Some family recipes live on index cards, and some live in bakery cases across South Carolina. Coconut layer cake has been a Southern celebration staple for generations, showing up at birthdays, church suppers, and holiday tables.
The seven bakeries below still make it the slow way, by hand, with layers stacked tall and frosting spread with care. Keep reading to find out where to grab a slice, a whole cake, or even one shipped to your door.
1. Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe & Deli, Greenville, SC
Back in 1947, Greenville got a bakery that never felt the need to reinvent itself. Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe & Deli sits at 21 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, and it still runs on the same unfussy spirit.
The star for coconut fans is the Old Fashioned Coconut Cake. Customers can grab a single slice or go big with a whole cake, which makes it easy to treat one person or a whole party.
Cakes are the heart of the business here. Birthday cakes, wedding cakes, German chocolate cake, and eclairs share space with breads and pastries.
The team helps shoppers pick the right cake and shares ingredient details for anyone with allergies. That kind of patience feels like a throwback in its own right.
Hungry for more than dessert? Light bites, soup, chicken pot pie, and take-home meals are on offer, along with coffee and breakfast.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM, with Sundays closed. Saturday mornings get busy, so evenings are the calmer bet.
Free parking, curbside pickup, and delivery round out the convenience, so a coconut cake craving rarely has to wait long.
2. Freeman’s Bakery, Florence, SC
Road trippers passing through Florence have a habit of making a detour to one small storefront. Freeman’s Bakery, at 1307 2nd Loop Rd Ste G, is a family-owned shop built around custom cakes and handmade pastries.
Coconut cake and coconut pie both earn a loyal following. Plenty of regulars pair a coconut cake with a hummingbird cake and call it a successful trip.
Coconut also sneaks into the smaller treats. A coconut pecan danish and salted caramel cookies give quick-visit shoppers something to nibble on the drive home.
Prices stay reasonable, with options from a dollar or so up to a full custom order. That range makes it simple to stop in for a single square or a celebration centerpiece.
Plan around the schedule. Doors open Tuesday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM, and the shop is closed Sunday and Monday.
Weekday mornings tend to be quiet, while Friday and Saturday afternoons fill up fast, so the early bird really does get the cake.
3. Caroline’s Cakes, Spartanburg, SC
Seven layers is not a typo at this Spartanburg bakery. Caroline’s Cakes, at 925 Beaumont Ave, built its name on stacked Southern cakes, with caramel and coconut leading the way.
The Coconut Cloud Cake is a fan favorite, known for light, moist layers and a light buttercream. A lemon coconut cake with lemon curd between the layers offers a tangy twist, and it is best served cold.
The famous 7-layer caramel cake gets plenty of attention too. Key lime, strawberry, Southern chocolate, red velvet, and peach raspberry delight keep the lineup interesting.
Cake bites come in a wide range of flavors. They are a smart way to sample several options before committing to a full cake.
Hours are weekday only. The shop opens Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
There is free on-site parking and coffee for the road. Just remember this spot does not deliver locally, so a quick visit is part of the deal.
4. Kudzu Bakery Litchfield, Pawleys Island, SC
Beach towns run on routines, and in Pawleys Island one routine involves a bakery box. Kudzu Bakery Litchfield sits at 221 Willbrook Blvd, and its parking lot is often full for good reason.
Coconut cake ranks as a must-try here. It shares the spotlight with peach cake, key lime pie, carrot cake, and yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
Signature pies and fresh-baked cinnamon rolls are the bakery’s calling card. Chocolate chip cookies and quiche fill out the case for anyone wanting a little of everything.
Vacation cooks get a break too. Frozen meals and kitchen gifts make it easy to stock a rental or bring something home.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, closed Sunday. Thursday and Friday mornings draw a crowd.
Free parking and a restroom are on site, and everything is takeout, so the cake can follow the family straight back to the beach house.
5. Daisy Cakes, Pauline, SC
A tiny rural community in Spartanburg County is sending coconut cake across the country. Daisy Cakes, at 308 Blackstock Rd in Pauline, bakes scratch-made Southern-style cakes and ships them nationwide.
Daisy’s Coconut Cake is one of the headliners. The layers are thin, with generous frosting between them, so anyone who loves icing will feel right at home.
Carrot cake is another big draw, praised for icing that is not too sweet. Pound cake, lemon cake, a chocolate and coconut combination, and seasonal picks like spiced gingerbread cake round out the menu.
Gluten-free and vegan options are available. That makes it easier to share a slice with relatives who have dietary needs.
Cakes arrive carefully packed when shipped. Local pickup works too, though there is no seating on site.
Hours are short, so check first. The shop is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 3 PM and Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM, which means a Friday craving calls for planning ahead.
6. Kudzu Bakery & Market Columbia, Columbia, SC
Part bakery, part gift shop, and part lunch stop, this Columbia spot covers a lot of ground. Kudzu Bakery & Market Columbia is at 4600 Forest Dr.
Coconut layer cake is the headline item on the menu. Whole cakes are a popular choice for family celebrations, and slices work for a quick treat.
Handmade cakes and pies share the shop with cheese biscuits and pimento cheese. Lunch sandwiches and daily specials make it a handy midday stop.
A frozen case helps busy households plan ahead. Gifts, kitchenware, and kitchen gadgets turn a cake run into a small shopping trip.
The staff are known for being helpful, which matters when picking the right cake for an occasion.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Tuesday and Friday afternoons get busy, while Monday evenings are calm.
Coffee and breakfast are available too, so an early start pays off nicely.
7. Charleston Bakery & Delicatessen, Summerville, SC
Dessert first is a fine plan at a deli that takes its cakes seriously. Charleston Bakery & Delicatessen sits at 10597 Dorchester Rd in Summerville.
The coconut cake comes moist with creamy icing and a hint of almond. That small almond note sets it apart from the other cakes on this list.
Pumpkin cake and pumpkin cheesecake join the dessert lineup. On the savory side, fresh bagels, tomato pie, and the pastrami Reuben come in generous portions.
Breakfast fans can try the Fat City French Toast. Lunch, brunch, and catering are also on offer.
The space is casual and cozy, with seating, outdoor tables, high chairs, and a kids’ menu. Expect a wait on weekends, since reservations are not accepted.
Doors open every day from 7 AM to 3 PM. Free parking is usually plentiful, so the only tough decision is whether coconut cake counts as breakfast.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.