Elevate Your Baking Skills to Master Chef Levels!

Baking 101 is Here!

Ever dreamed of whipping up bakery-quality pastries from the comfort of your home kitchen? Well, you're in right place! My Baking 101 series is here to take you from baking enthusiast to pastry genius, one fun lesson at a time. For just $14.99 per class, you'll unlock the secrets behind flaky crusts, moist sponges, and melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Or better yet, seize the entire series for a one-day offer of $139!!! 

But here's the cherry on top - my classes are not just educational, they're packed with entertainment! I believe wholeheartedly that learning should be as delightful as dessert itself, so I've cooked up a recipe for success that blends essential baking skills with heaps of laughter and joy. 

Each session runs between 45-60 minutes, perfectly portioned to fit into your busy schedule, with classes held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:00 pm starting April 16, 2024. Join me to mix, knead, and bake your way to joy and expertise. Get ready for an experience where you'll laugh as much as you learn, and come out with the ability to impress at your next dinner party. Don't just learn to bake; come have a blast with us, baking your heart out!

Looking for the classes?  Look no further; they're right here!


Meet Shani!

Shani Whisonant

Chief Butter Ambassador

Hi! I'm Shani Whisonant, and I'm the Chief Butter Ambassador at Begin with Butter! I'm a self-taught baker and I've worked for years to achieve my own baking confidence and consistency. I created the Begin with Butter Home Baking Academy in 2022 to help people overcome their biggest (and smallest!) baking challenges, and to make baking accessible and fun! The BwB Home Baking Academy is a place where you can finally learn the skills to help you bust through all of your baking barriers so that you can be confident in the kitchen. My greatest joy is teaching others and I can't wait to bake with you!

Baking 101: Fundamental Dry Ingredients

April 16, 2024

Dive into the fascinating world of baking with our first Baking 101 class, where we make the science behind dry ingredients fun and accessible! Discover how the magic of flour, sugar, and leavening agents can transform your baking from good to great, with easy-to-digest explanations and engaging hands-on experiments. Whether you're just starting out or eager to understand the why behind your favorite recipes, this class is your ticket to baking mastery with a sprinkle of science!

Baking 101: Fundamental Wet Ingredients

April 19, 2024

Join me as we dip into the delicious world of eggs, milk, water, and oils, and uncover how these liquid gold ingredients are the secret to irresistibly moist and flavorful baked goods. This interactive class will show you how to mix and whisk your way through the science that makes your baking rise above the rest. Get ready to join me in my kitchen lab, where experimentation leads to perfection and every drop of ingredient tells a story of taste and texture!

Baking 101: Fundamental Fats

April 23, 2024

Butter up for an amazing adventure in our Baking 101 class focused on the science of fundamental fats, including butter, oils, and shortening! This class will unravel the mysteries of how fats contribute to the flakiness of pastries and the richness of cakes, making your baking endeavors not just a task, but a fun exploration of flavors and textures. Prepare to be amazed as we demonstrate the art of perfectly incorporating fats into your recipes, ensuring your baked goods are always a hit!

Baking 101: Leavening and Spices

April 26, 2024

Get ready to rise to the occasion with my dynamic Baking 101 class on leavening and spices! In this class, we'll spice things up by exploring how leavening agents like yeast, baking powder, and baking soda can add lift and lightness to your baked goods, making them as light as a feather.

But that's not all – we'll also take a deep dive into the world of spices, showing you how a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, or a sprinkle of ginger can transform the flavor profiles of your favorite treats. This class isn't just informative, it's a sensory exploration where you'll learn to balance the chemistry of leavening with the artful nuance of spicing. Whether you're aiming for perfectly puffed pastries or seeking to add a burst of flavor to your baked creations, this class will empower you with the knowledge and skills to achieve baking success. Join us and discover how these seemingly small ingredients can make a big impact on your baking!

Baking 101: The Sweet Science of Sugar

April 30, 2024

Indulge in the delightful and intriguing world of sugar in our Baking 101 class! Explore the nuances of various sugar types and their pivotal roles in baking. Dive into the fascinating ways sugar influences moisture levels, browning, texture, as well as leavening and consistency. Through hands-on experimentation with different sugar varieties, elevate your baking prowess and unlock a realm of sweet possibilities!

