Course Description: This fun and skill-building course introduces teens to the art of baking and cookie decorating in a safe, hands-on environment. The course teaches essential baking techniques such as accurate measuring, mixing, and baking, while encouraging creativity and independence in the kitchen. Students will explore various cookie dough types, healthy alternatives, and decorating methods using icing, piping tools, and edible paints. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, learn to work with precision, and express their personal style through delicious edible creations they can proudly share with family and friends.   Course Outline: Lesson 1: Kitchen Skills & Safety First

• Kitchen hygiene, organization, and safety practices
• Identifying tools and ingredients
• How to handle baking equipment responsibly

• Understanding ingredient ratios and mixing techniques
• Folding in chocolate chips and proper dough portioning
• Bake a batch of classic or custom chocolate chip cookies

• Rolling, cutting, and baking sugar cookies evenly
• Decorating with sprinkles, glazes, and beginner icing techniques

• Natural sweeteners and healthy ingredient swaps
• Exploring benefits of oats, bananas, and mindful baking
• Create soft banana-oat cookies with optional add-ins

• The science of batter vs. dough
• Melting chocolate safely and swirling in flavors
• Bake rich, fudgy brownies with artistic marble swirls

• Mixing icing colors and edible painting
• Practicing piping techniques: outlines, dots, and decorative textures
• Themed decorating (e.g., animals, emojis, flowers)

• Explore cookie traditions from around the
• Learn basic shaping and flavor profiles from different cultures

• Learn to fill cookies with soft centers like Nutella, jam, or cream cheese
• Explore flavor pairing and custom combinations
• Bake signature stuffed cookies designed by the student

• Plan, bake, and decorate a themed cookie box or plate
• Apply skills from all previous lessons: dough prep, baking, icing, and artistic design
• Peer feedback and presentation (photo-ready cookies to take home!)