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Everyone probably already has an essential cookbook in their arsenal, one that can be referenced from time to time for all your favorite recipes. What may not be in everyone’s kitchen is a baking cookbook that tackles a different kind of beast in the cooking space and includes everyone’s favorite dessert-based foods and a ton of different types of bread.
Below are a variety of cookbooks with a focus on baking for beginner, intermediate and advanced bakers, and cooks of all skill levels. These books include how-to’s on specific techniques for making the tastiest and (somewhat) easy bread recipes to cookbooks for kids and teens to start them on their ultimate baking journey.
These books also include tons of palatable classic and modern recipes, step-by-step instructions, and colorful pictures that help make the baking experience that much more satisfying.
Comparing the Finest Baking Cookbooks of 2024
How to Bake by Paul Hollywood — Best Overall
One of the stars of a famous British baking competition show has written this comprehensive book on how to bake which reveals all his secrets behind becoming an extraordinary baker. This book is filled with easy-to-follow, clearly explained recipes and basic techniques to create all the bread, pastries, cakes, and biscuits you love including croissants, scones, and even triple-layer chocolate cake.
Pros
- This book contains plenty of quality pictures on what the final product should look like
Cons
- This book uses the metric system for measurement so some conversion may be necessary
Bread Baking for Beginners by Bonnie Ohara — Runner Up
Another great cookbook for bread lovers is this one written by a beginning home baker who now has become an artisan bread maker. This book includes 30+ tasty recipes for the beginner bread maker and functions as a how-to guide to making homemade bread. It has easy-to-follow techniques, helpful ways to master recipes you can build on, and tons of yeast-based bread recipes including rustic baguettes, ciabattas, challah, and more.
Pros
- This book comes with step-by-step photographs and straightforward instructions
Cons
- Making bread can be complicated and this book addresses what to do with an unsuccessful bake
The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion by King Arthur Flour — Honorable Mention
With over 400 recipes, this baker’s companion from a trusted 200-year-old company contains everything you need to learn from leavening, mixing, proofing, and kneading to shaping and baking. These recipes are easy-to-follow with foolproof techniques and include the classics such as pancakes and waffles, cakes and cookies, two different chocolate chip cookie recipes, pizza, and crackers.
Pros
- Each recipe is accompanied by a detailed nutritional analysis
Cons
- A baking scale may be required
The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen — Contender
For the budding young baker, this ultimate baking book for kids contains 100+ sweet and savory recipes. Each recipe has been thoroughly tested by more than 5,000 kids to ensure they are just right for chefs of all skill levels. This book contains colorful, step-by-step photos, tips, and techniques that will help and encourage young chefs to learn to be the best cooks they can be.
Pros
- There is a section on baking tools in the book that explains what each one is and what to use it for
Cons
- Your kitchen might get messy
The Baking Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum — Editor's Pick
This best-selling author and award winner has created her most extensive baking book yet complete with brand new recipes. With an emphasis on all categories of baking, this book includes recipes for the best cakes, pies, cookies, candies, pastries, bread, and more. This book also contains detailed instructions, tips, and highlights for success.
Pros
- Included with the recipes are “plan-aheads” to help make for an easier baking experience
Cons
- Some of the recipes may be too complicated for those just starting out baking
Tasty Dessert: All the Sweet You Can Eat by Tasty — Another Option
For the dessert lover, this cookbook includes 75 recipes that cover everything from last-minute desserts to late-night sugar cravings. Recipes include confetti birthday souffle, no-bake 16-layer s’mores cake, and sour cherry fritters to just name a few. This book will also teach you some of the easiest baking basics and helps you figure out creative ways to customize all your favorite desserts.
Pros
- This book includes tips to help you build the perfect, fuss-free baking pantry
Cons
- This cookbook may not be for the beginner baker
The Baking Cookbook for Teens by Robin Donovan — Also Consider
Another great option for the newbie baker is this cookbook made especially for teens that contain 75 recipes they will love to make. This cookbook makes it easy to introduce baking techniques and can serve as the ultimate guide to help any teen learn the essentials. The recipes are labeled and range from beginners (Level 1) to more challenging (Levels 2 and 3) and include breakfast bakes, desserts, salty bread, savory tarts, and one-dish meals.
Pros
- An overview of baking is also included to explain the fundamental baking concepts, terminology, and reviews kitchen safety
Cons
- This book does not contain many photos
The Super Easy Teen Baking Cookbook — Best Design
Introduce your teen to the world of baking with “The Super Easy Teen Baking Cookbook.” This book will teach your teen 60 recipes and walk them step by step through the baking process so they know exactly what to use for each recipe. You and your family can cook recipes like cheese bacon scones for a quick breakfast bite, three-ingredient peanut butter cookies for an easier treat, or even s’mores campfire cupcakes to wow your teen’s friends at the next party.
The book is organized into sections for your teen to learn about the history of baking, food safety, and what tools are typically needed of a baker before going into complicated recipes that might overwhelm them. It’s a great way for your teen to get all that knowledge in one little package. There are also explanations of baking terminology in the back of the book, as well as measurement conversions to make this book super accessible to all.
