Best Baking Courses Online: Learn to Bake Like a Pro in 2025

Want to master sourdough, perfect your pastries, or start a baking business? We’ve tested 50+ online baking courses to find the absolute best options for every skill level and budget.

Last updated: November 2025 | Reading time: 8 minutes

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Baking Courses

Course	Best For	Price	Skill Level	Our Rating
MasterClass – Dominique Ansel	Advanced techniques	$180/year	Intermediate-Advanced	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Udemy – Ultimate Bread Baking	Bread basics	$19.99	Beginner	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Skillshare – French Pastry	Pastries & desserts	$32/month	Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐⭐
America’s Test Kitchen	Foolproof recipes	$24.95/month	All levels	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
King Arthur Baking School	Professional certification	$395-595	All levels	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. MasterClass – Dominique Ansel Teaches French Pastry Fundamentals

Best for: Serious bakers who want to learn from a James Beard Award winner

Learn from the creator of the Cronut himself. Dominique Ansel’s MasterClass covers croissants, macarons, madeleines, and other French pastry classics. The production quality is cinema-level, and Ansel’s teaching style is clear and encouraging.

What You’ll Learn:

• Laminated dough techniques for perfect croissants
• Foolproof macaron method (no more hollow shells)
• French pastry fundamentals and professional techniques
• Plating and presentation for impressive results

Pros:

• Learn from a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef
• Gorgeous 4K cinematography makes techniques crystal clear
• Lifetime access to revisit lessons whenever needed
• Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses included in subscription

Cons:

• Requires investment in quality ingredients
• No personalized feedback on your work
• Annual subscription model (not one-time purchase)

Price: $180/year (all-access pass)

Duration: 4 hours, 17 lessons

Our verdict: Worth every penny if you’re serious about French pastries. The techniques are professional-level, and Ansel’s reputation speaks for itself.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

2. Udemy – The Ultimate Bread Baking Course

Best for: Complete beginners who want to bake artisan bread at home

This comprehensive course takes you from never-baked-before to confidently making sourdough, baguettes, and specialty breads. Over 50,000 students have taken this course, with a 4.7-star average rating. It’s regularly updated with new recipes and troubleshooting tips.

What You’ll Learn:

• Sourdough starter creation and maintenance (week-by-week guide)
• Kneading, folding, and shaping techniques for different breads
• Understanding fermentation science (why bread works)
• Troubleshooting common problems (dense loaves, no rise, etc.)

Pros:

• One-time payment of $19.99, lifetime access forever
• Active Q&A section with instructor responding within 24 hours
• Downloadable PDF recipes and troubleshooting guides
• 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied

Cons:

• Video production quality varies between older and newer sections
• Some recipes require a Dutch oven or banneton (disclosed upfront)

Price: $19.99 (often on sale for $12.99)

Duration: 8.5 hours, 60+ lessons

Our verdict: The best value for money in online baking education. Perfect for absolute beginners who want to focus specifically on bread.

[Check Current Udemy Price]

3. Skillshare – French Pastry Fundamentals

Best for: Intermediate bakers ready to level up their pastry skills

Multiple instructors from Le Cordon Bleu and professional pastry kitchens teach classic French pastry techniques in bite-sized lessons. The monthly subscription gives you unlimited access to 1,000+ cooking and baking classes.

What You’ll Learn:

• Pâte à choux for éclairs, cream puffs, and profiteroles
• Perfect tart and pie dough every time
• Custards, creams, and fillings (pastry cream, diplomat cream, etc.)
• Cake decoration fundamentals

Pros:

• Learn from actual Le Cordon Bleu pastry instructors
• Project-based learning with community feedback on your work
• Huge library of related classes included (chocolate work, sugar art, etc.)
• 1-month free trial available

Cons:

• Monthly subscription means no permanent access
• Quality varies between different instructors
• Need to actively use subscription to justify cost

Price: $32/month or $168/year

Duration: Various classes, 2-5 hours each

Our verdict: Incredible value if you plan to take multiple classes. The variety lets you explore different baking styles before committing deeply.

[Try Skillshare Free Trial]

4. America’s Test Kitchen Online Cooking School

Best for: Bakers who want foolproof, scientifically-tested recipes

Every recipe is tested 30-50 times in the ATK test kitchen before publication. You’re not just learning techniques—you’re learning why they work through science-based explanations. The approach eliminates guesswork and guarantees results.

