Swedish Holiday Baking with Brian Hart Hoffman and Fanny Zanotti

Birmingham, Alabama
November 6–9, 2026

Single: $3,500 (1 baker/1 hotel room)

Double: $3,250 each (2 bakers/1 shared hotel room)

Baking participant plus non-baking guest: $3,700 (1 baker/1 non-baking guest/1 hotel room) 

Commuter pass: $2,500 (No hotel room included. Available for Birmingham residents only. Must show proof of residence.)

This holiday season, embrace the warmth, spice, and sweetness of Swedish baking traditions in an unforgettable retreat led by Bake from Scratch editor-in-chief Brian Hart Hoffman and beloved Swedish baker and cookbook author Fanny Zanotti.

Together, Brian and Fanny will guide you through a weekend of hands-on baking filled with cozy aromas and cherished Nordic recipes. You’ll learn to craft some of Sweden’s most iconic holiday bakes, including: cardamom and cinnamon buns; Lussekatter, saffron-scented buns baked in celebration of Saint Lucia’s Day on December 13; and Swedish holiday cookies, perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself!).

In the Bake from Scratch test kitchen, you’ll mix, knead, and bake each recipe from start to finish with your own kitchen station, stand mixer, and oven—guided by expert instruction, laughter, and the joy of holiday baking.

As the air cools and spices fill the air, you’ll not only learn the techniques behind these beloved Scandinavian treats but also the stories and traditions that make them so special.

Each registered attendee will receive a one-year subscription to Bake from Scratch. If you’re already a subscriber, you have the option of extending your subscription or gifting it to someone who loves baking.

To reserve your space, email the following information to events@bakefromscratch.com

  • Registration type (single, double, baker plus non-baking guest, or commuter)
  • Phone number so we can contact you to take your deposit
  • Your name and travel companion’s name, if applicable 

You are required to pay your deposit within 48 hours of receiving a confirmation email. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.

What’s Included
  • Hotel accommodations in Birmingham
  • All baking classes
  • Light breakfast and lunches
  • Welcome reception
  • Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen
  • One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
  • Gift bag with some of our favorite baking items
What’s Not Included
  • Airfare/travel to Birmingham
  • Airport transfers
  • Some meals
What’s Included
  • Hotel accommodations in Birmingham
  • All baking classes
  • Light breakfast and lunches
  • Welcome reception
  • Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen
  • One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
  • Gift bag with some of our favorite baking items
What’s Not Included
  • Airfare/travel to Birmingham
  • Airport transfers
  • Some meals
What’s Included
  • Hotel accommodations in Birmingham
  • Lunch in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen if you’d like to join your baker
  • Welcome reception
What’s Not Included
  • All baking classes
  • Light breakfast and other meals
  • Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen
  • One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
  • Gift bag with some of our favorite baking items
  • Airfare/travel to Birmingham
  • Airport transfers
  • Some meals

Have a question about this baking retreat? Contact us.

St Lucia Buns
Franny, Brian Hart Hoffman, and Suss
Red Baking Cottage

Friday, November 6, 2026

Arrive in Birmingham and get settled into the Valley Hotel, located in charming downtown Homewood, just 10 minutes away from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen. We’ll have an early evening reception so you can meet our team, special guests, and your fellow bakers. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Day 1 in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and class will run from 9 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Day 2 in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and class will run from 9 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. Dinner will be on your own with our list of top restaurants to try while you’re in Birmingham.

Monday, November 9, 2026

Departures on your own.

Franny baking in cottage
Franny icing pastries

Accommodations in Birmingham

The Valley Hotel is located in downtown Homewood, just over the mountain from our test kitchen. From the hotel, you can walk to dozens of locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a cozy area to relax outside by the firepits.

Booking

Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due at booking. The second half of the retreat cost (50%) is due May 1, 2026. We accept payment by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Trip prices are in US dollars.

Travel to and from Birmingham

Guests are responsible for getting themselves to Birmingham and to the Valley Hotel on Friday, November 6, when the retreat commences. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from the Valley Hotel to the airport or their next destination on Monday, November 9. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is located a quick 5 miles away from the hotel.

Costs

The price of the trip includes hotel accommodations, baking classes, breakfast and lunch on baking days, and the welcome reception.

Single-occupancy, double-occupancy, baking participant plus non-baking guest, and commuter rates are available.

Your credit card will be charged by Hoffman Media, the parent company of Bake from Scratch.

Cancellation

Since the trip is nonrefundable, we suggest buying trip insurance.

If you don’t purchase travel insurance, you agree to indemnify us against any charges that might otherwise be covered by your insurance. You further agree that we are not responsible for any costs of cancellation or costs related to COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there may be limitations relating to activities. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result of changing circumstances. Please know that we are working closely with our partners to plan and execute a safe baking retreat for our guests, but there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 when traveling. By booking this baking retreat, you acknowledge and assume these risks associated with travel.

We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if fewer than 24 participants have signed up by September 15, 2026. We will send an email confirmation to all participants when this number has been met. If Bake from Scratch initiates the cancellation, we will refund all payments.

Have a question about this baking retreat? Email events@bakefromscratch.com.

 

Cinnamon Buns Swedish
Franny shaping dough

Can I extend my stay at the hotels?

If you’d like to inquire about additional nights at the hotel, please email events@bakefromscratch.com.

I live in Birmingham. Can I attend and not stay in a hotel?

Please email us at events@bakefromscratch.com if you are a Birmingham resident and would like information on a commuter package. Proof of residence in Birmingham is required to book a commuter package.

Is breakfast included?

Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast will be provided each morning.

Are children able to attend this retreat?

All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.

What should I plan to wear during baking classes and on the retreat?

Casual clothing and nonslip, closed-toe shoes. Long hair should be pulled back. Aprons will be provided.

Are the baking classes hands-on?

Yes, all baking classes will be intensive and hands-on. You will complete each recipe on your own, from start to finish. In addition, you will have your own kitchen space, stand mixer, equipment, and oven to use.

Is this retreat better suited for professionals or home bakers?

Our retreats are geared toward passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome.

Will we have any free time?

You will have some free time in the evenings to explore Birmingham.

I want to bring my travel companion, but they don’t want to participate in the baking classes. What can they do?

Your non-baking companion is invited to the welcome reception and for a casual lunch in our test kitchen on baking days if they’d like to stop by and see what you’re up to in the kitchen. Otherwise, your travel companion can explore Birmingham on their own.

To reserve your space, email events@bakefromscratch.com. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails. 

Pastries baked
Franny in window of bakers cottage

Interested in Learning More?

Please fill out the form below and one of our event team members will reach out.

We will use this number to take your deposit.

You are required to pay your deposit and sign a travel waiver and acknowledgement of cancellation policy via DocuSign within 48 hours of receiving a confirmation email. Each person traveling in your reservation must sign this document. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.