PSTR-1301 Fundamentals of Baking


Ellen Sternau

Credit Spring 2024


Section(s)

PSTR-1301-002 (77386)
LEC Tu 9:00am - 10:40am HLC HLC2 1302

LAB Tu 10:50am - 2:10pm HLC HLC2 1302

Course Requirements

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Fundamentals of baking including dough, quick breads, pies, cakes, cookies, tarts, and doughnuts. Instruction in flours, fillings, and ingredients. Topics include baking terminology, tool and equipment use, formula conversions, functions of ingredients, and the evaluation of baked products.


Readings

Professional Baking: Edition: 7th Publisher: Wiley:ISBN: 978-1-119-14844-9 Optional - The Pastry Chef’sCompanion Edition: 9 th Publisher: Wiley: ISBN: 97804700095


Course Subjects

 

Date 

Class 

Lecture 

Reading Homework

Lab Recipes

Week 1  

Tues. 1/16

Basic Principles 

Assign 

Project/Paper

-Introduction -Course Outline -Tour Kitchen 

-Recipes for next week will be assigned.

NONE 

None

 

 

 

Week 2 

(Lab 1) 

Tues. 1/23

Basic Mixing 

Methods-Quick 

Breads

-Learn the basic mixing 

methods; creaming, biscuit, muffin 

-Discuss the three basic 

methods and uses in quick 

breads 

-Concentration this week on Muffin/Creaming Methods - Understand the differences 

between chemical leaveners

Chapter 4 Ingredients  

p. 53-90 

Chapter 10 - Mixing Methods, p. 211-216 

Write Recipe cards

Each Team will be  

assigned to make 1  

recipe from each method: Creaming Method: 

-Date Nut Bread p.223(½ recipe) sub Pecan nuts 

- Pumpkin Muffins-p. 225 (½ recipe) 

-Double Chocolate 

Muffins-p. 226 (½ recipe)

 -Lemon Poppy Seed 

Muffins-p. 224 (½ recipe) 

Orange Blackberry 

Muffins - pg 224 (½ recipe) 

Muffin Method: 

-Zucchini Carrot Nut 

Muffins-recipe given 

-Blueberry Muffin-p. 218 (½ recipe) 

-Bran Muffins-p.218 - 

-Banana Bread-recipe given

 -Morning Glory Muffins -recipe given

 

 

Week 3 

(Lab 2) 

Tues. 1/30

Pie Dough 

-Learn proper procedure for rolling pie dough and storage - Learn the creaming method and how it differs from the 

biscuit method

-Pie Doughs- p. 280-282 -Rolling out Pie Dough p. 285

- Types of Doughs-312 

 

Write recipe cards

Each Team will Make: 

Biscuit Method: 

-Scones-p. 221(½ recipe) Pie Dough-p.283 

Pate Sucree-p.314 

Both Doughs will be  

prepared and formed into  disks. These will be saved  for pie week.

Week 4 

(Lab 3) 

Tues. 2/6

Cookies/Brownies 

Handout: 

definitions for 1st  assignment 

(Posted to BB)

 

Quiz #1

-Types of cookies categories -Mixing methods 

-Understanding the different textures for various types of cookies through ingredients & cooking. 

-Storing different cookie dough

Chapter 18 Cookies  

p. 475-484 

Write recipe cards

Each Team will Make: 

-Spritz Cookies-Chef 

Recipe 

-Earl Gray Tea 

Cookie-Chef recipe. 

-Brownies- Chef Recipe

Week 5 

(Lab 4) 

Tues. 2/13

Foaming Method 

Meringues 

Types of cakes 

First Assignment  Due!!

-Learn the uses for foaming methods in different 

applications and how it can be a natural leavening agent. - Learn the proper way of 

whipping cream. The stages that the cream goes through during this process.

-Basic Foams, Whipped Cream & Meringues p. 255-259  

-Angel Food Method p. 382  

-Two-Stage Method-p.378:  

 

Write recipe cards

Each Team will Make: 

Angel Food Cake-p.403 Yellow Cake-recipe will be  given 

(This cake will be saved  later for icing cakes.) 

Practice Piping

 

 

Week 6 

(Lab 5) 

Tues. 2/20

Custards &  

Creams



 

Quiz #2

-Stirred vs. Baked Custard, the difference in taste and 

consistency of the end product. -Learn the uses for these basic products in applications of other pastry and desserts 

-Proper storage and shelf life for all cream products.

Chapter 19-Custards

 -Stirred & Baked,p. 511-515 

-Custard Sauces p. 260 

 

Write recipe cards

Each Team will Make:  Creme Brulee - p. 517 (½  recipe) - add cinnamon  stick 

Each Student will Make: Creme Anglaise p.261 - (½ recipe) Will be made  into Ice Cream - use ½ HC & ½ Milk

Week 7 

(Lab 6) 

Tues. 2/27

Pate a Choux  

Pastry Cream

-Pate a Choux & Puff Pastry - Learn the different types 

applications for pate a choux through piping and additions of ingredients 

-Continue working on stirred custards and understanding of changing the flavor profile.

Chapter 5

-Basic Baking Principles, p. 93-101 

-Working with eclair paste p. 329-330 

 

Write recipe cards 

Study for midterm exam

Each Student will Make:

 - Pate a Choux - p.330 (Full  recipe) Chef will demo piping technique for Choux  Paste: 

Chocolate Eclairs, Cream Puffs, Paris Brest 

-Pastry Cream - p.263 

(Full recipe)

 Make note of the variations of flavoring the pastry cream.

