Decadent bites / virtual learning

I pretty much have my neighbors trained now.  Whenever I bring them a dessert from a new recipe, the only requirement is they give me a number rating from 1-10.  A one (1) is equal to "it was horrible" and a 10 is equal to "I'd steal the entire batch if given a window of opportunity."   After several test batches last week and then making ANOTHER batch today during the Mixed Up Cupcakes baking experience, I certainly didn't need another batch of cupcakes all to myself.  I know the recipe is a winner, but I didn't want to be tempted to have cupcakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner...again.  So I snapped my photos for social media then gathered them up to give away to some of my favorite neighbors.  I snuck a little coffee extract into the vanilla buttercream, so I think that will give the birthday cake and vanilla cupcakes a nice kick.  

I've been thinking about adding another session of the Family Spook-tecular Halloween Fun experience for kids.  Currently, the only offering is from 4:00pm-5:30pm EST.  But I was thinking about adding a later session to allow families in different time zones to participate.  I was thinking about:

• 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST =
• 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST =
• 6:00pm - 7:30pm CST =
• 5:00pm - 6:30pm MST

There is a special "entire family" price for this experience.  It does not involve use of the oven, but parents will need to participate to melt ingredients and monitor younger children. 

Let your voice be heard!  I'd love input on adding another session for this offering.  I thought on Halloween was the best choice, but please let me know if Friday or Saturday would be better so Halloween is completely clear.

Oh how I love my to-do lists!  They keep me organized, thinking logically, and on track.  The regular Thanksgiving menu has been done and online since October 1, so I can check that off my list.  The holiday/Christmas menu has been visible since then as well, but I won't move it to the online store for a few more weeks.

Next I'm circling back with my new corporate clients to finalize orders.  However, I must have sensed some gaps in my calendar since I decided to add a baking experience series specifically for kids!  In my head I thought, "piece of cake!"  Then I realized the series of holiday baking experiences need to be created in unison -- intro, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and holiday/Christmas.  The research is done, so reworking, recipe testing, and continuing development of 3 other courses for different organizations charges forward.  

My network of friends were invaluable providing feedback on the kids series.  My own daughter is almost 35, so I don't claim to be current on all the things to consider pertaining to parents of young children.  After 45 minutes on the phone with Shopify  I finally figured out the least confusing way to offering a price break for siblings in the same house.  

This week will be brimming with excitement to see how it all goes!  I have the Halloween series almost ready to put online, but I will wait to gather feedback from the parents of the first wave of experiences.  The days and times all got 2 thumbs up from the parents, so I'm hopeful no major changes will be needed. 

Gather your friends to join your experience!  Each one has a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 15.   Please contact me for private groups, 1-on-1, in-home, or for week day baking experiences.  

This blog is publishing ahead of the experiences in the online store, so the hyperlinks in the PDF will not work until the experiences are published later today.   

Downloadable PDF