Best Baking Classes NYC: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About NYC Baking Courses

What is Baking?

Baking is a method of cooking where people use heat to prepare food. Most baking is done in some type of oven. The majority of baked goods contain flour and water. Many also have leavening agents in them, which cause aeration, and allow the product to rise. Other common ingredients are milk, eggs, salt, shortening, and sugar, which provide texture and flavor. Bread is one of the most common types of baked goods produced in the world. However, there are many other types of baked items including cakes, cookies, and pies. Baking is not exactly the same as cooking. One culinary website explains the difference between cooking and baking, stating, “Broadly speaking, cooking is a blanket term used for any sort of food preparation involving heat and combining ingredients, while baking is a subset of cooking using dry heat (usually an oven) and precise measurements. While all baking might be cooking, not all cooking is baking!”

People have been baking for hundreds of years, and some historians believe that this is one of the oldest cooking methods in the world. According to Britannica, the first ovens used for baking were developed by the Egyptians. It says, “The earliest known examples are cylindrical vessels made of baked Nile clay, tapered at the top to give a cone shape and divided inside by a horizontal shelflike partition. The lower section is the firebox, the upper section is the baking chamber. The pieces of dough were placed in the baking chamber through a hole provided in the top.” The Egyptians are also believed to be the first to use leavening in baking. Britannica explains that baking technology has gradually advanced over time, with achievements such as the automation of many baking processes and the enrichment of baked goods with vitamins and minerals.

Educational streaming platform Masterclass argues that baking is important worldwide, in a variety of ways. It insists, “Bread and other baked goods are deeply ingrained in just about every culture, religion, and region of the world. These significant cultural symbols have been the subject of lore, nursery rhymes, and religious texts for thousands of years. Therefore, baking is an essential part of human history and a culinary art form as old as humankind itself.”

In addition to being an integral part of culture, baking is also known as something that requires proper knowledge and technique. Masterclass calls it “one of the most delicate culinary arts,” explaining that a successful baker needs to measure carefully and precisely, use correct ingredients, follow proper cooking temperatures, and use proper baking techniques. Even slight deviations from the recipe can significantly impact the quality of the finished baked product.

Why Learn Baking?

One reason to learn baking is that it can be an enjoyable and personally rewarding activity. Some people find the process to be very relaxing. Others like that they can get creative with their baking. In addition to being fun, evidence supports the idea that baking can help reduce stress. In a recent LinkedIn post, a Los Angeles chef explains, “Baking achieves the act of ‘mindfulness’. This is not simply a good technique to ease stress but also helps keep negative thoughts away. How? By concentrating on your task and discovering new smells and flavors generated by the wide variety of ingredients used in baking.” According to a blog post by the UK-based Mental Health Foundation, creative activities–including the culinary arts–aren’t just a way to combat stress, but can actually help improve our mental health. The organization says, “Getting involved with the arts can have powerful and lasting effects on health. It can help to protect against a range of mental health conditions, help manage mental ill-health and support recovery.”

Baking can also be financially rewarding. You can save money by making your own baked goods rather than buying them. According to a 2023 Good Morning America report, the price of baked goods has increased by almost 13 percent over the last year, which is more than twice as much as inflation. You can also make money by turning your baking hobby into a business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks and reports on U.S. labor market activity, over the next ten years, baking jobs will grow by 5 percent, which is faster than average. The agency explains, “ Population and income growth are expected to result in greater demand for a variety of commercial and retail specialty baked goods, including cupcakes, pies, and cakes. As a result, more bakers are expected to be needed in food manufacturing and retail establishments that make and sell baked goods.” It reports that 32 percent of bakers work in bakeries, 26 percent for restaurants, and 25 percent for grocery and specialty food retailers.

Baking is an important part of the New York City economy. According to NYC International Business, “New York City is home to a thriving food industry. With a huge market base, the world’s largest food distribution center, a growing network of food incubators and programs for manufacturing, training, funding, and innovating, food is a vital part of New York City’s economy.” That includes many bakers. In fact, BLS finds that the New York City metropolitan area employs the most Bakers in the country; almost 15,000.

What You’ll Learn in a Baking Class?

While all baking classes vary, when you take a baking class, you’re likely to learn about fundamental baking techniques like measuring, mixing, and managing heat, which are an important part of success no matter what you’re baking. Your class may also focus on a specific type of baking like bread, cakes, or pastries.

