There’s nothing like summer in Whatcom County, Washington. Just two hours north of Seattle, Whatcom offers an abundance of outdoor adventure, breathtaking scenery, craft beer, farm-to-fork dining and historical treasures.
But on our recent road trip through Whatcom County, it was time-honored sweet treats, everywhere we went, that jumped out at us. These seven stops in Whatcom County will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Start your journey just below the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Blaine, Washington, where you’ll find the Railway Café. Housed in a converted railroad car at 795 Peace Portal Drive, this delightful little eatery is best known for its freshly baked sweet treats. Banana walnut bread, carrot cake muffins, and lemon blueberry scones are a small sampling to choose from. On Fridays, gluten-free baked goods join the mix.
Next, head to family-friendly Birch Bay. Splashing in the bay’s warm water is a family ritual, but there’s another favorite tradition in this coastal community. The C-Shop Candy Shop (thecshop.com) attracts generations of visitors. Patricia and Patrick Alesse started the business in 1971 by making fudge, then expanded with new creations every year. Their caramel, made from a very old Betty Crocker recipe, is their most popular candy. So popular, they make 15 different candies with caramel as an ingredient. Their custom chocolate Easter bunnies draw customers from miles around.
July is raspberry season in Whatcom County, and no one celebrates it better than the famous Dutch Bakery (lyndendutchbakery.com) in historic Lynden. Established in 1907, the bakery makes its products from local sources including Barbie’s Berries, Edaleen Dairy and Fidalgo Bay Roasted Coffee. Well known for its fresh fruit pies, Dutch Bakery’s reputation draws customers from as far as California. Apple and cherry strudel, blueberry coffee cake and caramel cinnamon rolls are all sinfully delicious. The Speculaas (Dutch windmill cookies) are irresistible. And the raspberry filled donuts topped with raspberry jam and whipped cream were calling our name.
Find out more about exploring Whatcom County at bellingham.org.
