Amidst the vibrant campus life at Stetson University, you will find Cheyenne Haines, the visionary president of the Baking Club. With her senior status and four years of dedication to the club, Cheyenne uses her passion for baking to combat the stresses of university life- because, as she aptly puts it, “stressed spelled backward is desserts.” Her leadership fosters a sense of connection among Stetson students as they come together to savor the simple joys of desserts and baking memories.

Cheyenne’s love for baking is rooted far beyond her time at Stetson, and has been an important facet of her life since she was young. Her mother instilled this passion within her as a child. The holiday season, in particular, holds a special place in her heart, with cherished memories of making “thumbprint cookies”’ and the ways the delicious smells would linger in the home while her mother was baking. Through her leadership in the Baking Club, Cheyenne not only bakes delicious desserts, but also hopes to share the warmth that comes from baking and spending time with loved ones. As Stetson University blows out its 140th birthday candles on the grand birthday cake, we are reminded of Cheyenne and her invaluable contributions to making our campus life a little sweeter one treat at a time.

Apron

“I have to maintain a professional appearance around campus, so an apron is crucial. This avoids the risk of having any flour on my slacks.”

Measuring Spoons

“I also love to have measuring spoons on hand. As a scientist and a skilled baker, I appreciate the importance of accurate proportions and measuring out ingredients precisely. Measuring can definitely make or break a recipe.”

Calculator & Scrap Paper

“Sometimes I also carry my calculator and scrap paper in case I need to adjust a recipe depending on how many people my dessert is feeding. I always want to make sure there is enough food for everybody.”

Flour & Oats

“Flour or oats are usually the main components of most recipes. I love to offer gluten free versions of a lot of recipes, because I have met a few people with gluten intolerance. I always want to make sure everyone is involved, included, and can taste the love.”

Sugar & Honey

“My fifth item would be sugar or honey- since they are substitutes for one another. And I mean, that’s the sweetener. That’s what gives us that great flavor. It can be a binding agent too in some of our recipes, and even a great topper. We often finish our desserts with a drizzle of honey on top or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.”

Spices

“Spices are also essential- especially since we’re in the holiday season. A little cinnamon, nutmeg, or clove can be all the difference and bring out those core holiday memories.”

Seeds

“Seeds are actually my secret ingredient. I love to sprinkle a little bit of flax seed, chia seed, or sunflower seed whenever possible, because it gives you that little added boost of omegas, the good fats, and protein. Sweets get a bad rep for being full of sugar, so I try to balance it out a little bit and add some nutritional value.”

Banana Bread 

“My favorite thing to bake is banana bread. That was my first recipe I got down from scratch. And, it’s very useful when fruit ripens… I am a big advocate for never throwing away food and using as much as possible.”

Stickers

“Stickers are my final essential item. We have just begun giving out stickers with our club logo and little phrases, and somehow we sometimes run out of those faster than the baked goods. I know everybody loves our stickers!”