Community turns Wicked Cozy Bakery from hobby to business

It started out as a hobby. But now, this Massachusetts native, who calls Buckingham County home, has turned Wicked Cozy Bakery into a full on business. Less than six months into the project, she’s preparing for her first holiday rush. 

Steffanie Branch started Wicked Cozy Bakery as baking is one of her favorite hobbies. She creates cookies, chocolate bars, candies and hot chocolate bombs. Each of her creations is custom-made whether the customer wants a traditional favorite or to try something new. 

Branch is originally from a small town in Massachusetts. Growing up, she always had a love for baking. Once she moved to Buckingham in 2011, she worked at a coffee shop where she enjoyed serving her baked goods to customers and coworkers. This led her to think about doing baking full-time. Now as a stay-at-home mom, having this bakery in her kitchen gives her a chance to do what she loves, be home with her kids and make some extra money. 

“It’s so important for stay-at-home moms to have a hobby,” said Branch. 

Her favorite part of having this bakery is being able to be creative with the cookies and candies she makes. She has traditional favorites like chocolate chip and peanut butter and seasonal flavors like peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice. She then likes to take these normal flavors and add a twist, adding pieces of Oreos, butterfingers, candy canes and more to create something new. Even though she has some set flavors, she welcomes customers to be creative too and put in custom orders.

Wicked Cozy Bakery looks toward Christmas

Along with baking, Branch loves the holidays and calls herself a “holiday fanatic.” She has fond memories of growing up and going to the local tree lighting and getting hot chocolate afterward. She hopes her bakery can become a part of holiday traditions for local families. 

“I would really love to have my bakery become a tradition,” said Branch. “Even if it’s just for one family I would love that I could be a part of making someone happy.”

Looking to the future, Wicked Cozy Bakery won’t be limited to Branch’s home kitchen forever. For the next step, she would love to open a food truck. She has played with the idea of looking into opening a storefront, but for now, the food truck is the next goal. 

Anyone interested in learning more or placing an order can visit the Wicked Cozy Bakery Facebook page.

SportsPlus

Lifestyle Main

Taking the Flag: Green Bay native earns first two wins at 14

Columns

Mike Wilson: A low crawl lesson, a gift given at Christmas

Farmville

Timeline set up for new Prince Edward radio system upgrade

Buckingham

From the Editor’s Desk: As Christmas bells ring, what do you hear?

Church & Community

‘One small act of service can inspire’: Regional groups work to help

Church & Community

Farmville community brings Christmas to Western North Carolina

Buckingham

Buckingham commission weighs future for industrial park

Buckingham

Private Scottsville airstrip goes to Buckingham supervisors for vote

Buckingham

‘This briefing was insufficient’: Warner, Kaine want details on drones

Lifestyle Main

A future for Dunnington Mansion? Foundation applies for permit

Buckingham

Live Nativity in Farmville: Calendar for the week of Dec. 20, 2024

Buckingham

John McGuire named to two key U.S. House committees

Buckingham

Shelton Store project, traffic conditions questioned in hearing

Business

Planning department lays out Prince Edward’s economic status

Cumberland

Sailor’s Creek offers second chance to see the Star of Bethlehem

Cumberland

Letter to the Editor: An open letter to Cumberland supervisors

College

Charlie Cobb Classic tips off Friday. Here’s what you need to know.

Business

Gabriel Solar goes for hearing, commission makes a decision

College

Balanced attack by Longwood overwhelms Campbell in road win

Business

Farmville gives a gift to water customers after late bills

Farmville

Prince Edward supervisors amend contract for Doug Stanley

Business

No more sales tax increase? Prince Edward weighs other options

Buckingham

Buckingham school board details steps in superintendent search

College

Adam Brazil leads Hampden-Sydney in dominating home win