Table of Contents
- What makes these hand pies special
- Two must-try flavors
- Family recipes, local ingredients, and community service
- The Menu
- Pairing and presentation
- Customer Reviews
- FAQ
What makes these hand pies special
At first glance, a hand pie is comfort food you can hold. Look closer and you’ll see why these particular pies stand out. Everything is made from scratch. The dough starts with a handful of simple ingredients: flour, butter, and careful technique. The dough is mixed, weighed, and shaped by hand. No shortcuts. No pre-made shells. That attention to craft translates into a crust that is genuinely flaky and never dry.
Filling proportions matter as much as the crust. Each pie is packed , often a pound or more , so every bite contains crust and filling in equal measure. That might sound indulgent, but it is what makes a hand pie memorable: you should taste the filling and the pastry in perfect balance.
Two must-try flavors
There are a few signature offerings that capture the shop’s approach to comfort food and bold flavor.
- Chicken pot pie hand pie: A portable take on the classic, this version solves the common problem of dry pot pies. The filling is saucy and seasoned, with chopped chicken and green beans delivering texture and freshness. The pastry remains tender and flaky, ensuring each bite is moist and satisfying.
- Guinness hand pie: One of the most popular choices, this pie contains hand-cut potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheddar. What pushes it over the top is the house-made beer gravy. Poured over the pie or packed inside, the gravy adds richness and a depth of flavor that keeps people coming back.
Family recipes, local ingredients, and community service
Simply Baked by Chandler operates like a small family business with big hospitality. The owner, Chandler, learned baking from her mother and carries that family knowledge into daily production. Her mom is often visible in the shop, greeting customers and making sure the service matches the quality of the food. The result is a friendly atmosphere where recipes are shared and the team works together to keep the line moving.
Local sourcing and in-house prep are part of the mission. Potatoes are hand cut. Coffee is house roasted. Vegetables are prepped on site. This commitment to small-batch production means flavors are fresher, textures are better, and the shop can adapt quickly to what customers ask for.
The Menu
The hand pies may get most of the attention, but the menu shows just how much range Simply Baked brings to a small kitchen. Everything leans toward comfort food, done carefully and meant to be filling, not fussy.
Breakfast options are built for people who want something warm and satisfying without sitting down for a full meal. The biscuits and gravy are a standout, with fluffy, garlic-forward biscuits topped with a creamy sausage gravy made in-house. It’s rich, but balanced, and clearly cooked fresh rather than reheated. For something lighter, the house-made granola and quick oats breakfast cups offer a simple, wholesome start, made with real oats, nuts, and warming spices.
Savory hand pies make up the heart of the lunch menu. Options like chorizo and egg, ham and cheddar, turkey and asiago, and chicken pot pie show how much thought goes into balancing fillings. These aren’t empty pockets of dough. They’re packed with meat, cheese, and vegetables, wrapped in a flaky pastry that holds together without feeling heavy. Each one feels like a full meal you can eat with one hand.
Seasonal hand pies rotate in flavors that lean bold and familiar. BBQ chicken, buffalo chicken, and pizza hand pies bring comfort-food classics into a handheld format. The fillings are generous, the seasoning is confident, and the pastry stays crisp even with saucier interiors. These are especially popular with visitors who want something recognizable but still handmade.
Pairing and presentation
These hand pies are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a cup of house roasted coffee. For a fuller experience, a small salad or slaw provides brightness to offset the richness of cheese, gravy, or buttery crust. Presentation is simple: hand-shaped pies served warm, often with the signature gravy or a warming accent on the side.
Customer Reviews
“Simply Baked is a cute little quaint* pastry shop here in Kimberling City. Pastries are large & very tasty!! Iced coffee was good. We ordered the humongous cinnamon roll, blueberry scones, & a caramel coffee cake!” – Trey Marlar | Google Reviews
“Delicious biscuits and gravy. Amazing selection of breakfast pastries and sweet treats!” –
Laura Myers | Google Reviews
“I got the triple Berry white chocolate scone and a white chocolate coconut latte. Both were amazing. The scones was enormous and baked to perfection. It was flavorful, moist and yet crumbly. I would strongly recommend this place.” – JJ Henville | Google Reviews
FAQ
Where is Simply Baked located in Branson, MO?
Simply Baked is located at 12056 MO-13, Kimberling City, MO 65686.
What are Simply Baked’s hours of operation?
Hours can vary by day and season, especially during peak tourist months. It’s best to check Simply Baked’s official website or social media pages for the most up-to-date hours before visiting.
What exactly is a hand pie at Simply Baked?
At Simply Baked, a hand pie is a fully enclosed, individual pie made with flaky, from-scratch pastry and a generous filling. They’re designed to be eaten without utensils and are perfect for walking around Branson or enjoying with a cup of coffee.
What are the most popular hand pies at Simply Baked?
Two customer favorites are the chicken pot pie hand pie and the Guinness hand pie. The chicken pot pie features tender chicken and vegetables in a rich, comforting filling, while the Guinness pie blends seasoned beef, potatoes, cheddar, and a beer-based gravy for a deeper, savory flavor.
Are Simply Baked’s pies really made from scratch?
Yes. The dough is mixed and shaped in-house, fillings are prepared on site, and many ingredients are locally sourced. This small-batch approach is a big part of what sets Simply Baked apart from chain bakeries.
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