I am getting ready to write curriculum for a cake decorating class that I will be teaching at my my towns park and rec center.

I will be teaching two 8 week long classes. The first will be a beginners course and the second will be an advanced course.

I think I can fill the beginner course pretty easily with the basics. Baking, torting, filling and icing a cake. Borders, flowers, colorflow, writing, figure piping. Any other ideas for the beginners course? I will probably give an intro class where I demo a cake and go over materials and where to buy stuff etc.

For the advanced class I want to show how to construct tiered and stacked cakes. How to use fondant for covering a cake. Making fondant roses and flowers. Some stringwork and maybe a few more difficult flowers out of royal. I'm not sure this will fill 8 weeks though. We will be meeting once a week for 8 weeks for 2 hours per session and I can pretty much cover whatever I want. Any ideas on what you guys think should be in an advanced class?

Also I may teach a youth course as well, but have no idea what to cover for them any ideas?

I also have to come up with a cost for these courses. I was thinking $50-$60 per class, plus each student would need to bring their own materials and tools. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks in advance for anyone that sends help my way on this subject!

bumping-please help!

you could do some basic flowers for the beginners' course....maybe start to teach them about carved cakes? Not sure if that would be more of an advanced thing though that could go along with the fondant.

A kid's course would be fun! Maybe size it down for them - doing cupcakes to start so they can get the very basics and then teach them about torting, some basic borders, etc, and for the last class doing a small cake with just the basics.

In the advanced class, you could teach the different transfer methods....fbct, chocolate, etc. And some fondant/gumpaste figures?

I'm not sure about the price....how much are other classes at the center? It seems fair to me, but I'm already addicted, so I would pay it

Do you know the Wilton Classes and how they are run? I think you have your beginner class set up ok, you can always teach fbct in your beginners class if need more to teach. The advanced class may be harder to find things to add to it. How about gumpaste, that could take quite awhile if you do enough flowers.

Wish I could attend! I have taken the Wilton I and II. I would have liked to see more practice time in the classes -- especially with the flowers. It is fine to practice at home, but there were many times I was confused when I did get home and tried to practice.

Are you working on the premise that everyone knows how to bake a cake? Maybe spend a little bit of time providing tips on creating a dense cake vs an airy cake.

In the advanced class -- maybe a little bit of exposure to luster dust and how it can enhance. What about figures in MMF?

Just some ideas off the top of my head!

Good luck!

My only concern would be the length of the course. I'm sure there would be a ton of interest in your courses but 8 weeks is a long time, especially for those with children, etc. (but maybe not, I couldn't do it because my husband travels constantly and I don't have anyone to watch my DD).

Anyway, if you still want it to be 8 weeks, maybe you can do detailed lessons on flowers and stuff that is kind of hard for people to "get." The Wilton courses are fine but they seem to rush the flowers (which were hard for me to get- the buttercream ones that is- fondant/gumpaste I can do!!!).

Hmm....I'll keep thinking on this one. How fun for you!
-Suz

$50 -60 for 8 weeks sounds good to me. Some classes I took we would decorate practicing on cake boards then just wipe off the icing, I didn't think that was fun at all. I would have preferred to decorated directly on a cake. Something to think about. Your lesson plans sounds good though, Sorry I couldn't help more. Good luck!

I think your suggested price is reasonable. I like your ideas for the beginner class. For the advanced class, maybe you could also include BC basketweave and flowers from gumpaste and fondant.

For the kids' class, you could do mini cakes...cupcakes? And what about cookies? That's always a fun, smaller project for them.

Sounds fun...wish I was closer so I could come too!

Euphoriabakery,

Where in California are you located?

if you have the students bring an iced cake each week (after they learn to ice it that is) then you can start each class period with the instruction portion then have the students work on their cakes for the remainder. that way, they can practise what they have learned with you there for help if needed. this would also allow time for some one to one instruction, as you go around the class and you can help them each specifically depending on the level they are decorating. you may even have a specific cake/pic or theme they are to duplicate or be inspired by each class, based on what they have learned so far.
good luck!
-kim

How about info on chocolates (see the Wilton magazine; lots of chocolate used), color flow. I'm new, so I'm still a bit confused about when to use fondant designs vs. gumpaste vs. candy clay and how to attqach them. Which fillings have to be refridgerated (custards), where to buy/make fillings that can sit out. Maybe a few Lambeth techniques? I think I paid
$40 for a class that met for 2-1/5 hours for 6 weeks. (San Diego area.) We had about 11-15 students. Good luck, and have fun!

