Create, Decorate and Lead in the Kitchen with a Baking and Pastry Arts Degree
St. Louis Community College's associate in applied science (AAS) in baking and pastry arts helps you turn your passion for baking into real-world skills. You’ll gain kitchen experence and essential baking knowledge to create desserts, breads and pastries that are both beautiful and delicious.
You’ll learn baking techniques, pastry production, cake decoration and specialized areas like artisan bread, frozen desserts and chocolate confections. The capstone course simulates real-world kitchen challenges and prepares you for the Certified Pastry Culinarian (CPC) certification.
What is Baking and Pastry Arts at St. Louis Community College?
Baking and pastry arts focus on creating breads, cakes, cookies, pastries and other desserts that are both delicious and visually appealing. You’ll learn the techniques and artistry behind each creation while gaining a strong foundation in kitchen management and hospitality practices.
You'll train in a fully equipped kitchen lab using industry-standard tools, applying what you learn in baking courses alongside lessons in general education and hospitality topics.
The final capstone course simulates real-world kitchen challenges and prepares you for the Certified Pastry Culinarian exam through the American Culinary Federation.
What Can You Do with a Baking and Pastry Arts Associate Degree?
With a baking and pastry arts AAS degree, you can start a career as a pastry chef, baker or bakery manager in hotels, restaurants, bakeries and resorts.
The program also prepares you with industry-recognized credentials that make you a strong candidate in the culinary world, including the American Culinary Federation Certified Pastry Culinarian (CPC), the Retail Bakers of America Certified Journey Baker (CJB) and the National Restaurant Association ServSafe Food Protection Manager certificate.
AAS in Baking and Pastry Arts
- Degree offered: Associate in applied science
- Locations: Forest Park
- Hours to complete: 65
- Program contact name: Abigail Benz
- Program contact email: abenz7@stlcc.edu
- Program contact phone: 314-644-9749
Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour for in-district students. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Accrediting Commission.
Upon completion, you will receive the Certified Pastry Culinarian® (CPC) certification. The CPC is granted by the American Culinary Foundation (ACF), which operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States.
Why You Should Choose STLCC's Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Highly Ranked
STLCC's Baking and Pastry Arts program is ranked #9 in the United States by Best Choice Schools.
Successful Alumni
Multiple students, graduates and faculty have been featured in television cooking shows on Food Network, TLC and Netflix.
Competitive Credentials
Industry credentials of Certified Pastry Culinarian and Certified Journey Baker provide graduates preferential opportunities in high-wage jobs.
Healthy Job Market
The hospitality industry is the third-largest employer in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.
STLCC. What's your reason?