Discover the joy of creating delicious gluten-free desserts. Learn how to prepare three irresistible sweets all 100% gluten free. You will make Almond Paste Biscuits, Burnt Basque Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce and Chocolate Desserts with Zabaione and Chocolate Cream Filling.

Your Tutor is Dr Ilenia Scuderi

Dr Ilenia Scuderi has been teaching at WEA since September 2023. 

Born and raised in Aprilia, Italy, Ilenia is a qualified pastry chef and language tutor with an Italian Pastry Diploma, Italian teaching qualification and a Degree in Philosophy.

Ilenia loves teaching the Italian language to adults, and strongly believes that exposure to Italian culture is important to the understanding of the language.

Gluten-Free Pastry Masterclass

Course Description

Finding truly delicious gluten-free pastries can feel like a treasure hunt. Beautiful treats exist, but they’re often expensive, inconsistent, or simply hard to come by. 

This hands-on Gluten-Free Pastry Masterclass gives you the skills to create your own high-quality baked goods at home, so you can enjoy exceptional flavour and texture without compromise. 

With step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how gluten-free ingredients work, how to achieve tenderness and structure, and how to bake confidently using techniques that really deliver.

Across the session, you’ll make three decadent gluten-free desserts: soft almond paste biscuits, a silky burnt Basque cheesecake with fresh raspberry sauce, and indulgent chocolate sponge sweets filled with zabaione and chocolate cream. 

Whether you’re gluten-free yourself or baking for someone who is, this workshop offers the perfect blend of technique, creativity, and indulgence, sending you home with new skills, full recipes, and your own handmade treats to enjoy.

Course Structure

Your workshop begins with an introduction to gluten-free baking essentials including how different flours behave, what creates structure, and the secrets behind great texture. 

You’ll then move straight into hands-on preparation of almond paste biscuits, learning how to achieve their signature softness and rich almond flavour. 

Next, you’ll whisk, fold and caramelise your way through a burnt Basque cheesecake, finishing it with a bright raspberry sauce. 

The session concludes with assembling irresistible chocolate sponge desserts, complete with silky zabaione and chocolate cream fillings. 

Throughout the class, the tutor will offer demonstrations, troubleshooting tips and personalised support as you prepare each item and package your creations to take home.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand basic gluten-free baking principles and ingredient behaviour
• Prepare almond paste biscuits with correct texture and flavour
• Make a burnt Basque cheesecake and fresh raspberry sauce
• Create filled chocolate sponge desserts with zabaione and chocolate cream
• Apply gluten-free techniques to other baking projects at home
• Confidently troubleshoot common gluten-free baking challenges.

Course Requirements

All ingredients and equipment will be provided.

Students may bring an apron if preferred.

Please bring containers to take home your baked goods.