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The Best Baking Cookbook

Last updated on December 28, 2022

We looked at the top 10 Baking Cookbooks and dug through the reviews from 40 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Baking Cookbooks.

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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.

Our Picks For The Top Baking Cookbooks

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick
10.0

Sarah Kieffer 100 Cookies

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Sarah Kieffer

100 Cookies

Packed with 100 recipes for cookies and bars, this baking cookbook is packed with colorful pictures and easy-to-follow recipes. The recipes are organized into seven chapters and include variations on classics like chocolate chip and sugar cookies, as well as bars like marshmallow peanut butter brownies and red wine cherry cheesecake swirl bars. One...

Overall Take

Great for Every OccasionAll types of cookies are covered in this baking cookbook, from basic chocolate chip cookies to brownies and blondies.

Pros
" Tons of gorgeous photos, helpful tips and tricks along with some seriously fantastic sounding recipes."
Cons
"Some people have said that a few of the recipes were labor-intensive or had more sugar than they’d prefer."
 Runner Up

America’s Test Kitchen The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs

America’s Test Kitchen

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs

Young chefs can learn while they bake with this cookbook, which covers making everything from soft pretzels to chewy brownies. The recipes were tested by 5,000 children to ensure they’re kid-friendly. Each recipe includes step-by-step photos, along with tips that help children develop lifelong baking skills.

Overall Take

Perfect for Picky EatersDesigned for children by children, this baking cookbook includes recipes for even the pickiest palates.

Pros
" Savory baked goods. Photos on most pages."
Cons
"It doesn't stay open easily, which makes it less than ideal for use in the kitchen."
 We Also Like

Paul Hollywood How to Bake

Paul Hollywood

How to Bake

You’ll get tested-and-proven techniques in this cookbook, written by the star of Netflix’s Great British Baking Show. The recipes are easy to follow and include breads, pastries, cakes and biscuits. Step-by-step recipes and detailed ingredients lists make this cookbook great for even beginners.

Overall Take

Perfect for BeginnersDevelop basic cooking skills with this baking cookbook, which features techniques and busts myths about making breads, desserts and other baked goods.

Pros
" Hollywood has a way of comprehensively describing a recipe’s process without overwhelming. The step by step photos of pastry-making and folding techniques are almost worth it alone. Excellent variety of recipes."
Cons
"Since it is directed more towards baking bread, I might not recommend it for those who have no interest in bread making."
 Strong Contender

Rose Levy Beranbaum The Baking Bible

Rose Levy Beranbaum

The Baking Bible

From an award-winning cookbook author, this book is an extensive guide to cooking all types of baked goods. Recipes include everything from cakes to pastries to breads, with the chef providing expert tips along the way. The recipes even include tips for storage to extend the life of your baked goods.

Overall Take

Entertaining and EducationalMore than a cookbook, this guide to baking includes step-by-step instructions, tips and beautiful photos.

Pros
" I enjoyed thumbing through the book, taking in the pretty photos (most recipes have one) and learned a lot through the “Golden Rules,” “Special Tips,” and “Troubleshooting Sections” at the beginning of each chapter. Following the recipes was easy and..."
Cons
"Very few recipes in this book called to me. Most are extremely specific and seem more special-occasion than everyday, which means they have obscure or expensive ingredients."
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the baking cookbooks available to purchase.
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40

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Good Reads, Publishers Weekly, Baking How, Library Journal, Seasoned With Sydney.

52,503

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We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Baking Cookbooks and also dug through the reviews from 40 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Baking Cookbooks.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

America’s Test Kitchen The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs

Our Expert Score

8.8
5 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.6
9,119 user reviews

Our Take

Young chefs can learn while they bake with this cookbook, which covers making everything from soft pretzels to chewy brownies. The recipes were tested by 5,000 children to ensure they’re kid-friendly. Each recipe includes step-by-step photos, along with tips that help children develop lifelong baking skills.

What other experts liked

Savory baked goods. Photos on most pages.
- The Spruce Eats
Easy to follow recipes with clear directions. Ingredients are readily available and easy to acquire (maybe even already in people's homes) and the pictures are helpful and beautiful.
- Good Reads
The recipes share pages with informational asides and related tidbits with snappy headings and art. Instructions follow a well-organized, three-step process: preparing, gathering equipment, and then starting the baking process.
- School Library Journal
All of the directions are accompanied by large photographs, and it even features testimonials from some of the kids who helped make the book. Moreover, the recipes inside are for foods that kids will actually enjoy eating. It’s good for children of all ages, but older kids will see particularly...
- Mama Loves to Cook
Recipes were thoroughly tested by more than 750 kids to get them just right for cooks of all skill levels.
- Cafe Mom

What other experts didn't like

Mainly intended for tweens.
- The Spruce Eats
It doesn't stay open easily, which makes it less than ideal for use in the kitchen.
- Good Reads
The pictures are quite small (there are no full-page spreads), but a full-color picture of each finished dish is included. ­
- School Library Journal

What to Look For

  • 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.

Baking Cookbook Rankings

1. Sarah Kieffer 100 Cookies

Overall Score: 10.0
Reviews Included: 8

3. Paul Hollywood How to Bake

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 5

4. Rose Levy Beranbaum The Baking Bible

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 5

5. Dorie Greenspan Baking With Dorie

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 6

6. Claire Saffitz Dessert Person

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 7

7. Robin Donovan The Baking Cookbook for Teens

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 3

8. Nadiya Hussain Nadiya Bakes

Overall Score: 8.0
Reviews Included: 5

9. Saura Kline Small Batch Baking

Overall Score: 8.0
Reviews Included: 3

10. Great British Baking Show Bakers A Bake for All Seasons

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 2

More to Explore

You likely won’t eat all of your baked concoctions in one sitting. That means you’ll need to find a way to store them so they’ll last as long as possible. While the refrigerator can be great at reducing bacteria growth, it also can dry out some baked goods, especially those with very little liquid content. Your cakes and cookies will likely be better off staying on the counter or in your pantry.

When storing baked goods, try to eliminate as much oxygen as possible from the storage container or packaging. Oxygen accelerates the aging process. If you have desserts with high moisture content, such as pies and cream-filled pastries, refrigerator storage is a must.

More to explore