Baking 101: Mastering Baking Equipment

May 3, 2024

Gear up for a comprehensive look into the essentials of baking equipment in this segment of Baking 101! From mixing bowls and baking sheets to whisks, spatulas, and stand mixers, we cover the must-have tools that make baking a breeze. Learn how to select the right equipment for every recipe, ensuring you achieve consistent results every time. Whether you're whipping up a batch of cookies or kneading dough for bread, having the right tools at your fingertips will elevate your baking from amateur to expert. Join me as we demystify the world of baking equipment, one gadget at a time!Sign

Baking 101: Essential Equipment for Cakes

May 7, 2024

Step into the world of cake baking with this focused segment on the equipment that transforms basic ingredients into exquisite cakes. Discover the importance of precision with mixing bowls and measuring cups that ensure your cake layers are light and airy. Learn about the cake equipment that helps you achieve perfectly moist cakes every time. This class doesn't just show you the tools; it teaches you to wield them with confidence, ensuring your cakes are not only taste sensations but works of art too. Join me to perfect your cake baking game, one tool at a time!

Baking 101: Essential Equipment for Breads

May 10, 2024

Jumpstart your bread-making adventure by getting familiar with the essential equipment in this Baking 101 class! Learn the secrets behind choosing the perfect baking stone for crusty bread loaves and why a sturdy dough scraper can become your best friend in shaping and handling dough. Discover how a simple proofing basket (banneton) can elevate your loaves, giving them a beautiful shape and structure. Whether it's for kneading, proofing, or baking, understanding the role of each piece of equipment will ensure your homemade bread is nothing short of spectacular. Join me to knead, rise, and bake your way to bread perfection, one essential tool at a time!

Baking 101: Measuring for Precision and Consistency

May 14, 2024

Step into the precise world of baking with this engaging Baking 101 class that focuses on the importance of weighing ingredients using metric measurements. Discover the astonishing impact that the accuracy of grams and milliliters can have on the outcome of your baked goods. In this interactive session, you'll learn why professional bakers prefer weighing ingredients over volume measurements and how this practice can elevate your baking to new heights. Get hands-on experience with digital scales and metric measurements, and understand how to convert recipes for precision baking. This class is a must for anyone looking to achieve consistency and perfection in their baking endeavors! You don't want to miss this class if you're really looking to level up your baking skills quickly!

Baking 101: Techniques for Airy Baked Goods

May 17, 2024

Dive into the light and airy side of baking with our specialized Baking 101 segment dedicated to mastering techniques that introduce airiness into your baked goods. Mastering the art of creaming butter and sugar is crucial, as this process introduces air to the mixture, ensuring your baked goods are deliciously light and fluffy. You'll also learn the secrets behind proper sifting of dry ingredients, a simple yet crucial step for incorporating air and avoiding dense textures. Together, we will explore the art of folding, a gentle mixing method that preserves the air bubbles essential for fluffy cakes and pastries. Join me as we uncover how the right combination of ingredients and techniques can transform your baking into a cloud-like delight, ensuring your creations are always marvelously light and airy!

Baking 101: Importance of Temperature

May 21, 2024

Temperature plays a pivotal role in baking, influencing everything from yeast fermentation in bread to the texture of cakes and pastries. Understanding the precise temperatures at which different ingredients function—like the melting point of fats or the optimum heat for chemical leaveners—can dramatically affect the final product's quality. We'll explore how managing oven temperature and knowing when to chill or rest dough can unlock new levels of flavor and texture in your baked goods. This class will turn the heat up on your baking skills, ensuring you have the knowledge to perfectly bake every time.

Baking 101: Pan Prep for Cookies, Cakes and Breads

May 24, 2024

Before you pour your batter into the pan and slip it into the oven, ensuring your pans are properly prepared is a must for achieving baking perfection. This class dives into the essential techniques of greasing, flouring, and lining pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth release every time. Discover the difference between using butter, oil, or specialty sprays in your baking. Whether you're crafting a delicate cake or a hearty loaf of bread, this segment of Baking 101 will equip you with the knowledge to prepare your pans like a pro, paving the way for flawless baked goods that look as good as they taste!

