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The book cover
Book presentation in conjunction with a baking course: "The Big Baking School - Cakes, Pastries and Desserts" by Beate Wöllstein – A long, long time ago, I had the great honor of taking two courses at Beate Wöllstein's Schwabing dessert house, the professional pastry chef whose creations have delighted sheikhs in Dubai and royals in London.„Wöllstein's Dessert House“to visit. At that time I tried my hand at macarons and vegan cakes (Test reportToday, after recently attending my third course, I'm sharing my experiences with Beate Wöllstein. This time, however, the focus isn't on the "Elegant Tarts from the Confectionery!" course I attended, but rather on the reason for my visit: none other than Beate Wöllstein's brand-new baking book, "The Big Baking School - Cakes, Pastries, and Desserts." And I'd like to introduce it to you now. Firstly, because—yes, you're still laughing—Christmas is only a little over two months away, and secondly, because the courses are incredibly fun, and this book contains everything you need to create things that are perhaps even half as good as Beate Wöllstein's. 😉 Before I delve into the details of the course I took, let me tell you about the book:
Beate Wöllstein with her assistant in one of her courses
What can you expect from Beate Wöllstein's "The Big Baking School" book?
Here's what happened to me: I had the book sent to me, having ordered it beforehand through the Wöllsteins Desserthaus website (link below), and opened the box in my kitchen. I just happened to tear it open in such a way that the book cover immediately caught my eye. Besides the title, it showed two small blueberry tarts, a colorful blackcurrant yogurt mille-feuille, and macarons – which, as you know, I would kill for. I immediately had a craving for something sweet, for baking (…which, by the way, I'm actually quite good at compared to cooking…) and for the book itself.
Right at the beginning of the book is a division into different categories. There's a basic course covering topics such as equipment, doughs, meringues and creams, sauces, caramel, and chocolate. Then comes the main section: the recipes. Finally, there's an appendix with product information, a glossary, equipment tips, and more. Several anecdotes by and about Beate Wöllstein are also included throughout. The book comprises 320 pages, and virtually every double-page spread contains a color photograph. The book's design is stylish, clear, and easy to understand.
Don't be intimidated by instructions and superficially described steps like "Prepare a thin sponge base" or "Make the caramel in a saucepan." You'll be guided through the recipe step-by-step in a way that's easy to understand and suitable even for beginners. If the result doesn't look quite like the photo, that's probably because Beate Wöllstein has been baking for decades and you've only been baking for 10 minutes. 😉
Beate Wöllstein's Big Baking School
Subdivision of recipes
The recipes (starting on page 74) are divided into cakes and cupcakes, tarts, small cakes and petit fours (which I would kill for...), pastries and desserts. This brings us full circle to why I recently participated in the aforementioned "Elegant Small Cakes from the Confectionery!" course (five hours for €145 per person – more on that later). The recipe for some of the small cakes we made in the course can be found on page 180 – "Banana Chocolate Dome". (Below you can see the results from the course. To be fair, I should mention that Ms. Wöllstein did more of the work than I did. ;-)) Let's take this recipe as an example: At the top, you'll find information on the number of cakes it makes, the preparation time, and the necessary baking equipment. Then the ingredients are listed (divided, for example, into "for the glaze", "for the dough", "for the mousse", etc.). This is followed by a detailed step-by-step description and six pictures that further illustrate the preparation steps. Practical, isn't it?
The results of the course „Elegant little cakes from the confectionery!“
Course offerings at Wöllstein's Dessert House
A wide variety of courses are offered. From basic courses and international confectionery to desserts, cakes, and pastries, as well as cake design and vegan baking (which I highly recommend!), there's something for everyone. Courses are also available for Christmas 2016. Prices start at €89. Just check online; you'll find the details there. current course calendar and information on whether there are still places available.
The Banana Chocolate Dome – also in the book (p. 180)
My course experience at „Elegant Cakes from the Confectionery!“
I don't think it will surprise you to hear that my mouth was already watering just reading about the course online. In this course, you'll create small, tempting tarts in various colors and shapes with great finesse. We made three different tarts in total: blackcurrant noisette, dark chocolate mousse and orange crumble, and the aforementioned banana chocolate dome. This five-hour course costs €145. And that's more than justified – something you "unfortunately" only truly appreciate in person. The courses – this was my third time taking one – are incredibly fun. Sure, the focus is on making the baked goods, but you still have a blast, partly because Beate Wöllstein is so relaxed and fun. You really get to do things yourself. I've been to so many courses where it was more about "watching and nodding" than "participating and learning." Not here: You'll learn, bake, measure, mix, roll out, taste, and be genuinely proud at the end! We promise. (Even if you already know how to bake, you'll never be THIS proud! ;-). The great thing is: Each course listing indicates online whether you should have any prior baking experience. (This one, for example, doesn't.) So you know what to expect and can easily book online. (Again: You couldn't give your friends, wives, colleagues, grandmas, etc., a cooler gift. Men are also regular participants in the courses.) By the way, in every course – after enjoying some coffee and cake (etc.) together – you'll take some of your creations home with you. (It would be a shame not to be able to show them off at home... ;-)
Doesn't that look professional? Step-by-step instructions explain every step of the booking process.
Does the book deliver on its promises?
Absolutely! The preparation isn't exactly easy, but everything is explained in the courses. Since I also wanted to test out the new book, "The Big Baking School by Beate Wöllstein," I checked step-by-step whether I could personally make the Banana Chocolate Dome without Ms. Wöllstein, using only the book. And indeed! The practical experience was the perfect proof that the book really does make it possible to achieve good results. While it would occasionally be helpful to have Beate Wöllstein herself present in my own kitchen – as I realized when testing the book at home – I – and therefore you too – managed perfectly well with the book.
The course participants in the group
Book a course, buy the book and WIN! (Challenge closed!)
The book is fantastic. Anyone who enjoys baking and doesn't want to end up with the 3,520th baking book with the same old recipes on their shelf, but instead wants to create true works of art, will find this book a real treasure. Those who want to experience Beate Wöllstein live should check out her website. Course offerings from Wöllstein's Dessert House Take a look around. You can either pick up the book there, or if it's meant to be a gift or you want it right away, you can order it online (link below). Personally, I think the price (€39.99) is reasonable. Not only because of the effort involved, but also because it contains an incredible amount of professional knowledge. I was completely convinced when I opened to the last recipe: "Kaiserschmarrn on a Skewer" – any questions?
*** AS THE BEST IS SAVED! Three lucky participants can win one of the wonderful books "The Big Baking School" by Beate Wöllstein via Facebook. *** (Contest closed. Terms and conditions deactivated.)
Bibliographic data:
Book presentation by: The Big Baking School – Cakes, Pastries and Desserts
Author: Beate Wöllstein
Publishing house: Christian Publishing House
Read a sample and buy
Key facts: 320 pages, hardcover with approx. 300 color photographs (by Anja Prestel); Price: €39.99 (free shipping)
ISBN-13: 978-3-86244-981-1
BUY (If you order directly here, you have the option to request a personal dedication with your desired text from Beate Wöllstein.)
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