve also gotten a sandwich there a couple of times in the past as well and haven’t been disappointed.
The ice cream is also really good and made fresh in store. I usually get a qt of chocolate and vanilla she we do a birthday cake and it’s always a hit.
Bottom line here is that if you are looking for a go to bakery to have a treat or take a special occasion over the top this is the place for it.

My favorite. We have been getting donuts here for 25+ years and they have never let us down, and we usually are here once a week! My favorite place to pick up pastries for the office too. Always friendly. Expect a wait sometimes but well worth it.

I’m somewhat of a donut junkie and I especially love donuts from authentic old-​fashioned bakery style donut shops. I’m not a big fan of grocery store donuts and am especially am not a fan of places like Krispy Cream and Dunkin Donuts.
So – when we were visiting my son and his wife in Louisville he told us about Plehn’s Bakery and we had an assortment of donuts from Plehn’s for breakfast. The donuts were exceptionally good — even when compared to my «gold standard» for donuts which is a old time donut shop back in Westerville, OH (my current home).
I would strongly encourage anyone who loves donuts to try Plehn’s.

I have never been more displeased with Plehns and they are always so friendly. The baked goods are still delicious but the help, though smiling faces, was the rudest women I’ve encountered in a long time. All she seemed to be worried about was, who’s going on break next. I saw a help wanted sign when I entered, but please don’t be so desperate as to hurt your business with such rude employees. I’d much rather take my business to Plehns than Heitzmans.
*Sherri-​was her name*

My boyfriend has extended family down in Kentucky, and every time they visit Indiana there is the expectation that they will arrive with Runny Butter Kuchen in tow. When my boyfriend and I went down to Louisville recently, his family placed a special order: we needed to pick up FOUR runny butter kuchens from Plehn’s (Psst: if you’re going to make a multi-​kuchen order then call ahead of time). Seeing how his family hold this German cake in such high esteem, I had to try it for myself.
The best way I can describe this breakfast dessert is that it’s a 60% sweet bread-​y base with a 40% St. Louis gooey butter cake filling topped with a glaze. It will definitely leave a mess on your fingers, so use a fork (a glass of milk won’t hurt either). I see that other reviewers are talking up the other cakes and pastries at Plehn’s but the Kuchens deserve just as much Louisville love.