5 Best Baking Books

BEST OF THE BEST

Claire Saffitz

Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence: A Baking Book

Top Rated

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PROS

Includes over 100 recipes.
Author provides general foundational information related to baking and addresses potential problems that could occur in each recipe.
Has photographs for reference.
Recipes were found to be challenging yet achievable and have clear instructions.

CONS

There may be errors related to baking times.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

Sarah Kieffer

100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen

All Skill Levels

Baking book that provides an array of cookie, bar, and brownie recipes that range from classic to creative.

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PROS

From blogger Sarah Kieffer, who is known for her unique approaches to baking.
According to our expert, recipes in this book are excellent for new and experienced bakers.
Has full color images for added inspiration, and easy to follow directions.
Comes with a total of 100 recipes.

CONS

Binding of the book tends to come loose.

Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson

Tartine: A Classic Revisited

Elevated Recipes

From the owners of the famed Tartine bakery, this book includes updated favorites, as well as new ones for the eager baker to take on.

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PROS

Our expert notes that this book highlights a focus on pastries and other desserts.
Has over 120 recipes such as brioche buns, tarts, and matcha-glazed croissants.
Includes gluten-free and whole-grain options.
The styled photography makes this a fun book to look through.

CONS

This is not the best book for beginner bakers.

America's Test Kitchen

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs

Best for Beginners

With over 100 recipes designed for kids to tackle, our expert appreciates how this book’s approach makes the young baker feel like a pro.

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PROS

Contains both sweet and savory recipes tested by over 5,000 kids for achievability for the new and experienced chef.
Has easy to follow instructions, helpful tips, and step-by-step photographs.
Teaches skills like weighing and measuring and lists the names of kitchen tools with images.

CONS

A decent amount of reading is required for each recipe, which deterred a few customers.

Rose Levy Beranbaum

The Baking Bible

Comprehensive

This book seeks to ensure baking success with its wide range of highly detailed recipes and expertise from the author.

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PROS

From baker Rose Levy Beranbaum.
Covers many types of baking such as breads, cakes, tarts, and cookies.
Recipes include thorough instructions and useful tips.
Contains over 100 recipes.
The author shares personal anecdotes and details about each recipe.

CONS

Recipes are labor intensive.

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How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed

May 16, 2023

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