I have been in love with pairing coffee and a sweet treat together since I delved deeper into my love for a proper coffee tasting. Coffee started for me as just a way to get my body moving (in more ways than one), but turned into a social and almost spiritual experience for me. A warm cup of good coffee transports me to my happy place.
Sadly, I went without coffee for a period of time before finding the right balance of caffeine and the right blend of beans. Those were dark times.
When I moved to Germany, I worked in a coffee shop and discovered the German cultural tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen. Otherwise known as coffee and cake (I discovered Sweden also has a similar tradition called a ‘fika’ and at this rate I think most cultures have a time where they like to stop mid day for coffee and a sweet treat.) I am more than happy to oblige these cultural traditions I have picked up during my existence.
When my friend Caitlin told me her sister had somewhat of a lackluster birthday at the beginning of the month, I suggested we do what I would want to do for my birthday. Kaffee und Kuchen on a mountain. We ended up hiking to a lake, so we had coffee and cake at the lake. What a treat. Caitlin was in charge of bringing the stove/pot/coffee, while I was in charge of securing the cake.
I chose cupcakes because that was 10x easier than transferring a cake.
Duncan came with us on this adventure, and he opted out of a cupcake so I brought him a granola bar because I wanted him to participate in the candle lighting and birthday singing. I stuck a candle in his granola bar just as I did with our cupcakes. My cupcake was the bottom right of the above photo, a GF ube flavor. Would never be my first choice, but it was still quite delicious.
We hiked to Annette Lake in the Snoqualmie Pass region of Washington. This area is only about an hour and a half from us, and makes for an easy day hike. I have done this hike a few times, and truth be told it is far too popular for my liking. I think I prefer this one in the winter when the traffic is lessened. It was still a beautiful hike and always great to get outside.
This was my first time bringing a box of cupcakes on a hike, and thankfully my pack wasn’t uncomfortable. Caitlins sister knew we were going to make coffee at the lake, but she had no idea about the cupcakes. It was such a joy to see her face light up when I brought out cupcakes with lit candles in them and we started to sing to her. We all shared a good laugh at Duncan’s granola bar.
It took each of us all of 5 seconds to hoover our cupcakes, and despite how quick they were demolished they still tasted infinitely better than they would have at a lower elevation. It’s just science. The coffee was equally delicious, a medium roast with notes of oak, chocolate, and honey. I chose the blend because I am a picky lass when it comes to coffee.
After sipping and savoring we made our way back down to the car, and I am confident this was a successful birthday hike. Some people want to fly to Vegas for their birthday, and some people want to eat cake on a mountain. Both are valid, but I know which group I would rather spend time with. Any excuse for kaffee und kuchen is a good excuse.
I’d like to make coffee on hikes more of a thing this summer, but that means I’ll need to bring cake too. Oh no, twist my arm. Cookies also work, or scones, or donuts…
Q: Would you haul a box of cupcakes up a mountain to eat them at the top?
Blissfulbritt 
47 thoughts on “Coffee and Cake at the Lake”
Looking for the Light
Oh yes! I would love to be there with you, soaking in nature, hearing the water and birds chirp while we slowly enjoy our coffee and I rarely turn down a sweet. What type of machinery do use you to make your coffee at home? I love coffee, started with s light bit in my bottle by my Gramps. I only drink a cup now due to health issues but that one cup is delicious. I like many blends, I particularly like Kona and Jamaica Blue Mountain bean. Great photos and story, everyone deserves a special birthday. 🙂
Brittany
My current way of making coffee is a simple pour over. I used to be a devout French press lover, but I’m too impatient to wait for the coffee to steep and then for the grounds to settle. It’s also usually too strong for me these days as a French press. I’ve found I can dial in the cup perfectly with a pour over. How do you make yours?
I also can only drink one cup, however lately I’ve been sneaking in another one in the afternoons some days and it’s been ok. I can usually tell if my body is in a state to have more caffeine or not.
I couldn’t agree more about everyone deserving a special birthday!
