2-week Back to Basics

Over two consecutive weeks you will bake a round Madeira cake and then split fill and ice it to achieve a smooth professional finish.

Upcoming Start Dates

Over the two consecutive weeks you will bake a round Madeira cake and then split fill and ice it to achieve a smooth professional finish. Working with flower paste you will make dainty blossom flowers and pretty butterflies to decorate your cake. You will complete the design with ribbon at the base of your cake.

Back to Basics is the perfect place to start your Cake School journey; it will give you base skills that you can develop further with our other courses, including the diplomas and master classes. Our recommendation would be that a beginner (or those wishing to refresh their skills) attends both this 2 week Back to basics and also the 4 week Back to basics before progressing onto more advanced courses.

We provide everything you need, just bring your apron and the desire to create wonderful cakes. At the end of your two weeks you will take home the completed cake along with the skills to create many more.

  • How to line a cake tin
  • How to bake a Madeira cake
  • Tutorial - how to freeze a Madeira cake
  • How to professionally layer your cake and fill with jam and buttercream
  • How and why to crumb coat your cake
  • How to professionally cover your cake with sugar paste icing
  • How to use smoothers to best effect
  • Tutorial – how to use colour to best effect
  • How to colour flower paste
  • How to make flower paste butterflies
  • How to create blossom flowers from flower paste including layered blossoms.
  • How to attach ribbon to a celebration cake
  • Storage & transportation of your cake
Annabelle Annabelle
Annabelle

Director

Annabelle established Confection Perfection (now re-branded as Annabelle Jane Cake School) in 1996 from her kitchen table; bought her first retail premises in 2000 and is now settled in a delightful setting in Bearsted, just outside Maidstone.  Annabelle has extensive cake decorating experience and is highly creative and artistic. Annabelle is an accredited tutor for the PME Diplomas in Sugar craft and also designs and delivers a wide range of other highly successful cake baking and decorating classes. Annabelle has a huge vision for our Cake School and ensures that the strong reputation we have earned continues to grow lead by her consistently high standards.

The course price includes everything you need to bake and decorate your cake and even the box to take it home. We will provide all the ingredients, materials, all sugarcraft tools, equipment and refreshments. Course attendees will also receive a full set of course notes which includes the cake recipe and a discount sheet which gives exclusive discounts on the items used during the course purchased in the cake decorating supplies shop for the duration of your course.

What's the skill level?

Any level, beginners and upwards

Are there any age restrictions?

Age 14+ (under 16 must be accompanied by an adult)

What are the course times?

7.30 – 9.30pm - evening course 10.30am - 12.30pm - daytime course

What do I need to bring?

You need to bring an apron (or we have disposable aprons 50p each)

I had the best time doing the Back to Basics course. The tutor was lovely, friendly and knowledgeable. Annabelle knows what she talks about and has answered all my questions so well. I also felt quite comfortable asking any questions. The place where the course takes place is gorgeous. I ended the course with an amazing cake and a lot of new skills.

— , 23rd April 2024

Fabulous course, covering so much I needed to know! Excellent tutor, fun, interesting, professional - I am absolutely thrilled with my cake.

— , 23rd April 2024

I really enjoyed the back to basics course + would recommend it. Annabelle explains everything step by step, sharing her knowledge and tips. It was great.

— , 9th February 2024

This is brilliant for beginners and for a refresh. Course content more than expected. Annabel was fantastic! Would be great for a group of friends - Birthday, Hen, girls day out. Thank you.

— , 9th February 2024

Something for everyone. Excellent tutor. Course content perfect. I just thoroughly enjoyed the 2 classes. Very informative. Also therapeutic.

— , 9th February 2024

A lovely way to learn a new still. Our tutor Annabelle was very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful etc. Lovely atmosphere, lovey time learning & meeting other people!

— , 9th February 2024

A wonderful course - such a lovely cake to take home. Brilliant tutor.

— , 9th February 2024

Very well explained & such fun. Tutor friendly & warming, extremely knowledgeable + everything was very well explained. Cannot rate it highly enough.

— , 18th October 2023

The course and Annabelle are always fun, friendly and informative and a haven for any cake lover! Annabelle is the font of all knowledge, lots of helpful tips + tricks, advice and skills. Course what I expected and more!!

— , 18th October 2023

Course was great. Tutor amazing.

— , 18th October 2023

More than I expected, amazing. I have had a great time, I've learnt lots of techniques. Annabell is lovely, would definitely recommend this course.

— , 18th October 2023

The 2 week back to basics is the perfect course for anyone wanting to get started in baking or wanting to expand their knowledge on the best way to make/decorate a cake. Even though I am not an amateur baker, this course has taught me a lot. 5-star. Cannot wait to return.

