Craft Baking with Local Craft Beers! w/ Chef Jeremy & Nicole Braddock - Thur., Mar. 20 @ 6:30 PM

Step into the kitchen with Jeremy and Nicole Braddock, the power couple who conquered Cupcake Wars and transformed their Watertown bakery into a local mecca of unapologetic flavor. They’re not your average pastry chefs—they’re innovators, mixing sugar, butter, and genius with a dash of grit. Together, they’ve taken baking to new heights, now blending their craft with Connecticut’s finest beers. This isn’t just a class; it’s a flavor-packed escapade where you’ll bake, drink, and maybe question everything you thought you knew about desserts.

Over three hours, you’ll get up close with local brews, each paired with a daring recipe. Think lemon bars kissed with the citrusy zing of Two Roads Honeyspot IPA, or cheddar scones balanced by the hoppy bite of Sea Hag IPA. Sink your hands into a coffee-stout-infused chocolate cake straight out of a dessert lover’s dreams, then build a berry trifle brightened by Half Full’s crisp ale. Jeremy brings the creativity; Nicole brings the finesse. Together, they’ll show you how to turn beer into your secret baking weapon.

Leave with recipes, a full stomach, and a little swagger—because now, you’ve got a sweet story to share (along with the pastries).

Baking with Beer Class Curriculum

Objective

Teach participants how to incorporate craft beer into baking while pairing desserts with local Connecticut beers for enhanced flavor profiles.

Class Overview

            •           Duration: 3 hours

            •           Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

            •           Materials Provided: Recipe booklets, beer samples, ingredients, and tools

Schedule

1. Introduction (15 minutes)

            •           Welcome and class objectives

            •           Brief history of beer in baking

            •           Overview of the four CT beers and flavor profiles:

            •           Beer 1: Two Roads Honeyspot Road IPA (Citrusy & Floral)

            •           Beer 2: New England Brewing Co.’s Sea Hag IPA (Hoppy & Piney)

            •           Beer 3: Thimble Island Brewing Company’s Coffee Stout (Rich & Roasty)

            •           Beer 4: Half Full Brewery’s Bright Ale (Crisp & Light)

2. Recipe 1: Honeyspot IPA Lemon Bars (45 minutes)

            •           Incorporate the floral and citrus notes of Honeyspot IPA into a tangy lemon curd.

            •           Hands-on activity: Participants create the crust and curd.

            •           Pairing tip: Serve with a chilled Honeyspot IPA.

3. Recipe 2: Sea Hag IPA Cheddar Scones (45 minutes)

            •           Showcase savory baking using hoppy beer to balance sharp cheddar.

            •           Participants mix dough and bake scones.

            •           Pairing tip: Warm scones with a pint of Sea Hag IPA.

4. Recipe 3: Coffee Stout Chocolate Cake (60 minutes)

            •           Use Thimble Island Coffee Stout to deepen chocolate cake flavors.

            •           Participants make a mini layer cake with beer-infused ganache.

            •           Pairing tip: Serve with a glass of Coffee Stout for a rich experience.

5. Recipe 4: Bright Ale Berry Trifle (45 minutes)

            •           A light dessert featuring Bright Ale in the sponge cake and whipped cream layers.

            •           Participants assemble individual trifles.

            •           Pairing tip: Complement the dessert with a crisp glass of Bright Ale.

Class Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

            •           Share tips for experimenting with beer in baking.

            •           Taste test each dessert with its paired beer.

            •           Q&A and feedback.