Looking for the Light
I was once a grind your one beans each day, if a high-end coffee maker, and I love to use a French Press but that was more of a romantic idea vs practical for coffee. Believe it or not, I now use A Kurieg Pods multi-cup maker and have found some good Kona Blend pods. I’m not into to speeding the time and effort to make coffee as I once was. I’ve not used the pour-over type although I’ve seen them around forever and know many people around the world use them. I am all about ease and less clean-up. However, in the Winter I do go out to a cafe and have a nice coffee made. It’s so hot here in Texas that all I can drink is one cup. When I was much younger, I would drink an entire pot of crappy office coffee. That makes me feel gross now. 🙂
Brittany
We have a similar transition. I too once enjoyed grinding my own beans, and taking the time for a French press everyday (would drink nearly the entire thing.) While I do enjoy the art of slowing down with a cup of coffee, I also enjoy buying beans already ground for me, and I think pour overs are my favorite brew style. They’re simple enough for me with very little clean up. I’ve used various Kurieg and Nespresso options while traveling, and they are certainly nifty.
The coffee they make at my workplace smells so horrendous and cheap it hurts my stomach just thinking about it. 🤣
While visiting Turkey last spring I made sure not to leave without a Turkish coffee pot, and I have yet to use it to make a proper Turkish coffee. Part of me feels intimidated though the videos I’ve seen make it appear very simple.
Looking for the Light
Oh, not that sounds out of this world. With your experience you can do it! I have heard how good the coffee is and how seriously the Turkish people take when making coffee. I’m sure there are many places around the world how have great coffee and tools to make it with. That would be a great book for travel and coffee lovers. Maybe you’ll write it someday. 🙂
capejohn
A beautiful gesture for your friend. She is a lucky lady.
Brittany
It was a fun day!!
mariezhuikov
What a nice thing for you to do for your friend’s sister! And I like that the cupcakes tasted better at higher elevation. You earned them.
Brittany
We definitely earned them! Lots of sweat was shed to get to the lake. We all had other snacks with our cupcakes so we weren’t buzzing on only sugar. 🤣
Peg
I so enjoy your blog! I would 1,000 times want to have cupcakes & coffee on a mountain instead of go to Vegas. So glad you are getting in some good hikes. It has been somewhat cool over here in Yakima, but hopefully it will be warming up soon.
Brittany
You are so kind Peg, thank you! I wish it would have been cool in Yakima about a month ago! I was there for a half marathon and it was the first weekend it was SCORCHING. 🥵 I don’t know how you guys handle that heat all summer when it heats up, but I have been loving exploring more of eastern Washington!
Diana
100% I would. In fact, my birthday is approaching and this post is giving me all sorts of ideas!
Brittany
Wahooo!!! It’s so worth it.
dfolstad58
Coffee and cupcake on a hike – super idea! (Try chocolate brownies with coffee sometime ♥)
Food and drink taste better outdoors because of the fresh air, exercise and endorphins!
Brittany
Ohhhh man, my favorite coffee roasts are those with cocoa notes. Paired with a brownie is like a symphony in the mouth!!
dfolstad58
Let the band play ♥
Thistles and Kiwis
Lovely thing to do! I would have taken a fruit cake I think – nice and dense and moist.
Brittany
Truth be told, I don’t think I’ve ever had a fruit cake!
Kevin
What a wonderful picnic!
Brittany
I couldn’t agree more!
Rootchopper
I’m not a big fan of cupcakes but I do love scones (blueberry frosted), muffins, and coffee cake. Coffee also goes well with brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Dang, I’m jonesing for some right now!
As for coffee, I am not very sophisticated. Whatever Safeway has gets tossed in the Mr. Coffee and I press the button. When it goes “ding” I begin to awaken from my groggy state.
Brittany
I agree with you about brownies and choc chip cookies, so long as the coffee has strong cocoa, nutty, or caramel notes. If it’s an African coffee which tends to be more “citrusy” I avoid at all costs. I can feel the stomach discomfort now…
Liz H-H
What a great birthday surprise! You’re a good friend! 💐
Brittany
I try! I’m no saint, but I love to make people feel special on their birthday!