Oh, one more thing: How about a whimsical cake?

Thanks everyone for your great ideas!

I have taken the Wilton Courses and like how they are structured, but felt they were really rushed. I thought 8 wks for each course would allow for more time in the advanced section especially. Then I can add some things that aren't covered in the Wilton courses, like touching on gumpaste flowers and making MMF and such. I love the idea of teaching FBCT or chocolate transfers!

ozzynjojo- I am in Lompoc, CA. Central coast about 1 hour north of Santa Barbara.

Again thanks for all the ideas, keep them coming! This is so helpful! I am so excited to teach this class! I wanted to teach Wilton courses and the closest opening was over an hour away from me! When I found out I could do this I was so excited as the classes are pretty much free reign, I can charge what I want set the length and course material and I am not bound to any brand name!

For the advanced class I will require the student to hae taken a beginners course, if not from me somewhere. But for the beginner course I am not working on any premisis of previous knowledge of anything and in fact have even considered adding a baking class at some point.

Oh the lady that teaches a class now teaches very basic decorating for 4 sessions 2 hours long and charges $30. I figured double the class double the fee?

Oooh I love the idea of a whimsical cake.

Your price sounds good!
Kids classes, too, sound great! Doll cakes, ballet, girly-girl stuff, unless there's a boy or two, but there are lots of options!

I think fbct would be great and the fondant bow.

I asked my sister, who's trying to teach herself since there are not classes being taught around her. She said she would like to learn side designs, borders, flowers and buttercream roses.

I, too, would like more one on one on roses, both buttercream and fondant, and also how to carve a cake, how to build a topsy turvy cake, fondant figures, and luster dusts.

Hope that helps. Oh, I don't think $60 is too much for an 8-week course.

Although I am taking the Wilton courses I find them to be truly lacking. I take them because it's all I can take but they are not what I would want in a good decorating class. First, I want to know about ways to save money in this hobby not how to spend it. I want to be told that I can use straws for support because they actually work better than those little wilton sticks. etc.

Now after my rant, I think teaching how to pipe flowers ONTO cake is a very important skill to have. I am thinking of flowers ala "Buttercream Flowers and arrangements" This is what most people want and what most specialty stores expect you to know how to do. I think that a lot more focus should be placed on how to combine and arrange flowers, how to actually create a cake. Yes it is fine to have the techniques down but how about some ideas on how to combine, etc? What borders to use for a certain look or another?

OHHHH and finally, pleeeeease how about some instruction on rolled buttercream, and airbrushing? I think these are two aspects that also get overlooked.

Ok that's my input.

Susecita:

I teach the Wilton Method and do not teach that they need to use the Wilton sticks (whatever those are!) We teach using dowel rods to ensure support for their cake. Have you ever had a cake collapse when you used straws? Well there are plenty that have!! If they were adequate, I believe you would see a lot of cake suppliers selling their own straws!!!

And I spend a lot of time on baking and decorating in my classes and not necessarily on purchasing! I have students who have only paid for the classes and never had to but anything because they had their mother's, grandmother's or whatever. I want them to have what they need to enjoy thier decorating not just try to sell Wilton products.

Euphoria:
I look at classes for my students as I would like classes to be for myself. Full of information and fun without being rushed. We all know there is a lot you can do with cake decorating therefore classes could go on and on... I think the basic course should cover techniques and information that everday people would be able to use. Many take these classes only to decorate for family and friends and not to sell. Borders, star tipping, roses and maybe a few of the other flowers to be done with buttercream would be good along with various ways to transfer patterns, FBCT and chocolate transfers . One thing that would be helpful to include in your classes are web sites that your students can use for ideas (such as cake central) My students come back the following week so excited with copies of ideas, pictures, etc. This is one way to really help a beginner that you teach for a few weeks and then they are on their own.

