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Owner story · Philadelphia

“We bake our biscuits fresh, in-house every day.”

Kyle Cuffie-Scott · Chef and founder, Darnel’s Cakes

A baker piping filling into trays of pastries at Darnel’s
A Darnel’s carrot loaf cake piped with cream cheese frosting and topped with nuts

In honor of Darnel

A bake sale for Darnel grew into a Best of Philly bake shop.

Kyle Cuffie-Scott grew up cooking holiday meals with his mother and grandmother, and studied baking and pastry at Johnson & Wales. After his younger cousin Darnel Scott died of complications from AIDS in 2013, Kyle turned to baking. A World AIDS Day bake sale in 2015 became a business in 2016, selling at the Lansdale Farmers’ Market and baking cookies for Penn’s dining halls. In 2020 Kyle and co-owner Joe Lope opened the shop in the lobby of 444 N 3rd St, where Darnel’s name is up in lights. Darnel’s still raises awareness about HIV and AIDS, and supports the groups fighting the virus and its stigma.

“We’re just people here trying to make some good food and trying to help out our underserved communities.”Kyle Cuffie-Scott, to News Is Out, 2025
The back of a pink Darnel’s T-shirt: For a sweet time, 444 North Third St, Philadelphia

The menu

Biscuits all day, and cakes fit for any occasion.

Kyle bakes the buttermilk biscuits in house every day and counts 216 layers in each: “a light, fluffy, flaky, melt-in-your mouth sensation.” They hold the breakfast sandwiches that put Darnel’s on Good Morning America in 2023. The cakes are loaves in six flavors, from red velvet to chocolate stout, beside cookies, bars and a peanut butter swirl brownie made without gluten.

A fried egg, cheddar, parmesan and gruyère on a house buttermilk biscuit, with bacon, pork roll or turkey sausage

Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwichA fried egg, cheddar, parmesan and gruyère on a house buttermilk biscuit, with bacon, pork roll or turkey sausage
Buttery crust, creamy custard and a blend of cheeses, with bacon or mushroom

Savory pastries

QuicheButtery crust, creamy custard and a blend of cheeses, with bacon or mushroom
Cheddar, parmesan and gruyère, with applewood bacon or Thai chilis if you like

Sides

Baked mac & cheeseCheddar, parmesan and gruyère, with applewood bacon or Thai chilis if you like
Brioche with cream cheese icing, served warm

Sweets

Cinnamon rollBrioche with cream cheese icing, served warm
A golden, flaky Danish around a cheese center

Sweets

Cheese DanishA golden, flaky Danish around a cheese center
A hint of chocolate and a little tang, with cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles

Cakes

Red velvetA hint of chocolate and a little tang, with cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles

From a World AIDS Day bake sale to delivering with Pinkbot.

  1. 2015Kyle bakes 100 cupcakes for a World AIDS Day fundraiser in Darnel’s memory.
  2. 2020Kyle and Joe Lope open the lobby shop at 444 N 3rd St.
  3. 2025Cafe Darnel’s, their second shop, opens at 990 Spring Garden St.
  4. Apr 2026Pinkbot starts delivering Darnel’s orders from North 3rd St.
“He said he wanted to see his name in lights and it’s literally getting lit up.”

Kyle Cuffie-Scott · “Darnel was a vibrant soul — always singing, always cracking jokes.”

Visit Darnel’s

Breakfast, lunch and pastries on North Third.

444 N 3rd St, LobbyPhiladelphia, PA 19123
Order onlinedarnelscakes.com@darnelscakes
Darnel’s buttermilk biscuits on a blue-rimmed plate
Homemade buttermilk biscuits, all day.Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm. Cafe Darnel’s, the second shop, is at 990 Spring Garden St.

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Keep more of every order.