Course Overview

Weddings, baby showers, birthdays — no matter the occasion, sweet treats make them special. In our Commercial Baking course, students learn how to create custom confections that are always in high demand. As they explore the business of baking, students are introduced to the following concepts and skills:

• Prepare cookies, breads, doughnuts, cakes, pies, custards, mousses, souffles, syrups, creams, sauces, etc.
• Develop and execute menus for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, receptions, etc.
• Use and maintain industry-standard kitchen equipment, such as ovens, mixers, doughnut fryers, etc.
• Price baked goods based on production cost calculations; manage inventory
• Maintain sanitary and safe food production facilities in keeping with government requirements

Students hone their skills by baking goods sold daily in The Bake Shoppe at LCTI or catering school events. Preparing goods like holiday cookies and fastnachts for themed bake sales is routine. With guidance from their instructor, students also tackle birthday cakes, wedding cakes and other orders from the public.

Once students master the fundamentals, they take on more advanced tasks, such as cake decorating with royal icing, rolled fondant, gum paste, air brush designs and more. Nutrition, food allergies and culinary sustainability are important elements of the course, too.

Our Commercial Baking course is accredited by the following organization:

American Culinary Federation Education Foundation

Course details

Course length: 9 months

Next start date(s): Fall 2024 dates TBD

Tentative schedule: 8:15 am – 2:45 pm, M-F

Credentials & college credit

Students who complete our course earn the following industry-recognized credentials:

• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
• S/P2 Culinary Certificate
• First Aid Certification via American Red Cross
• Pennsylvania Skills Certificate via NOCTI®

Students who complete our course are well-positioned to earn associate degrees at the following school(s):

The following schools have articulation agreements with LCTI that allow Commercial Baking students to earn college credit for work they complete in high school:

• Lehigh Carbon Community College
• The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College

Career pathways

with credentials earned at LCTI:

• Baker
• Dough Scaler/Mixer
• Pastry Chef

with credentials + experience:

• Bakery Manager
• Bakery Owner

with more postsecondary training or college degree:

• Chef de Partie
• Executive Pastry Chef
• Sous Chef

Learn more about potential career pathways.