 

 

Week 8 

No Lab 

Tues. 3/5

Midterm Exam 

 

Paper/Presentation

   

Students will need to  come prepared for their  presentation of topic  research. 

After presentations we will take the written  

midterm

Week 9 

(Lab 7) 

    Tues. 3/19

Pies/Tarts 

-Difference between dough in taste for savory vs. sweet - 

Handling, rolling, shaping of dough for different type of 

molds 

-Using the right dough for the right filling 

-Finishes for pies 

-Mid Term Exam will be given online.

Read Chapter 13

-Pies, p. 284-291 

-Rolling out tart shells, p. 351 

 

Write recipe cards

Each Student will Make:  

-Fresh Fruit Tart-p.352 -Old  Fashioned Apple Pie w  /streusel topping 

p. 295 & p. 195 (Scale to 1 pie/6 apples per pie) 

Chef will Demo Assemble of Tarts & Quiche

Week 10 

(Lab 8) 

Tues. 3/26

Yeast Breads 




 

Quiz #3

-Yeast-Fresh vs. Dried, how does it work 

-Procedures for mixing yeast dough 

-Storing breads/dough for 

future uses

Read Chapter 6, 

-Understanding Yeast Dough,  p. 117-125 

 

Write recipe cards

All Teams will Make: - Italian Bread-p.127 (Part  of this dough will be made  into a pizza, the other for  a small loaf. Toppings for  pizza will be provided) 

-Bagels-recipe given (Chef will prepare one pot of water to be used by the class for poaching bagels.)

 

 

Week 11 

(Lab 9) 

Tues. 4/2

Enriched Breads 

Handout: 

Definitions for 2nd assignment 

(Posted to BB)

-Learning the differences 

between Puff/Croissant/Danish dough 

-Learn the difference of an 

Enriched Yeast dough and 

Laminated Dough - 

What are the best 

applications/uses for these item

Read Chapter 9, 

-Rich Yeast Doughs ,p.181-183  

-Laminated Doughs, p.188- 189

 

Write recipe cards

All teams will make: - 

Pecan Sticky 

Buns-recipe Rich Sweet  Dough - p. 184 (Chef will  explain how to prepare.) 

-Milk Bread-p. 132

(Milk bread will be portioned out and braided.)

 

 

Week 12 

(Lab 10) 

Tues. 4/9

Short Dough 

2nd Assignment  

Due!!!

 

Quiz #4

-Working with puff pastry 

dough and phyllo pastry dough. -How to handle each of these items for a successful end  

product. 

-Proper storage & shelf life.

Write recipe cards 

Start to review for final exam

All teams will make: 

-Turnovers-p.322-Chef will provide various fillings for class 

-Palmiers-p.328  

-Papillons-p. 327 (Each team will receive two sheets of puff pastry that is ready to use.) 

-Apple Strudel using 

Phyllo Leaves-p.338 

-Apple Filling for 

Strudel-p.339 (Half 

Recipe)

Week 13 

(Lab 11) 

Tues. 4/16

Field Trip to Central Market & Whole 

Foods

Students will be given a guide  from the instructor to tour Whole  Foods & Central Market. Student  attendance is mandatory. If a  student does not attend, a written paper cannot be submitted. Make sure you come!!

 

Homework-A one page paper on the field trip  needs to be submitted by  the students the following  week at the beginning of  class. Students will use  the same guidelines as  the research paper noted  in the syllabus. No late  papers will be accepted!!  This is an objective paper  and you will be given a  basic outline by the chef  at the location to help  you write your paper.

Week 14

(Lab 12)  

 Tues. 4/23

Savory Baking 

Cake Decorating

Utilizing techniques learned  over this semester we will  

create savory baked pastries 

Students will divide, fill, crumb  coat, ice and decorate a cake

Review recipes for practical  exams given by the chef

All teams will make: 

Quiche Lorraine -Chef Recipe 

Leek & Mushroom 

Tart-Chef Recipe

 

Swiss Meringue  

Buttercream - Chef  

Recipe 

We will use the Pie and Tart doughs made in  

Lab #2

 

 

Week 15 

Practical 

Exam 

Tues. 4/30

PRACTICAL EXAM 

Students will take a practical  exam using the techniques and  recipes learned throughout this  semester.

Study for Final Exam 

Come prepared with  

recipes on index cards 

Students will work  

individually

Week 16  

Tues. 5/7

Kitchen Cleaning 

Final Exam

 

Final exam will be given  in person

        

 


Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

·   Identify and explain baking terms, ingredients, equipment, and tools

·   Scale and measure ingredients; convert and cost recipes

·   Safely operate baking equipment and tools

·   Prepare yeast products,quick breads,pies,tarts,cookies, various cakes,icings,and demonstrate decorating techniques

·   Produce commercially acceptable baked products 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

●   Describe properties and functions of the basic ingredients used in baked goods

●   Weigh and measure ingredients used in baking

●   Resize recipes to meet production needs and equipment capacities

●   Prepare typical American chemically leavened products.

●   Scale, mix, proof and bake yeast raised goods.

●   Prepare cookies using various common dividing and panning techniques; American home style crumb topped and two crust pies; high ratio, chiffon cakes and genoise; product finishes such as washes, glazes, icings, frostings and fillings.

●   Demonstrate proper storage techniques for all baking products.

 


Office Hours

M 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Highland Campus - building 2000 Room 1317.04

NOTE Tuesday; 2:15pm-3:15pm, Wednesday; 3pm-5:00pm or by appointment

Published: 01/17/2024 11:38:45