The Best Baking Cookbook

Buying Guide

Baking is a science, particularly when you’re dealing with sensitive foods like breads. In recent years, researchers have even worked to better understand how dough rises and deforms. This helps with finding ingredients and cooking techniques that can make baking easier.

Whether you’re new to baking or trying to level up your skills, a baking cookbook can be a big help. There are options available to beginners, as well as more advanced cookbooks with recipes for those with significant experience with a rolling pin. Whatever your level, though, a cookbook with step-by-step instructions and full-color photos can be a big help.

First, you’ll need to invest in the right products. Baking sheets, mixers and, of course, a good oven will help cover all the basics. You’ll also need some parchment paper, waxed paper and oven mitts. A good apron can help protect your clothing from stray bits of flour and dough while you work.

One thing to keep in mind when you’re learning to bake is that every failure is an opportunity to learn. If your dough doesn’t rise or the consistency is slightly off, make a note of what you can do differently next time and do just that. If you’re baking from a cookbook, insert a sticky note or slip of paper detailing how the recipe turned out and what you think you should try differently next time.

Before any cooking session, it’s important to double check and make sure you have all the ingredients. An entire recipe can be derailed because of one missing ingredient. You’ll also need to check all the pots and pans you’ll need to make your baked goods. Over time, you’ll purchase enough items that your kitchen will be well stocked and prepared for all your baking attempts.

• Baked goods don’t just include breads and cookies. You can make cookie bars, brownies, blondies, cakes, pies and pretzels. You might want to start with easier baked items like chocolate chip cookies and gradually work your way toward more complicated recipes that require letting the dough rise.
• A cookbook doesn’t have to limit itself to recipes. Some even build in cooking tips and techniques to help you learn as you try out new creations.
• The youngest members in your family can join in on the fun, too. There are cookbooks for kids. All you’ll need to do is find a way for your children to be able to comfortably work, perhaps on a shorter table. This can instill skills that will stick with them for a lifetime.
• Outdoor temperatures can affect how some baked goods turn out. Warm, rainy weather can be particularly concerning when cooking with dry ingredients. The humidity in the surrounding air can soak into products like flour and cause clumping. Cakes might deflate when air pressure is too low. Strategically adding ingredients and adjusting cooking techniques can help compensate for these issues.
• When measuring dry ingredients, use cups and spoons. Liquid ingredients should be measured using a clear liquid measuring cup specifically designed for that purpose.
• It can be tempting to switch up the order of adding ingredients, but some recipes are specifically designed for items to be added in a certain order. Try to follow the order of ingredients faithfully.
• As you get more comfortable baking, you can start to experiment. You might substitute or add ingredients to a recipe from your favorite cookbook or lessen the cooking time to make a baked good chewier or softer.
• Ovens can vary in temperature. Pay attention to how your baked goods do compared to what the recipe seems to expect. Over time, you’ll start to learn your oven’s heat variances and adjust all your recipes accordingly.