 In today's Newsletter:
SIGN YOUR KIDS UP FOR OUR BRAND NEW CLASS OFFERINGS:
A Quick and Easy Easter Cake
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
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Breakfast ClubHi everybody! Sorry, this isn't a blast from the past about an iconic '80s film that many parents will remember and nearly none of our kids will remember. This is Sara and I want to take a minute to talk about breakfast food. Breakfast is one of my most favorite food groups of all time. No hyperbole! I promise that when I first interviewed for Home Slice Pizza in 2007, they asked what my favorite food to make for others was. I said breakfast, I still mean it. Some might think this to be a simple task, but I ask ... have you ever tried to make the perfect hashbrowns or over-easy fried egg? Not easy AT ALL! Let your kids master the skills to start the day in a delicious way this summer. This video is full of meals that I had never heard of, let alone for breakfast! Does your child love to be as literal as possible? |
 | We added a last-minute Easter Wreath class! This is a German tradition that I remember fondly from my childhood. Come and join me for this lovely baking tradition on Saturday, April 16th from 10am - 12pm. It is literally just fun to make and your kids will love it. Also it looks lovely on your breakfast table. |
| And of course, we added a fun little Earth Day cookie class. This is a great, quick activity that will make Earth Day extra special! Saturday, April 23rd from 10am-11am FREE for NEW STUDENTS! |  |
Thanks to all of you who voted in the preliminaries, Bake Austin has the opportunity to take the cake (sorry, not sorry) in the Austin Chronicle annual campaign. This is such an essential bit of exposure for small businesses in a town that prides itself on supporting local business.
If we could humbly ask for your vote in the finals, it would mean the world to win the Best Summer Camp recognition two years in a row!
We know what an impact we have on the kids and their families and it inspires us to push even further than we thought we could go. This year is going to be even greater than last year, with feedback and class ideas coming directly from our Bake Austin budding chefs.
The final round of voting started, Thursday, March 31st, and goes until Monday, April 18th! Please take a moment to vote for us one more time in the Kids & Family category for Best Summer Camp. We quite literally could not do this without you and we are so, so grateful!
In gratitude,
Chef Pascal and Bake Austin
If we could humbly ask for your vote in the finals, it would mean the world to win the Best Summer Camp recognition two years in a row!
We know what an impact we have on the kids and their families and it inspires us to push even further than we thought we could go. This year is going to be even greater than last year, with feedback and class ideas coming directly from our Bake Austin budding chefs.
The final round of voting started, Thursday, March 31st, and goes until Monday, April 18th! Please take a moment to vote for us one more time in the Kids & Family category for Best Summer Camp. We quite literally could not do this without you and we are so, so grateful!
In gratitude,
Chef Pascal and Bake Austin
Summer Camps 2022 are starting to fill up!
Grab your spot today!
Don't forget to enroll your kids in one of our summer camps.
Only 8 more weeks and summer starts, at least for us here in Texas!
We have a bunch of cool summer camps still open for enrollment.
A few camps are starting to fill up.
Only 8 more weeks and summer starts, at least for us here in Texas!
We have a bunch of cool summer camps still open for enrollment.
A few camps are starting to fill up.
In our kids cooking classes, I've been impressed with just how curious kids are about cooking and baking.
Cooking camps for kids are growing in popularity and that makes me so happy! How awesome is it that kids crave this knowledge!? It only does it empower them to learn valuable life skills, but it also gives parents, and especially mom a break making meals.
In our kids cookery school we help families create delicious memories together in the kitchen. My greatest hope is for your kids to take over cooking in your kitchen at least once a week. This way the rest of the family can sit down at the table and enjoy a meal together without having had to cook.
In our cooking camps for kids this is exactly what we teach!
Cooking camps for kids are growing in popularity and that makes me so happy! How awesome is it that kids crave this knowledge!? It only does it empower them to learn valuable life skills, but it also gives parents, and especially mom a break making meals.
In our kids cookery school we help families create delicious memories together in the kitchen. My greatest hope is for your kids to take over cooking in your kitchen at least once a week. This way the rest of the family can sit down at the table and enjoy a meal together without having had to cook.
In our cooking camps for kids this is exactly what we teach!
LET'S CELEBRATE APRIL FOOD'S DAY
Hi friend,
April Fool's Day has the potential to be one of the most fun and delicious days of the year! While most people default to cruel and unsettling pranks, one of my favorite ways to celebrate is by making imposter foods. This is good-hearted and a literal treat for everyone. The recipes below are some of the most popular that I have ever taught and I'm sure your kids will not forget tricking unsuspecting family members into eating a cupcake that looks like a burger!
Imposter foods are the kind of trickster activity that we can all enjoy!