Measuring

When you bake, you need to learn how to measure your ingredients, including making conversions if necessary. Proper measurement can make a significant difference to your finished product. One baker explains, “Almost all baked goods are made of the same ingredients: flour, water, salt, fat, and leavening agents. . . . Small changes to the method and ratio can have large effects on the quality of a baked good. This is why it is so important to follow recipes exactly as written.”

Mixing

Mixing is another foundational baking skill. Mixing means combining two or more ingredients. Reasons to mix include distributing your ingredients uniformly, emulsifying fats, incorporating air, and developing or preventing the formation of gluten. There are a number of specific ways to mix ingredients in baking, each with a different purpose. These include stirring, beating, folding, blending, sifting, cutting, creaming, and whipping.

How to Manage Heat

By definition, baking involves using heat, so part of baking is learning to manage your heat source in order to produce your baked product. In a cooking class, you may learn about how to create a proper baking temperature, and how to maintain that temperature during the baking process. In addition, it’s often important to leave room for air to circulate around your product as it cooks. Finally, it's also important to understand that the baking process does not stop when you take your product out of the oven; instead, heat in the pan may continue to bake your product, so you need to learn when to remove your item from its pan or tray.

Bread

After you learn about fundamental techniques, you may focus on a specific type of baking. For instance, many beginning bakers learn to bake bread. Baking bread also involves learning a number of specific techniques. You’ll learn about different types of flour and how they work in different ways. You’ll learn what type of water to add, and what temperature it should be, and how to knead, bake, and store your dough.

Cakes and Pastries

Two other common types of baking are cakes and pastries. Again, each requires you to learn specific techniques. Cakes are typically made of flour, sugar, leaveners, and butter or oil. They usually rise. Making a cake also involves learning how to decorate it with fondant, buttercream, or something else. In contrast, pastries are usually made from flour and butter or oil, and they do not rise. Pastries are used in many different products, including pies and quiches.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Baking?

How long it takes to learn baking depends on what you’re trying to master, and what type of course you take. It is possible to take a short baking course and learn to bake a specific item–like a cake or a pie–within only a few hours. There are also baking classes that take a number of weeks, and will leave you with the ability to bake a number of different items. However, a comprehensive baking education–like what you might pursue in order to become a professional baker–typically takes much longer. Most professional bakers say that it took them years to master their skills. Further, they often stress that the learning process is ongoing. One bread baker argues that while this constant learning can be challenging, it also keeps baking interesting, explaining, “The learning never stops. I learn something new about bread every week. It is like a chrysalis endlessly unfolding or like a snowflake fractal growing at the cusp of its edge. It is periodically frustrating, but it always brings me back with renewed interest.”

What are the Advantages of Taking a Baking Class?

It is possible to teach yourself to bake, however, many people opt for a baking class instead because baking classes have a number of benefits over teaching yourself. One beneficial aspect of a class is that you’ll get instruction and inside knowledge from an expert. Baking can appear deceptively simple, however, in reality, it involves a lot of specific knowledge and specialized techniques. Rahul Mandal, winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2018, talks about how baking involves a lot of science. He says, “For me, baking is a perfect combination of chemistry, biology and physics. Chemistry, as you mix different edible chemicals to create dough or batter, with tiny air bubbles trapped inside. Biology, as the culture of yeast provides carbon dioxide to make your bread rise. And physics, as those trapped gases expand and give the rise to the bakes.” He goes on to talk about how baking something is like conducting a scientific experiment, explaining, “Just like any other experiment, understanding how baking works is the key to ensure the quality of the results. Designing and planning a bake is crucial – and is similar to setting up a laboratory experiment. You have to carefully consider each individual variable: from the proportion of ingredients, to the atmosphere inside the tent, to the structural stability of the bakes. All play important roles.” You might be able to gain an understanding of the science of baking all by yourself, through a lot of research and trial and error, but taking a class can be a less frustrating way to learn some of the things that you’ll need to know to be a successful baker. A professional baker can teach you fundamental baking skills, and also share some of the common mistakes that beginning bakers make.

Another benefit of taking a class is that it can expose you to new ideas. For example, you can learn a new style of baking or learn about a new type of baked goods. Around the world, people utilize a wide range of different baking techniques, and it's unlikely that you know them all. Taking a baking class can be a great way to learn something new about baking, whether you are a beginner or a more advanced baker.

