Baking Like A Pro
By Tracey Moro
Baking is fun all year long, but there’s something about spending a winter day in the kitchen when it is cold and snowy outside that warms you up quickly. The heat of the preheated oven mixed with the smells of whatever you’re baking is just enough to get your mouth watering at the thought of tasting some sweet goodies.
That’s what baking is all about! And it’s always fun to learn new baking techniques and get the inside scoop from a real professional, especially if you want your baked goods to look beautiful. We all know online videos are great – but the real thing is what will truly inspire any potential baker to be even better.
Macomb Now reached out to some local businesses that feature baking classes. From cookie decorating to rolled fondant, these featured, in-person hands-on classes are perfect if you’re looking to brush up on your baking skills this winter.
Sweet Life Cake Shop
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With years of experience running a full blown bakery in Texas, Linda Jimenez has been teaching baking to many, including her own children, Ruby and Hugo, for years. In 2019, both Ruby and Hugo opened their own bakery in St. Clair Shores – Sweet Life Cake Shop—focusing on cakes. Starting with their first cake, a strawberry shortcake cheesecake, they now offer quite the selection of flavors in both cakes and cupcakes.
But it is Mom who is still teaching and continues to share her wealth of knowledge with others during their popular monthly classes on cake decorating, held right in the bakery.
“I used to teach in my house and did six-week courses. That’s too long, so we decided we wanted people to learn and enjoy. We broke the class into one class we can do once a month,” said Linda Jimenez. She added the classes are good for any age and many parents will come with their child. She also has added some teachers under her now. “We go over icing cakes, learning the tips, borders and how to ice a cake. We provide all the necessities so you go home with a cake you decorated.”
Classes at Sweet Life Cake Shop are held every month and they also will do private events, they call them Palooza Parties. The classes are themed with the season or holiday of the time. Watch for seasonal flavors, like Peppermint and Candy Cane, added to the large selection of cakes and cupcakes offered starting in December. Visit their Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up on future classes.
Amycakes Cookies
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Amy Temple began her baking company Amycakes Cookies in 2021. She bakes decorated sugar cookies, cupcakes, cake pops and much more. In her words – “What began as a way to share a little sweetness turned into a dream job that blends family, creativity and connection.”
While Amy perfected her recipes and designs she realized the baking process was what was bringing her the most joy, so why not share it with others? “I realized how much joy baking brings—not just in the final cookie, but in the process itself. I wanted to share that joy with others, to show that decorating can be both approachable and deeply rewarding. Teaching became a way to connect with people, inspire creativity and help others build confidence in something that once felt intimidating,” said Temple, who claims no experience is needed to enjoy one of her classes.
She began through the Romeo Parks & Recreation programming, teaching fun, interactive and beginner-friendly, hands-on cookie decorating classes for all ages. “From learning how to handle royal icing to mastering simple piping and flooding techniques, every class focuses on creating something beautiful while enjoying the experience, then taking them home to enjoy,” said Temple. Her classes cover everything from basic dough preparation and icing consistency to color mixing, outlining and design techniques. “For little ones, it’s all about creativity and sensory play; for older kids and adults, it’s about developing skill, technique and the confidence to decorate at home.”
Coming up this winter, find Amy’s classes with Romeo Parks & Recreation covering Christmas, winter themes, Valentine’s Day and Easter.
Custom Cookie Creation
customcookiecreation.com
What do you get when you mix an aspiring teacher with a business-savvy baker? You get Amanda Poirier. She officially began full-time in 2019, leaving her corporate job to take a chance on Custom Cookie Creation, a custom bakery offering a selection of cookie decorating classes.
With the support of her husband and family Amanda would soon find out she had landed her dream job. “Since then, Custom Cookie Creation has taken off,” said Poirier. “I started teaching classes by fluke, actually. I belonged to the Warren Lodge Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary and wanted to give back. I presented the cookie class idea to the board and hosted a fundraiser event, in cookie class form!”
That would be her first class. “It went awesome and I realized I need to put my business degree together with my love of baking and turn this into a business venture. Prior to getting my business degree, I was studying teaching. I had always wanted to be a teacher. Putting together my college education with my passion for baking was a no brainer,” laughed Amanda.
Currently Amanda holds classes at Insta Snap Studios in Macomb Township offering themed classes for different holidays and seasons with private classes available for groups, corporate team building or as a private party. She’s also done home parties.
Amanda’s class attendees range from never touching a sugar cookie to “I have my own cookie business but want to strengthen my skills.” She offers beginner, intermediate and advanced level classes. Attendees learn basic tips and tricks along with new techniques to elevate their cookie skills at home. “I give recipes at class for cookies and icing to encourage people to practice on their own,” said Poirier, whose next class themed Christmas and Holiday is Dec 6 with four sessions available including Nativity Scene, The Grinch, Gingerbread Family, and Cookies for Santa.
Classes and registration can be found on the website and Facebook page.
Mile’s Cake & Candy Supplies
milescakesupply.com
Mile’s Cakes & Candy Supplies in Clinton Township has been leading the way locally in baking classes for years, offering cake and cookie decorating classes throughout the year—hitting all the holidays with fun experiences for up-and-coming bakers. The classes range from beginner and up and require no experience to start – just the will to learn.
“After attending one of our classes you will have a well-rounded foundation and know what to do,” said Christina Aquino, owner. Classes range from four to five weeks long. The cake decorating classes focus on aspects like icing smoothing, roses, borders, straight lines – all practiced on cardboard. “During the last week of class each student brings in their own cake and decorates it.”
Aquino says her grandparents began Mile’s Cake & Candy Supplies in 1974 and over the years generations of families have been loyal customers. They sell everything you would need for baking—from spatulas to food coloring to bags of chocolates. “In January our Beginner Cake classes start and in February we will have Cookie Decorating for Valentine’s Day.” You can find their class listings on their website.
Blake’s Cider Mill & Tasting Room
blakefarms.com
We can’t leave out our friends at Blakes Cider Mill & Tasting Room. Beyond apple picking, they use apples in all kinds of treats including baked goods. We all know how wonderful their doughnuts are and they have pies, breads and much more. The Farm Store & Bakery provides fresh baked items all year long.
And this time of year you can find Jr. Baker’s Workshops offered each month at the Armada location. Children aged 5 to 12 years, accompanied by a parent or adult, get to decorate their own delicious treat under the guidance of the Cider Mill team gaining hands-on experience with the opportunity to enjoy a tasty treat. Each student wears a chef hat and apron, and uses all baking needs and decorations supplied by Blakes. Look for classes each month through April.
For more information and to register, visit: blakefarms.com/event/jr-bakers-workshops.
