2 week Back to basics
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 6 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
- 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
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 and cake bag 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)
Excellent course, very helpful and informative, can't wait to come back and do more courses.
— Louise Wilde, 12th October 2018
Come and do a course you will enjoy. I couldn't wait to come back the second week to decorate my cake. Had fun. Very informative. Friendly. Found lots of useful tips. Loved it.
— Kay Oliver, 12th October 2018
Brilliant course. Lots of useful information and techniques. Friendly and knowledgeable tutor. Would definitely recommend.
— Holly, 12th October 2018
Brilliant. Excellent tutor.
— Sam Joseph, 12th October 2018
Fantastic, friendly, very helpful tutor + reassuring! Great course, very informative as well as fun.
— Vanessa, 12th October 2018
Friendly and informative. Really enjoyed the two evenings + happy with all the info + tips and the end result.
— Olivia Wilson, 26th September 2018
It was my first time icing a cake and looking at my finished piece I can't believe I've made it. Excellent course. Tutor very good! I felt really relaxed, she was very helpful and offered a lot of tips. I really enjoyed it and I think others would too. I'll be back.
— Katie Osborne, 26th September 2018
Excellent tutor - good balance of helping + letting us make mistakes. Thoroughly enjoyable, extremely informative, completely accessible. Just brilliant!
— Lisa Keslake, 26th September 2018
Great teaching. Amazing, friendly, caring and helps - fun + bubbly.
— , 28th June 2018
Excellent teaching. You are guaranteed to learn no matter your pace of learning. 5 stars all the way.
— Kerri, 28th June 2018
Amazing tutor: friendly, helpful, kind, gives clear explanations. Course content even better than I expected. Everything was GREAT!
— , 28th June 2018
It's enjoyable + the teachers are amazing. Do this course. A great start to your cake journey!
— Karen Williams, 28th June 2018
Course was fantastic. Annabelle was lovely, very patient and an excellent baker. It was a great course. Thank you very much.
— Stephanie Turner, 18th May 2018
Very good tutor. An enjoyable experience as well as learning a lot.
— Carolyn, 18th May 2018
Had such a fantastic time and learnt so much. Thank you. Will definitely be coming back.
— Joanne Hodgson, 18th May 2018
I was really pleased with the course. I have learned a lot and I'm really looking forward to doing more courses here.
— Melanie Germain, 18th May 2018
Everyone should do this course, a lot of content to take away & try at home. Learn so much. Annabelle was so helpful + has so much knowledge to pass on. Gave excellent advise throughout. I really enjoyed the course.
— Natasha Turnbull, 18th May 2018
Superb - I'm coming back for more! Superb - v. friendly tutor. Made me feel v. comfortable and able to ask any questions despite how daft they may seem.
— Jo Prideaux, 18th May 2018
Very good - all of it. Very informative. All well explained. Can't wait for the next course.
— Caroline Ward, 18th May 2018
Really enjoyed the course and everything was well organised, tutor was lovely. Well worth doing. Cakes looked beautiful.
— Sue Truman, 18th May 2018
Fantastic course. Excellent tutor.
— Sarah Putney, 18th May 2018
Lots to learn and friendly. Annabelle made us all relax, enjoyed the class very much.
— Tracey Mahaffery, 18th May 2018
I liked the course and I am very happy. I'm rating more than 5. The tutor she is very good and knowledgeable, friendly, helpful.
— Sophia, 18th May 2018
Amazing tutor, Linda is so helpful, patient & knowledgeable. This course is great for beginners, however you will become addicted!
— Erika Broad, 12th April 2018
Not had so much fun in ages. Really loved baking and particularly enjoyed the decorating. Lovely, very good tutor, learned a lot.
— Eva, 12th April 2018
Very friendly & knowledgeable. Excellent tutor, gave extra tips too. Great fun, relaxed atmosphere, learnt lots. Brilliant!
— Claire Dickens, 12th April 2018
Brilliant course, never need to worry about messing up. Linda is the best tutor ever! Such a lovely lady. Overall experience has been fantastic for a 1st time cake course, already booking up more classes and joined cake club! LOVE IT!
— Chloe Wilson, 12th April 2018
Highly recommended course for those who learn from basic. Friendly & knowledgeable tutor. You can learn everything.
— Mrs Kuhapperiya Ranjithkumar, 12th April 2018
Very friendly. Very good tutor and lovely lady.
— Mariatu Juana, 12th April 2018
I would highly recommend that people who are interested in baking book a course with Annabelle Jane's Cake School. I really enjoyed my course and Linda was lovely. Even though I have baked a few sponge cakes, I learnt a couple of new tricks and will put those to use during my next bake.
— Lynsey Bryant, 12th April 2018
Tutor was lovely - so helpful & knowledgeable. Will be back!