— , 18th October 2023

I was made to feel welcome from beginning to end. Brilliant tutor and I learnt a more than I expected. I really enjoyed the course. Great experience, will sign up for more courses. Was nice not to feel stupid if you didn't do things right first time.

— , 19th September 2023

Thoroughly enjoyed the course. More than I expected. Tutor was excellent - very knowledgeable & at a pace that is easy to follow. Plenty of useful tips.

— , 19th September 2023

What I expected but included more detail. Well organised and provided everything needed to produce super cakes. Excellent tutor.

— , 28th April 2023

The course was a breath of fresh air so interesting and also great fun - very personal and very self-indulgent, just what we all need. What I expected and so much more. I loved it!!

— , 26th April 2023

Great starter course for beginner bakers or those who need a confidence boost. Fabulous tutor! Very knowledgeable & friendly.

— , 26th April 2023

Had a wonderful 2 weeks learning how to make & decorate a cake. Fantastic tutor who made it so much fun. Learnt a lot!

— , 26th April 2023

Excellent, helpful, joyful about cake + teaching others. Lots of learning. Absolutely recommend.

— , 25th April 2023

Annabelle is such a good teacher. She explains everything simply but in details and in a very friendly way. 5 star course. What I expected + more. Thank you.

— , 25th April 2023

Had a wonderful time on the course, Annabelle was very helpful and friendly a real pleasure to be taught by her. Enjoyed every minute.

— , 25th April 2023

Such a great course. Learning basics - my bad habits. Tutor so knowledgeable. Loved it. Fun, satisfying new skills. And my cake - really! did I make that?

— , 25th April 2023

Annabelle is amazing and teaches really well and explains things in depth. Really knowledgeable. And no question is too silly. Course what i expected and more. Perfect.

— , 10th February 2023

Very friendly course. So glad I have become a member. Annabelle is absolutely brilliant and helpful . 5 star course.

— , 10th February 2023

Very good, very helpful tutor. Very helpful to go over things I know and to learn better ways to do things.

— , 10th February 2023

I have enjoyed doing this course so much, being an absolute beginner I know leave full of knowledge and ready to do lots of practice:) Annabelle was amazing, really friendly and helpful and very very knowledgeable. Thank you.

— , 10th February 2023

Come - the teachers are kind friendly & helpful. The atmos is great. Friendly, informative. 5 star.

— , 10th February 2023

Amazing tutor, so thoughtful and helpful Brilliant at explaining in a way that was easy to understand. It was an enjoyable experience, the tutors made you feel like you were among friends. The course was aimed at a beginner level. If your unsure if you want to make cakes give it a go you will love it. Thank you.

— , 7th February 2023

This course was everything I wanted and more than I expected - there was more involved that I knew about. Very indepth & the tutor was very knowledgeable, very good at explaining every step, very articulate & friendly and made the course fun & enjoyable.

— , 7th February 2023

The course was very informative, I learnt a lot more than I thought I would. Annabelle was very welcoming, provided lots of useful tips during each stage and made it all easy and fun.

— , 7th February 2023

Amazing what is covered in 2 classes. So many new techniques & skills & problem solving cake questions. Great friendly team!

— , 16th June 2022

Excellent course, so well run, with easy to follow guidance and opportunity to create our cakes with superb support. Learned so much much more than I was expecting to! Thank you Linda!

— , 16th June 2022

5 star course. Very good, friendly, helpful tutor.

— , 16th June 2022

I really recommend this course, you come away with plenty of knowledge and confidence that you can re-create your cake again at home! More detailed than I expected with lots of helpful tips. Very good, knowledgeable, helpful and approachable tutor. No question is a silly question! Enjoyable and fun.

— , 17th March 2022

This course was very interesting. I did courses many years ago and cake decorating has come so far from what I learnt before. Very easy to follow + very therapeutic. Far more than I expected and two very enjoyable evenings.

— , 17th March 2022

I thought I knew the basics, but I've learnt so much more doing this course. An excellent start to my cake journey. Lots of useful tips, lovely teachers, helping you achieve what I though I never could. Fun, friendly, informative, feels like you are amongst friends. Would recommend to Novice and experienced Bakers. There is always something to learn. Thank you.

— , 17th March 2022

Course better than I expected. Health & safety well considered. Great tutor. Definitely be back if I wasn't moving as it is brilliant.

— , 17th March 2022

Excellent course, highly recommend.