What You’ll Learn:

• Scientific principles behind baking success (gluten development, leavening, etc.)
• Equipment recommendations from extensive testing (save money on gear)
• Substitution strategies when you’re missing ingredients
• Comprehensive troubleshooting guides for common failures

Pros:

• Recipes are genuinely foolproof—if you follow steps, it works
• Both video and detailed written instructions for every recipe
• Active community forum where instructors answer questions
• Equipment reviews save you hundreds on unnecessary purchases

Cons:

• Monthly subscription adds up over time ($300/year)
• More focused on recipes than advanced technique development
• Some students find the scientific pace slower than other courses

Price: $24.95/month or $199.99/year

Duration: 100+ hours of baking content

Our verdict: Perfect for analytical learners who want to understand the “why” behind every step. The recipe success rate is unmatched.

[Start Your Free ATK Trial]

5. King Arthur Baking School

Best for: Serious students wanting a structured, professional-level program

This is the closest you’ll get to a professional baking school without leaving home. The curriculum is structured like a real culinary program, with progressive skill-building, instructor feedback, and a certificate upon completion.

What You’ll Learn:

• Professional baker’s workflow and organizational habits
• Advanced fermentation techniques and enriched dough mastery
• Cake decorating, pastry finishing, and presentation skills
• Small-scale baking business considerations (if that’s your goal)

Pros:

• Structured curriculum with clear progression from basics to advanced
• Actual instructor feedback on photos/videos you submit
• Certificate of completion recognized in baking industry
• Lifetime access to all course materials and recipe updates

Cons:

• Higher upfront investment ($395-595)
• Significant time commitment required (20-30 hours over 8 weeks)
• Must submit work for feedback (can’t just watch passively)

Price: $395-595 depending on course level

Duration: 20-30 hours over 8 weeks

Our verdict: Worth the investment if you’re considering baking professionally or want certification. The structure keeps you accountable.

[Explore King Arthur Courses]

How to Choose the Right Baking Course for You

Consider your skill level:

Complete beginner? Start with Udemy’s bread course ($19.99). It assumes zero knowledge and builds from there.

Have basic skills, want to improve? Try Skillshare ($32/month). The variety lets you explore what interests you most.

Serious about mastery? MasterClass ($180/year) or King Arthur ($395-595) are professional-level instruction.

Consider your budget:

Under $50: Udemy courses offer lifetime access for one-time payment

Under $200/year: Skillshare or MasterClass subscriptions

Serious investment: King Arthur’s structured program with certification

Consider your learning style:

Need community support? America’s Test Kitchen has active forums

Want celebrity instruction? MasterClass features James Beard Award winners

Need structure? King Arthur’s program with homework keeps you on track

Self-paced explorer? Skillshare’s huge variety lets you jump between topics

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Baking Courses

Can I really learn to bake online without in-person instruction?

Yes! Modern 4K video with close-up shots makes technique learning easier than in-person classes where you’re watching from across a room. Thousands of home bakers successfully learn through online courses. The key is actually practicing—watching alone won’t make you a baker. Plan to bake 2-3 times per week while taking a course.

Do I need special equipment to take these courses?

Most courses work with basic home equipment: mixing bowls, measuring cups, baking sheets, and a standard oven. Some advanced courses recommend a stand mixer, kitchen scale ($15-30), Dutch oven (for bread), and instant-read thermometer ($10-20). Courses disclose equipment needs upfront.

Which course is best for sourdough specifically?

For sourdough obsessives, Udemy’s “The Ultimate Bread Baking Course” has the most comprehensive sourdough section. It covers starter creation, daily feeding schedules, troubleshooting, and 10+ recipe variations. The instructor responds to questions within 24 hours.

Are these courses good for kids learning to bake?

MasterClass and King Arthur are geared toward adult learners. For kids age 8-14, look for courses specifically designed for young bakers with simpler recipes and age-appropriate safety instruction.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like the course?

Udemy: 30-day money-back guarantee. Skillshare: Cancel anytime, prorated refund. MasterClass: 30-day money-back guarantee. America’s Test Kitchen: 14-day trial period. King Arthur: Contact within first week for refund consideration.

Our Final Recommendation

For most people: Start with Skillshare’s free trial ($0 first month, then $32/month). Take 2-3 baking courses, see if you’re committed.

For serious bakers: MasterClass ($180/year) offers the best combination of professional instruction and production quality.

For bread obsessives: Udemy’s Ultimate Bread Baking Course ($19.99) is unbeatable value with lifetime access.

For professional ambitions: King Arthur Baking School ($395-595) provides structure, certification, and industry recognition.

Ready to Start Your Baking Journey?

The best online baking course is the one you’ll actually complete. Start with your current skill level, invest what you’re comfortable with, and most importantly—get in the kitchen and bake.

No course will make you a great baker by itself. But the right course, combined with regular practice, will transform your baking in 3-6 months.