4-week Back to Basics

Join us for this special 'back to basics' course over 4 consecutive weeks. Whether you're new to baking or want to brush up on the essentials, this is a must!

Upcoming Start Dates

Back to Basics is exactly that, over 4 consecutive weeks – we take you right back to the beginning and teach you, step-by-step, the best and easiest ways to achieve delicious, professional looking cakes. Whether you’ve never attempted to bake or are a more experienced baker and decorator looking for the definitive approach to decorating, this course is for you.

Over the four sessions you will bake, marzipan and ice a square fruit cake to achieve a smooth professional finish. Following on you will learn a variety of decorating and modelling techniques to give you skills that can be easily translated into hundreds of decorative variations.

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 4 week course and our other, 2 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. 

Course Content

  • How to line a cake tin
  • How to bake a rich fruit cake
  • How to mature and store a rich fruit cake
  • How to ice a cake board
  • How to professionally cover your cake with marzipan and sugar paste icing
  • How to use smoothers to best effect
  • Using crimpers to create decorative edges
  • Tutorial – how to use colour to best effect
  • Tutorial – how to make royal icing
  • The principals of piping to create a piped message and shell piping
  • How to create icing run outs to create shapes
  • How to use the pop it moulds (you could make owls but if they're not 'your thing' you could make a teddy, penguin, ducks or even footballs, buttons or hearts
  • Painting on sugar
  • How to attach ribbon to a cake board
  • How to attach ribbon to a celebration cake
  • How to create a tied bow
  • 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 do I need to bring?

You need to bring an apron

Very good course, excellent tutor, looked forward to attending every week, learnt a lot, good fun.

— , 8th December 2021

Good course. Very good tutor.

— , 8th December 2021

Great evenings + fun. Course what I expected + more. Tutor amazing!

— , 8th December 2021

I had a very good time and learnt a lot. The tutor did all the things listed and was happy to re-show you what to do. I didn't expect to be able to choose what went on top. 5 star.

— , 8th December 2021

The course was excellent, very friendly tutor, Annabelle was brilliant. I'd recommend - enjoyable, stress free evenings where you will learn so much.

— , 15th June 2021

I'm having the best time. It's the beginning of my dream in making dream cakes. I didn't want to finish and I will be back. Annabelle was and is friendly and very helpful being at the same time professional like making what I was thinking is hard to do and learn into a fun and easy task. Health and safety was present all the time. Distancing and disinfection rules was followed and remembered at all times. All successful for sure.

— , 15th June 2021

This course was perfect for guiding me through the different skills needed to create a lovely cake and decorate it. So much fun & expert knowledge imparted in a wonderful friendly way. Limitless enthusiasm, knowledge and advice. Much much more than I expected. Thank you for a fabulous time.

— , 15th June 2021

I leaned so much & had so much fun. Annabelle was brilliant, so friendly, knowledgeable & helpful. Nothing too much trouble. Really clear instructions. I've been wanting to do a course like this for years! All my nerves were put at ease immediately. I'm not new to baking but I have learnt so much! Annabelle is a fantastic tutor and the course was so enjoyable!

— , 15th June 2021

Before the back to basic course all I baked was cupcakes. I now feel confident baking & decorating a cake. Looking forward to practising what I have learnt. Linda is very knowledgeable & teaches at a pace for novices. I was the person with the least skills in this class but I did not feel left out or that I was holding everyone up.

— , 14th October 2019

Very friendly, all my worries melted away, great fun & learn alot.

— , 14th October 2019

I thought the course and tutor were fantastic. I learnt so much and lots of new tips and hints. Very helpful tutor, happy to keep explaining and showing us what to do until we understood. A great and welcoming 4 weeks.

— , 14th October 2019

So much fun while learning new skills. Annabelle explains everything & is very generous with her knowledge. Cannot wait till my next course.

— , 7th December 2018

I didn't expect to be making the actual cake! I thought it would be all decorating etc so very pleased. A very good course, with lots of new techniques and ideas. I have learnt new skills. Tutors are always happy to help, with lots of patience and experience. You get to eat cake during the course too.

— , 7th December 2018

On every course I have been to I have learnt so much. So many different ideas. There are so many ideas in the shop and of course if you have questions the staff will help. I would recommend the cake club. So many demo's, on line help. Short classes and longer courses.

— , 7th December 2018

Excellent tutor. 5 star course.

— , 7th December 2018

Love trying something new & with all the help and advice have surprised myself with what I have managed to achieve. So many skills included. Superb tutor - kind & patient. Helped me hugely to harness new skills. Gave me confidence to have a go - without feeling silly.

— , 7th December 2018

Annabelle is a wonderful teacher and explains things in her own special way, which makes it easy to remember. Very informative.

— , 7th December 2018

It was a brilliant course run by the excellent Annabelle. Everything was lovely.

— , 7th December 2018

Great way to learn and fabulous teacher.

— , 7th December 2018

Everyone should give it a go, I didn't want it to end! Linda is so helpful, very encouraging + friendly, could answer all questions, learnt so much.

— , 29th March 2018

I really enjoyed this course it was fun, and relaxing, it was very chilled and everyone got on well. You learn everything you need to know when making certain cakes. Linda was very good. She is friendly and maintains a comfortable lesson for everyone.

— , 29th March 2018

The course was brilliant! I learnt new skills & to do things differently & will definitely be booking more!

— , 29th March 2018

The course was excellent. I learnt so much and will be back next week for another course. Excellent tutor - very friendly. I felt I could ask any questions, very knowledgeable. I had a great time. Thank you.

— , 29th March 2018

Found all the tips very useful, have already been using at home. The tutor was very helpful when I made mistakes and had time for everyone on the course.

— , 29th March 2018

Good foundation to beginners they can learn more. More than I expected. Very friendly, helpful & knowledgeable, extra tips & tricks.

— , 29th March 2018

Back to Basic is a foundation to a great start to cake making. It makes a great starting point and Linda is a fantastic tutor... funny, kind, gave me lots of advise and gave fantastic techniques and good explanation. Covered a lot over six weeks.

— , 29th March 2018

Thoroughly enjoyed the course, couldn't wait for Thursday to come round each week! Linda was very helpful and nothing was too much trouble.

— , 29th March 2018

Course was super knowledgeable and easy to follow. My tutor, Linda was very well-paced and answered all questions with easy-to-follow answers. My experience will be unforgettable. I loved every minute of it. I will be back!

— , 29th March 2018

Linda is lovely. V. friendly & patient. I really enjoyed every week.

— , 11th July 2017

Enjoyed every minute of the course. Linda was excellent - explaining everything in detail. Warm and friendly... helped me achieve something I thought I could not achieve. Exceeded expectations.

— , 11th July 2017

Very professional, excellent knowledge, training and teachers. Both fantastic teachers and actually want to share ALL knowledge with you.. and always willing to help with anything! 10/10 experience.

— , 11th July 2017

Thank you very much for a wonderful course. I am very to feel very deflated next Tuesday when I have no Cake School in the evenings.

— , 28th March 2017

Once again, the course has provided me with a range of techniques to decorate a cake. Having never baked before, the course has given the opportunity to develop cake baking from the start (mixing the ingredients) to finer piping details. I now want to book ALL the courses!

— , 28th March 2017

Nice and easy to follow. Simple instructions for complicated techniques. Brilliant course.

— , 28th March 2017

Just finished 6 week course and straight back in 2 days for the next course. Amazing teacher, Annabelle is inspirational and is there to hold your hand whenever you need it. I have learned so much, enjoyed every minute and also enjoyed the cake tasting. 5 stars for sure.

— , 28th March 2017

Already booked onto another course and planning many, many more! Have absolutely loved every minute. I’ve learnt so much and am already putting things into practise at home. Wonderful course. Thank you so much!

— , 28th March 2017

Loved every lesson. Fabulous.

— , 28th March 2017

I have had an amazing time on the 6 weeks back to basics. There is so much to learn and so many skills and techniques covered. We had lots of laughs and lots of cake. Excellent. 5* definitely.

— , 28th March 2017

Great fun and easy for first time on a course.

— , 28th March 2017

Easy to follow. Very informative & learnt so much. A fun class & would love to come back & do more.

— , 28th March 2017

The 6 week back to basics course was fab! I learnt and developed lots of new skills and some great tips. Annabelle is a fantastic teacher, offering help and encouragement in my shaky moments! Thank you for a great 6 weeks.

— , 28th March 2017

I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge about baking and decorating.

— , 1st June 2015

Amazing! I feel like I have learnt so much. I felt very welcome.

— , 1st June 2015

Learnt a lot and it was so enjoyable - everyone is friendly. I enjoyed the whole course and will be doing more.

— , 1st June 2015

I felt very welcome for the whole six weeks. My tutor was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. She was very good at giving extra tips and techniques.

— , 25th March 2015

Made to feel very welcome. Very good tutor was more than happy to answer all additional questions I had.

— , 2nd February 2015

Very warm welcome.I've learnt so much and now have the baking bug!

— , 2nd February 2015

Very warm and welcoming (every week!) Tutor was amazing - good laugh each week and not afraid to do anything or answer questions. Thank you

— , 2nd February 2015

Great! My tutor is always very good and patient.

— , 2nd February 2015

Fantastic! Enjoyable course and good value for money.

— , 6th November 2014

Lovely atmosphere and a great way to learn. So helpful, fun and taught us an awful lot!

— , 6th November 2014

A big thank you to my tutor for her time and excellent instruction

— , 17th April 2014

5 stars all the way

— , 11th April 2014

So many skills crammed into one course. Excellent. Such fun!

— , 4th April 2014

Very knowledgeable lesson. Very kind and clear tutor. I've had such a lovey time, have learnt so much detail in every week.

— , 4th April 2014

This was my first course with Annabelle, it will not be my last! As well as being educational it was good fun.

— , 4th April 2014

Such a wonderful experience.Very informative & friendly. Completely as expected and more. Tutor was the best ever. Will be coming again.

— , 4th April 2014

Really looking forward to doing more courses!

— , 1st April 2014

Excellent instruction. First class course.

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