— , 28th January 2022

Really great experience, extremely helpful tips especially for a beginner like me. What I expected, and more! Tutor really great, very clear instructions and helpful with any questions. Thank you very much.

— , 28th January 2022

Really enjoyed the course. Brilliant tutor.

— , 28th January 2022

I would strongly recommend the course to anyone. Both tutors are absolutely amazing, very knowledgeable. Health & safety spot on. Very impressed.

— , 26th January 2022

The perfect course for beginners like me. Thank you Annabelle and Linda for sharing all your secrets to make amazing cakes. Good health & safety.

— , 26th January 2022

Brilliant course, fantastic tutors, very knowledgeable. Thank you. Can't wait for my next one!

— , 26th January 2022

Great relaxed atmosphere. Tutor brilliant! Friendly & helpful. Great tips that you would never think of. Thank you!

— , 17th September 2021

Great fun + you have a wonderful cake to take home. Excellent tutor. Course what I expected + more. Attend & enjoy.

— , 17th September 2021

Lovely, easier than I thought. Linda was great, very knowledgeable and helpful. Very relaxing and enjoyable. Loved it.

— , 30th June 2021

Very friendly, helpful tutor - knowledgeable, make it fun + interesting. Very enjoyable course, learnt a lot. Thank you.

— , 30th June 2021

I loved this course, learnt so much & my finished cake exceeded my expectations. Tutor was brilliant, helpful, friendly & so knowledgeable. Can't wait to do another course.

— , 30th June 2021

Great course, felt at ease. Great advice & tips.

— , 30th June 2021

Very interesting and enjoyable. Very enthusiastic and friendly and made us feel very welcome. Felt very safe.

— , 30th June 2021

Excellent experience. Some excellent tis learnt, lots of resources. Helpful, friendly, pace of course good + no silly questions. I can't wait to put my learning into practice. Thank you.

— , 30th June 2021

Definatly recommend you will learn a lot. Very helpful and informative step by step. What I expected and more. Tutor helpful, friendly, knowledgable, excellent advice.

— , 18th June 2021

Very likely to come back for more courses. Tutor angelic! 5-star course.

— , 18th June 2021

It is a very good course and a start to do what I'm loving to do, the cakes. It's also very relaxing and amazing time. Annabelle is professional and friendly, teaches the techniques cleanly and always in a easy way to understand. Splendid.

— , 18th June 2021

Would recommend, Fantastic tutor, very friendly. Very enjoyable course, learnt so many skills. Very happy.

— , 18th June 2021

Well structured course. Tutor outstanding - friendly, patient, very knowledgeable + answered all my questions. Can't wait for my next course!

— , 22nd October 2020

Enjoyed the experience, learnt new skills to enable to make Madeira cake and to decorate. Skills could easily be used for other cakes etc. Tutors very experienced, knowledgeable + friendly,

— , 22nd October 2020

The course was easy to follow and the tutor was brilliant - very friendly and explained everything thoroughly. 5 stars.

— , 22nd October 2020

Fantastic course. Very educational & fun. Tutor excellent.

— , 22nd October 2020

Very friendly, fun and helpful. A new experience and I learnt a lot. Very likely to come back.

— , 28th July 2020

Tutor very clear and concise; also friendly and chatty. A lovely little cakey haven in a mad world at the moment - just what I needed!

— , 28th July 2020

Friendly tutor, helpful at every stage, step by step guide, no rushing, clear answers to any questions, very informative and useful information. I would certainly return for further course and recommend Annabelle's cake course. Love it!!

— , 14th July 2020

This has been fabulous. The tutor and the pace of teaching is excellent. I feel like I have learned so much over these two evenings. Excellent.

— , 14th July 2020

I have never attended a cake course before, so this course is brilliant for first timers. Great attention to details & lots of fun. Very helpful tutor, lots of helpful tips and made the experience very enjoyable. Loved it!

— , 14th July 2020

Great course for getting to grips to basics of baking. Easy step by step instructions. Annabelle was welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable. Shared lots of tips & advice. Extra care and consideration for health and safety was put in place which was greatly appreciated.

— , 14th July 2020

Very knowledgeable & friendly. Learned a lot and was fun.

— , 14th July 2020

Very helpful tutor, very nice person. Very good course.

— , 14th July 2020

The course is very informative & the tutor is calm & patient. Everything is explained very well & Annabelle & Linda were very friendly. Everything was well planned & organised. I really enjoyed the experience.

— , 26th June 2020

Amazing. I felt calm, relaxed, our tutor was so nice. Course what I expected and more. Thank you.