Some people also argue that a baking class can help foster creativity in baking. One writer explains, “Cooking classes encourage creativity and experimentation, as they provide a safe space to try new ideas and techniques. With the guidance of experienced instructors, you can break free from traditional recipes and explore your culinary inventions.” The author explains, “This process not only stimulates your creativity but also helps you develop a deeper understanding of flavor combinations, ingredient substitutions, and cooking methods. Cooking classes give you the freedom to unleash your culinary imagination and create unique dishes that reflect your style.”

Best Baking Classes in NYC

New York City has many different cooking schools and bakeries that offer in-person baking classes. You’ll find a wide variety of different themed classes, from bagels to desserts. In addition, there are both short, one-day classes and longer, multi-session options.

If you’re interested in cake baking, the Sugar Room runs a multi-week class called Baking and Cake Decorating, where students learn to bake and decorate cakes. The Sugar Room is a cake design studio and supply store that also offers cake-baking and decorating classes. Baking and Cake Decorating includes a session that covers the technical aspects of baking such as measuring ingredients and using correct temperatures. Students learn how to bake multiple types of cakes. The course also covers piping techniques and spatula techniques. In addition, students learn about leveling, filling, crumb coat, and icing techniques. There is also instruction on working with fondant and gum paste. Finally, students participate in a workshop where they learn how to build tiered cakes for special occasions.

NY Cake Academy also offers a variety of cake-baking and decorating classes. The Cake Baking Certificate Series is a multi-session course that gives students a comprehensive education in cake baking. The instructor covers many different types of cakes including cupcakes, layer cakes, and cakes for specialty diets. Students also learn about making frosting and fillings and assembling a cake. There are five sessions in this course: Cupcakes, The Layer Cake, Mousse Construction Cake, Chocolate in Cakes, and Specialty Diet Cakes. NY Cake Academy was founded in 1991 and is family-owned and operated> It offers both in-person and virtual classes.

CocuSocial Cooking Classes also offers a number of different in-person baking classes in New York City, including French Macaron, where students learn to bake French Macaron cookies. This interactive class is led by a classically trained pastry chef. Students watch a demonstration, then they are guided through the process themselves. They learn about meringue mixing, piping, baking, and assembling the cookies. They will also learn about a number of different flavor profiles. All equipment and ingredients are provided, and drinks are available for purchase. CocuSocial is a marketplace that connects students with instructors.

For students interested in learning how to bake bagels, BagelUp offers a Perfect Bagel Baking Workshop. This is a hands-on class where students get to bake and taste a variety of bagels. It is conducted in a real bagel shop. Students learn the entire process of making a bagel including rolling, boiling, adding toppings, and baking. The instructor also talks about the history of New York City bagels, and students get to taste their bagels. BagelUp is located in Midtown Manhattan and offers guided tours and hands-on baking classes where participants can learn about New York City’s bagel culture.

Brooklyn Kitchen is a cooking school that is focused on learning new things, having fun, and embracing mistakes. It runs an Intro to Sourdough class taught by bread baker Arnie Adler. Adler is self-taught and operates a micro-bakery where he offers ten varieties of bread. Students who take this course will learn to make sourdough bread at home. Adler will cover all of the steps involved in creating a perfect loaf of sourdough, in a non-intimidating class.

Students can also take a baking class at Atelier Sucré, which is a commercial kitchen located in East Harlem. The kitchen runs French cooking classes. In Bake Your Own French Croissant, students learn to make croissants from scratch. They will bake a traditional croissant, a pain au chocolat, and a savory ham and cheese croissant. Classes are hands-on, and students work in groups of four. They will take home their croissants, as well as recipes. This is a “bring your own bottle” class.

Butter Lane, which specializes in gourmet cupcakes, offers a baking class for students interested in learning how to bake cupcakes, including both baking enthusiasts and students more interested in simply observing and tasting. Cupcakes 101 is a casual option that is also a popular choice for a birthday party or shower. This is a hands-on class where students are involved in each step of the process of baking cupcakes. Students work together, and also get to taste the cupcakes.

