So... I've been watching the Great British Baking Show and Zumbo's dessert show. Now I have a serious case of kitchen skill/tool envy haha! It doesn't help that I used to work in a bakery 
I want to try expanding my dessert repertoire, but I'm not really seeing good results in my internet searches.
Any suggestions on a good baking 'curriculum'? Like, oh, you've mastered cakes? Now work on a mousse or curd. Even a list of things to experiment with would be good at this point!
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
I found the Tartine cookbook to be very good. It ranges from basic things to difficult things and I have been able to work out a lot of stress over the years tackling different recipes in that book. But they are all super gourmet and I love eating the real thing at the bakery in SF when I visit and compare with what I make at home.
pea / 19 posts
Smitten Kitchen is my favorite cooking blog, and she has some amazing dessert options ranging from everyday cakes to super complex options. And, if you’re looking to build a kitchen, one her her FAQs (and also listed in her cookbooks) relates to what equipment she uses - https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/12/build-your-own-smitten-kitchen/
kiwi / 617 posts
King Arthur has a #bakealong - I think its monthly? I like them on FB, so it pops up. Its always something different, some easy some really difficult. Maybe something along those lines?
nectarine / 2242 posts
Following as I've always wanted to do this too! I had started looking at Baking Textbooks like for culinary / community college type classes but didn't find anything on first glance.
nectarine / 2210 posts
If you’ve never made it before, I’d try making cream brûlée. It really isn’t that hard, plus it gives you a reason to buy, and use, a blowtorch!
nectarine / 2262 posts
@codeitall no help with the cooking, but you sound like me - I start to watch or follow something really closely and decide I need that to be my new hobby. Every season of Dancing with the Stars I decide I will take ballroom dancing lessons, now after the Olympics I want to try ice skating, etc.... LOL (never mind I'm 29 weeks pregnant with baby #2 so I think all my potential hobbies are on hold for a few years at least!!)
clementine / 874 posts
@gingerbebe: Added that to my wishlist! It looks like they have a few different books too!
@FelicityMerriman: Based on that post and a little skimming, I love that site! Already started texting my husband some kitchen tools haha
@jennlin821: I should have thought of that! They always have Sponsored posts on Facebook that I like, following them now...
@HappyBaker: I was hoping for a little checklist somewhere on Pinterest haha 
@Miss Ariel: That was one of the first things I made with my ramekins! Although, I used the broiler instead of a blowtorch. It is on my wishlist though!
@MrsADS: Yeah, this is why I can't watch cupcake wars haha, I'm already in too deep! And I definitely don't have kitchen chairs to refinish...
apricot / 341 posts
I'd recommend learning Pâte à Choux. They use it all the time in both those shows and it's core basic pastry that you should master. I mean in the Great British Bake Off they require the people to do it with out any directions during the technical!
And then Creme Patissiere it's a custard and is used alot with Choux and other pastries. Best of all is you don't need any special tools to make either one!
If you go through and watch the technical challenges on GBBO they'll mention some of what they view are core skills for bakers to know (it's a little different British vs American but it'll still give you a good idea where to start).
kiwi / 617 posts
Do us a favor and start a board post with your baking adventures! I'd love to follow along!
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@RKitty: going off that, I would also learn how to make a panna cotta and a pavlova. They're wow desserts that always impress.
I also learned that for some reason, individual servings of things always look more elegant that a slice of cake. If you mastered a cake batter recipe, learn how to make it into smaller cakes and then do variations on the theme.
nectarine / 2180 posts
@codeitall: I obsessively watched the Great British Bake Off a few years ago (like watched 5 or 6 series in a 10 day period) and started making some of the desserts that came up in the technical challenge that sounded yummy. Every year for a challenge I make italian macarons ( I should totally do it more then once a year but they are a pain)
Mastering a good flaky pie crust, a great meringue (french and italian) custards and curds, are all good and a lot of these then can be mixed and matched for various desserts.
pear / 1718 posts
It depends on what you like! If you lean more team sweet, I would start with sponge cake, including genoise sponge, and creme patissiere/custard, ganache, and/or curd (like lemon curd). If you lean more team savory or are equally split between the two, pastry would also be a good place to start, e.g., puff/rough puff/flaky pastry, choux, short crust, and/or hot water crust.
clementine / 874 posts
Ah! I am so excited, so many great ideas! I am so thankful for my dishwasher right now!!!!
Don't mind the super ugly piping, definitely still figuring that out, it was a little runny.
This is a cheesecake with graham cracker crust and topped with a raspberry curd and italian meringue.
Definitely need to get a blowtorch for those caramelized tips and I put a little too much curd on for the cheesecake ratio, but so much fun!
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