3 Best Baking Cookbooks
For the weekend baker to the aspiring patissier.
I can never get enough baking cookbooks, and they kept piling up on my bookshelves over the years. I just simply cannot resist the urge to collect another one of those baking gems every few months. It is one of those few good problems in modern life.
I have quite a collection of baking cookbooks and have read a number of them. The books range from french pastry techniques to classic American baking and even Japanese baking techniques. However, because of my passion for desserts and my sweet tooth, I realized I kind of left off bread baking in my suggestions. That is why the French separate it into two different types of disciplines, Boulangerie, which is bread baking and Patisserie, which is dessert and pastry baking. Sorry in advance, bread bakers!
Below are some of my personal favorites. If you have a keen interest in which books best serve as a guide to bake desserts and pastry or you have a sweet tooth like me, read on!
For the Weekend Baker
Momofuku Milk Bar by Christina Tosi is a modern American baking classic. I was introduced to Christina Tosi when I stumbled upon her story as a pastry chef on Chef’s Table, the award-winning food documentary series on Netflix.
Entranced by her baking philosophy, I went to google and searched if she has a baking cookbook. That is how I found Momofuku Milk Bar, and I was not disappointed with the contents.
It is written in a way whereby it encourages you to bake in a systematic order by using the scale and measuring ingredients in grams, something the American Home Baker is not normally used to. However, the usual measuring techniques of cups and spoons are still available in the book. What captured me about the book is the distinct style of the recipes that is very American yet modern. Authentic is the word.
For the weekend baker who wants to dip their toes into the world of baking, this serves as a great guide. The recipes range from cookies to pies and cakes. They are straightforward and not incredibly hard or complex to follow. Although some parts might be more technical, I truly recommend this book as I think this book develop my ability to bake better because of the systematic approach used by the book.
For the Pastry Enthusiast
Patisserie Made Simple by Edd Kimber is one of those rare gems I spotted on the bookshelves at the Kinokuniya bookstore. Before reading this book, I always had this idea that french pastry is extremely complex, and I dared not try my hands on it. However, this book changed my perspective on Classic French Pastry Recipes. It breaks down the recipes into simple and easy-to-understand categories and instructions.
For the pastry enthusiast, if you are still contemplating whether to delve into the world of French Pastry, fear not! This is the perfect book to start with. From tarts to cakes and figuring out what creme patisserie is (pastry cream), this is a reliable guide. In fact, I learned how to whip my first swiss meringue buttercream from this book!
For the Aspiring Patissier
I am going to be honest with you that this book is not for everyone.
Opera Patisserie by Cedric Grolet is not an easy book to follow and read. However, if you are in the food industry or a pastry student, this book is an absolute dream! Even though this book is not the usual pastry textbook, I recommend this book for the Chef’s innovation in his techniques. This book focused heavily on puff pastry (think croissants and kouign amann) but what I love about this book is that the recipes still respect the old French traditions, yet it is modern and understated. Maybe it is my personal bias for Cedric Grolet as a pastry chef, but hey, we all have our own personal biases.
This book provides the perfect deep dive into the world of pastry and baking. As they always say, one book leads to another. For those who want to further their craft, this is a great book to have. Be sure to get the English Edition unless you know French!
Honorable Mentions
- Simple Cake by Odette Williams
- Layered by Tessa Huff
- Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson
I recommend reading reviews of fellow bakers before buying any baking cookbook. In my opinion, we should get a book according to our skills and experience, and will push us further and challenge us to become better bakers.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my personal recommendations!