Live Online Baking Classes

Many baking schools also offer live online baking classes. The Good Food Project offers a virtual Cinnamon Roll Workshop, where students learn to mix, knead, roll, cut, and bake cinnamon rolls. They can make traditional cinnamon rolls with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cream cheese frosting, or try adding something different like orange zest or Nutella. A list of ingredients is available in the course description. Students also need some basic cooking equipment, including a mixing bowl and measuring spoons, and access to an oven. The Good Food Project believes that people can improve their health, finances, and well-being through cooking, and it offers a variety of live online cooking classes.

Home Cooking New York is a cooking school that was founded in 2002 by a former Martha Stewart Living editor. It offers many different online cooking classes, including the Cream Puff Workshop, where students learn how to bake this classic French pastry. The instructor will walk them through the entire process, including making French pastry dough, creating puffs, filling them with homemade vanilla pastry cream, and topping them with dark chocolate ganache.

King Arthur Baking Company also offers live online baking classes. Biscuits and Scones runs via Zoom. Students learn to make light biscuits and tender scones. Instructors show them how to mix dough, and include information about how chemical leaveners work. Students also learn how to prepare and store their baked goods. In addition to offering a baking school, King Arthur Baking Company sells a variety of different flour products.

Bake with a Legend is another company offering live online baking classes. Its classes are taught by former participants in the Great British Bake Off. Students get an equipment list and recipe ahead of time, and classes run through Zoom. There are many different offerings. For example, in Jane’s Doughnuts students learn to make donuts. This class is taught by Jane Beedle, a finalist in series 7. She instructs students on making her raspberry jam and custard donuts. Classes are interactive and class sizes are small.

NYC Baking Courses by School

Here are some of the top NYC schools offering Baking training, including NY Cake Academy (32 courses), Taste Buds Kitchen (19 courses), and Atelier Sucré (7 courses).

Home Cooking New York

NYC location: 158 Grand St , Brooklyn, New York

Home Cooking New York is a cooking school in downtown Manhattan that offers a variety of hands-on cooking classes for all levels. Their classes are led by experienced chefs who are passionate about teaching, and they focus on teaching students the fundamentals of cooking so that they can become confident and creative cooks in their own kitchens.
- *More* Great British Bake Off Classics
  - 3 Hours
  - $110
- "Great British Bake Off" Classics
  - 2 Hours
  - $110
- Hand-Rolled Bagels and Soft Pretzels
  - 2 Hours
  - $110
CocuSocial Cooking Classes

NYC location: 338 W 36th St, New York, New York

CocuSocial Cooking Classes is a company that offers social cooking classes in New York City. They partner with local restaurants and hotels to provide easy accessibility for their customers. Their classes are designed to be fun and interactive, and they offer a variety of topics including pasta making, sushi rolling, and dumpling cooking.
- Homemade Pizza Party for Two People
  - 2 Hours
  - $128
- Handmade Pizza Party for Two People
  - 2 Hours
  - $128
- Handmade Pizza Party
  - 2 Hours
  - $126
- The Art of French Pastry
  - 2 Hours
  - $64
Atelier Sucré

NYC location: 104 East 7th Street, New York, New York

Atelier Sucré is a pastry school in New York City that offers a variety of hands-on pastry classes for all levels. They are known for their focus on teaching students the fundamentals of pastry making so that they can become confident and creative pastry chefs in their own right. Atelier Sucré also hosts a variety of workshops and events, such as pastry demonstrations and trunk shows.
- French Tarts & Madeleines
  - 2 Hours
  - $95
- French Macarons (Gluten Free Recipe)
  - 2 Hours
  - $95
- Eclair & Cream Puff
  - 2 Hours
  - $85.50
- New York Bagels
  - 2 Hours
  - $95
NY Cake Academy

NYC location: 118 West 22nd Street, New York, New York

NY Cake Academy is a cake decorating school located in New York City. The school offers a variety of classes for all levels, from beginners to experienced cake decorators. Classes cover a wide range of topics, including cake decorating techniques, fondant work, and sugar flower making.
- Intro to Macarons
  - 2 Hours
  - $99.99
- Buttercream Floral Cupcake
  - 1 Hour
  - $125
- Pizza Making
  - 3 Hours
  - $150
- Intro to Cake Pops
  - 2 Hours
  - $99.99
SugarRoom

