Anyone have ideas for high school baking club projects?

I go back to my original suggestion: At the first meeting, as the club members what they want to do. They may not want decorating contests any more than you do! Make sure you set out the constraints you’ll all be under (time and cost), but otherwise ask them to think expansively. They’re more likely to get more out of it if their ideas drive the club.

Gorgeous! Must make. Did you use salted or unsalted butter in the loaf?

@MunchkinRedux - you know what, I used unsalted which Is my go-to for baked goods, but this needed a hit of salt so I would use salted! What type of butter do you use typically?

Thank you for that - I’ll use either, with guidance!

Thanks!

Crisp here. I take peanut butter cookies over CC, though. Still any cookie I like has crunch and is dippable in coffee to soften it up.

Got the 4 quart Artisan KitchenAid back from my ex with the wire whisk and paddle. No clue what he did with the dough hook but replacements are cheap on Amazon. I don’t mind bringing that one and my 6 quart pro in to use. I don’t mind bringing anything in that I already have on hand. And by bringing in I mean I will haul them to my car and the kids can go get them from there. hahaha

A friend of mine in SF actually found a fine tilt-head at a garage sale for only $5.

It came with only the Whisk. He’s originally from Sudan and didn’t know you use the paddle for most things, he was using the whisk to make cakes.

I bought him a paddle and dough hook on Amazon (dough hook is metal). $40.

LOL!!! Kids ARE my workforce. I’ll be excited to hear how this works out. You’ll make mistakes, kids will make mistakes. That’s the gold.

Awfully nice of you!

He’s a good friend, does lots of favors for me anytime I ask.

I just thought it was such a shame to have a nice machine and to be missing essential parts.

I have an easy 1 hour or less fruit ‘cobbler’ no machine required (other than an oven) recipe, if you are intetested.

So, @NJChicaa, what will be baking with the club (or what will they be baking with your guidance) this semester?

Tomorrow we are going to do caramel apples with toppings–mini m&ms, mini marshmallows, crushed oreos, etc. Just melting down Werther’s chewy caramels with heavy cream rather than making it from scratch to save time. Trying to start off easy. They can make/decorate them in the afternoon and then pick up the next morning after chilling in the fridge overnight.

Today we had our first bake sale. The former advisor held them on the 3rd Friday of every month so that’s what we are continuing. I am not getting much advice or help from her so I was stressed. I woke up at 4am this morning and couldn’t fall back to sleep. I already had to get to school early to set up but genius me I also needed to get gas and stop at the ATM for smaller bills to use for change. I was out of here by 5:45am.

Anyway it was a HUGE hit! The contributions ranged from boxed brownies and cupcakes to tiramisu cups, mini cheesecakes, and s’mores cookie bars. There was A LOT but we were absolutely slammed. There still was plenty left over by the time 1st period started so the members loaded it on a cart and I sold to the students in my classes, random students, and staff members. Almost everything was gone by the end of 8th period! I put the few leftovers in the faculty room fridge for the scavenger teachers to enjoy on Monday.

All told we earned $340 which completely shocked the teacher who runs the school bank. She said she hadn’t ever seen a bake sale deposit amount like that. It seems to have been a success! Now I just have to figure out what kind of baking/decorating project to do for the next meeting.

Maybe something to celebrate your successful sale? Congratulations!!!

So exciting! Thanks for sharing the details of this experience. Will look forward to future installments!

Is there a way to teach them how to make Banana Bread? It’s not expensive and smells great. The students might be able to get small markets to donate ripe bananas or sell them for a good price.

Bravo!!

Yes I have access to a classroom with baking equipment and a stove. The challenge is that so many kids show up. I had 30 to do caramel apples. 1,2 or even 3 loaves wouldn’t be enough.