Cake Baker: Job Description, Duties and Requirements
A cake baker's job involves combining flour and sugar with other ingredients and baking them to produce cakes, typically using recipes and exact measurements. Bakers may also be skilled in cake decorating.
Job Description for a Cake Baker
Cake bakers are specialists in the preparation and presentation of cakes, and they often produce one-of-a-kind baked goods. Their creations may be prepared in large commercial bakeries, markets and restaurants. Because their work involves handling perishable foods, cake bakers need to know how to safely store and prep all ingredients. They must possess creativity, organizational ability and a good deal of energy.
Duties
Some of a cake baker's responsibilities include ensuring that cakes are baked at the proper temperatures and making certain that kitchen and baking equipment adheres to sanitation regulations. Bakers experiment with various cake flavors and icings to produce cakes and desserts that are visually appetizing. They also check food ingredients for freshness, quality and availability. Bakers must be familiar with the use of commercial mixing machines, ovens and other large-scale baking equipment.
Requirements
Although a college degree is not required to become a professional cake baker, students may wish to attend accredited culinary schools to formally train in the baking and pastry field. This training also provides individuals with much of the background needed to start their own baking business. In some cases, workers acquire their cake baking skills through on-the-job training in a bakery or restaurant.
Education
Both 1-year certificates and 2-year degrees related to cake baking are available; these programs often go under the name 'baking and pastry arts.' A baking certificate program may include courses in food service safety and sanitation, baking principles and restaurant baking. The certificate program serves as sufficient preparation for jobs as entry-level pastry or cake bakers.
Students may also enroll in associate's degree programs in pastry and baking, which include a selection of general education courses (English, math, science) as well as hands-on work with ingredients and recipes. Classes might cover pastry shop business basics, pastry shop production, sugar basics, bread production and pastry design.
Apprenticeships
Formal training institutes may allow students to participate in internships or apprenticeships to gain on-the-job cake baking experience. Students may receive extensive training in menu planning, purchasing, baking, advanced hospitality management and supervisory management. Apprenticeships can last up to three years.
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7 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (1 campus)
- California (3)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (1)
- Illinois (1)
- Massachusetts (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Nevada (1)
- Texas (1)
- Washington (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor - Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management Online
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Associate
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- AS in Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking
- Associate - Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking International
- AS in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts
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- Associate - Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts International
- AOS in Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management
- AS in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Operations Hybrid
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Non-Degree
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- Certificate in Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking
- Diploma - Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking Hollywood
- Diploma in Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking
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-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
-
Non-Degree
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- Career Diploma: Hotel/Restaurant Mgmt
- Certificate in Feeding the Family
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
-
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (2 campuses)
- California (8)
- Colorado (1)
- Florida (3)
- Georgia (1)
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (1)
- North Carolina (2)
- Nevada (1)
- Ohio (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- South Carolina (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- Bachelor in Culinary Arts
- Bachelor in Culinary Arts Management
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- Bachelor in Food & Beverage Management
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Associate
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- Associate in Baking & Pastry Arts
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- Associate in Culinary Arts - Baking & Pastry
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Non-Degree
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- Certificate in Professional Baking & Pastry
- Diploma in Professional Baking & Pastry
- Certificate - Culinary Arts
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- Diploma - Culinary Arts
- Certificate in Art of Cooking
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Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Colorado (1 campus)
- Florida (1 campus)
- North Carolina (1)
- Rhode Island (1)
Areas of study you may find at Johnson & Wales University include:
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- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Culinary Arts and Personal Services
- Culinary Arts and Culinary Services
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Catering and Restaurant Management
- Chef Training
- Culinary Arts and Culinary Services
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School locations:
- Wisconsin (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Milwaukee Area Technical College include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate
- Culinary Arts and Personal Services
- Cosmetology and Related Services
- Culinary Arts and Culinary Services
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Catering and Restaurant Management
- Chef Training
- Funeral Related Services
Other Related Schools:
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School locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Culinary Arts and Personal Services
- Culinary Arts and Culinary Services