NYC location: 44-21 Queens Blvd, New York, New York

SugarRoom is a cake design studio in Sunnyside, Queens that offers a variety of cake decorating classes and workshops. The studio's philosophy is to combine century-old decorating techniques with a modern sensibility, creating cakes that are both beautiful and delicious.
- Piping and Spatula Techniques
  - 4 Hours
  - $250
- Introduction to Baking
  - 4 Hours
  - $350
BagelUp

NYC location: 264 W 40th St, New York, New York

BagelUp is an entertaining and interactive cooking school in NYC that teaches students the traditional craft of bagel-making. Courses include home-based baking sessions as well as traditional shaping and boiling techniques with a range of creative toppings. With each course, students will be supplied with all of the necessary equipment to create a variety of delicious bagels.
- Perfect Bagel Baking Workshop
  - 2 Hours
  - $150
- Perfect Bagel Baking Workshop
  - 2 Hours
  - $150
Scott's Pizza Tours

NYC location: 32 Spring St, New York, New York

Scott's Pizza Tours is a company that offers guided pizza tours in New York City. Founded by Scott Wiener, the tours take guests to some of the city's most iconic pizza spots, including Di Fara Pizza, L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, and Joe's Pizza.
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walk
  - 2 Hours
  - $65
- East Village Pizza Walk
  - 2 Hours
  - $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk
  - 3 Hours
  - $65
- West Village Pizza Walk
  - 2 Hours
  - $65
Mukti's Kitchen

NYC location: 816 Beverley Rd, Brooklyn, New York

Mukti's Kitchen is a cooking school in Brooklyn, New York that offers a variety of Indian cooking classes. Classes are led by Mukti Banerjee, a native of Calcutta, India, who is passionate about sharing her love of Indian cuisine with others. Mukti's Kitchen offers classes for all levels, from beginners to experienced cooks, and her classes are designed to be both educational and fun.
- Indian Bread
  - 3 Hours
  - $135
Taste Buds Kitchen

NYC location: 109 West 27th Street, New York, New York

Taste Buds Kitchen is a New York City-based cooking school for kids that offers classes and workshops on a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Mexican, and Thai. Their classes are taught by experienced chefs and are designed to teach kids about different cultures through food. Taste Buds Kitchen is a great place for kids to learn how to cook, have fun, and make new friends.
- Incredible Handmade Pizza Making for Two People (BYOB)
  - 2 Hours
  - $195
- Incredible Handmade Pizza (BYOB)
  - 2 Hours
  - $99
- Cupcake & Cookie Bakery Camp (Ages 4-8 / 5-day)
  - 15 Hours
  - $575
- Cupcake & Cookie Bakery Camp (Ages 9-13 / 5-day)
  - 15 Hours
  - $575

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Learn Baking

Key Insights

Learn More About NYC Baking Courses

What is Baking?

Why Learn Baking?

What You’ll Learn in a Baking Class?

Measuring

Mixing

How to Manage Heat

Bread

Cakes and Pastries

How Long Will It Take to Learn Baking?

What are the Advantages of Taking a Baking Class?

Best Baking Classes in NYC

Live Online Baking Classes

NYC Baking Courses by School

Home Cooking New York

*More* Great British Bake Off Classics

"Great British Bake Off" Classics

Hand-Rolled Bagels and Soft Pretzels

CocuSocial Cooking Classes

Homemade Pizza Party for Two People

Handmade Pizza Party for Two People

Handmade Pizza Party

The Art of French Pastry

Atelier Sucré

French Tarts & Madeleines

French Macarons (Gluten Free Recipe)

Eclair & Cream Puff

New York Bagels

NY Cake Academy

Intro to Macarons

Buttercream Floral Cupcake

Pizza Making

Intro to Cake Pops

SugarRoom

Piping and Spatula Techniques

Introduction to Baking

BagelUp

Perfect Bagel Baking Workshop

Perfect Bagel Baking Workshop

Scott's Pizza Tours

Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walk

East Village Pizza Walk

Greenwich Village Pizza Walk

West Village Pizza Walk

Mukti's Kitchen

Indian Bread

Taste Buds Kitchen

Incredible Handmade Pizza Making for Two People (BYOB)

Incredible Handmade Pizza (BYOB)

Cupcake & Cookie Bakery Camp (Ages 4-8 / 5-day)

Cupcake & Cookie Bakery Camp (Ages 9-13 / 5-day)

NYC Baking Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Baking Training Locations in or Near NYC

More Great British Bake Off Classics

NYC Baking
Corporate & Onsite Training