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 a ribbon & bow 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.
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 (fondant) 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
- How to tie a bow and attach
- 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 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)
A really enjoyable and informative experience.
— Jan, 26th September 2025
The course content was more than I could have imagined. Great environment, friendly and knowledgeable teacher with so much patience. Outstanding! Thank you for an amazing experience.
— Emma, 29th April 2025
Easy to follow, well thought out process. Annabelle has a calming manner that put me at ease - fantastic, friendly and patient. Definitely coming back and would recommend.
— Joanna, 29th April 2025
Course content what I expected and more. Excellent tutor - very patient, knowledgeable, friendly, very helpful. Beautiful atmosphere - 100% recommend. It was the most friendliest, professional, relaxing. Tutor 100% professional.
— Christine, 14th February 2025
Annabelle provides excellent instructions and those little ideas which enable you to lift your cake making to a new level and also have a great time. Course content more than expected and excellent tutor.
— Bronwyn, 14th February 2025
Informative and good fun. First class tutor.
— Mike, 14th February 2025
Enjoyable experience and friendly environment. Very good tutor - very helpful and patient. So pleased with my cake.
— Sally, 14th February 2025
Well explained at a nice pace. Nice friendly atmosphere. Great fun. Excellent tutor. Definitely coming back.
— Lisa, 14th February 2025
Annabelle was great. Loved the course, so much fun and I'm really chuffed with my cake.
— Maisie, 14th February 2025
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.
— Peggy, 23rd April 2024
Fabulous course, covering so much I needed to know! Excellent tutor, fun, interesting, professional - I am absolutely thrilled with my cake.
— Sonia, 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.
— Heather Burnett, 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.
— Amy McGuinness, 9th February 2024
Something for everyone. Excellent tutor. Course content perfect. I just thoroughly enjoyed the 2 classes. Very informative. Also therapeutic.
— Nicky Swift, 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!
— Vanessa Relf, 9th February 2024
A wonderful course - such a lovely cake to take home. Brilliant tutor.
— Thelma Olymbiou, 9th February 2024
Very well explained & such fun. Tutor friendly & warming, extremely knowledgeable + everything was very well explained. Cannot rate it highly enough.
— Tina Robers, 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!!
— Jane Lawrence, 18th October 2023
Course was great. Tutor amazing.
— Alfie, 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.
— Isabella Davey, 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.
— Becky, 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.
— Barbara, 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.
— Pauline Forder, 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!!
— Miranda Dorey, 26th April 2023
Great starter course for beginner bakers or those who need a confidence boost. Fabulous tutor! Very knowledgeable & friendly.
— Clare Archer, 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!
— Ella, 26th April 2023
Excellent, helpful, joyful about cake + teaching others. Lots of learning. Absolutely recommend.
— Sarah, 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.
— Louise Wilsher, 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.
— Chrissie Russell, 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?
— Noreen, 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.
— Helen Notley, 10th February 2023
Come - the teachers are kind friendly & helpful. The atmos is great. Friendly, informative. 5 star.
— Susan Ryan, 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.
— Claire Martin, 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.
— Katy B, 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.
— Kate, 7th February 2023
Amazing what is covered in 2 classes. So many new techniques & skills & problem solving cake questions. Great friendly team!
— Emma, 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!
— Pauline, 16th June 2022
5 star course. Very good, friendly, helpful tutor.
— Jothini Judanto, 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.
— Hannah Stout, 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.
— Jane Hagger, 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.
— Lisa Hance, 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.
— Candy Martin, 17th March 2022
Excellent course, highly recommend.
— Debbie Harris, 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.
— Katherine, 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.
— Vicky Lotay, 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.
— Anjana Shrestha, 26th January 2022
Brilliant course, fantastic tutors, very knowledgeable. Thank you. Can't wait for my next one!
— Stephany Hitchins, 26th January 2022
Great relaxed atmosphere. Tutor brilliant! Friendly & helpful. Great tips that you would never think of. Thank you!
— Claire Durnford, 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.
— Julie Leigh, 30th June 2021
Very friendly, helpful tutor - knowledgeable, make it fun + interesting. Very enjoyable course, learnt a lot. Thank you.
— Sarah Wennink, 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.
— Georgie, 30th June 2021
Great course, felt at ease. Great advice & tips.
— Holly, 30th June 2021
Very interesting and enjoyable. Very enthusiastic and friendly and made us feel very welcome. Felt very safe.
— Pauline Kingswood, 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.
— Vicki Sharp, 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.
— Wendy Woolcombe, 18th June 2021
Very likely to come back for more courses. Tutor angelic! 5-star course.
— Donna Burgess, 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.
— Marla, 18th June 2021
Would recommend, Fantastic tutor, very friendly. Very enjoyable course, learnt so many skills. Very happy.
— Michelle Reader, 18th June 2021
Well structured course. Tutor outstanding - friendly, patient, very knowledgeable + answered all my questions. Can't wait for my next course!
— Karen Hannah, 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,
— Dianne Mortimer, 22nd October 2020
The course was easy to follow and the tutor was brilliant - very friendly and explained everything thoroughly. 5 stars.
— Sally Gilling, 22nd October 2020
Fantastic course. Very educational & fun. Tutor excellent.
— Julie Stoneman, 22nd October 2020
Very friendly, fun and helpful. A new experience and I learnt a lot. Very likely to come back.
— Megan, 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!
— Sara Hayes, 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!!
— Rebecca David, 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.
— Jo Stephenson, 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!
— Laura Knowles, 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.
— Joanne, 14th July 2020
Very knowledgeable & friendly. Learned a lot and was fun.
— Chinwe, 14th July 2020
Very helpful tutor, very nice person. Very good course.
— Gloria Anani, 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.
— Cyd Bell, 26th June 2020
Amazing. I felt calm, relaxed, our tutor was so nice. Course what I expected and more. Thank you.
— Debbie Gregory, 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!
— Kim Beman, 26th June 2020
Excellent, great for the hints and tips you can't learn anywhere else. Amazing tutor, so helpful.
— Clare Hazelwood, 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.
— Sarah Ward, 26th June 2020
Exactly what I needed to create that long sought after 'professional' look. Excellent tutor.
— Emily, 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.
— Caroline Freemantle, 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
— Julie Kent, 16th June 2020
Great course and experience. Friendly, helpful, professional, really good explanations.
— Adina Ciuche, 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.
— Abi, 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!
— Jolene Smith, 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.
— Sue Halls, 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.
— Claire Hall, 7th February 2020
I found the course fantastic. I learnt loads, and very enjoyable content. Absolutely brilliant tutor, very knowledgeable, caring, helpful.
— Carly Taylor, 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.
— Karen Nicholson, 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!
— Becky Nicholson, 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.
— Sam Fielon, 14th June 2019
I have found out so much & thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Brilliant & lovey tutor and course more than I expected.
— Sarah Town, 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!
— Lisa Berry, 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.
— Natalie Donald Trinh, 14th June 2019
Very friendly & encouraging. Would have like to cover different shape cakes & slightly longer.
— Diane Stock, 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.
— Wendy, 14th June 2019