Satisfying that seasonal sweet tooth

Dear Reader,

As we approach the winter months and Christmas festivities slowly begin to appear, our pallets undergo the same seasonal transformation of their own. Strong scents of chocolate and mulled wine become more frequent as you walk through markets when a sudden craving for mince pies, Christmas pudding or gingerbread grow stronger. Although the English classics are often the first to come to mind, the international delights are just as tempting. It might be that Italian Panettone, a light, sweet bread with candied fruit, or the French Bûche de Noël, a chocolate sponge roll artfully decorated to resemble a log, are just enough to make all our mouths water at the mere thought.

Whether you have returned home for the holidays, travelled somewhere different or stayed on campus, Christmas time, although we might not always like to admit it, is the perfect time to indulge in delicious bakes to enjoy alongside family and friends.

The society is one for students who are looking to explore the world of baking or decorating sweet treats in a fun and social way

So, how can we satisfy the seasonal sweet tooth?

Sure, walking down to the Co-op is an option, perhaps even the Tesco if you have any more energy left in your system after term one. But the simplest and most rewarding answer is the Warwick Baking Society. The society is one for students who are looking to explore the world of baking or decorating sweet treats in a fun and social way. What makes the society really maintain this community feel is with their range of different recipes and recent photos of baking projects by members that are shared on their social media platforms, allowing others to try out for themselves or proudly showcase their own creations to fellow baking enthusiasts.

With regular events hosted on campus, the society creates a space for both beginners and experienced bakers to come together with their appreciation for all things baking.

Attending their cupcake decorating event in early December was a great way to get a first taste of what the society has to offer. To my surprise, the Warwick Baking Society had not only hosted one event in December, but two, both celebrating the festive season, alongside sharing recipes for gingerbread and mince pies. The consistent events and online content highlighted the society’s genuine passion for baking, which was evident from the outset, even before I attended my first event.

Many people chose a theme for their cupcakes, whether following the traditional festive colours of green, gold or red – each looked too good to eat

The cupcake decorating and crocheting event invited members and non-members to join them for an afternoon of cupcake decorating and an introduction to crocheting. With all of the materials provided there was no excuse not to go. Something I noticed immediately was the welcoming atmosphere as soon as I walked into the room, with two members of the exec standing at the front of the door to check tickets, others were directing attendees to find a seat and offer them a choice of soft drinks available.

The tables were lined with red tablecloths, and in front of each person sat three plain vanilla cupcakes, alongside an assortment of utensils ready for decorating. Bowls of icing in a variety of flavours were dotted around the room, with sprinkles and other edible decorations that invited a sudden creativity. Many people chose a theme for their cupcakes, whether following the traditional festive colours of green, gold or red – each looked too good to eat. As I peeked over to observe others’ work, I noticed how some had carefully piped icing around the edges, lining the rims with shimmering gold or silver sprinkles. Those who came in small groups experimented with bold colours and intricate designs, chatting together during the process. The room quickly filled with conversation and laughter as each cupcake transformed into its own personalised creation.

On the other side of the room, I looked over curiously to the table of crochet projects. I knew how to do a few basic granny squares and stitches but I was intrigued to see what others were doing. Taking a seat at the table, I explored the range of yarn textures as well as the sizes of the hooks you could use which would determine how big or small the different stitches would be and the overall look of the project at the end. Two of members of the Warwick Baking Society exec kindly offered to take some of the attendees through the basics, offering a quick and accessible introduction to crochet that made it easy for everyone to get started.

My experience of The Warwick Baking Society continues to prove why it’s a ‘whisk’ worth taking

Regardless with what station you were at, what stood out the most was the people who were a part of the society. With some arriving with friends or others who came alone, there was no sense of awkwardness or exclusion. The atmosphere of the event felt relaxed and genuine, making it clear that the society also truly values connections.

So overall, my experience of The Warwick Baking Society continues to prove why it’s a ‘whisk’ worth taking, with many other organised events to take part in as we approach the New Year.

P.S @warwickbakesoc

From Her