If you play it right, this could take the edge off of holiday entertainment/gift giving: St. Honoré Boulangerie is offering two daylong baking classes that focus on the French apple tarts known as Tarte aux Pommes Fines. Taught by production manager Emma Nowell, you'll get to brush up on general baking tips, too, from basics to more advanced French techniques:

Students will learn fundamental skills for creating and handling dough as each student prepares his own pastry. The small classes will allow individual attention from Nowell, a veteran patisserie and baking instructor of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. In addition to learning about the different varieties of apples, and what apples are best for baking, participants will be able to sample freshly harvested apples from Kiyokawa Family Orchards, a family-owned and operated farm located in Parkdale, Oregon.

All good stuff to know, especially if you are jealous of those goodie two-shoes who do crap like can garden tomato sauce to give as gifts to everyone months in advance while you abuse your credit card in last minute panicked generosity. Ugh, why I am talking about the holidays? Going outside now.

But anyway: The class takes place Thurs Sept 25 or Oct 1 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Division location (3333 SE Division), and the $65 includes "a light snack and drink." Classes are limited to 12 people so call (971) 279-4433 to reserve your seat. Or, for a more cavalier approach, simply follow along with the untranslated French cooking directions here. Really, what could go wrong?: