Simple Cakes is a self-paced course and is now open for enrolment.

Learn all there is to know about making the cake you want to bake, eat and share in this fun and informative online baking course.

Anneka has a wealth of baking knowledge that she so kindly shares. I felt her support and genuine interest in teaching people shone through. It didn’t feel like just another online class. The little tips that came up were invaluable. This course was a great way to join a small community of like-minded bakers and tweak my baking to guarantee better results.

Fiona Parker, Melbourne

Learn the secrets to delicious (and impressive!) cakes – right in your very own kitchen!

Simple Cakes is a fun and casual online baking course where you will learn a range of techniques and countless practical tips giving you everything you need to bake, ice and decorate delicious – and impressive – cakes at home.

Anneka Manning will guide you through the process and share her more than 35 years of baking experience, knowledge and research. The course includes a 2.5-hour masterclass pre-recorded video (which was previously recorded as a Live Session), which enables you to take part in the course entirely at your own pace. Not only will you learn the secrets to the 'creaming' method (and get the answer to one of baking's most-asked questions, "How long do I need to cream for?") but you will gain the building blocks you need for all your future cake baking.

You can also bake along with Anneka in your own time and make a quintessential Vanilla Buttercake complete with Raspberry Buttercream, troubleshooting and gaining invaluable tips and tricks as you go. 

The virtual masterclass is supported by printable recipes and resources including step-by-step instructions on the two other main mixing methods when it comes to cake baking as well as recipes to practice each method. Each recipe includes multiple variations (giving you a repertoire of over 36 different cakes!) as well as how to adapt for different tin shapes, from standard round and square tins through to cupcakes and sheet cakes. Included are also a number of recipes and instructions for different types of icings (glace, buttercream, frosting and ganache) and clever decoration ideas for your cakes.

At the end of this course, you will walk away with a repertoire of reliable recipes that will become your go-to bakes be it for a special afternoon tea, a casual weekend picnic or the school cake stall.

So, join us and say goodbye to store-bought and packet cakes forever!

Dates

Simple Cakes is a self-paced course and is now open for enrolment.

Please note: The video included in this course is a pre-recorded 3-hour video of a previous Live Session.

If you're interested in joining in a future LIVE class and would like to be notified when new dates are released, please fill in your details at the bottom of this page.

Cost

$100 (FREE for all BakeClub & Co. Members in January 2026).

Who is this class suitable for?

This class is, quite simply, suitable for everyone – from absolute beginners to more experienced bakers who want to brush up on their cake-baking skills. As this class is completed online, it is suitable for students from all over the world.

What will I get?

• A 2.5-hour pre-recorded masterclass video where you can bake along with Anneka Manning and learn how to make a Vanilla Buttercake with Raspberry Buttercream.
• Membership to BakeClub's exclusive The Kitchen Table online group
• Access to Anneka's 35+ years of baking experience and knowledge through The Kitchen Table and the ability to ask any baking-related questions.
  
• A thorough understanding of the cake-baking process and how to apply what you've learnt to be able to troubleshoot in the future and ensure baking success.
• Invaluable printable information sheets and recipes.
• Lifetime access to the video and course material.
• A chance to (virtually) meet like-minded people and share your baking with The Kitchen Table online group.
  
• Baking confidence, knowledge and skill to use regularly at home.

What will I learn?

This course covers the three main mixing methods used when baking cakes: the Measure & Mix method, the Measure & Beat method, and the Creaming method.

Each recipe includes multiple variations as well as how to adapt for different tin shapes, from standard round and square tins through to cupcakes and sheet cakes (giving you a repertoire of over 36 different cakes!).

Included are also a number of recipes and instructions for different types of icings (glace, buttercream, frosting and ganache) and clever decoration ideas for your cakes, as well as loads of helpful information, tips and tricks around cake baking.

If you are interested in taking part in a future class, please fill out your details below and we'll be in touch when new dates are released.

Sourdough will run from 18th September – 16th October 2026. 

Build the skills, knowledge and confidence to bake exceptional sourdough at home in just 4 weeks!

Discover everything you need to know about making your own sourdough – right from your very own kitchen!

Sourdough is an intensive 4-week online course where you will learn everything there is to know about how to make and bake your own artisan sourdough bread – all from your very own kitchen.

This online course combines live virtual demonstrations (all recorded so you can rewatch them anytime) with printable recipes and detailed information sheets to guide your learning at your own pace. You’ll be taken step-by-step through the entire sourdough process – from creating and maintaining your starter to kneading, proving, shaping, baking and storing your bread – as well as how to incorporate your starter into your everyday baking.

Anneka Manning will guide you every step of the way, sharing her more than 35 years of baking experience, knowledge and research, as well as all of her practical and handy tips and tricks. Throughout the course, you will have access to a closed online forum where you will be able to ask Anneka any questions that arise and be able to troubleshoot your sourdough baking as you move through the process.

At the end of this course, you will walk away with all the knowledge, skill and confidence you need to be able to bake your own delicious sourdough bread at home.

Dates

18th September – 16th October 2026

Cost

$350 (50% discount for all BakeClub & Co. Members)

How will the course work?

This course is made up of 3 key components:

1. Live demonstrations:

The live component of this course will take place over four virtual sessions where Anneka will take you through the entire sourdough process including:

• Friday 18th September 2026 at 7.30-9pm (AEST): How to make your own sourdough starter
  
• Friday 9th October 2026 at 8-9pm (AEDT): How to make a levain
  
• Saturday 10th October at 9-10.30am (AEDT): Making, stretching, folding, proving and shaping your dough
  
• Saturday 10th October at 4-5pm (AEDT): Baking your bread
  

Please note: the first Live Session takes place at Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10) while the following three take place at Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11). All of the Live Sessions will all be recorded so you can look back at them as many times as you like or watch them in your own time if you happen to miss the live session.

During the course, you will also have access to two extra online Live Sessions with Anneka. These Live Sessions will go over specific concepts covered and you will also have the opportunity to ask Anneka any related questions that have arisen for you as you work your way through the content. The Live Sessions will take place on Wednesday 30th September from 8-8.30pm (AEST) and Wednesday 14th October from 8-9pm (AEDT).

2. Written recipes and resources:

The live sessions will supported by printable recipes and resources which will take you through the process step by step so you can study and work through them at your own pace.

3. Closed Online Forum

An integral part of the course will be the closed online forum. This will be the place where you can ask Anneka any questions that come up as well as troubleshoot any issues that arise during the course. It is also a place where you can share your experience with fellow students.

Student numbers

We will only be accepting a limited number of bakers for this course so that Anneka can answer your baking questions during the live sessions and provide personal feedback via the closed online forum throughout the course.

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is, quite simply, suitable for everyone, but it is aimed at intermediate to experienced bakers. As this course is completed online, it is suitable for students from all over the world.

What will I receive?

• Four virtual live baking demonstrations (which will be recorded) where you will learn and bake along with Anneka Manning through the complete process of making your own sourdough.
  
• Personal, timely baking advice, guidance and encouragement from Anneka throughout the course.
  
• Access to a private online forum where you can connect with Anneka and fellow students – asking questions, sharing discoveries and supporting one another as you explore the art of making sourdough.
  
• Two online Live Sessions with Anneka (see schedule above), where she expands on key concepts and answers your questions as they arise while you work through the content.
  
• The opportunity to explore the science of baking within a welcoming (virtual) community of like-minded bakers.
  
• A thorough understanding of the “why” behind baking – and the ability to apply that knowledge to achieve consistent, reliable results.
  
• Membership to BakeClub’s exclusive The Kitchen Table online group upon completion of the course.
  
• Lasting baking confidence, knowledge and skills you can draw on every time you step into your kitchen.

What will I learn?

• What a sourdough starter is
• How to make your own sourdough starter
• How to feed, maintain, store and get the most from your sourdough starter
• What a levain or pre-frement is
• Key ingredients and equipment needed to make great sourdough bread
• What is the most ideal way to knead and prove your sourdough
• Using proving baskets and how to shape your sourdough without them
• The secret to a crunchy crust and chewy texture (like the artisan ones you buy!)

How will I get the most out of this course?

To truly benefit from this course, we recommend setting aside 3–4 hours each week to read the content, watch the videos, join the online Live Sessions and bake the recipes. This dedicated time will allow you to build skills steadily and gain the full, far-reaching benefits the course is designed to deliver.

We understand that life can sometimes interrupt the best of plans – which is why you’ll have 6 months’ access to the course content – but consistent time and effort will make all the difference to your progress, confidence and enjoyment in the kitchen.

So, is Sourdough for me?

• Would you like to master the technique of making your own sourdough bread from scratch?
• Would you love to be able to bake artisan-style bread at home?
• Would you like to be guided and inspired by Anneka's 35+ years of baking experience in your own kitchen?
• Do you have more time on your hands at the moment and keen to learn a new skill?

If any of these sound like you, then this course is the one for you!