Baking Master Class
Upcoming Start Dates
Join us for a day in the kitchen, learning the secrets to baking cakes that are a winner every time. Using the finest ingredients you will bake three of our most popular flavours for celebration and wedding cakes, using our very own tried and tested recipes. You will also make cupcakes. This course is suitable for complete beginners through to more experienced bakers - knowing the hows, whys, the science, the troubleshooting will transform your baking.
You’ll start by baking a rich fruit cake. Following on, you’ll bake a vanilla Madeira cake that is light and moist, yet firm enough to withstand icing and decorating. Bake raspberry & white chocolate cupcakes.
While your rich chocolate cake is baking, we conclude your day with a demonstration on troubleshooting techniques explaining why things go wrong, how to avoid the pitfalls and how to rescue the mishaps.
This is a very comprehensive baking course designed by Annabelle. Annabelle is a genius in the kitchen and will share her extensive experience, top tips and secrets for success.
We provide the ingredients for the three cakes and the cupcakes; all you need are people waiting at home to help you eat the cakes.
Tutorial – the principles of successful baking
Tutorial – how to choose ingredients and the role each one plays within a recipe
How to line a cake tin (round, square, shapes and a number frame)
How to bake in a novelty tin
Oven temperatures and baking times
How to tell if a cake is correctly baked
How to bake a rich fruit cake (this includes a discussion of the techniques used and why)
How to bake a rich chocolate cake (this includes a discussion of the techniques used and why)
How to bake a Madeira cake (this includes a discussion of the techniques used and why)
How to bake perfect cupcakes (including making sure the cases do not come away)
How to make smooth butter cream
Trouble shooting – what goes wrong, how to avoid the pitfalls, how to correct mistakes
Storage and keeping times including freezing
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 create your three cakes and the cupcakes as well as boxes to take them all home. We will provide all the ingredients and the equipment. The fruit cake contains alcohol – if you would prefer an alcohol free version please let us know.
Course attendees will also receive a full set of course notes.
We provide tea, coffee, drinking water and cake.
You may like to bring an apron (please don't buy one - we have spares!)
Free parking
- What's the skill level?
Any level, beginners and upwards.
- Are there any age restrictions?
Yes, Age 16+.
- What are the course times?
This course is a full day course with approx. 30mins for a lunch break.
- What do I need to bring?
We provide everything you need. You may like to bring a sandwich or alternatively lunch may be ordered from the coffee shop next door (order when you arrive, it will be delivered at lunch time).
I really loved the Baking Masterclass today. I’ve been feeling that my baking ability has lagged behind my decorating for a long time. This course has gone a long way to redressing that imbalance. I can’t believe that we made 3 cakes and 6 cupcakes in one day. Small number of students made it very personal. No question too daft. Loads of drinks and cakes provided - it was fab. Annabelle was excellent. Friendly, relaxed atmosphere but expert tuition.
— Deborah, 3rd May 2025
Delighted I came today and I have already booked another course. Annabelle is brilliant! So knowledgeable & endlessly patient and helpful. We achieved more than I could imagined. An absolutely brilliant course. Included reasons why things are done, science of cake making and making several cakes allows for great practice.
— Gill, 3rd May 2025
Excellent as always. There is a lot of cake to make and take home - fruit, chocolate, madeira and some cupcakes. Learnt the science of how the mixture works.
— P, 25th January 2025
As usual very enjoyable and everybody very friendly. Tutor superb - you learn so much.
— Sally, 25th January 2025
It has been a great day. These courses have so much content and you learn so much - would definitely recommend. Annabelle never ceases to amaze me, her knowledge knows no bounds. Course content more than expected, so much information, it was so good. I wasn't sure if this course was for me. I was wrong. There was so much information and included things that I thought I knew but with this new information it helped make sense of why things go wrong. Thank you for a great day.
— Jane, 25th January 2025
Very happy
— s, 25th January 2025
Very happy I came today. Annabelle is amazing, knowledgeable and a great teacher. I learnt so much more than expected - large sized cakes and so many different tips and different ways of baking. Even though I have been baking for a couple of years I have learnt so much of the reason why you do/ don't do things. Problem solving, different types of cake shapes and so many new ways to bake various cakes - fruit, rich chocolate, vanilla madeira, and cupcakes. This course is really suitable for beginners as well as those used to baking. Fantastic for anyone wanting to understand the why, how and watch outs!