Pros
- 60 recipes
- Make breakfast, lunch, and desserts
- Comes with teaching material before recipes
Cons
- Needs more pictures of food
Buying Guide: Baking Cookbooks
What to Consider When Buying a Baking Cookbook
Here is a list of the most essential features you need to consider when picking a baking cookbook.
Recipes
Cookbooks come in a different number of recipes. We all know the world of baking has endless opportunities for people to explore and create. Before picking a cookbook, you need to check out the different recipes. Are they to your liking? If you feel that the recipes are up to your taste, consider buying them.
Amount
If you are a regular cook, you should opt for a cookbook with lots of recipes to try out. This is also the case if you have a baking setup. However, a cookbook can go to waste if you are not a regular baker and like to cook according to your mood.
Type of baked goods
Before you pick a cookbook, consider the type of baked items you want to serve. You can go for a book with savory dishes and snacks like pizza, pasta, etc. You can opt for a book with desserts like cakes. Some books come with both sweet and savory baked items as well. Just think of the niche you like best and pick your cookbook.
Images
Baking is supposed to be fun - well, for most people. This is why most cookbooks come with pictures to help you clearly understand what a particular dish is supposed to look like. They are a great way to keep you engaged and ensure that what you are making is exactly how you want it.
Difficulty
The level of difficulty of the baking book depends on your age and experience. Most books for kids come with simple recipes and lots of detailing and images. On the other hand, cookbooks for professional bakers and adults might have well-detailed recipes with complex finishing and longer recipes.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
"I've gone through so many baking cookbooks over the years, and I'm always looking for new recipes. Baking cookbooks are a super accessible way of getting into baking, and each recipe you try will probably end up teaching you something you didn't know before. One of my recent favorites is Cravings: Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigen because you can tell Teigen is a genuine foodie, and I just love the way the recipes are written. "
What Are the Perks of Buying Baking Cookbooks?
Using baking cookbooks might be old school for some people, but it does come with several perks. Here is a list of benefits you get by using them.
Sharp mind
Baking cookbooks require you to read from the book before making something. This is an excellent way to keep your mind sharp and focus intact. People who read a lot have better capabilities to finish a particular task. Images require constant comparison with what you are baking live. Therefore, only a sharp and well-focused mind can comprehend that what you are making is correct.
Get creative
When you watch a video to learn any recipe, it allows you to recreate everything. While this accuracy helps produce an exact-looking dish, you might not be able to give it a personal touch. Reading baking cookbooks to make your favorite recipes allows you to get creative and design the dishes with your unique flair. This polishes your skill and gives you a better idea of how to fix a particular problem.
Classic touch
Cooking books have been around for centuries. Even the best royal families had their secret recipes locked in a cookbook. While providing detailed material, cookbooks also give you a classic touch and connection with the food. No wonder even the most professional chefs have their very own cookbooks. Some people even build a collection of famous cookbooks because of their charm and knowledge.
What Are the Types of Baking Cookbooks?
Baking cookbooks can be divided into types: savory cookbooks and dessert cookbooks. You can buy each type separately or go for a baking cookbook with sections devoted to each type.
Savory
If you like making dishes of savory nature, then expand your knowledge with the help of these books. Featuring cuisines worldwide, a savory cookbook mainly focuses on the entree, appetizers, and snacks.
Ovens have been used around the world to make food for centuries now; thus, you can easily find a book featuring cuisine from a particular country. Pasta, pizza, roasts, and steaks are some common examples of savory baked items.
Dessert
These cookbooks come with recipes that tingle your sweet tooth by allowing you to bake desserts. Desserts can be complicated to make as they require precise measurements. This is why it is essential to opt for a cookbook focusing on visual and textual details.
Dessert baking cookbooks also feature cuisines from around the world. You can opt for books with a particular type of dessert-like cakes or go for something that features a variety of desserts. Cakes, eclairs, cupcakes, and cookies are some examples of sweet baked goods.
What Are the Difficulty Levels of Baking Cookbooks?
Baked goods have different difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard.
Easy
Cookbooks with easy recipes are designed for novice bakers and kids. They feature recipes with few ingredients so you can polish your skills. Easy baking cookbooks come with high-quality images and visuals to give you an idea that what you are cooking is right. Other than this, books for kids usually have a conversational tone.
Medium
These books come with home-based recipes suitable for daily home cooks. They do have a combination of long and short recipes.
Medium cookbooks do not use any complex terminologies. They also mainly feature a picture of the finished product.
Hard
These core books are designed for professional chefs and bakers who have a lot of experience in their field. They contain complicated recipes and baked items with lots of details.
Conclusion
Baking cookbooks feature sweet and savory baked goods from around the world. You can choose a baking cookbook based on your level of experience and difficulty. Some books only focus on a particular dish in different ways, while others come with a diverse range of options. We reviewed the top baking cookbooks in 2022, so you can make some delicate items for your loved ones/business.
