Meet the Sisters Behind Louisville’s SissyCakes Bakery
Get to know the sisters behind SissyCakes, the boutique bakery serving up the hot-glazed bundt cakes that Louisvillians are buzzing about! Image: Facebook / SissyCakes
What started as an orange juice cake for a family reunion has evolved into a thriving business for sisters Debbie Nutt Stein and Blakey Nutt Martin! They’re the owners of SissyCakes, a boutique bakery known for rich, hot-glazed bundt cakes that have Louisville talking. More than just a sweet stop, SissyCakes is a community for customers to return to time and time again. Get to know the savvy sisters behind one of the sweetest success stories in town.
How did SissyCakes get its name?
Blakey: We’ve always called each other “Sis” or “Sissy,” and when Debbie’s boys were little, they started calling me “Sissy” instead of Aunt Blakey. One day, while we were baking, one of them said he wanted a “Sissy cake,” and it just stuck. We used to even joke about having a little bakery with pink walls — and now we actually do.
Debbie: It wasn’t something we sat down and branded. It just happened naturally, which makes it even more meaningful to us.
Can you take us through the evolution of SissyCakes?
Blakey: It happened very organically. We were baking for family and friends, then started doing small pop-ups at church boutiques and seasonal events. When social media took off, we’d post that we were baking, and people would order. At first, we were excited if just a few people responded.
Debbie: By Christmas 2020, we were still baking at home, and we sold around $6,000 worth of cakes. That’s when we realized it was time to make it official and open a real bakery.
If you weren’t running SissyCakes, what would you be doing instead?
Blakey: I was a political science major and a theater minor, and at one point, I really thought I’d move to New York to pursue acting. I still love performing; I’m a big karaoke person. But I also have this obsession with the weather, so I could see myself as a meteorologist. Or even a private investigator! I love cooking, too, so maybe something in that world. I have a lot of interests.
Debbie: I was a PE teacher, and I loved it. I think I would still be teaching and spending a lot of time with my grandchildren. Family is everything to us, so I’d probably be doing a mix of teaching, volunteering, and being with my grandbabies.
Where do you find inspiration?
Blakey: Our grandmother is a huge inspiration. We actually have a cake named after her — our Kentucky Nut cake. She was such a positive person and a wonderful cook, and we keep a photo of her in the bakery. She’s always with us in that way.
Debbie: Definitely our grandmother, but also our customers. They come in and share stories about how they’re using our cakes for birthdays and other celebrations, and that’s incredibly meaningful.
Are there any common misconceptions or myths about the baking world that you’d like to debunk?
Blakey: People think it’s just fun all the time — and it is fun — but it’s also a lot of work. We are everything: the bakers, the operators, the marketers, the shipping department. We didn’t start with a big investment or a huge kitchen. We built this step by step, and it takes a lot of effort.
Debbie: It really is hard work. It’s rewarding, but being an entrepreneur is not easy. It’s definitely a labor of love.
What’s the one pantry ingredient you can’t live without?
Blakey: Butter. Lots and lots of butter.
Debbie: And sugar! But what really defines our cakes is the glaze. Every cake gets a boiling hot glaze poured on it right out of the oven, and then more once it’s inverted. The flavor changes depending on the cake — orange juice, lemon, bourbon — but that process is what makes them so moist and rich.
What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you?
Blakey: I’m kind of a selective perfectionist. In most areas, I’m very laid-back (I’m the youngest of five!), but with certain details, I get very particular. I’ll rearrange things until they feel exactly right, even if no one else notices.
Debbie: I was a tap dancer from age four through my 20s, and I also rode American Saddlebred horses. That usually surprises people.
What can customers expect when they come to SissyCakes?
Blakey: We want people to leave not just with a cake, but feeling like they had a wonderful experience. That’s something we really care about.
Debbie: We genuinely enjoy connecting with our customers. It’s not something we force; it’s just who we are. We also really pride ourselves on customer service … That sense of hospitality is very real for us.
What are your favorite hidden gems in Louisville?
Blakey: I love sushi, and the tornado roll at Hiko-A-Mon is one of my favorites. And I really love Cartwheels Papers & Gifts in Chenoweth Square. It’s a darling gift shop.
Debbie: Colonial Designs is one of my favorite places. It’s a beautiful boutique with clothing, jewelry, and home goods. And I also love supporting local music. Frankie Moody is an incredible musician from Louisville who’s now in Nashville — he’s amazing.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Blakey: Don’t sweat the small stuff. I try to focus on what really matters — being a good person and raising good kids. Everything else tends to fall into place.
Debbie: I always say three things: be safe, be nice, and have fun. It’s simple, but it covers everything.
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.