Atheria
You are making me want to move to Washington so that I can tag along on your journeys. I recently have started preferring medium roast coffee versus super dark roasts. That being said, I am currently drinking espresso. But, I’ve started to appreciate medium roast. And yes, sugar with coffee is always a good thing.
Brittany
I love a good espresso roast! I also like medium roasts, but only if they have cocoa, nutty notes. I can’t handle the citrus notes. Light roast coffee is completely out of the question. 🤣
Jas
Beautiful photos! Sounds like a great hike
Brittany
Thank you! It was a fun day. 🤗
Roy McCarthy
Sounds perfect, but do you heat the coffee in some manner, or does it stay hot in a flask?
Brittany
Yes, we brought a backpacking stove to boil water! The coffee we brought are individual pour over packets.
Bringing coffee in a hydro flask or another carrier that keeps liquids hot always works too, but something about making the coffee in the moment felt more magical.
gpavants
Brittney,
It’s all about transporting, right. Either coffee or cupcake is great a little mushed. Like a PB&J better smushed.
Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
Ohhh man, a smashed PB&J is pure joy for the tastebuds. You’re so right.
clararidings
sounds lovely!! 😍
Brittany
I want to do it all over again!
Pree
Yes I absolutely would. Cupcakes are my favorite dessert 🧁 there is a Sprinkles verrrry close to me and it’s my well-deserved almost daily indulgence 😅
Brittany
Ohhh maaaan. I have only had Sprinkles ONCE, and it was from one of their vending machines. I have to admit the cake was DRY and I was not a fan. Maybe I need to get one that isn’t from a vending machine.
Amy
I LOVE this!! You’re so thoughtful to arrange a birthday redo, complete with surprise cupcakes. (I got a kick out of Duncan’s granola bar… He has good taste with chocolate and PB! 😉 )
I remember when you started the training to do coffee tastings! Did it begin around 2013 or so?? I remember reading a blog post about it when I was hanging out in between classes during grad school and avoiding problem sets… Shhh, don’t tell my professors that!
Brittany
Duncan is such a ham. He’s been on this “eating less sweets” kick which I have to applaud him for because he is a sugar monster, but this cracked me up too. He was fine not having anything at all, but I had to include him. LOL.
Yes I think the coffee master training was in 2013! That was such a fun time in my life, I really enjoyed that. Some days I think about doing more with coffee again and finding a job in either a roasting plant or smaller mom and pop shop. Who knows. Your secrets are always safe with me though. 🤣
Amy
Dang, I’m impressed!! I tried going without sweets for a full year, and… Pretty sure that backfired. 😂 Good for him for sticking with it!!
I knew I could trust you! 😘 That would be really fun — and you’d be AMAZING at it! No matter what you choose or where you end up, I’ll be cheering you on!
Brittany
No sweets for a year!!? Wow. I’ve done stints if my own, but I couldn’t even fathom attempting a full year haha.
Amy
Yup! This was pre-blogging… There’s no way I could ever do that again! (Also, for full disclosure, I decided ahead of time that regular bars of dark chocolate didn’t count. Those are a basic human necessity in my mind, not a dessert! 😉)
Charlie Bean
Cake on a mountain? Awesome!
Brittany
The best!
Jay
Great pictures. I have recently started enjoying coffee again, but for some reason I only think about it drink it when we are at our cabin on the weekend. Maybe because it’s so relaxing down there? I can’t drink it black though…have to have sugar & French Vanilla creamer…lol
Brittany
I think there is absolutely some validity to enjoying coffee more when you’re relaxed. Because it’s a stimulant and it gets adrenaline up, I think if we’re not relaxed it’s too much for the body to process. At least for me that’s how I’ve noticed it. I have to have a very specific setting with my morning coffee or it doesn’t do its magic.
Jay
Yep, it’s like time slows down there…it’s so relaxing if we are out on the boat & just sitting inside watching movies. I don’t even feel like fixing it at home.
imperfectlyholisticmom
I’m the same way!! 🩷☕️