Advanced classes can be "kicked up a notch" for those who want to venture out into more than just family and friends (of course those would be welcomed too)

Darstus,


I meant dowel rods and I difffer. There have been plenty of articles written on the use of straws isntead of dowel. It has a lot to do with science and proportions actually. They are absolutely the same. I susect that the cakes that collapse have more to do with the lack of cardboard for support. However, I do not think this is the place to discuss this. I was merely expressing my opinion and see no need for that reaction. Someone asked what they wanted out of a class and I answered. If you would like to discuss straws vs. dowels I encourage we start another thread as it seems like an interesting topic.


-Sus

I recently finished a basic cake decorating class (my second basic). It was 4 weeks for 1 1/2 hours for $40.00. there was not enough time to do everything that we wanted covered. I think you need to spend some time on how to get a smooth cake. . .several methods because some people work better with the water method and others with the VIVA method. We learned both. Also, basic flowers but especially the buttercream rose. I still am not comfortable with that! The different borders are great as well although most people ususally use the star tip since it is the easiest. I would also do a character cake because most of your students will be doing it for family and friends and its good practice. As an FYI, I took my second class at a bakery and she had available a basic set for those who had never decorated cakes before. She had all the tips we would use in the class, a few disposable bags, a cake comb, I think that was all and offered it at a discounted price. Maybe you could work with a local bakery, Michael's etc. to fix up a kit for your students so they would not have to spend so much money on this hobby. Just a thought!
I know that you will be a great teacher and inspire many a new cake addict.
Good luck!
Leslie

Put a soup can over ten straws stuck together. Will the straws break? or Will the soup can be held up? I think you'll end up with broken straws and a dented soup can. Straws might work for a tiered angel food cake, but if you have a torted heavy pound cake or a heavy cassata cake I think your out of luck. Maybe we should start a thread on straws....with that aside...You have to want to enjoy doing it for the love of decorating and making people's special occasions extra special because of your talents. I think the Wilton courses are a great idea and concept as they stand. If you really want to learn more than the basics that they are suppose to give you, try interning or apprenticing with a local bakery or something. I never took a Wilton course only the apprenticing for three years. I understand that most people can't do that, but at least you could look around and see if somebody does. Also and FYI, see my post about your Wedding Cake Request it kinda goes along with all of this.

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I love the idea of a whimsical cake for the advanced. I also think the 3-D cakes are great. Maybe one of those cute purse cakes. I have just started my 2nd Wiltons class and think it is alot of fun. I also practice at home and think this helps ALOT!!

How about how to level and torte a cake.

I am sad that there don't seem to be many (if any) advanced decorating classes in the Philadelphia area. You'd think there would be, as its a big city, but I guess maybe there's not enough interest? I'd love to take a Nicholas Lodge course or some sort of advanced sugarcraft or other fancy cake decorating class but seems like they are always somewhere like Texas, Oklahoma, California, or Georgia. Since we have three little boys I'm not able to travel for a week or two in order to get there....its okay, I use great online sites like this one and email lists to get help where I need it but it sure would be awesome to actually go and learn some advanced techniques from the pros!

When I took classes from and lady a loooooong time ago, it was around 8 weeks-2 hours each class too. We learned how to make different chocolate candies, as well as cake decorating. That was a lot of fun. Also I would like to see some classes on cookies. I would take some more classes if they were offered, besides the wilton courses.
Good luck on your upcoming teaching. Let us know what you have chosen to teach and perhaps you can give us some pointers from the classes.

hey kitagirl..........if you ever hear about any of those classes...let me know, I'm pretty close to Philly and I agree I have had no luck at all finding anything but Wilton classes.

I took all three Wilton classes and really enjoyed it, but felt that I do need more time in class. On a side note from that, I'm a girl scout leader and talked the Wilton inst. in to teaching my troop the basics. They loved it. They learned the basics and then decorated cupcakes. I think that most of the classes are aimed at adults but I think that getting some of the kids (12 and older) involved in simple things like cupcakes and cookies would foster a whole group of people to become more interested.

I was just thinking, having had now some experience interviewing for professional positions in cake decorating, it would be a good thing for an advanced course to learn how to pipe flowers in different consistencies. Most places I have interviewed with use much thinner consistency of icing than what we are taught in Wilton courses. I too love the course and am taking them but I think that if you have a chance to give a longer course you should concentrate on filling the gaps.


-S