‘Cascade’s Best Bakery’ serving decadent cake, wine and more in a blissful space
A downtown Bellingham’s bakery was named the best bakery, best cupcakes, and runner-up for best dessert in the area in our 2025 Cascade’s Best Awards, and we visited the award-winning shop to provide an inside look.
Pure Bliss Desserts is simply that, pure bliss. From the moment you step into the door, the sophisticated decor and sweet smell of vanilla and coffee welcomes you inside.
“We want every guest who walks through the doors of Pure Bliss to feel welcomed with kind and intentional service, in a beautiful and warm environment, enjoying consistent, high-quality desserts and beverages day in and day out. We put a lot of effort in keeping those three aspects our focus and strive to hit that mark for excellence in the customer experience,” Andi Vann, owner of Pure Bliss Desserts, told The Bellingham Herald.
Andi Vann and her husband, Nick Vann, established the business in 2008, and opened the brick-and-mortar bakery in 2010 with a vision to be more than just a bakery — to create an inviting space for community.
“I’ve always considered Pure Bliss a unique destination, approachable for everyone. The mid-day passerby looking for a cookie and coffee pick-me-up to the late night post diner seeking a warm and comfortable environment to sip their wine and enjoy a from-scratch, high-quality dessert,” Vann said.
But the bliss doesn’t end with the welcoming ambiance, as the pastry cases are full of a wide variety of cupcakes, cookies, cakes, bars, pastries and a rotating menu of monthly special flavors and treats, as well as coffee, tea, beer, wine, and gluten-free desserts.
The decadent and rich sweets include chocolate salted caramel cupcakes, iced shortbread cookies, cheesecake, bourbon butter pecan cake, coconut cream tart, pistachio raspberry cake and caramel turtle wedges.
“Business was slow to start, but we continued with the same philosophy that we love today: From scratch, using the highest quality ingredients, in small batches and time-honored techniques to make the best desserts possible. Our mission was simple: to spread joy to our community,” Vann said.
The dreamy desserts feature locally sourced ingredients and carefully curated flavors that shine through scratch made lemon curd, raspberry purée, dark chocolate ganache, a variety of frostings and creamy caramel.
“We couldn’t be more thankful for our community’s continued support as We live out our dream and mission of spreading joy through delectable desserts,” Vann said.
Pure Bliss is also receiving recognition beyond the community, as it won Cascade’s Best Gold Award for Best Bakery and Best Cupcakes, and Silver Award for Best Desserts in 2025 voting.
“Winning an award is always an absolute privilege. Time and time again, our community baffles us with their support and encouragement. I sometimes literally pinch myself in gratitude that my dream of creating delicious treats have turned award-winning in our community,” Vann said.
In 2024, Pure Bliss won Gold for Best Dessert, Gold for Best Cupcakes and Silver for Best Bakery.
“Every day I’m so thankful for my team of 40 highly skilled and talented individuals that make up Pure Bliss today. Because of their passions, skills, talents, and abilities we are able to do what we do. This is a huge deal for me and not something I ever take for granted,” Vann said.
With such a variety of scrumptious treats, how do you choose what to taste? Andi Vann said her favorite to bake is a classic.
“As the years have passed, I have spent less time in the kitchen and more time running the business. However, when given the opportunity to bake, my favorite thing to make is chocolate cake. There is an incredible wonder in bringing together raw ingredients with a very scientific approach to yield such a delectable treat to enjoy and saver. Paired with cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache and a little sprinkling of toasted coconut and shaved chocolate chunks, my favorite cake becomes alive,” Vann said.
Pure Bliss Desserts is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 1424 Cornwall Ave. in downtown Bellingham.
This story was originally published February 26, 2026 at 5:20 AM.
