happy new year

Welcome to 2022! 

Happy New Year to my wonderful community! I hope that everyone is safe and hanging in there during these crazy times. 

This year has started out with quite a bang and while the coronavirus is still a daily part of our collective experience, I am looking forward to new virtual class offerings, hosting a monthly free community class, revamping the website, and introducing a new member of the Bake Austin team!

I hope that you enjoy the free recipe and video for Apple Roses below!

Meet Sara Ronder!

I have known Sara for nearing 30 years and am excited to introduce her to you all. Sara and her family have been involved in quintessential Austin experiences her whole life. Along with her son, husband, and two dogs, Sara understands the challenges of staying connected, enjoying healthful meals, and doing your best to persevere through adversity.

Whether it is volunteering with the Austin Optimist Club Christmas Tree lot, working alongside her husband at Home Slice Pizza for over a decade, or finding creative ways to enjoy her hometown, Sara has a steadfast wealth of knowledge and encouragement to share with the families that make our Bake Austin community so wonderful.

Together, we are going to support, inspire, and empower families across the globe to prosper through this difficult time.

Please allow me to introduce myself, Chef Pascal, to all of the new Bake Austin followers!

Bake Austin was started in 2012 in my home at the dining room table, with one stand mixer and twelve children. I went to culinary school and have a Pastry Culinary Arts degree. Becoming a single mom, I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and would support my livelihood while showing my children how to strive for the things one desires in life.

Baking, education, children, instilling values and resilience in young minds, as well as creating a schedule that allowed me time to be with my children, were the passions that led me to create Bake Austin.

My favorite part of in-person teaching was being able to joke around with the kids and do some silly stuff, like making ads and video skits. I enjoyed being able to physically help them, but also allowing them to struggle in a safe space. I loved the hugs at the end of class, of course! The ability to check in with parents at drop-off was really connecting and nice, as well.

For virtual learning, I’m noticing that kids learn a lot more and a lot faster because they are doing it in their own kitchen with their own tools, though I am there on the screen. They learn how to troubleshoot, how to communicate by asking me questions. They learn how to follow instructions, how to understand the structure of recipes, and ultimately how to become more confident and independent. And they don’t have to share a table or equipment with anybody. They have their own space.

Never forget, I always have the kids clean up so that they learn responsibility and I hope this translates into help for the parents. As a parent, I have observed that instructions are received in a different, more willing way if someone else tells my children something than if it is just coming from me. There is less of a struggle and more willingness to listen and take action.

What do I think about virtual learning? I love it! I’m really excited about the abilities and reach of virtual/online learning because of the accessibility for students, no matter where they are in the world. It broadens the experience and students from different cultures get to interact in real-time. Though online learning may not translate well for every subject, for baking/cooking it translates beautifully to give them valuable life skills!

(Photo credit: Alina Prax)

​Our Gift to You - Free Recipe: Apple Roses

Apple Roses are a wonderfully creative and tasty activity to do with your little ones. I love how pretty they become and how they look like they took a long time to make. Apple Roses are relatively healthy and not too sweet. If you are feeling adventurous, try using peaches, strawberries, or plums.

If you want to try to make a savory version, zucchini and yellow squash are delicious options. Sprinkle the tops with some parmesan or pecorino romano and voila... anything goes when you try your best!

Click here for the downloadable recipe and when you are ready, follow along from your home kitchen by watching Bake Austin Makes Apple Roses.