April Fool's Day has the potential to be one of the most fun and delicious days of the year! While most people default to cruel and unsettling pranks, one of my favorite ways to celebrate is by making imposter foods. This is good-hearted and a literal treat for everyone. The recipes below are some of the most popular that I have ever taught and I'm sure your kids will not forget tricking unsuspecting family members into eating a cupcake that looks like a burger!
Imposter foods are the kind of trickster activity that we can all enjoy!
To create these sneaky treats, you will need our Vanilla Cupcake recipe.
Click below for the PDF
👇
Click below for the PDF
👇
"Hamburgers"
This is a complete flashback to the past!! Psst, don't tell my boys that I am sharing this video with the world! Haha! These are my kids at ages 10 & 11 explaining how to make Cheeseburger Cupcakes!
"Eggs"
"Little Pies"
NEW 2022 SUMMER CAMP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
We hear your requests and are creating a new Movies & Food camp this year -
We picked a few of our favorites!
We are still in the process of creating the curriculum -
this camp will be posted soon!
We hear your requests and are creating a new Movies & Food camp this year -
We picked a few of our favorites!
- Sound of Music (Schnitzel with Noodles)
- Encanto (Arepas)
- Pixar's short film Bao (Bao Buns)
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Spaghetti and Meatballs)
- Ratatouille (Ratatouille)
We are still in the process of creating the curriculum -
this camp will be posted soon!
Oh BREAD... why are you SO good?
Did you know that it is estimated that humans began to bake bread around 10,000 years ago?
When ancient humans started to transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more fixed homestead, they began to farm various grains and experimented with grinding the grains into flour and "baking" bread. This style of baking was much different than the form we are familiar with today.
Watch the video below with your kids to enjoy some full-on belly laughs. Enjoy!
Did you know that it is estimated that humans began to bake bread around 10,000 years ago?
When ancient humans started to transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more fixed homestead, they began to farm various grains and experimented with grinding the grains into flour and "baking" bread. This style of baking was much different than the form we are familiar with today.
Watch the video below with your kids to enjoy some full-on belly laughs. Enjoy!
Good morning,
I had a few questions come my way, regarding summer camp enrollment.
Question:
Can siblings or friends take the class together?
Answer:
Yes, siblings and friends can take the class together as long as they are participating on one device for no extra cost.
Question:
We would like to participate in just one or two classes per week. Do you have drop-in options for the summer camps?
Answer:
Yes, we have drop-in options for all but two camps this summer. See the video below.
I had a few questions come my way, regarding summer camp enrollment.
Question:
Can siblings or friends take the class together?
Answer:
Yes, siblings and friends can take the class together as long as they are participating on one device for no extra cost.
Question:
We would like to participate in just one or two classes per week. Do you have drop-in options for the summer camps?
Answer:
Yes, we have drop-in options for all but two camps this summer. See the video below.
Do you have a recipe from your childhood that is so rich in nostalgia that you are immediately transported to your grandmother's kitchen? We want to know what reminds you of home and share in the joy!
Sara can still smell a freshly baked coffee can bread when she thinks about lazy Saturday mornings at her step-mother's house growing up. The below recipe was found in a long list of bread ideas and transported us right there.
COFFEE CAN BREAD
From: Opal Ellison
INGREDIENTS
First:
PREPARATION
First:
- 1 pkg yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/8 tsp ginger
- 1 Tbsp sugar (divided)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 can (13 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups unsifted flour
PREPARATION
- Mix first set of ingredients and let stand until bubbley (approx. 15 minutes). Stir in second set of ingredients. Put into greased metal coffee cans. Cover with plastic lids. Let stand in a warm place until plastic lids pop off (approx 45-60 minutes for a 1 lb can, or 1-1 1/2 hour for a 2 lb can) Bake (without lids!) at 350 for 45 minutes (1 lb can) to 60 minutes (2 lb can). The crust will be very brown - brush with melted butter. Cool 5-10 minutes on rack in upright cans.
Look at all these incredible creations from Bread Camps of summers past!!
Bread Camp is a uniquely special camp. While many of the summer camps are available with single class options, the Bread Camp is only offered as a full-week class. Why is that, you might ask?
Fresh croissants are a labor of love and will take us all week to ensure their flakiness and buttery goodness. We will be baking the croissants on that Friday, but all of the days leading up to that are crucial. Are you familiar with the phrase, "good things take time?"
Your child will be able to understand this concept on a whole new croissant-flavored level, in addition to knowing how to make Japanese Milkbread, Bavarian Pretzels, delicious Challah Bread, French Baguette, and Crusty Bread Rolls.
Fresh croissants are a labor of love and will take us all week to ensure their flakiness and buttery goodness. We will be baking the croissants on that Friday, but all of the days leading up to that are crucial. Are you familiar with the phrase, "good things take time?"