— Emma, 25th January 2025
Everything was great! Even if you already have some knowledge when it comes to baking or you are a newngs so wrong. bie there are a lot of things that you discover. The atmosphere is just amazing and amazing tutor would be an understatement! Exceeded expectations (and expectations were pretty high).
— Maria Roca, 2nd October 2021
Such a fun informative course with so much content. What I expected & more - excellent. Cannot wait for the Christmas course.
— Jane Brender, 2nd October 2021
Really enthusiastic, knowledgeable, fun & funny tutor. Thoroughly enjoyable & I now feel very confident.
— Miranda, 2nd October 2021
Absolutely recommend. Excellent tutor plus very funny with good baking facts. 5 star. I loved it.
— Peter, 2nd October 2021
Definitely would recommend to friends that love baking as the course was very informative. Exactly what was expected and definitely learnt details I didn't know. Annabelle was very informative, friendly and patient. She thoroughly explained everything and answered all questions fully. Social distancing was fully implemented and sanitiser was always available. Safety measures all in place successfully, everything carefully thought through.
— Hope Pearse, 19th September 2020
I had a lovely, fun & relaxing day. Everything flowed. It's surprising how much baking we crammed into the day. What I expected & more - icing was pleasant surprise to go on cupcakes. Lots learnt & as always Annabelle was full of energy & enthusiasm.
— Caroline Freemantle, 19th September 2020
It was amazing and definitely recommend. Everything was perfect and plenty of ideas. Lots of tips. Plenty of learning.
— Diana, 19th September 2020
Very informative tutor. Health & safety successfully considered. Very likely to come back.
— Donna Burgess, 19th September 2020
What I expected. Highly likely to come back. Very good tutor.
— , 4th June 2020
Nice all round day. Very informative. Very good tutor.
— Chloe Willson, 4th June 2020
This is a course full of tips, skill & techniques - I have been baking birthday cakes for f&f and have still learned so much. Perfectly balanced. I am currently 23 weeks pregnant & it would have been easy to avoid coming - but the email advance 'advance communication' was so reassuring & I felt so safe on the day. Highly recommended school + tutor.
— Elaine Painter, 4th June 2020
Fun and informative course. I now know where I've gone wrong in the past and how to get a beautiful cake each time.
— Karen, 7th September 2019
Such a great course to ensure you know 100% that you are baking correctly. Love coming to Annabelles classes, so knowledgeable and lovely to everyone no matter what their ability. Such a lovely place to learn new baking skills.
— Susanne Clinch, 7th September 2019
It was very comprehensive for a novice baker! Excellent tutor. Many thanks.
— Laura Edwards, 7th September 2019
Everything you need to know about baking perfect cakes & why things go wrong. Very relaxing & friendly. Tutor very knowledgeable.
— Gel Allen, 7th September 2019
So much information in one day. Not a minute wasted. Excellent tutor.
— Janis Pullen, 7th September 2019
I have learnt so many things today, the course was much more than I anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. Annabelle was excellent, she is so knowledgeable, but so kind an patient too. A wonderful place to learn and relax at the same time
— Diane Bradley, 7th September 2019
A must for all bakers. Excellent tutor. Most definitely coming back.
— Justine Wills, 9th February 2019
Great course, would heartily recommend to anyone beginner or other. Very informative and friendly atmosphere. Lots of information & guidance given.
— Tracey Hanks, 9th February 2019
Course is perfect for beginners & cake masters. Annabelle is amazing. Really friendly + welcoming and she knows everything about cakes! I think the course is perfect. Fun + informative. 100% coming back for more!
— Caitlin, 9th February 2019
Had an amazing time and would recommend it to anyone. Really helpful tutor, friendly and lots of good tips.
— Julie-Anne Baker, 17th November 2018
Had an absolutely lovely day with Annabelle and Chan. First class tutor - excellent & lovely with it. Learnt so much - cannot wait to bake at home.
— Linda Wills, 17th November 2018
Good fun & informative
— Diane Stock, 17th November 2018
Loved it and very informative.
— Delenda James, 17th November 2018
Very professional, friendly and just amazing. Course is excellent and learn lots of things! Tutors are all amazing! Experience is just fabulous! Fantastico!
— Chloe Willson, 12th May 2018
An absolutely fantastic day. I realise now I knew nothing about baking! Such an informative and helpful,l fun day. Can't wait to book my next course!
— Callie Pollard, 12th May 2018
Very very pleased. It is just the best.
