Baking Boot Camp: Cakes & Crusts
Abby Dodge
Class Preview
1:56
- In-depth Instruction; over 175 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Quick, Two-Step Cakes
28:44
Pastry chef and baker extraordinaire Abby Dodge kicks off her baking boot camp with a simple and delicious single-layer banana cake. Learn how to properly measure out dry ingredients and fold them into the wet ingredients. Add the finishing touches with a mouthwatering cream cheese frosting.
Mixing & Baking a Layer Cake
24:15
Who doesn't love chocolate cake? Abby takes your baking skills a step further with this classic layer cake, starting with how to perfectly grease and flour your pans and then demonstrating the right way to cream together butter and sugar. Learn about butter temperature and how to recognize visual cues that your batter is flawlessly mixed, then identify when the cake layers are perfectly baked.
Building & Frosting a Layer Cake
30:08
Finish off your chocolate cake with a rich and silky chocolate buttercream frosting. Watch as Abby shows you how to cut your cooled cakes into layers and learn how to assemble and frost those layers. Is your mouth watering yet?
Tart Crust Techniques
25:42
Master two tart crust techniques for beautiful pastry-store-window-worthy fruit tarts. Abby walks you through a crushed cookie crust and a press-in crust, then bakes them off and fills both with delicious whipped mascarpone. Finish these tarts off with gorgeous seasonal fruit.
Free-Form Crust Techniques
29:29
Never again be afraid of rolling pastry dough! Perfection isn't the goal when you go free-form, as Abby demonstrates how to create a rustic berry galette with the help of parchment paper. Learn how to make the dough (the special ingredient is patience!) and a fresh blueberry filling for this delightful dessert.
Single-Crust Pie Techniques
17:29
Tackle the all-American classic: Apple pie. Apply what you learned in the previous lesson to make and roll out pastry dough for a single-crust pie. See how Abby makes a traditional apple filling, as well as a unique and scrumptious crumb topping!
Double-Crust Pie Techniques
18:19
Double down on your apple pie skills! Abby shows you how to impress your family and friends with a double crust and an intricate lattice top. Learn some tips on how to arrange your lattice for easier placement and make this recipe as easy as, well, pie.
Gain a reputation for the best cakes and pies around with guidance from cookbook author Abby Dodge. To begin, Abby shares her secrets for a moist, one-bowl banana cake topped with irresistible cream cheese frosting. Next, it’s all about the right ways to bake with chocolate as you master the classic chocolate layer cake and luscious chocolate buttercream frosting. Fresh fruit tarts are always a hit, so up next, focus on press-in and cookie crusts, and then fill each with whipped mascarpone and luscious seasonal fruit. You’ll never fear pie dough again after your next lesson! Create a rustic berry galette and learn Abby’s special ingredient for your most delicious dough ever. Finally, master pie from scratch! From apple pie with a simple crumb topping to an easier-than-ever lattice top variation, you’ll always win rave reviews when you serve this classic treat.
Abby Dodge
Abigail Johnson Dodge is a two-time James Beard-nominated and IACP-winning author, baker, food writer and media personality. A longtime contributing editor to Fine Cooking magazine, Abby is the author of 10 cookbooks, including "The Everyday Baker." Her recipes and articles have appeared in dozens of cookbooks, publications and websites. Along with regular appearances on TV and radio, Abby teaches popular baking and cooking classes nationwide. For more information, visit her website, AbbyDodge.com.
Bonus materials available after purchase