Students love the variety of food related shows that are on TV. One of the most requested is the Food Network show, “Cupcake Wars.” I personally don’t like to have competitions be graded but rather to be fun and to…
“Cupcake War” Inspired Lesson
Category: Baking & Pastry Arts
Whoopie Pies
Looking for a fun, simple, delicious dessert with many variations to make in class or at home? Look no further! Depending on where you grew up, you may or may not have experienced this wonderful treat called a “Whoopie Pie”. …
Baking & Pastry Equipment Tips
Sometimes there are seemingly obvious tips and tricks that we know about baking and pastry equipment that might be really helpful for others. I know when I was developing a brand new baking and pastry arts class, I knew nothing about commercial baking and every tip and “obvious fact” was hard to come by. So here is a list I’d like you all to contribute to so we can make it easier for new teachers.
Cake Decorating Unit
There are lots of cake decorating classes students can take at the local craft store so I thought I was off the hook when it came to cake decorating, but my students begged me so I gave in. I didn’t want it to be so complex and more of an overview so I planned a week (3 blocks) of instruction with practice then I had them work on their own cake for another 3 blocks and present the final results. In fact there was so much excitement from this unit, students actually came to class early. Ha!
Pinata Christmas Cookies
Making Christmas cookies is fun but always challenging to find new, fresh ideas from the traditional basics. Pinata cookies are cookies that have candies in the center (like a pinata) that are not baked with the candy in the center…
Thanksgiving Lessons, Worksheets, PowerPoints
Here are a few holiday ideas to either help your department raise money, fit in some extra holiday excitement, or comply with a half day schedule. Happy Thanksgiving!
Variations of the Chocolate Chip Cookie to Learn Measuring, Functions of Ingredients and Recipe Literacy
In the 1930’s Ruth Wafefield invented Tollhouse Cookies. I wonder if she ever thought they’d still be so popular eighty years later and that so many variations of her original recipe would exist. This demonstration, lesson and lab using two…
Chobani Flip Muffins
Chobani and Muller have both come out with these fascinatingly delicious yogurt cups that have a side container of various toppings. These are not only great to eat but also an easy way to make unique muffins in a snap without having to buy lots of extra ingredients.
Crazy for Crepes
Thinking about some new ideas for middle school labs got me to thinking about a lab I did early in my teaching career when I taught a foreign foods cooking class. At the time we were studying French cuisine and the lab was making homemade CREPES. Initially I was intimidated by crepes because they looked too difficult and fancy, but after working through some demonstrations with my students I found they really were a lot easier to prepare than they looked! Crepes are basically really thin, delicate pancakes filled with a sweet or savory filling. Since I know teenagers love desserts and chocolate is a favorite filling, I thought I would explore a recipe that would combine the two popular ingredients along with fruit and work a creative crepe lab back into the curriculum.
Homemade Hotdog Buns
School is wrapping up and I’m sure if you’re like most of us you have several end of the year class or faculty picnics to attend. Chances are, hot dogs and hamburgers will be served at these events. Ever thought about having your culinary students make homemade buns for these events? What a great way to get a lesson sponsored!