Best Pastry Courses Online: Master Professional Pastry Making in 2025

Want to make perfect croissants, master French pastries, or create stunning desserts? We’ve tested 40+ online pastry courses to find the best options for learning professional pastry techniques, from basic skills to advanced plating.

Last updated: November 2025 | Reading time: 9 minutes

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Pastry Courses

Course	Best For	Price	Skill Level	Our Rating
Ecole Ducasse Online	Professional French pastry	€990/year	Advanced	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MasterClass – Dominique Ansel	French classics	$180/year	Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Udemy – Pastry School	Budget comprehensive	$29.99	Beginner-Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐⭐
King Arthur Baking	American pastry focus	$395	All levels	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Craftsy Pastry Classes	Specific technique deep-dives	$7.99/month	Intermediate	⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. Ecole Ducasse – Online Pastry Diploma

Best for: Serious students wanting professional French pastry education

This is the online arm of the legendary Ducasse cooking school in Paris. You’ll learn classical French pastry from actual French pastry chefs with professional-level curriculum.

What You’ll Learn:

• Classical French pastry techniques
• Viennoiserie (croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche)
• Pâtisserie (tarts, éclairs, macarons, mousses)
• Chocolate work and tempering
• Sugar work and decorations
• Professional plating and presentation

Pros:

• Legitimate French pastry school curriculum
• Taught by French pastry chefs
• Professional-level instruction
• Diploma upon completion
• Industry-recognized certification

Cons:

• Expensive (€990/year)
• Requires significant time commitment
• Advanced techniques assume some experience
• European measurements and ingredients

Price: €990/year

Duration: 100+ hours

Our verdict: Worth it if you’re serious about professional pastry work or opening a bakery. This is the real deal.

[Explore Ecole Ducasse]

2. MasterClass – Dominique Ansel Teaches French Pastry Fundamentals

Best for: Home bakers wanting to learn French pastry from the Cronut creator

Dominique Ansel, creator of the Cronut and James Beard Award winner, teaches his approach to French pastry. Covers classic techniques with modern perspectives.

What You’ll Learn:

• Croissant lamination (Ansel’s specialty)
• Perfect macarons every time
• Classic French pastries (madeleines, financiers)
• Professional finishing techniques
• Pastry philosophy and creativity

Pros:

• Learn from a pastry legend
• Gorgeous 4K cinematography
• Clear, encouraging instruction
• Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses
• Lifetime access to content

Cons:

• Annual subscription
• No personalized feedback
• Requires quality ingredients
• Some techniques need specialty equipment

Price: $180/year (all-access)

Duration: 4 hours, 17 lessons

Our verdict: Best value for learning French pastry from a master. Ansel’s teaching style makes complex techniques approachable.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

3. Udemy – The Complete Pastry School

Best for: Budget-conscious students wanting comprehensive pastry education

Pastry chef Christina teaches classical and modern pastry techniques in this extensive course. Covers everything from basic doughs to advanced decorating.

What You’ll Learn:

• Pastry doughs (pâte sucrée, pâte brisée, puff pastry)
• Creams and fillings (pastry cream, diplomat, mousseline)
• Tarts, pies, and galettes
• Choux pastry (éclairs, cream puffs)
• Cake basics and decorating
• Plated desserts

Pros:

• One-time payment, lifetime access
• Comprehensive curriculum
• Beginner-friendly progression
• Downloadable recipes and templates
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Less prestigious than culinary school courses
• Video quality varies
• No certification
• Some techniques simplified

Price: $29.99 (often $19.99)

Duration: 15 hours, 100+ lessons

Our verdict: Excellent value for comprehensive pastry education. Covers more than most people need for home pastry.

[Check Current Udemy Price]

4. King Arthur Baking School – Professional Pastry Certificate

Best for: American bakers wanting structured pastry program with certification

King Arthur’s pastry program teaches professional techniques with American ingredients and measurements. Structured curriculum with instructor feedback.

What You’ll Learn:

• Professional pastry kitchen workflow
• American and French pastry techniques
• Advanced dough handling
• Cake decorating and assembly
• Pastry business considerations

Pros:

• Structured 8-week program
• Instructor feedback on your work
• Industry-recognized certificate
• Lifetime access to materials
• American ingredients/measurements

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost ($395)
• Time commitment required
• Must submit work for feedback
• More American-focused than French

Price: $395 one-time

Duration: 25+ hours over 8 weeks

Our verdict: Great middle ground between home baking and professional training. The certificate adds value for career changers.

