Golden laminated pastries cooling on a rack
Bake from Scratch Retreat

Laminated Dough Master Class

With Nicole Plue · The Valley Hotel · Birmingham, Alabama

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About the Retreat

Three Days. One Craft. Total Immersion.

In this laminated dough master class, you’ll learn from James Beard Award–winning pastry chef Nicole Plue — from building your first butter block to folding, shaping, and baking croissants and kouign amann from start to finish.

Held in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen in Birmingham, Alabama, this retreat is an intensive course in lamination over three full days of baking, limited to just 14 bakers per session. You’ll work with a Brod & Taylor dough sheeter designed for home kitchens, and leave knowing how to build a “blitz,” or rough puff, dough you can use to shape a variety of pastries for years to come. Every registered baker also receives a one-year subscription to Bake from Scratch.

3Full Days of Baking
14Bakers Per Session
2Dates to Choose From
Hands working laminated dough on a floured surface
Every fold builds the layers that make lamination magic.
The Curriculum

Baking with Precision

Hands shaping a croissant
01 — The Butter Block

Build the Foundation

Before you can laminate, you have to build. You’ll start with the fundamentals — a proper butter block and your first fold — the foundation every croissant and kouign amann depends on.

Folded laminated dough with a rolling pin
02 — Fold, Turn, Shape

Master the Turns

Nicole walks you through the folds and turns that separate a good laminated dough from a great one, then guides your hands through shaping croissants and kouign amann with precision.

Egg wash being brushed onto shaped croissants
03 — Proof & Bake

Bake It Bakery-Style

Watch your dough proof, brush on an egg wash, and pull bakery-quality pastries from the oven — plus learn a blitz, or rough puff, dough you can use to shape pastries of your own for years to come.

The Schedule

Three Full Days in the Test Kitchen

Both sessions follow the exact same schedule — only the calendar dates change. See pricing below for specific Week 1 and Week 2 dates.

Day One · ThursdayArrival & Welcome

Arrive in Birmingham and check in to The Valley Hotel in downtown Homewood. Settle in before an evening cocktail hour at the hotel, where you’ll meet Nicole Plue and your fellow bakers ahead of three full days in the test kitchen.

Day Two · FridayThe Butter Block

Your first full day of baking at the Bake from Scratch test kitchen. Learn to build a proper butter block and begin your first laminated dough, working toward bakery-quality croissants from start to finish.

Day Three · SaturdayFold, Turn, Shape

A full day devoted to lamination technique — kouign amann, and the folding and shaping precision that defines a masterful laminated dough.

Day Four · SundayBlitz Dough & Final Bake

Your final full day of baking includes a hands-on lesson in blitz, or rough puff, dough — a technique you can carry home to shape a variety of pastries on your own.

Day Five · MondayDeparture

Check out of The Valley Hotel and make your way to Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, just 15 minutes away, or on to your next destination.

Nicole Plue
Your Instructor

Nicole Plue

Nicole Plue is a James Beard Award–winning pastry chef and the mind behind this hands-on intensive in laminated dough. Over three full days in the Bake from Scratch test kitchen, she’ll walk you through every fold, turn, and shape — from your first butter block to a finished batch of bakery-quality croissants, kouign amann, and blitz dough you can take home and make your own.

The Bake from Scratch test kitchen
Where You’ll Bake

The Test Kitchen

Every baking day takes place in the real Bake from Scratch test kitchen, just over the mountain from The Valley Hotel. You’ll have your own kitchen station, stand mixer, equipment, and oven — because every recipe, start to finish, is yours to bake.

The Valley Hotel lounge and terrace bar
Where You’ll Stay

The Valley Hotel

Tucked in downtown Homewood, just over the mountain from the test kitchen, The Valley Hotel puts you within walking distance of dozens of locally owned boutiques and restaurants. Unwind over breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the hotel restaurant, or relax outside by the firepits after a full day of baking — including a welcome cocktail hour just for our bakers.

What to Expect

What’s Included

Included

  • Hotel accommodations in Birmingham
  • All baking classes
  • Light breakfast and lunches
  • Cocktail hour at The Valley Hotel
  • Transportation to/from the Bake from Scratch test kitchen
  • One-year subscription to Bake from Scratch
  • A gift bag with some of our favorite baking items

Not Included

  • Airfare/travel to Birmingham
  • Airport transfers
  • Some meals

Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport is just 15 minutes from The Valley Hotel.

Reserve Your Spot

Choose Your Package

Single Baker

$4,500
Per Baker · Private Room

One baker, one private room at The Valley Hotel. Deposit: $2,250.

Share & Save

Shared Double

$4,000
Per Baker · Shared Room

Two bakers, one shared room — perfect for baking with a friend. Deposit: $2,000 per baker.

Two Identical Sessions, Two Sets of Dates

Every detail of this retreat — the instructor, the schedule, the hotel, and the price — is exactly the same for both weeks. Simply pick whichever dates work best for you.

Session One

Week 1

October 1 – 5, 2026

Session Two

Week 2

October 8 – 12, 2026

A 50% deposit is due within 48 hours of booking, along with a signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment. The remaining 50% balance is due July 1, 2026. Payments accepted via ACH direct deposit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and other major cards. All prices are listed in U.S. dollars.

PolicyCancellation & Travel Risk

All bookings for this retreat are final and nonrefundable under all circumstances. For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption, illness, and other unexpected events. You agree that you will not initiate a charge-back or payment dispute for amounts properly charged in accordance with this policy. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you understand and agree that you are responsible for all costs or losses related to trip interruptions.

We are not responsible for expenses related to travel delays, cancellations, illness, injury, or other events beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, government actions, and airline or transportation issues. In the event that we must cancel this retreat due to circumstances beyond our control, our liability will be limited to a refund of amounts paid to us, or a credit toward a future retreat, at our discretion. We are not responsible for additional expenses such as airfare, lodging, or other travel costs.

Travel involves inherent risks, including the risk of exposure to communicable illnesses. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge these risks and agree to assume responsibility for your own health and safety during the trip. If you become ill during the retreat, particularly with a suspected or confirmed contagious condition, the group leaders may require you to modify or end your participation if they reasonably believe your presence poses a health or safety risk to other participants. In such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, certain activities, instructors, services, or amenities may be modified, substituted, or unavailable. Such changes do not constitute grounds for a refund, but we will work tirelessly to make sure you have the best experience possible. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to this Trip Cancellation & Travel Risk Policy.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my stay at the hotel?

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

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 will I bake?

This retreat dives deep into laminated dough. You’ll bake kouign amann and croissants from start to finish, as well as make a blitz dough to use for various pastries.

What should I plan to wear during baking classes?

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. Since this retreat is an intensive in laminated dough, the baking days are long and require stamina.

Will we have any free time?

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

Fresh croissants with negative space
Bake from Scratch Retreat

Two Weeks. One Craft. Your Choice of Dates.

Questions? Email events@bakefromscratch.com