— , 26th June 2020

I am in my 60's and have baked all my life so was worried I would already know a lot. How wrong! I have learnt so much and would recommend this course to people old and young with some skills or none! Couldn't have wished for a better tutor. Annabelle teaches in a calm and friendly manner, was kind and knowledgeable and answered all my questions without judging. Thank you so much!

— , 26th June 2020

Excellent, great for the hints and tips you can't learn anywhere else. Amazing tutor, so helpful.

— , 26th June 2020

Great course, lots of tips and tricks learnt to enable me to create a perfect birthday cake. Well organised in a social distanced environment. Very good tutor, despite restrictions.

— , 26th June 2020

Exactly what I needed to create that long sought after 'professional' look. Excellent tutor.

— , 16th June 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Annabelle always explains everything clearly and makes the whole experience fun. During the Covid Pandemic it was refreshing to enjoy a pleasant evening & forget about it. Safety was of key importance with all due care taken, everything very carefully considered & well thought / laid out.

— , 16th June 2020

Excellent course, really informative & we have learnt lots! Can't wait to get baking! Annabelle was very friendly & funny. Amazing job considering the social distancing rules. Great experience

— , 16th June 2020

Great course and experience. Friendly, helpful, professional, really good explanations.

— , 16th June 2020

Highly recommend the Cake School. I went for a beginner class also learnt how to do icing. Excellent. I cannot believe my eyes.

— , 7th February 2020

Do not hesitate to book! You will not regret it! Brilliant tutor, no question too small/silly. Keen to help. Very informative. Friendly. Lots of cake + tea too!

— , 7th February 2020

Course was very informative. Annabelle was not only talented but friendly and so helpful and not judgemental, always checks that everyone ok, understands & there if not but does not take over. Can't wait to come back.

— , 7th February 2020

The basic course is excellent for beginners. The tutor is very patient providing lots of information & help. I will be back for more.

— , 7th February 2020

I found the course fantastic. I learnt loads, and very enjoyable content. Absolutely brilliant tutor, very knowledgeable, caring, helpful.

— , 7th February 2020

Such a good course. Tutor all you could wish for. Delightful, helpful, patient, full of tips and 'how to' advice. Course flew by.

— , 17th June 2019

This course is brilliant + a real revelation for using equipment I had but didn't know how to use properly + tips on how to improve my cakes. So enjoyable + learnt so many techniques. Highly recommend.

— , 17th June 2019

Such a wonderful course in a great setting. Attention to individual needs and hands on support. Annabelle was so helpful and I learnt so much. Absolutely loved it all, and got tea and cake too!

— , 17th June 2019

Course exactly what I wanted. Tutor is amazing!! Its so much better than watching tutorials little tips that you can't pick up on you tube. I cant wait to come back.

— , 14th June 2019

I have found out so much & thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Brilliant & lovey tutor and course more than I expected.

— , 14th June 2019

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course it's so informative and easy to follow instructions, plus you get the extra benefit of being helped straight away if you come across a problem. You learn so much. I will be back, for sure!

— , 14th June 2019

Found the course very helpful. Excellent tutor.

— , 14th June 2019

Just do it! You wont regret it. Fabulous tutor. So many helpful hints, funny and just wonderful. Non judgemental.

— , 14th June 2019

Very friendly & encouraging. Would have like to cover different shape cakes & slightly longer.

— , 14th June 2019

Its definitely worth attending. Your learn things that you will not get on sites like youtube. What I expected and more. Excellent tutor. Very friendly and supportive.

— , 14th June 2019

Wonderful tutor. Exceptional. I will definitely return & definitely recommend.

— , 14th June 2019

What a fun and informative morning. Annabelle was so patient and helpful, friendly and so full of knowledge, so encouraging too. It was perfect - its the perfect escape!!

— , 14th June 2019

I had a very good experience. The course is very organised and the tutor is very lovely and helpful. She also had good techniques and explained well.

— , 20th May 2019

Friendly, informative and fun. I've noticed the difference these courses have made, my cakes at home are really improving and everyone at home has noticed too, thank you!

— , 20th May 2019

I thought the course was great. Perfect for anyone at different levels of skill. I learnt a lot I didn't know. and I will definately be back again!

— , 20th May 2019

Lovely experience. Fantastic tutor made learning very easy. A lot packed in to the course - would highly recommend.

— , 7th March 2019

Excellent tutor. She was very patient and lovely.

— , 7th March 2019

Excellent course! It was fun and learnt loads! Really helped give me the confidence to be a better cake maker!

— , 7th March 2019

A great way to spend the evening - will be back! Tutor was great - incredibly patient and knowledgeable and managed us well!! Fun and informative.

— , 7th March 2019