Baking 101: Knowing When Baked Goods are Done

May 31, 2024

Telling when your baked goods are perfectly done is an art as crucial as any prepping or mixing technique. Learn to trust your senses; the golden-brown color, the hollow sound when tapping the bottom of bread loaves, and the instant-read thermometer for cakes and muffins are telltale signs of doneness. We'll explore how the slight pull-away of the baked good's edges from the pan indicates readiness, ensuring you never have undercooked centers or overdone crusts again. Join me in this segment to master the skill of timing, making sure your culinary creations come out oven-perfect every single time!

Our students love it here!

5 star rating

Biscoff Cake: Excellent and thorough

Hattie Blackmon

This class is excellent and even a new beginner could follow the step and produce a perfect Biscoff Cake. Every aspect of baking this cake was covered from A-Z. If you take this class, you follow the teaching, you will not be disappointed and guar...

Read More

This class is excellent and even a new beginner could follow the step and produce a perfect Biscoff Cake. Every aspect of baking this cake was covered from A-Z. If you take this class, you follow the teaching, you will not be disappointed and guaranteed a great cake.

Read Less
5 star rating

Excellent class

Hattie Blackmon

If you're seeking a delicious Lemon Pound Cake, look no further! This class is demonstrated and taught thoroughly from the beginning to the very end. You won't make a mistake taking this class because you have the opportunity to ask any questions ...

Read More

If you're seeking a delicious Lemon Pound Cake, look no further! This class is demonstrated and taught thoroughly from the beginning to the very end. You won't make a mistake taking this class because you have the opportunity to ask any questions regarding baking a cake.

Read Less
5 star rating

Lemon Pound Cake

Josie Dobson

5 star rating

Lemon pound was excellent

Connie Murphy

The class was great I really enjoyed the recipe. All the directions on how to make this pound cake was good. Thank you! You rock!

The class was great I really enjoyed the recipe. All the directions on how to make this pound cake was good. Thank you! You rock!

Read Less
5 star rating

Great Bread Bootcamp!!

Alli White

I am so glad I signed up. Shani's excitement really comes through and she made me feel like I could be a master bread maker. This class was fun and very easy to follow. I can't wait to get started making bread on my own.

I am so glad I signed up. Shani's excitement really comes through and she made me feel like I could be a master bread maker. This class was fun and very easy to follow. I can't wait to get started making bread on my own.

Read Less
5 star rating

Great Bread Bootcamp!!

Alli White

I am so glad I signed up. Shani's excitement really comes through and she made me feel like I could be a master bread maker. This class was fun and very easy to follow. I can't wait to get started making bread on my own.

I am so glad I signed up. Shani's excitement really comes through and she made me feel like I could be a master bread maker. This class was fun and very easy to follow. I can't wait to get started making bread on my own.

Read Less

Baking 101: Mastering Sauces and Fruit Fillings

June 4, 2024

Unlock the secret to adding depth and intrigue to your baked goods with our comprehensive guide on sauces and fruit fillings. From the simmering techniques that create silky smooth sauces to the selection of the perfect fruits for luscious fillings, this class covers it all. You'll learn how the right balance of sweetness and acidity can elevate your desserts, and get hands-on experience thickening sauces to the perfect consistency. Join us to discover how homemade sauces and fruit fillings can transform your baking into an explosion of flavors and textures, making every bite unforgettable!

Baking 101: Simple Syrup, American Buttercream, and Glaze

June 7, 2024

Dive into the sweet side of baking with our session on creating the perfect American Buttercream, an essential skill for decorating cakes and cupcakes with that rich, buttery finish. We'll also explore the art of making Simple Syrup, an invaluable baker's tool for adding moisture and delicious flavor to cakes, ensuring your creations remain delightfully moist from the first to the last bite. The class will guide you through the techniques for crafting glossy and flavorful Pound Cake Glazes, adding that special touch that elevates a simple pound cake to an extraordinary dessert. Join us to master these sweet finishes that promise to be the cherry on top of your baking repertoire!

