When life hit hard for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabaster’s Bert Carter decided to make things sweeter for those in her community.
Bert and her husband, A.C. Carter, opened Bert’s Desserts, featuring an array of treats including cupcakes, cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, and lunch options such as chicken salad, deli sandwiches and pasta salad.
“All of our items are made fresh here at the store,” Bert said. “We make everything here so we get going at about 6 a.m. every day.”
While Bert has always loved to bake, it wasn’t until she was furloughed from her job in 2020 that she started to think about opening a bakery in Alabaster with her husband.
“I have always been a cook, and prior to me being furloughed, I would bake for my family, friends, people at church,” Bert said. “When I was furloughed I started baking for strangers who would reach out to me asking me to bake different things. I think it was mainly because during the time when people were quarantined, they wanted to be able to get something homemade, but most restaurants were closed. I kind of went into overdrive during that time period, and it morphed into us opening a bakery.”
A.C. Carter is likely most known for being a former Alabama football player, but now spends most of his time at the couple’s new business, which officially opened its doors to the Alabaster community Feb. 27.
Bert said for now, there is no “Crimson Tide” or Alabama-themed baked items, although the couple does have some memorabilia they plan to hang on the wall eventually.
“I don’t want to leave any teams out or exclude someone by offering just an Alabama-themed item on the menu,” Bert said. “But a lot of people that come into the store know my husband and recognize him. He really has a lot of fun working the front of the store and interacting with customers.”
A.C.’s mother and grandmother handed down some of their cherished recipes to the couple, two of which Bert said she cherishes to this day.
“I am very thankful to have their red velvet recipe and their pound cake recipe,” Bert said. “Those are two they passed down to me and I am really very thankful.”
Customers can purchase the red velvet cake in the store.
While everyone likely has a favorite dessert they gravitate toward, Bert said there is something for everyone that visits.
“I think that is the neat thing about our shop,” Bert said. “We have people who love different things. Some people love our cinnamon rolls, some people love our cakes or the banana pudding. We also have people who love cookies who come get a cookie that we have baked fresh every afternoon, it just depends. But, we do have something that everyone can enjoy.”
Bert said there are plans in the works for the business to continue to grow and expand. She hopes soon to start offering ice cream.
The bakery also offers birthday cakes, which can be custom ordered.
Bert said working with A.C. has gone well, and the two have enjoyed their new business venture.
“I think we work really well together,” Bert said. “My husband is someone I really trust, and I think that is important to have when you are running a business.”
Bert said the idea for the bakery initially came to her when God gave her a vision that she would one day open a bakery.
“I feel like when God gives you something it is not really your own, but God will bless it,” Bert said. “So far, we have been very blessed by the outpouring of support from the community and we are thrilled to be here.”
Bert’s Desserts is located at 8919 Highway 119 Suite 100 and open Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For daily offerings or shop updates, follow the business on Facebook at Bert’s Desserts.