Baking Retreat, Spring 2026
That Bread Lady
Baking Retreat, Waco 2026
UPDATE: This retreat is SOLD OUT!
I’m adding a second session, April 23-26, 2026. Please sign up for the waitlist! It’s almost full from my pre-sale, but I have a few spots left. On the waitlist, you can indicate which dates you’re interested in booking.
The ultimate baking experience.
Join us, Spring 2026, for an amazing baking retreat in Waco, Texas! Stay in a charming historical home, learn to bake amazing breads, explore Magnolia, and make new baking friends! It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!
Spring 2026 Retreat Details
Please read all the details carefully! We typically sell out quickly and we want to give you the best possible chance to secure your spot!
Retreat Dates
- March 5-8, 2026
- Arrival: 4:00 pm, March 5
- Departure: 9:00 am, March 8
Location
- Waco, Texas, USA
Itinerary
- It’s a perfect mix of hands-on baking classes, fun activities & excursions, and free time to explore Waco.
Why you’ll love coming to my Baking Retreats
Four years ago, I started organizing baking retreats as a fun way to teach in-person classes for my Baking Academy students. But it turned into so much more than that. Eight retreats later, and each one just keeps getting better and better! This is the first time I’ve gone back to a previous location for a retreat – and for good reason! I’ve come to love Texas, and Waco is such a fun place to visit with your friends! I’m excited to experience it with you!
When you come to my retreat, you’ll enjoy:
- Hands-on baking classes with professional instruction.
- New friendships with women who share your love of baking.
- Delicious meals and plenty of incredible food throughout the retreat.
- A welcome reset – step away from the everyday and do something just for you.
The Fun Stuff
CLASSES: We’ll have several interactive baking classes where you’ll learn challenging, but confidence-boosting recipes. We’ll explore both sourdough and non sourdough recipes to get your hands in the dough and create! At our Spring Retreat, we will be baking:
- Croissants
- Focaccia & Sourdough
- Cinnamon Bread & Cinnamon Rolls
EXPLORE: We’ll be staying very close to the Magnolia Silos market, and you’ll want to make sure to take one or more trips there! It’s the best place to visit with your gals! There’s several shops, places to eat, and beautiful things to see during spring at the Silos!
- Each day, you’ll get free time to explore Waco.
EXCURSION: We’ll finish up our weekend together on a sunset river cruise. We get to see the beautiful sites of Waco while cruising down the Brazos River. This Waco River Cruise is ranked the #1 Boat Tour in North America, by USA Today.
- It will be the perfect way to end a magical weekend together!
“It was awesome! I really didn’t know what to expect and wondered how it would all work out to spend a few days with people I didn’t know, but I felt comfortable right away with everyone — it was like we had always been friends, which made it so fun to participate in all of the baking and other activities together.”
-past retreat attendee
Bonus Class!
I’m bringing along my friend, and award winning food blogger, Amy Williams from My Name Is Snickerdoodle. If you’re not already a fan, you’re about to be! Amy will be our private chef, cooking amazing meals for us! But, she’ll also be teaching us a mini class on how to create a gorgeous charcuterie!
- Learn unique ways to slice, dice, chop and arrange all the elements of an incredibly beautiful charcuterie. Amy will pass all her magical skills on to you! You’ll learn how to recreate this at home for parties, gatherings, and holidays.
Retreat FAQ’s
What’s Included:
- Lodging for all 3 nights in a gorgeous, historical home in Waco, TX.
- All meals included with the exception of Friday & Saturday lunches – you’ll have time to go explore Waco and Magnolia.
- Completely hands on bread making classes taught by expert baker, Heather Thomas (That Bread Lady) and mini class taught by Amy Williams (My Name is Snickerdoodle).
- Lots of yummy samples to eat!
- Amazing giveaways!
- An unforgettable and enriching experience – you’ll go home with new friendships, a deeper understanding of bread making and a renewed desire to continue perfecting your baking skills.
What’s Not Included:
Participants will be responsible for their own travel to and from the Retreat homes. We will put together a GroupMe chat in case you want to share rides. We cannot cater to dietary restrictions.
Who can attend?
- Must be a woman, age 18 years or older. Bakers of all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome! I love babies, but no babies are allowed ❤️
Terms and Conditions
Upon registration, you will be emailed the complete terms and conditions for attending this retreat. In a nutshell:
- This retreat is for women only, ages 18 years or older.
- You agree to the payment schedule and recognize that all fees collected are nonrefundable but are transferable.
- You may be photographed, which may be used for promotional materials.
Cost & payment info
Cost varies depending on what type of lodging you select. Please look at the room description for the full price per person.
- Prices vary from $2300-$2500 per person.