Baking 101: Meringue and Swiss Meringue Buttercream

June 10, 2024

Meringue, with its whimsical peaks and ethereal texture, is a pivotal skill in any baker's repertoire, offering a light and crispy base for desserts or a delicate topping that browns beautifully under the broiler. Transitioning from meringue, we'll dive into the silky world of Swiss Meringue Buttercream, a smoother, more stable alternative to traditional buttercreams that pairs phenomenally with any cake or cupcake. This class will guide you through the precise science of cooking sugar and egg whites to the perfect temperature for meringue, before moving on to the art of incorporating butter into your Swiss Meringue for a luxuriously creamy finish. Join us as we explore these essential baking techniques, ensuring your next dessert stands out with both substance and style!

Baking 101: Building Layer Cakes and Finishing Pound Cakes

June 14, 2024

Creating the perfect layer cake is an art form! I'll guide you through the techniques for assembling a simple naked cake, from spreading the frosting evenly to achieving smooth sides for a professional finish. Similarly, mastering the finishing of pound cakes transforms them from simple to spectacular, whether it involves a drizzle of glaze, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a dollop of fresh cream and berries. Join me to learn how these final touches not only enhance the appearance but also elevate the flavors of your layer cakes and pound cakes, making them truly irresistible.

Baking 101: Foundations of Flavorful Cakes

June 18, 2024

The art of cake making is a delightful journey through flavor, texture, and creativity. In this class, we'll start by reviewing the basics, explaining the crucial roles of each ingredient — from the type of flour to the choice of fat — and how they come together to create the perfect cake base. Delve into the science behind the mixing methods, whether creaming butter and sugar for a light and airy texture or blending ingredients all at once for a denser, moister crumb. Join me on this baking adventure as we unveil the secrets to crafting cakes that are not just visually stunning but are packed with flavors that dance on your palate, setting the foundation for endless delicious creations!

Baking 101: The Art of Pie Making for Beginners

June 21, 2024

Pie making is an endearing blend of science and art that beckons the baker to explore various textures and flavors. From the flaky crust that forms the perfect base to the rich, savory or sweet fillings that complete the masterpiece, every element plays a pivotal role in creating the ultimate pie. This class will guide you through balancing moisture and fat to achieve that coveted golden crust, and how to concoct fillings that are just the right consistency—not too runny and not too thick. Join me as we master the techniques of crust work, crimping edges, and proper baking times to ensure your pies are not just delicious but also visually stunning.

Baking 101: Bread for Beginners

June 24, 2024

Step into the world of bread making, a fundamental baking adventure that combines the simplicity of flour, water, and yeast into an array of textures and flavors. This class will introduce you to the basics of kneading and proofing, crucial steps that influence the bread's final texture and crust. We'll explore different types of bread from around the world, understanding how ingredients and techniques vary to create distinct profiles. Join me as we unlock the secrets to achieving the perfect rise and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread, making each loaf a masterpiece in its own right!

Baking 101: Custards for Every Dessert Maker

June 28, 2024

Custard making is an exquisite art that requires precision and patience, blending eggs, milk, and sugar into a delectable, creamy concoction. In this class, we'll explore the delicate balance between temperature and timing, ensuring your custard sets perfectly without curdling. You'll learn the secrets to a range of custard-based desserts, from crème brûlée with its caramelized sugar topping to velvety pots de crème. Join me to discover the techniques for creating these rich, smooth desserts that promise to enchant your taste buds!

FAQ

  • Are the classes live?

    Each of these classes are live! For 21 classes, you can join me and ask all of your questions about these important baking topics!

  • How long is each class?

    The duration of the class will be approximately 45-60 minutes.

  • Can I purchase more than one class pass?

    Of course! I'd love to see you and your friends together in class!

  • How long will I have access to these classes in my class portal?

    How about... indefinitely? No kidding! The classes have no expiration date.

  • What dates and times will the classes be hosted? And can I come live?

    Classes are hosted on Tuesdays and Fridays between April 16th and June 28th! And of course you can attend live. Classes are held in my private YouTube classroom.