The Great Coworking Bake-Off: Team Members Share Their Favorite Treats

From the smell of warm cookies lighting up the kitchen, to the wide range of happy memories that food can invoke, there’s something magical about a favourite recipe. With February bringing chilly temperatures and long winter days, we could all use a little indulgence to help us stay warm.  And considering it’s Valentine’s Day, what better time to surprise your sweetheart with an even sweeter treat! We’re excited to share some of our team’s favorite sweet treats, guaranteed to warm your heart and lift your mood during the frosty days of February.

Baklava

Melina, the Community Lead at our Sheppard location, says: “My favourite treat is called baklava. It’s a traditionally middle eastern and Greek dessert. In the Greek version, the syrup is made with honey, while in the middle eastern version it’s made with a special rose water syrup. I actually learned how to make it from my mom when I was growing up. I always loved watching her make it and would be the first one eating them hot and fresh. It’s definitely a dessert to go at any party or event!”

If you’d like to try baking up a batch of baklava, Mel suggests this recipe.

Cupcakes

Mahima, the Community Lead at our King St W location, told us about her love of cupcakes.

“They are so versatile in terms of their toppings,” she says. “They are easy to make, although I have had my fair share of trying out different recipes and hacks over the last few years. And baking cupcakes and decorating them is such a stress relieving, enjoyable and creative process.”

“I first started baking them during lockdown in 2020 at home. My favourite memory is that my family really enjoys it, especially my three little nieces, although they love the buttercream more than the cake and how they fight for the last cupcake left and also they forced me to make cupcakes for their friends at school.“

Mahima suggests this gluten-free cupcake recipe. 

Tiramisu

Vaughn, the Community Lead at our Spadina location, told us about the famous Italian coffee-flavoured dessert, Tiramisu, which requires no baking!

“It is soooo smooth and creamy. The combination of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, velvety mascarpone, and cocoa creates a rich and indulgent flavor that makes the tiramisu a truly irresistible dessert. I do not know one single person that does not like theTiramisu!”

Vaughn remembers trying Tiramisu in Summer 2016 at High Hampton Inn in Cashiers, North Carolina. “I had the opportunity to meet some of the most beautiful people at High Hampton during that summer. High Hampton is located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. It is beautiful! I remember sitting by the lake at nights stargazing and wondering if I would be eaten by bears hahaha.  That summer for me was truly magical and each time I have tiramisu, it brings me back to that place.”

Vaughn suggests this recipe if you’d like to try making it yourself. And if you do, make sure to give him your reviews!

Ghana Condensed Milk Toffee

Enam, the Community Lead at our Bay St and Temperance St locations, says: “My favourite treat is a local candy we call Ghana Condensed Milk Toffee. It is mainly made from condensed milk and butter; this can be salted/unsalted. Some people like to add a little vanilla extract for some flavour but it’s not compulsory because it is a very sweet candy on its own.”

And the reason she loves it so much? It’s chewy texture and taste, which she has loved since she first tried it at 6 years old! “I remember it was a Sunday night and my mom was in the kitchen making this. I remember being so eager to try it because I would always see people eat it and wonder what it tasted like. When I finally tasted it I felt like I was in heaven! It was so good!”

Warm Memories

It also served as a bonding session for her and her siblings: “As a child my siblings and I would always run to the store with the coins we had to buy the condensed milk. Whenever we found money laying around the house the first thing that came to mind was to buy some condensed milk to make this candy. We were always excited to make this candy. While we were in the kitchen we would always talk and laugh about funny things that happened to us or things we remembered and once our candy was ready we would sit together and eat it while watching TV. Whenever I was mad at my little sister she knew she could just get me to forgive her when she offered to make me some.”

If you want like to try it, Enam suggests this recipe– but be warned, she says: “Once you try it, there’s no going back!

Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Jay, resident blogger and Community Lead at our Dundas Location, suggests Apple Crumble Cheesecake! 

“I made this for Thanksgiving when I couldn’t decide between baking a cheesecake or an apple crumble pie, so I decided to make both at once. Using AI, I combined elements of the two different recipes, then edited the results based on my own cooking knowledge and preferences. I ended up making a whole stack of custom recipe cards to go with it, but this one was definitely the crown jewel!”

“One thing I love about this recipe is that it’s both delicious and versatile, so you can easily adapt it for those with health restrictions. I made it using a gluten free crust and rice flour. And I swapped the milk-based ingredients for lactose-free or plant-based alternatives too. That way everyone could enjoy it without any worries.”

I recommend using this recipe– unless you feel like playing mix-and-match to come up with your own!

Thanks again to our team for sharing, and we hope these recipes give you some inspiration welcome the winter with some sweet treats!