— Gill Newton, 12th April 2018
Very enjoyable. I learnt a lot of new skills.
— Michael Wells, 18th January 2018
I was given the course for my birthday & it was the best present. Loved it. Linda & Annabelle are fantastic. Can’t recommend this enough. Will do more courses. Thank you.
— Natalie Batchelor, 18th January 2018
Very, very good, very knowledgeable tutors. Answer every question. Fantastic advice and very friendly. They have taught someone who is completely useless in the kitchen to someone who can produce a fantastic tasty cake and will definitely go on and do more courses.
— Brian Fulthorpe, 18th January 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I’ve learnt a lot and can not wait to practice at home. Would recommend to anyone wanting to learn about cake making.
— Nicola Hooper, 18th January 2018
I learnt a lot and the teachers of both classes were wonderful, explained clearly and I liked their method. What I expected but not all the tips!
— Marnie Martin, 18th January 2018
It’s a little hard to find. I enjoyed the course, the tutors were supportive, patient and attentive. The environment for the course was relaxed and enjoyable. A little royal icing piping to add a little more detail to the cake decorating would be good. It’s really good fun and it’s good to take part with other people. I have already booked another course.
— , 18th January 2018
The course very good. Everyone should do. Anyone can learn to make a cake. Everyone was friendly and you are talked though at a good speed and shown how to do first. Thank you. Loved course. Hope to do more.
— Lee Drury, 18th January 2018
Definitely pleased I chose to do this and 100% likely to do more. Annabelle is lovely and her knowledge and info learnt – great. Felt at ease, welcomed. More than I expected – as being called ‘back to basics’ – I thought it would be basic and easy – although easily enough the knowledge of what was explained (how the cake molecules work etc) has been good to know! More of a foundation level – which I now feel excited to go on and learn more from. Excellent.
— Lisa, 10th February 2017
I'd recommend because the instructions and course notes are always good. Annabelle is always easy to follow and helps when necessary. Excellent.
— Louise, 10th February 2017
Great fun and taught me some techniques to create great looking and tasting cakes! Very good tutor. Made it great fun and explained things simply. Help always on hand which was appreciated. Brilliant.
— Kate, 10th February 2017
A fun and informative way of learning. Made to feel welcome and met with a smile. Excellent tutor, very happy to answer any questions. Very reassuring and helpful the whole time. The course content was even better than expected. Excellent!
— Lorna, 10th February 2017
Wonderful. Amazing tutor, very knowledgeable.
— Louise, 7th December 2016
It’s brilliant here.. Friend liked on facebook… and fab-u-lous! The course was what I expected and more. Fantastic.
— , 7th December 2016
100% likely to do more – amazing, very knowledgeable and helpful tutor; friendly and welcoming. Fantastic.
— Sarah, 7th December 2016
Friendly and welcoming environment. Excellent, very patient and very skilful tutor. Amazing!!! 5+ *s
— Dan, 7th December 2016
I came away really happy.
— Deanna, 7th December 2016
Very enjoyable & max learning. It was perfect – perhaps longer time. Amazing.
— Thelma, 18th November 2016
Fantastic, relaxing course. Made to feel welcome. Friendly. Fabulous tutor - 100%. Brilliant.
— Arlene, 18th November 2016
Lovely teacher, very good – very knowledgeable, very helpful. I have learnt so much – a refresher – new tips – I will be doing more. Excellent.
— Neela, 18th November 2016
I had a lovely time and will definitely do it again. Very friendly, lovely teacher, easy to understand + fun. Very knowledge, no question was too silly. Fabulous.
— Sophie, 18th November 2016
My husband bought this as a gift. Excellent. I learnt so much, relaxing and fun. Patient, friendly, knowledgeable, loads of tips – what I expected + more. Would recommend.
— Emma, 18th November 2016
Friendly and really enjoyable. Easy to follow – great tips offered in a friendly way – not condescending. Brilliant – a wow moment at the end.
— Sandra, 18th November 2016
Very informative, friendly environment. More than I expected. Amazing.
— Darren, 18th November 2016
Greeted with a big smile and welcome. I loved all the extra tips & all the answers to questions made sense. I would have liked longer on the first week, but excellent.
— Shirley, 18th November 2016
Had so much fun on this course, thank you Annabelle and Sharon. I can honestly say it's the best Madeira cake I've ever tasted due to all of the hints and tips we learned!!
— Louise Watts , 21st September 2016
Excellent. Very professional, with a knowledgeable and experienced tutor. Lots of useful tips, and lots of fun.
— Ruth, 21st September 2016
Amazing!! So friendly and welcoming... couldn’t offer enough help and advice. Already booked to do more.