[Explore King Arthur Program]

5. Craftsy Unlimited – Pastry Masterclass Collection

Best for: Experienced bakers wanting deep dives into specific techniques

Craftsy offers dozens of specialized pastry classes—croissant masterclass, macaron workshop, cake decorating, chocolate work. Each class focuses deeply on one topic.

What You’ll Learn:

• Specialized techniques (choose your focus)
• Professional finishing methods
• Troubleshooting specific pastries
• Advanced decorating skills
• Multiple instructor approaches

Pros:

• Affordable unlimited access ($7.99/month)
• Choose topics that interest you
• Professional instructors
• High video quality
• Lifetime access option available

Cons:

• Less structured than full programs
• Need to self-direct learning
• Quality varies by instructor
• Monthly subscription model

Price: $7.99/month or $79.99/year

Duration: 100+ pastry classes, 2-6 hours each

Our verdict: Great for targeted learning once you have basics down. The variety lets you explore specializations.

[Try Craftsy Unlimited]

Essential Pastry Techniques

Dough Skills:

• Lamination: Creating layers (croissants, puff pastry)
• Blind baking: Pre-baking tart shells
• Chilling and resting: Why temperature matters
• Rolling techniques: Even thickness, minimal handling

Cream and Filling Mastery:

• Pastry cream: Smooth, lump-free technique
• Whipped cream stability: Proper whipping, stabilizing
• Buttercream types: Swiss, Italian, French, American
• Ganache ratios: Truffle vs. glaze consistency

Temperature Control:

• Chocolate tempering: Snap and shine
• Sugar stages: Thread, soft ball, hard crack
• Egg incorporation: Warm vs. cold techniques
• Proofing: Yeast pastries and enriched doughs

Professional Finishing:

• Glazing: Mirror-smooth surfaces
• Piping: Consistent rosettes, éclairs, decorations
• Plating: Composition and sauce work
• Garnishing: Edible flowers, chocolate work, sugar

Common Pastry Mistakes Courses Address

Overworking dough (tough, dense results)

Solution: Minimal handling, proper resting

Wrong temperature butter (lamination failures)

Solution: Understanding butter pliability

Deflating whipped elements (flat mousse, cream)

Solution: Gentle folding techniques

Uneven baking (burned edges, raw centers)

Solution: Oven positioning, temperature accuracy

Soggy bottoms (underbaked tart shells)

Solution: Proper blind baking, venting

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I learn professional pastry without culinary school?

Yes! Online courses now offer culinary-school-level curriculum. Ecole Ducasse and King Arthur provide professional education remotely. You’ll need disciplined practice, but the knowledge is accessible online.

Do I need expensive equipment for pastry?

Basic pastry needs: mixing bowls, rolling pin, tart pans, piping bags, offset spatula. Total: $100-150. Advanced work (chocolate tempering, sugar work) requires specialty equipment. Start basic, upgrade as skills grow.

How long to become proficient at pastry?

Basic competence: 3-4 months of regular practice. Confident pastry cook: 6-9 months. Professional level: 1-2 years. Pastry requires precision and patience—progress is gradual but rewarding.

Is pastry harder than regular cooking?

Pastry requires more precision. Cooking is flexible (taste and adjust), pastry is chemical (ratios matter). But with proper instruction and practice, it’s learnable. Good courses break down the science.

Can I make French pastries without French ingredients?

Mostly yes! Butter, flour, sugar, eggs are universal. Some recipes require European butter (higher fat content), but many work with American ingredients. Courses specify when ingredient quality critically matters.

Do online pastry courses provide certification?

Some do: Ecole Ducasse, King Arthur, and Rouxbe offer certificates. MasterClass, Udemy, and Craftsy don’t. For career purposes, choose courses offering industry-recognized certification.

What’s the difference between baking and pastry?

Baking: Breads, cookies, cakes (simpler techniques). Pastry: Complex doughs, creams, assembly, plating (higher skill). Pastry is a specialized branch of baking requiring advanced technique.

Our Final Recommendation

For professional French training: Ecole Ducasse (€990/year) offers legitimate pastry school curriculum online.

For best value: MasterClass with Dominique Ansel ($180/year) teaches French pastry from a master.

For budget learners: Udemy’s Pastry School ($29.99) covers comprehensive techniques for one-time payment.

For American-focused certification: King Arthur ($395) provides structured program with certificate.

For specialized deep-dives: Craftsy Unlimited ($7.99/month) offers focused masterclasses.

Ready to Master Pastry?

Pastry combines art, science, and precision. Choose a course matching your goals, invest in basic equipment, and practice regularly. In 6-12 months of dedicated work, you’ll create pastries that rival professional bakeries.

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