SamanthaCarter Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) What topics would you want covered? The only firm plans I have is to design and create a gingerbread house for a local amateur competition as a group entry. That would be the culmination of the first semester. Ideas! I’m pretty well versed in everything but fondant covered cakes (gag). Edited January 13, 2018 by SamanthaCarter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Gingerbread is very seasonal and not something you bake throughout the year. I think it would be nice to teach them techniques for things they can bake on the random day: muffins, scones, cookies, pie crust... I would incorporate a bit of the science behind it, because it is easier to follow a technique if you know the "why": why knead bread but be careful not to overmix muffin dough, why butter for pastry must be cold, this type of thing. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaCarter Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 The gingerbread house is an excuse to try out and practice cake decorating techniques on something we won’t eat (doesn’t have to be fresh), plus a little chance to show off. I was assuming that the average middle schooler would have some familiarity with measuring, following a recipe and muffins and cookies. Is that a wrong assumption? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) Some basics and how to adapt them rather than paint-by-number recipes. For example: Pate a choux and several different shapes/fillings, some sweet, some savory. Edit: You may very well have some that have never done anything more than Easy Mac before -- I'd plan some "getting up to speed" at the beginning -- some more forgiving things that are still fun -- so that you can pick out who needs extra help and who is ready to fly. Edited January 13, 2018 by kiana 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Totally wrong assumption. Many kids cannot cook a lick. You'll want to start with basics like measuring flour, when to use which types of measuring cups, etc., and yes go through the basic categories of baking. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I would do building blocks: so if they learn how to make choux paste, they can make gougeres, for example. I would do pastry cream, bavarois, pound cake, genoise, buttercream, ganache, stuff like that. Once they have the building blocks they can put together their own recipes. I'd probably also do yeasted breads and quick breads. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) I was assuming that the average middle schooler would have some familiarity with measuring, following a recipe and muffins and cookies. Is that a wrong assumption? Not unless they have an interest and somebody has taught them, IOW, unless their parents/grandparents actually bake. From scratch, that is. Now, OTOH, I would expect a middle schooler to be literate, so following a recipe is something they should be able to do, unless the it uses specialized culinary terminology. They won't know what it means "to cream", or "until it coats the back of a spoon", or "until it forms stiff peaks". Edited January 13, 2018 by regentrude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyGF Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 My girls, ages 9 and 11, bake bread and muffins and cakes all the time on their own. I would expect a pastry arts class to teach more advanced skills. Cannoloni? Icing a cake? Filling a cake? Beautiful cupcake toppings? You might have the kids bake at home and then do the arts part together. Emily 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocassie Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I am currently helping in a baking class for middle schoolers at my co-op. They all have very basic baking skills. They know how to read a recipe, familar with the ingredients, measure out ingredients, and use basic tools like a mixer. Some things they would like to learn: 1. Rolling out and cutting cookies 2. Pies 3. Yeast bread- most have done quick bread like banana 4. Tiered or layered cakes 5. Tarts 6. Biscuits/Scones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) My girls, ages 9 and 11, bake bread and muffins and cakes all the time on their own. I would expect a pastry arts class to teach more advanced skills. Cannoloni? Icing a cake? Filling a cake? Beautiful cupcake toppings? You might have the kids bake at home and then do the arts part together. Emily I agree. My son would be disappointed to sign up for a pastry arts class and then spend time on basic baking and recipe following skills. Maybe it could be clarified in the class description so parents know whether it’s a good fit? I do agree that average middle schoolers don’t necessarily have those basic skills, however. Edited January 13, 2018 by Amira 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cera2 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 The gingerbread house is an excuse to try out and practice cake decorating techniques on something we won’t eat (doesn’t have to be fresh), plus a little chance to show off. I was assuming that the average middle schooler would have some familiarity with measuring, following a recipe and muffins and cookies. Is that a wrong assumption? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I wouldn't make this assumption. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMD Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I agree. My son would be disappointed to sign up for a pastry arts class and then spend time on basic baking and recipe following skills. Maybe it could be clarified in the class description so parents know whether it’s a good fit? I do agree that average middle schoolers don’t necessarily have those basic skills, however. Yes this. Pastry Arts implies specialised pastry techniques. If you want learning to read a recipe call it Beginning Baking or something. I agree that I'd like to see things like: Pie crusts - sweet and savoury Choux Petit fours Puff pastry Yeast doughs (cinnamon scrolls or something) Fillings, custards, creme patisserie etc. And yes, I think the design decoration of the gingerbread house for competition is a good idea! I would also include safe food handling and hygiene standards. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Not unless they have an interest and somebody has taught them, IOW, unless their parents/grandparents actually bake. From scratch, that is. I have found that a lot of people consider using a mix baking from scratch. I recently made pancakes from scratch and my friend was amazed by how easy it is. I don’t fault people for using mixes but a lot of times it’s so much easier to just have ingredients on hand and you can make a lot of different things instead of only what the mix will make. I think truly baking from scratch is a skill that is being lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Yes this. Pastry Arts implies specialised pastry techniques. If you want learning to read a recipe call it Beginning Baking or something. I agree that I'd like to see things like: Pie crusts - sweet and savoury Choux Petit fours Puff pastry Yeast doughs (cinnamon scrolls or something) Fillings, custards, creme patisserie etc. And yes, I think the design decoration of the gingerbread house for competition is a good idea! I would also include safe food handling and hygiene standards. This is what I would expect from a class titled pastry arts. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I have found that a lot of people consider using a mix baking from scratch. I recently made pancakes from scratch and my friend was amazed by how easy it is. I don’t fault people for using mixes but a lot of times it’s so much easier to just have ingredients on hand and you can make a lot of different things instead of only what the mix will make. I think truly baking from scratch is a skill that is being lost. I don't think the bolded is true. All my friends bake from scratch, and some even grind their own flour. I believe there is a recent resurgence in all kinds of DIY skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Fruit tarts? How to make a great pie crust? If it is a pastry class I would expect more than the basics of measuring. It sounds like fun! I want to participate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Very simple but versatile, profiteroles. Can be used for cream puffs or tea sandwiches. Maybe you could have a little contest or homework project with different creative ways to fill them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMD Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Sounds like a great idea for a class! My dd (a pretty accomplished from-scratch cook) would love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaCarter Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Very simple but versatile, profiteroles. Can be used for cream puffs or tea sandwiches. Maybe you could have a little contest or homework project with different creative ways to fill them. Oh! I like this so much! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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