Hope and Mallows, created by Emily Mawson, is a lovely local business selling marshmallows, event cakes, and wedding favours as well as providing cake decorating classes in Penwortham, Much Hoole, and Whittle-le-Woods.
When Blog Preston was invited along to try a Hope and Mallows Cake Club, I thought could there be anything better than a club for cake? I’m in. The classes are described as an evening of baked cakes, tea, chit chat, improving cake decorating skills, relaxing, and switching off. Perfect.
Unable to find a day we were both free for the Penwortham class, my friend Caroline and I went along to Whittle-le-Woods Community Hall in Preston Road, where classes run on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 8.30pm.
From making the piping bags to colouring and shaping different types of icing into coal, candy canes and more, we attempted to decorate our cookies. There were a few mistakes made, lots of laughing, forgetting what we were meant to be doing and more laughing. The chit chat was flowing in the room and those who had got to know each other as regular attendees were having a catch up.
Around halfway through the class, as we were adding our greenery to the Christmas tree cookies, there was a little trivia quiz and cake. Emily had baked Portuguese custard tarts for everyone, and I think all agreed they were the best custard tarts they’d ever eaten. Delightful, and totally made up for my one out of six quiz failure.
On to the last cookie and nearing the end of the class, we learned how to write with icing, but I thought I’d also add a little cute bow to my Ho Ho Ho. And the laughter started again… I’ll let you decide what it looks like, but it doesn’t look much like a bow.
I was pretty pleased with my festive cookie decorating although when I got home, my husband asked me if they’d been decorated by our three-year-old. Rude. We had the cookies with a brew, and they were yum.
I had a wonderful evening at cake club, and everyone left with a smile. What could be better for your mental health than a fun evening spent getting creative and eating sweet treats? When we left, I was already thinking about what I’d do better if I did it again, so I’d already learned quite a bit at my first cake club event. The classes are pay as you go, and you don’t need to attend weekly. They between cost £12 and £15 depending on the venue. I definitely recommend trying the cake clubs; there’s also a family class available, which I’ll be taking my toddler to next.
What do you think of my cookie decorating skills? Be honest, I can take it.
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