By Chanda Temple
Imagine sinking your teeth into a slice of buttery heaven.
The moistness. The golden glow. The home-baked happiness. They are all there in the five-flavor poundcake from Herban Soul Cafe in Woodlawn, AL.
When people try a slice, they swear a seasoned senior made it. But the young person behind it is Herban Soul Cafe tea house founder and self-taught baker Alexis Kimbrough, who makes the poundcake from a cherished family recipe.
“People don’t believe I made it,” said Alexis, 30. “But they like it. They say it takes them back to their childhood.”
Alexis Kimbrough uses a family recipe to make her five-flavor poundcake. She is now taking orders for her poundcakes for Thanksgiving 2024. The deadline to order is Nov. 20. (Photo source: Chanda Temple)
Alexis has been selling the cake slices and her teas since 2022 when she started doing pop-ups at mental health events and other outings in Birmingham, AL. That same year, her business received a boost when she won a Magic City Match Grant, which is funded by Prosper and presented by REV Birmingham, IGNITE! Alabama and Urban Impact Inc. She continued to sell her teas and desserts at pop-up events, but her dream was to find a brick and mortar to house her business. In February 2024, her vision became a reality when she moved into the Woodlawn Marketplace. The shop, which is open Wednesday – Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., is located at 5530 First Ave. South.
Alexis Kimbrough’s poundcakes are dense, decadent and downright old-fashioned that any granny from the South would approve. (Photo source: Facebook)
As people prepare for Thanksgiving this year, Alexis is now taking online orders for her whole poundcakes. The deadline to order is Wednesday, Nov. 20. Cakes can be picked up on Tuesday, Nov. 26 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Herban Soul Cafe. Orders must be placed on her website.
Cakes for sale include:
- Her signature five-flavor poundcake, which features a blend of lemon, almond, coconut, rum and vanilla extracts. It is $40.
- Her chocolate, five-flavor poundcake is like the signature pound cake, but it also features rich cocoa in the batter and has fudge icing. It’s $45.
- Her allergy friendly five-flavor poundcake is the signature cake, minus the coconut and almond flavors. It is $45.
- Her signature butternut squash pie is a close cousin to the traditional sweet potato pie, but with fewer carbs. It’s rich in Vitamin A, packed with antioxidants to boost immunity and high in fiber for better digestion. It features cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. It is $25.
In 2022, Alexis Kimbrough was one of 13 Birmingham businesses to receive a Magic City Match grant. She used it to help grow her healthy tea business. In February 2024, she moved into a brick and mortar in Woodlawn, a Birmingham neighborhood. (Photo source: Facebook.)
Alexis is making memories for the table and the tastebuds in the Magic City, where culinary creators step into the spotlight like stars on a stage. Each dish tells a story that’s worthy of applause and appreciation.
“People always tell me that they can taste the love that was put into my cake and it reminds them of an aunt or grandmother who baked it. That makes me feel good,” said Alexis, a Selma native now living in Birmingham. “Baking has always been a part of what I do.”
Savor This!: And if you are looking for a tea to make any gathering unforgettable, check our Alexis’ cold “Soul-Full Punch,” which is vibrant and fruity with a touch of spice. It’s made with hibiscus, orange peel, dehydrated apples, Elderberry, peach and strawberry black tea, and aswagandha. It tastes like Kool-Aid but without all the sugar. Salute!
Herban Soul Cafe’s teas are all the buzz in Woodlawn, especially this one pictured, which is the Soul-Full Punch. (Photo source: Chanda Temple)
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.