— Jacqueline Vaughan, 12th May 2018
I have best experience in my learning process. I learnt lots. Best tutor very good explanation,
— Romina Taylor, 12th May 2018
Very informative easy going pleasant approach. Friendly knowledgeable tutor. Excellent detailed course, lots of information, learnt a lot. Thoroughly enjoyed day.
— Helen McCrann, 24th February 2018
It was awesome. I love how intimate it is because you learn more + can get the tutor's attention much better. It's friendly + you learn so much. I will be coming back!
— Georgia McGrane, 24th February 2018
A very informative & full day. Although I bake regularly I have learnt a lot & gained useful tips that will help to improve my baking. Annabelle is always helpful. Always enjoy a class here.
— Ann Thompson, 24th February 2018
Very good + helpful tutor. I learnt a lot and it was fun. Thank you!
— Saira, 24th February 2018
Friendly fun + knowledgeable tutor - great day! Learnt lots.
— Claire Parrott, 24th February 2018
Wonderful day full of great advice, techniques and science behind a food bake. Annabelle is passionate about baking and the course is entertaining in addition to covering the basics. So much crammed in one day but paced really well. Learnt a lot.
— Auriana Compston, 24th February 2018
A very valuable course. Learnt a lot and developed skills. I picked up lots of handy tips which will hopefully improve my cake baking in the future. Excellent tutor, very knowledgeable and clear instructions. Very pleased with the cakes I produced.
— Shona Burford, 15th July 2017
Fantastic course that has explained to me what I’ve been doing wrong & what I need to do to create perfect & tasty cakes. Very friendly & fun as well as informative. Excellent tutor.
— Emma Lovegrove, 15th July 2017
Course was intense – lots of different baking and at times a bit fast! Maybe slightly longer would be beneficial… but a perfect amount of content. Lots to gain! Amazing tutor, who encouraged us and was happy to answer any of our questions.
— , 15th July 2017
Amazing course, gives you everything you need to know about making cakes – how to avoid mishaps and helps give you the confidence to go on and do more cakes. Thank you for a fab day.
— Michelle Nielson, 15th July 2017
Today I learnt that I knew nothing about baking! I will have so much more confidence and enjoy baking more in future. Thank you.
— Julia Cleaver, 15th July 2017
Everyone is very nice and knowledgeable and classes are well planned. Annabelle clearly knows the subject very well and is able to put students at ease. My confidence as a baker has been really boosted. I am surprised by how much I learnt in such a short time.
— Julie Green, 25th April 2015
Made to feel very welcome. I learnt so much more than I expected. It has given me the confidence and the basic knowledge to go away and bake.
— Elizabeth Williams, 25th April 2015
Everyone is so welcoming. Annabelle was so knowledgeable and interesting. It was a great day and I learnt so much on this baking day.
— Sam Davis-Ashdown, 31st January 2015
Excellent tutor - wonderful day.
— Bridget Kyne, 31st January 2015
Annabelle is excellent and answers all of your questions. I would recommend the courses as they are friendly and very informative.
— Jill Griffin, 31st January 2015
Very warm welcome, made to feel comfortable. My tutor was amazing - very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. I definitely learnt a lot - fantastic!
— Kayleigh, 25th October 2014
Completely brilliant. Took time to ensure questions were fully answered.
— Emily, 26th July 2014
I am coming back 100%. I absolutely loved my tutor, Annabelle. She is extremely knowledgeable.
— Chetna, 26th July 2014
The whole day was very informative and I felt very welcome. Thank you so much I cannot wait for my next course.
— Sarah, 1st February 2014
Fantastic course – wish I had done it months ago! Brilliant day.
— Katie, 1st February 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed course. Brilliant delivery of information and at the right pace. Thank you Annabelle and her washing up angel!
— Peter, 1st February 2014
Absolutely fabulous
— Laura, 5th August 2013
My 2nd course and wasn’t disappointed – excellent day and will definitely be back for more – thank you very much. A perfect day!
— Emma Harvey, 5th August 2013
Really good. Covered lots and would like to do chocolate course next!
— Jo Green, 5th August 2013
Brilliant tutor. Timings were spot on. I am looking forward to many more courses.
— Emma Carter, 14th May 2013
I felt very welcome and was pleased I had chosen to do a course. It was such a fun day. Lovely tutor, lots of hints and tips...I can’t wait
— Jenny Waters, 12th May 2013
What a fantastic way to spend my Saturday! I had a really lovely day.
— Phil Mills, 11th May 2013
I booked on line and it was easy. My tutor was brilliant. I had a super day and will be back for more.
— Alison Newsome, 11th May 2013