Your child will be able to understand this concept on a whole new croissant-flavored level, in addition to knowing how to make Japanese Milkbread, Bavarian Pretzels, delicious Challah Bread, French Baguette, and Crusty Bread Rolls.
2022 Summer Camp Highlight
Baking 102
June 13th - 17th from 11am-1:30pm CST
If Bread Camp sounds to intense, or your student would prefer single day classes, check out our Baking 102 camp schedule:
Monday (6/13) - Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Tuesday (6/14) - Caramel Apple Upside-down Cake
Wednesday (6/15) - Cinnamon Rolls
Thursday (6/16) - Palmiers with Puff Pastry
Friday (6/17) - Pavlova
Monday (6/13) - Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Tuesday (6/14) - Caramel Apple Upside-down Cake
Wednesday (6/15) - Cinnamon Rolls
Thursday (6/16) - Palmiers with Puff Pastry
Friday (6/17) - Pavlova
☘️ Last Minute St. Patricks Day Ideas below 👇
I know it's hard to imagine but summer is coming fast!
Are you ready for it?
Any fun trips planned now that the world is opening back up?
We are offering a bunch of super fun camps, that can be taken from anywhere!
Imagine not having to cook dinner for a whole week?
What if your kid could learn how to make all your favorite Italian dishes?
Or make you some sushi?
Most of our camps also have a drop-in version, so you could create your own menu.
I know it's hard to imagine but summer is coming fast!
Are you ready for it?
Any fun trips planned now that the world is opening back up?
We are offering a bunch of super fun camps, that can be taken from anywhere!
Imagine not having to cook dinner for a whole week?
What if your kid could learn how to make all your favorite Italian dishes?
Or make you some sushi?
Most of our camps also have a drop-in version, so you could create your own menu.
LAST-MINUTE ST. PATRICKS DAY IDEAS
Haven't planned anything special for St. Patricks Day yet?
☘️
Here are a few ideas that are quick and easy ideas
to help celebrate the special day.
Better yet - hand those over to your kids and tell them Chef Pascal asked for you to make this. 😊
Here is a super easy and quick recipe:Leprechaun Crinkle Cookies (by Everyday Mom Life)
Haven't planned anything special for St. Patricks Day yet?
☘️
Here are a few ideas that are quick and easy ideas
to help celebrate the special day.
Better yet - hand those over to your kids and tell them Chef Pascal asked for you to make this. 😊
Here is a super easy and quick recipe:Leprechaun Crinkle Cookies (by Everyday Mom Life)
Grandma's Irish Soda Bread is one of those staples that shouldn't be missed on St. Patricks Day:
Here is a recipe for Sally's Baking Addiction
for an Irish soda Bread
NOTE from Chef Pascal: The recipe calls for buttermilk, which is easily made by mixing milk (any type of milk with vinegar. so for 1 cup of milk add 1 tsp of vinegar)
Ingredients
for an Irish soda Bread
NOTE from Chef Pascal: The recipe calls for buttermilk, which is easily made by mixing milk (any type of milk with vinegar. so for 1 cup of milk add 1 tsp of vinegar)
Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk*
- 1 large egg (optional, see note)
- 4 and 1/4 cups (531g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled), plus more for your hands and counter
- 3 Tablespoons (38g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 Tablespoons (70g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed*
- optional: 1 cup (150g) raisins
- Preheat oven & pan options: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). There are options for the baking pan. Use a regular baking sheet and line with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (bread spreads a bit more on a baking sheet), or use a seasoned 10-12 inch cast iron skillet, or grease a 9-10 inch cake pan or pie dish. You can also use a 5 quart (or higher) dutch oven. Grease or line with parchment paper. If using a dutch oven, bake the bread with the lid off.
- Whisk the buttermilk and egg together. Set aside. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingers. Mixture is very heavy on the flour, but do your best to cut in the butter until the butter is pea-sized crumbs. Stir in the raisins. Pour in the buttermilk/egg mixture. Gently fold the dough together until dough it is too stiff to stir. Pour crumbly dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can, then knead for about 30 seconds or until all the flour is moistened. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared skillet/pan. Using a very sharp knife, score an X into the top. Bake until the bread is golden brown and center appears cooked through, about 45 minutes. Loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil if you notice heavy browning on top. I usually place foil on top halfway through bake time.
- Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted with desired toppings/spreads.
- Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. We usually wrap it tightly in aluminum foil for storing.
Happy Nationals Women's Day!
I know it's not Spring Break for all of you guys yet!
BUT we thought we will send this out so when it's your time you have this up your sleeve in case you need it.
I remember when my kids were younger Spring Break was one of those times where we were pretty creative. Making movies, going out to go swimming (we live in Texas!), working on craft projects, and of course, we baked and cooked up a storm.
