Two months ago, a group of Grand Valley State University roommates affectionately coined themselves “the Brownie Girls.” The students found themselves frequently baking treats in their dorm room and inviting others to join in. Their love of sharing brownies and forming connections sparked an idea– why not expand their passion for baking into something bigger?

Enter the Baking Club, a budding community that celebrates creativity, connection and, of course, sweet treats.

The club’s founding members, including Rylee Hotchkiss, had a clear goal in mind from the start. They wanted to create a space where students of all skill levels could come together to share recipes, make baked goods and form friendships.

“The main goal of the Baking Club is to foster a community where people feel welcome to share recipes, sweet treats and form new friendships with those who have similar interests,” Hotchkiss said. “We try to plan fun events that draw people in, and get people to be creative and interact with others.”

In its short time as an official organization, Baking Club has already left a mark on campus. Last semester, the group held a holiday cookie decorating session. Members were provided with cookies, frosting, and decorating supplies to create their own edible masterpieces. 

“One of my favorite events last semester was the sugar cookie decorating event,” Lily Schaub, the club’s financial officer, said. “It was a delicious way to celebrate the holidays before everyone left for winter break.” 

For Schaub, baking has personal significance. It has always been a way for her to stay connected with family. Even now, Schaub fondly recalls making Snickerdoodle cookies with family as a child. 

“When I was younger, I would go to my aunt’s house with my sister and we would help her bake snickerdoodles from scratch,” Schaub said. “They were amazing.”

The club’s events are designed to be interactive and accessible. Members don’t just watch someone bake– they get their hands dirty. From cookie decorating to cake-pop-making, the focus is hands-on learning.

“It’s more fun when members can be hands-on rather than just hearing about a recipe,” Hotchkiss said.

Looking ahead, the club has big plans for the semester. On March 12, they will host their first-ever bake-off. Members will bring their homemade creations to compete in a bracket-style tournament, with participants voting for their favorite treats. The event will not only showcase culinary skills, but also provide opportunities for connection, as well as prizes for winners.

The club also aims to collaborate with other student organizations. While the specifics are still being finalized, the partnerships seek to blend baking with other interests and hobbies.

To Hotchkiss, Baking Club’s inclusive approach has been integral to its early success. With a commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of baking experience, feels welcome, the club has attracted a diverse mix of students that are eager to learn and share their love of baked goods.

“Our goal is to make sure that no matter what your prior baking experience is, you feel like you can participate,” Hotchkiss said.

From the excitement of their first meeting to their planned bake-off, the club’s warm and welcoming environment continues to draw in students who might not have otherwise found such a niche on campus. Considering their passionate leadership team, the future of Baking Club may shine as warmly as a golden-brown tray of cookies fresh from the oven. Despite growing their group, the roommates remain dedicated to their original vision– fostering a community where baking is about more than just the end result. As the club’s motto states, they’ll “bake it ‘till they make it.”