Here are my favorite baking books, including cookbooks, in my library. These have helped me understand baking on a whole new level. So, if you’re looking to learn more, check out my baking library recommendations below!
Books About Baking Science
Baking is chemistry, so understanding the foundational science behind baking can make you 1000% better at baking. It also gives you the ability to diagnose what went wrong when you inevitably have a baking fail.
“How Baking Works” by Paula Figoni (3rd edition) is essentially a college textbook with a deep breadth of knowledge. Paula’s explanations are easy to understand if you have a science background. She really goes deep into every subject offering the most comprehensive book I’ve read. It was what I was looking for when leveling up my own baking skills. She specializes in professional baking knowledge and skills.
“Baking Science” by Dikla Levy Frances (creator of One Sarcastic Baker) is the perfect companion to Paula’s book. Dikla puts baking science into easy-to-understand language, giving helpful tips and recipes to practice baking skills explored in the book. This is an excellent resource for home bakers.
Must-Have Baking Cookbooks
If you’re serious about baking and want to keep learning more, the OG herself, Rose Levy Beranbaum (Real Baking With Rose) has a few of the best resources to dive a little further. One of my favorite books is “The Baking Bible”. At over 500 pages, this big book of knowledge and guidance is a reference I use all the time. Rose is most famous for writing “The Cake Bible”, an invaluable resource for cake bakers everywhere!
P.S. For it’s 35th Anniversary, a new edition of “The Cake Bible” can be pre-ordered here! I just ordered mine!
“Desserts Illustrated” by Cook’s Illustrated (America’s Test Kitchen) is an excellent comprehensive book covering every dessert you can imagine! Not only does this book provide you with recipes, but it explains how ingredients work together in the baking process. They also provide step-by-step illustrated guides to demonstrate proper techniques.
“The Magnolia Bakery Handbook” by Bobbie Lloyd gives extensive explanations for baking tips, tricks, and best tools of the trade. I have learned so much about professional baking, cake decorating, and how to really understand recipes from Bobbie. Whenever I’m near a Magnolia Bakery, I cannot resist buying 5 or 6 treats to try including their famous Banana Pudding.
Best Book for Beginners
“The Back In The Day Bakery Cookbook” by Cheryl and Griffith Day is the first baking cookbook I ever bought and it inspired so much of my life. The famous Southern recipes paired with gorgeous vintage photography, could inspire any baker to just keep trying. The book starts with a brief overview of baking knowledge, to get the reader started along with helpful tips on almost every recipe. I was fortunate enough to go visit this bakery in Savannah, Georgia last year before Cheryl and Griff retired. It was just as sweet as I imagined… and the biscuits were unreal.
Advanced Baking Techniques
“Patisserie Maison” by Richard Bertinet is exceptionally wonderful in explaining techniques for french desserts and fine pastries. I would consider most of this book to be beyond the skills of a beginner baker, but something to work toward achieving!
“Little Tarts” by Meike Schaling and Patrice Andrieu, founders of Petit Gateau in Amsterdam, is all about making small tarts with over 60 different filling ideas. I source so much inspiration from this simple, in-depth book with mouth-watering photos and incredible recipes for creams and pastes.
“The Perfect Loaf” by Maurizio Leo explains the science behind sourdough, breads, and more. I love following his blog as well. If you’re a sourdough baker, Maurizio is your new BFF!
Specialty Baking Books
“How Can It Be Gluten Free” by America’s Test Kitchen is a great place to start for gluten-free baking. Almost any dessert, bread, or treat is recreated in this 350+ recipe cookbook. I’ve learned so much about adapting recipes and how to bake without gluten.
If you love to continually learn about baking and get better, there are so many other books out there too. These are just the books that have really helped me enhance my baking skills and inspire my creativity.
There are so many styles of baking and types of baked goods to dive into and perfect. Some recipes do have a learning curve, so don’t be discouraged if your first go at a recipe isn’t what you imagined.
If you have a favorite cookbook that has helped you, let me know in the comments below. I’m always looking for more good books!
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