IN case you need some ideas, here you go:
I know it's not Spring Break for all of you guys yet!
BUT we thought we will send this out so when it's your time you have this up your sleeve in case you need it.
I remember when my kids were younger Spring Break was one of those times where we were pretty creative. Making movies, going out to go swimming (we live in Texas!), working on craft projects, and of course, we baked and cooked up a storm.
IN case you need some ideas, here you go:
Here are some of our Sring Break class options
https://www.bakeaustin.com/kidsclasses.html
- Sesame Chicken (Veggie Option available)
- Sushi Rolls
- Bundt Cake
- St. Patrick's Day Doughnuts
https://www.bakeaustin.com/kidsclasses.html
I hope you have a wonderful Spring Break!
Best,
Chef Pascal
Best,
Chef Pascal
Hello everybody, how are you?
Today I wanted to share this absolutely super cute video from Epicurious of these adorable kids trying foods from famous books. This has been a recurring theme of at least one summer camp week for many years now.
Each year, we hold a summer camp called Books & Baking and though I try to feature books for a bit older age group than the books featured in this video, I still find it very entertaining. I hope this makes you smile!
Today I wanted to share this absolutely super cute video from Epicurious of these adorable kids trying foods from famous books. This has been a recurring theme of at least one summer camp week for many years now.
Each year, we hold a summer camp called Books & Baking and though I try to feature books for a bit older age group than the books featured in this video, I still find it very entertaining. I hope this makes you smile!
Does anyone remember the classic series of children's books called the Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak? Or maybe the accompanying animation with Carole King singing the book "Chicken Soup with Rice"?
Chicken and Rice Soup With Celery, Parsley, and Lemon
By Ali Slagle
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
By Ali Slagle
INGREDIENTS
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 stalks celery, leaves reserved and stalks thinly sliced
- ¾ cup jasmine rice (unrinsed)
- Kosher salt
- ½ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest plus up to 1/2 cup lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
PREPARATION
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, combine the broth, chicken, celery and rice. Season lightly with salt. (Some broths have more salt than others, so start easy.) Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the rice starts to break down and lose its shape, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, finely chop together the parsley leaves, lemon zest and up to 1/2 cup celery leaves. Transfer to a small bowl, grate the garlic clove into the bowl, season with salt and stir to combine.
- Using tongs, remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a medium bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken into pieces, then stir it back into the soup. Remove from heat, stir in the butter (if using), and season to taste with salt. Stir in the lemon juice a little at a time until the soup is bright but still tastes like chicken. (You may not use the full 1/2 cup juice.)
- Divide the soup among bowls and top with the parsley-lemon mixture. (The soup, minus the lemon juice and parsley mixture, can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; the rice will absorb liquid as it sits, so add more chicken broth when reheating. Add the lemon juice and fresh herb garnish just before serving.)
Here are just a few photos from previous Books & Baking Summer Camps.
During our weekly summer camps, we create at least five different recipes. Shopping lists and necessary tool lists will be provided with plenty of time to gather supplies prior to the camp. The cost of the week's summer camp is per household, so any siblings or friends in the same household are welcome to attend for free!
For the 2022 Summer Camp - Books & Baking, we will be creating
This particular camp is a student favorite and such a wonderful bonding activity for friends trying to avoid the summer boredom set-in. Scheduled right in the middle of the summer break, June 20 - 24th, this is a great way to keep the kids entertained and learning new and fun ways to make treats for the whole family.
For the 2022 Summer Camp - Books & Baking, we will be creating
- cupcakes from Alice in Wonderland,
- pumpkin pasties from Harry Potter,
- cookies inspired by the Hunger Games,
- golden tickets from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
- and lastly some delicious blue french macarons inspired by Percy Jackson.
This particular camp is a student favorite and such a wonderful bonding activity for friends trying to avoid the summer boredom set-in. Scheduled right in the middle of the summer break, June 20 - 24th, this is a great way to keep the kids entertained and learning new and fun ways to make treats for the whole family.
NEW 2022 SUMMER CAMP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
We hear your requests and are creating a new Movies & Food camp this year -
We picked a few of our favorites!
If you have any other ideas, please let us know!
We are still in the process of creating the curriculum - this camp will be posted soon!
We picked a few of our favorites!
- Sound of Music (Schnitzel with Noodles)
- Encanto (Arepas)
- Pixar short film Bao (Bao Buns)
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Spaghetti and Meatballs)
- Ratatouille (Ratatouille)
If you have any other ideas, please let us know!
We are still in the process of creating the curriculum - this camp will be posted soon!
Author
Before founding Bake Austin, Pascal Simon earned her degree as a Pastry Chef from the prestigious Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. A mother of two, Pascal is passionate about cultivating the next generation of bakers and welcomes children from all schooling backgrounds, whether public, private or homeschooled.
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