Why: John and Nikki O’Keeffe opened Cake Happy in October, specializing in custom made cakes for all occasions. Their storefront location in historical downtown Camas provides cupcakes and other baked items in addition to a full espresso selection of beverages, plus cold brew, six days a week. Baked goods are made fresh daily in small batches from organic ingredients and no preservatives.
What I Tried: My dining companion and I had a cinnamon roll and took home a selection of cupcakes and scones, which included a lemon and lavender, a gluten-free chocolate, a carrot cake, a red velvet, a white cake with sprinkles, a white chocolate cupcake with a raspberry center, a chocolate chip, a honey, and a jalapeño cheddar scone. I tried the cold brew to drink, and my dining companion had a macchiato.
The cold brew was deliciously nutty and rich tasting.
We enjoyed the cinnamon rolls, which were still slightly warm. Each was baked in a double layer of cupcake cups. We agreed that they did not taste like a classic cinnamon roll. I thought perhaps it was because a classic cinnamon roll has a fair amount of exterior crust where the dough takes on a different character. Cake Happy’s roll consisted mostly of what you find under the crust. The frosting hit somewhere between icing and frosting, and I appreciated the reasonable amount of cinnamon between the rings — unlike cinnamon roll shops that mass produce and make a slimy mess of the stuff. Overall, it was a new kind of cinnamon roll experience. I would not change a thing, but I would leave them in the oven just a bit longer to firm them up a little, because the very center was a tad doughy.
The scones had a traditional dry texture, and each had a pleasant balance of its respective ingredients.
The cupcakes were true mini cakes that allowed all the indulgence and satisfaction of what you expect from a custom cake.
Menu Highlights Beyond what I tried: Cupcakes rotate through 16 different flavors. Cookies, orange rolls, muffins, and whoopie pies are made in small batches as well and are available until supply runs out.
Atmosphere: Beyond the artfully presented window box, pink walls are skirted with brown wainscot and trimmed in white. A sitting area offering upholstered furniture is located near the front of the space, while a large, open, baking kitchen occupies the greater half of the back of the space. Seating in between consists of simple wood tables and chairs configured for two to four people. Chalk menu boards are easy to read, and items in the bakery case are easily identified and priced. A bookcase displays hand crafted items and is Pinterest picture perfect. Beverage condiments are located at an attractive station that is backed by a decorative red door, and several framed artworks of local artists decorate the walls.
Other Observations: Cake Happy is a nice little stop to satisfy a sweet tooth. The service was friendly, though they seemed a bit distracted by the baking they were working on — evidenced by the fact that my dining companion had to speak up to stop sweetener being added to her drink, after she had been asked twice if she wanted it. The music selection was reflective in nature, which seemed a tad out of place, and the lighting was somewhat dim, which also seemed in contrast to the cheerful decor.
Cost: Bake goods are mostly less than $4 each. Espresso beverages come in 12-ounce, 16-ounce, and 20-ounce servings and range from $1.75 to $4.10. Extra shots, flavor, and dairy substitutes cost 50 and 75 cents. Hot tea comes in a 12-ounce serving for $1.75.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Where: 304 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.
Contact: 360-450-7691 or www.cakehappynw.com
Health Score: Cake Happy received a score of 0 on Nov. 25. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