- All Bookings are for double occupancy – meaning you’re booking & rooming with a friend. Only one of you will book – this reserves a room for the two of you. *There is one room that can hold up to 4 friends (email me if you have 3 or 4 people in your group [email protected]).
- Deposit: $1,000 non refundable deposit due at time of booking (good for two people)
- Second payment: 50% of remaining balance due by October 15, 2025. Billed individually.
- Final payment: 50% of remaining balance due by January 15, 2026. Billed individually.
- Single Traveler: *Email me if you don’t have a travel companion and I can try and connect you with someone else looking for one too. [email protected].
- Room selection will happen after registration is over. We will take room requests in the order we received the registrations. First come, first serve.
What if I don’t get a spot?
My Baking Academy members will get to sign up one day early! My retreats typically sell out quickly! If you want to increase your chances, sign up here! After my member registration is over, I’ll provide updated information on this page. Once the retreat has sold out, I will update this page with a link to sign up for the waitlist – in case any attendees have to cancel.
House & room details
The Dr. Pepper House
This 19th century home was built by the founder of Dr. Pepper! It’s so beautiful and unique! Located in the heart of Waco, and a stone’s throw from Magnolia, this will be our home away from home while we bake and have fun together! There’s plenty of space for a big group! After a long day of activities, relax in the pool or hot tub.
- All rooms are double occupancy. Pricing varies depending on the room.
- See room descriptions below for details and pricing.
Room Details, Dr. Pepper House
Dr. Pepper House, Room 1
King bed. Double occupancy. Ensuite. Price: $2500 per person.
Dr. Pepper House, Room 2
King bed. Double occupancy. Ensuite. Price: $2500 per person.
Dr. Pepper House, Room 3
Queen bed. Double occupancy. Ensuite. Price: $2500 per person.
Dr. Pepper House, Room 4
Twin room. Double occupancy. Detached bathroom on separate floor. Bathroom has a bathtub (no shower). Price: $2400 per person.
Dr. Pepper House, Room 5
Two double beds. Double occupancy. Open to a private, common area. Shared bathroom with Room 6. Price: $2400 per person.
Dr. Pepper House, Room 6
King bed. Double occupancy. Shared bathroom with Room 6. Price: $2400 per person.
The Cottage House
This cozy and fun home is located just down the street from the Dr. Pepper house. It includes plenty of space for visiting, relaxing, and has an awesome yard with pickleball court!
- All rooms are double occupancy. Pricing varies depending on the room.
- There is one room in the Cottage House that can accommodate 2 to 4 friends. Please email me if you are interested in this room ([email protected])
- See room descriptions below for details.
Room Details, Cottage House
Cottage House, Room 1
King bed. Double occupancy. Ensuite. Price: $2400 per person.
Cottage House, Room 2
King bed. Double occupancy. Shared bathroom with Room 4. Additional half bath available. Price: $2300 per person.
Cottage House, Room 3
2 adjoining rooms with 1 king bed, 1 day bed, and 1 queen bed. Ensuite included. This room can accommodate up to 4 friends. Price: $2400 per person.
Cottage House, Room 3 (cont)
2 adjoining rooms with 1 king bed, 1 day bed, and 1 queen bed. Ensuite included. This room can accommodate up to 4 friends. Price: $2400 per person.
Cottage House, Room 4
Two TWIN beds. Double occupancy. Shared bathroom with Room 2. Additional half bath available. Price: $2300 per person.
Sign Up Date & Time
- Registration for this retreat will be available first to Baking Academy members on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 7:00am Pacific Time (see countdown). If you’re not a member yet, you can join here. *Since my retreats typically sell out quickly, this is your best chance to get your spot!
- Members: your place to sign up will be posted in your content library – make sure you have your username and password saved to your device ahead of time! You’ll see the retreat sign up page here.
- There will be two choices when booking: the Dr. Pepper House or the Cottage House.
- When booking, one person from your group will book the room with a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit.
- After all available spots have been taken, we will reach out for you to reserve your room choice, according to the house you booked. Room choices will be taken in the order the bookings are placed. First come, first served.
- After member sign up has closed, I’ll update this page if there are any openings. I’ll also provide a link to sign up for a waitlist in case any spots open up.
Subscribe now to take advantage of my member pre-sale
To sum up
Questions?
Please reach out if you have any questions or clarification. Be sure you are signed up for retreat-specific email updates for all retreat correspondence.
Highlights
I have hosted 7 baking retreats! We’ve been to places all over the US and it’s been some of my most favorite memories and experiences! I’ve saved some highlights in my Instagram profile. You can check that out to see what goes on during our magical retreats!
Come join me in Waco next Spring! Sweet memories are waiting to be made!