Bring your appetite, and a sweet tooth, into the EXPLO kitchens as we whip up everyone’s favorite meal course: dessert!
What makes a cookie crisp around the edges but chewy in the middle? Why does butter make pastry flaky, and what turns a simple glaze into a finishing touch worth showing off? In Pastry Baking, you’ll get to the bottom of these delicious mysteries while learning the techniques behind some of your favorite baked goods.
Start by exploring the science of baking and discovering how ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and leaveners work together to create different textures. Then, get hands-on with pastry foundations as you make everything from cookies and scones to turnovers with homemade fillings. Experiment with flavors and creative substitutions, practice glazes and icings, and learn how presentation can make a great dessert even better. Finish by reimagining a classic pastry as a team and presenting your original creation in a dessert showcase.
Please note: Students with food allergies or sensitivities should contact our Admission Office for more details before enrolling in this course. This course may not be appropriate for students with specific dietary restrictions.
Culinary workshops include a $60 supplemental fee to cover the costs of special class materials.
What you'll do
Get to Know Your Ingredients
Explore the science behind baking and discover how flour, butter, sugar, and leaveners work together to create flaky, fluffy, crisp, and chewy textures.
Master Pastry Foundations
Get hands-on with cookies, scones, and turnovers as you practice working with batters, doughs, and fruit fillings while building essential baking skills.
Make It Look as Good as It Tastes
Experiment with glazes, icings, and plating techniques to add the finishing touches that make a dessert pop.
Create a Show-Stopping Pastry
Work with a team to reimagine a classic recipe, put your new skills to the test, and present an original pastry creation to guest judges.