— Dan, 21st September 2016
Extremely good tutor. The course? All I expected and more! Very friendly. Enjoyable.
— Ellie, 21st September 2016
Great teaching and friendly atmosphere. Wonderful!
— Louise, 21st September 2016
Fun and professional, very good and helpful. Brilliant.
— Deanna, 21st September 2016
A pleasant school I found with google. Excellent tutor. Worth the time & money.
— Sue, 21st September 2016
Excellent tutor. Very knowledgeable, friendly and made things simple to follow.
— Susie Carthy, 7th September 2015
Good clear instructions and a fab end product. Tutor was very good - helpful, knowledgeable, easy going and fun.
— Sadie West, 7th September 2015
Perfect course. Extremely happy with all aspects. My tutor is absolutely brilliant
— Eve, 13th July 2015
Friendly atmosphere to learn new skills. I am extremely pleased with the techniques and new skills I have learnt.
— Ruth Barton, 13th July 2015
So friendly, helpful and enjoyable. Learnt lots. It was helpful that ingredients were already weighed out and buttercream made - felt the important part of decorating the cake could be focused on. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
— Donna Bishopp, 13th July 2015
Everyone is really friendly and knowledgeable and the courses are well thought out. My tutor was excellent. She knows her stuff, is very patient and knows how to pass knowledge across. I've learnt a lot from her.
— Temi Grant, 1st July 2015
Another brilliant course!
— Emma Ballard, 1st July 2015
Fantastic! Friendly atmosphere - lots of tips learnt.
— Lucy Connor, 1st July 2015
It was better than I thought. Really good tutor. Discussed ideas and ways you could do cakes - really good advice. Brilliant!
— Happy student, 6th May 2015
Outstanding! Felt very welcome.
— Euan Mitchell, 23rd March 2015
Excellent tutor. Very good course.
— Heather Cameron, 23rd March 2015
I learnt so much more than I thought. Everyone was so helpful and friendly and I was made to feel very welcome. The tutor was very good - so friendly and helpful, especially as I felt quite shy about talking to people.
— Taylor Blackwell, 23rd March 2015
Excellent tuition with help and patience.
— Lucie Heritage, 11th January 2015
The hints and tips that you get are very useful. Very friendly welcome even though I was a bit late. Very good, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable tutor.
— David Hills, 11th January 2015
Excellent experience
— Colette McKeone, 11th January 2015
Very good guidance throughout the course. Brilliant!
— Claire Lloyd- Cowtan, 11th January 2015
This course was a gift and I really enjoyed my experience
— Ella, 5th February 2014
I felt very welcome and was pleased I had chosen to do a course here. Information was excellent and I had a really lovely time.
— Ann, 5th February 2014
Happy, polite staff. Tutor very helpful and gave really good advice - brilliant!
— Heather, 4th February 2014
Very welcoming, everything explained very well - enjoyed every moment.
— Sally, 4th February 2014
Good fun, interesting and I learnt lots.
— Happy student, 4th February 2014
Absolutely loved it! Cannot wait till the Back to Basics course! It was perfect.
— China, 6th November 2013
Had a really lovely time and was so pleased with my cake at the end. Lots of great tips. Thank you
— Becky, 6th November 2013
I had a fab time and learnt lots of tips. I have already booked another course!
— Kerry, 5th November 2013
Cannot fault anything - I am so proud of my results I will book another course soon!
— Eva, 5th November 2013
Absolutely fantastic course – thank you!
— Gareth, 15th August 2013
My tutor was so enthusiastic and inspirational – thank you so much I loved all aspects and learned so much...
— Pauline, 14th August 2013
I lost myself for the 2 hours!
— Philipa, 13th August 2013
My tutor was such a knowledgeable teacher - made me feel very welcome and contributed to a relaxed, friendly environment.
— Lucy, 18th July 2013
I had a really lovely time. Another brilliant course and I can't wait for the cupcake course next week...I am truly addicted!
— Gill Talbot, 17th July 2013
I booked on line and it was easy My tutor was excellent and very informative and friendly. She made the course extremely enjoyable - we love
— Glynis knight, 11th July 2013
I had everything I needed although did need to share some equipment due to time. I had a really lovely time
— Roseanne Jones, 12th May 2013
I booked on line which was easy My tutor was brilliant I had a really lovely day
— Chipo Kamutanda, 1st May 2013
The course was fantastic. The tutor was great fun, very helpful and gave us loads of hints and tips. I would thoroughly recommend the course
— Sarah Stephan, 15th April 2013
I felt very welcome and pleased I had chosen to do a course Timings were spot on I loved it - really friendly and enjoyable
— Catherine Simons, 11th April 2013
I learnt even more than I expected A great course which creates a cake you thought was beyond you
— Charlotte, 10th April 2013