Basic Cakes & Pastries

Course code BAKG 1170

Credit 4.0

Length 100.0 hours

Course outline View

This course provides students with an introduction to the ingredients, processes, techniques, tools, and equipment used in the production of basic cakes and pastries.

A variety of techniques including high fat cake mixing and baking, the preparation of basic icings and fillings, and basic cake assembly and decoration are explored. Emphasis is placed on methods of preparation and the quality of the finished products as well as critical thinking, time management, communication, and teamwork.

Prerequisites

BAKG 1150, BAKG 1155, BAKG 1160.

Course type

This course is offered as part of a VCC program and cannot be taken individually.
International students: Eligibility is determined at the program level. Visit the program page for international student requirements and application information.

  • Classifications of high fat cakes, production techniques, quality standards
  • Classifications of icings, production techniques, quality standards
  • Baking science: fruits, nuts, spices, flavourings, aeration, specific gravity, emulsification, colour theory, light waves
  • Relationship between ingredients, techniques, environmental factors, and baking processes in the production of basic cakes and pastries
  • Reflective practice: analyzing outcomes of basic cakes and pastries based on inputs and quality standards, observation, and objectivity; generalizing, problem-solving, and refining knowledge and skills
  • Trade calculations: calculating formula yields for the production of basic cakes & pastries, calculating production costs
  • Production planning and time management: reading and following the production steps for simple cakes and pastries, preparing for production, direct vs. indirect production time, sequencing the production of multiple components
  • Safety and sanitation: tools & equipment operation and care; principles of food safety; personal hygiene and safety practices; types of hazards and emergencies, safety procedures and regulations; accident prevention
  • Professional communication in the baking industry: workplace safety, respectful communication, terminology, expressing disagreement
  • Bakery Management: market analysis, quality goods, displaying products on social media

Course schedules

Select your program to see the available course schedules.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
72044 December 3, 2026
to January 6, 2027
Lecture
Shop/Teaching Kitchen
VCC Downtown Campus See full schedule
72058 January 4, 2027
to January 28, 2027
Shop/Teaching Kitchen
Lecture
VCC Downtown Campus See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule. All self-paced courses have on-campus tests. Off-site certified invigilation centres may be used at the student's expense.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
41623 February 1, 2027
to February 25, 2027
Lecture
Shop/Teaching Kitchen
VCC Downtown Campus See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule. All self-paced courses have on-campus tests. Off-site certified invigilation centres may be used at the student's expense.

How to take this course

This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email at [email protected].

† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples who have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial.