Baking Classes at The Next Loaf
Rebecca, an experienced and empathetic teacher, enjoys sharing her love of baking with hundreds of enthusiastic pupils every month - there are so many repeat customers they’ve become baking friends!
Whether you’re looking to gain more confidence or you’re an experienced baker wanting to add to your existing skills, there’s a class to suit you. Full day, half day or evening options are available for a solo project or a fun day out with a friend or loved one.
“The Next Loaf is a truly fabulous experience. Taught in small groups, you get the perfect hands on experience, with quality tuition. Keep all you make and get treated to cake and lunch through the day! My second course completed, I will be back for more!”
“A very informative and enjoyable day ! Small group in a baker’s dream kitchen. Rebecca is a knowledgable, calm and supportive teacher. We produced 5 delicious bakes to take home along with all the recipes and top tips. Will definitely do more courses here and thoroughly recommend.”
ALL scheduled classes take place at The Next Loaf, Wenhaston, Suffolk.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for some ideas where to stay locally.
To book a class just click on the class description below and you’ll be directed to more information on that course and where your preferred date can be selected and payment made.
Half day classes include hot drinks on arrival and refreshments mid morning. All-day classes include hot drinks on arrival, refreshments mid morning and mid afternoon and a light lunch with a glass of wine or beer. Evening pizza masterclasses include a drink, your pizza and a dessert. Each class includes all equipment required.
Rebecca also runs bespoke private classes for parties, team building and special occasions - email thenextloaf@gmail.com to find out more.
Age requirements: the classes are not be suitable for under 16’s. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is also participating
PASTEIS DE NATA CLASS - MORNING CLASS
This 3 hour class will teach you how to make the iconic Pasteis de Nata (that’s plural - I’m sure you’ll want to make more than one!) These egg custard tarts are infused with lemon zest and cinnamon encased in a buttery layered, then rolled, puff pastry shell. Described as one of ‘Portugal's Seven Wonders of Gastronomy’ this little treat will perhaps bring back memories of Lisbon and will surely wow your friends and family when you recreate them at home.
SOURDOUGH BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
Frustrated by inconsistent sourdough bakes? Then this very popular class is for you!
Learn the fundamentals of sourdough baking and working with wild yeast so you can recreate this wonderful bread time and time again at home.
The whole day was really well organised, the course content was great and I learned so much! Rebecca was so knowledgeable and passionate about sourdough that it really shone through. I would really recommend this course for anyone looking to learn more.” Emma. February 2024
INTRODUCTION TO BREAD MAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
Learn the fundamentals of bread baking – sweet and savoury – you’ll never regret learning this lifelong skill. You’ll be mixing, shaping and baking throughout the day and leave confident to be able to recreate these, and many more, recipes time and time again at home.
Although this class is aimed at the beginner, the bakes you’ll take home are far from ‘simple’ in their taste and potential!
FRENCH BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
Learn the art of laminating dough to create delicious light and flaky croissants and pain au chocolat. Use pre-ferments to make tasty baguette dough and learn to shape and score this iconic bread. Create a buttery brioche loaf and a long fermented pain de compagne you’ll be proud to serve at your table.
SOURDOUGH PIZZA - EVENING CLASS
In this 3 hour evening class you’ll make and shape sourdough pizza dough, top it with a range of tasty flavours then learn to bake it in both a wood fired oven and convection oven as well as create your own sourdough culture to take home.
“The sourdough pizza course was superb & the best food course I’ve attended! The course was superbly organised, thoroughly interesting and Rebecca has such a passion for baking & sharing that knowledge with others.” Clare. August 2023
SOURDOUGH WORKSHOP - MORNING CLASS
This 3 hour class is for you if you’re already baking sourdough loaves but want to improve consistency, understand how to maintain a healthy sourdough culture, recognise the different stages of fermentation and raise your shaping game.
“Fantastic class, lots of tips to take my baking to the next level. Rebecca structured the class really well and I would highly recommend this class.” PJ. March 2024
ITALIAN BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
Taste the flavours of Italy with this wonderful selection of breads and sweet treats. We’ll be making and baking a Pan Siciliano, ciabatta loaves, herb and olive focaccia, crispy lingue di Suocera with rosemary salt, cream filled Maritozzi buns and hand shaping long fermented pizza for lunch.
“A fantastic day of baking! Wonderful venue, friendly atmosphere, and first rate teaching.
Already booked another two classes!!” Kate, January 2024
CHRISTMAS BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
Get ready for Christmas with some delicious seasonal bakes including Mince pies and home made mince meat, Stollen, Christmas spiced Wreath and Amaretti cookies.,
“I had a lovely day baking with Rebecca on the Christma Bake course. She was clear, concise & caring. We covered lot's of topics, it was really informative & I came away with so many bakes! The new smaller class size makes for a very friendly atmosphere.” Anita. December 2023
ADVANCED SOURDOUGH BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
This class is suitable for someone with some experience of sourdough bread looking to push themselves to the next level as well as achieving consistency in their bakes. We’ll be taking a deep dive into the different variables associated with fermentation, honing your shaping skills then stencilling and baking beautiful loaves you can be proud of!
“The whole day was really well organised and I learned so much! Rebecca was so knowledgeable and passionate about sourdough - it really shone through. I would really recommend this course for anyone looking to learn more about the world of sourdough!” Emma. March 2024
EASTER BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
We’ll be producing a range of delicious seasonal breads and buns to take home and share with friends and family at Easter time.
The class will include a saffron, sultana and honey loaf, cream filled Swedish Semlor buns with plenty of cardamon and roasted almond home made marzipan, an orange and anise glazed enriched dough wreath and of course, the star of the show, Hot cross buns using locally milled flour and lots of spiced fruits.
ENGLISH BAKING - FULL DAY CLASS
In this class you’ll be taking inspiration from the amazing bakes we enjoy in England. We’ll be sharing the secrets of how to mix, shape and bake a delicious overnight seeded bloomer, traditional English muffins, an enriched dough for Chelsea buns, a flaky rough puff pastry for Eccles cakes and a sticky yeasted malt loaf.
BAKING WITH WHOLEGRAINS - FULL DAY CLASS, NEW FOR 2025
Learn to bake bread for health AND flavour. This class will teach you the skills to work with a variety of whole-grains, including learning how to mill grains yourself to achieve different textures in your bread.
We’ll be mixing and shaping a range of doughs using both sourdough and yeasted long fermentation methods and working with locally sourced grains.
SCANDINAVIAN SWEET BUNS - MORNING CLASSCreate memorable ‘’fika’ moments for you and your family as you learn to make, shape and bake a versatile sweet enriched dough for fruity custard buns, cardamon knots and cinnamon buns.
NORDIC BAKING (FULL DAY CLASS. NEW FOR 2025
Learn to work with a range of flours, whole grains, seeds, flakes and traditional Nordic spices to create traditional wheat and rye wholegrain breads and a deliciously soft and sweet bun dough for semlor, sticky cardamon knots, cinnamon buns and much more.
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BAKING WITH RYE (NEW FOR 2025!)
Explore the delicious potential of baking with rye flour in this full day class.
We’ll be taking our inspiration from both Eastern Europe and Scandinavian rye and pastry traditions. Working with both sourdough and bakers yeast to create a range of rye breads and sweet treats using local Suffolk flour, milling whole grains and blending delicious spices, seeds and flakes with flavourful ingredients.
Where to stay
The Next Loaf baking school is located in Wenhaston village, a short drive to the beautiful Suffolk coast.
The Suffolk coast, and its large areas of heathland, are the closest to London to have remained largely undisturbed. Its a nationally designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, famed for its food and produce, The Suffolk Coast is a popular destination for holidaymakers and a baking class would be a great addition to your itinerary!
The charming seaside towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh provide plenty of fun for families, sweeping countryside makes a playground for cyclists, broadside villages and marshland are the perfect spots for nature lovers, whilst shoppers and foodies are bountifully served by historic market towns.
https://www.huskthorington.co.uk/stay. Check out their amazing supper clubs too.
Air B and B, a delightful cosy snug in Southwold - lots of good feedback on this one.
Hall Farm, on the edge of Wenhaston village - choose from lovely farmhouse accommodation, stay in a restored railway carriage or a shepherds hut!
Boat Lake - a lovely apartment overlooking the Thorpeness Meare. Sleeps 2.
https://www.suffolkgranary.co.uk - a lovely cottage for 2 in Thorington.
https://www.trustansbarn.co.uk
Air b and b poachers cottage, Halesworth
The Lodge, Beccles. for bookings contact enquiries@catherinehouse.net
Fen Lodge shepherds huts, Middleton. 07957 249797
fenlodgeshepherdshuts@yahoo.co.uk
West End Cottages in Wenhaston - Right in the village!
High wood farm, Reydon, Southwold, Suffolk, Ip18 6SN
www.greenfarmbarns.co.uk - this ones in a really beautiful part of Norfolk. Lucy, the owner, is one of my regular baking class students!