Cook books · Cakes, loaves and puddings
Baking, bread & pastry
From Mary Berry's classics to sourdough and American desserts: baking books that actually teach you to bake.
- 10 books
- 4 award-winners
- UK & US Amazon links
Each book has a short review in our own words and a link to Amazon; award notes appear only where a winners' list confirms them.
- Mary Berry's Baking Bible
- How to Bake
- Dough
- Flour Water Salt Yeast
- The Bread Baker's Apprentice
- Tartine Bread
- BraveTart
- Dessert Person
- The Cake Bible
- Sweet
Book links go to Amazon (affiliate links). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mary Berry's Baking Bible
Mary Berry · 2009
More than 250 foolproof recipes for cakes, traybakes, biscuits, breads and puddings, written in Mary Berry's calm, exact style. If you own one baking book in Britain, it is usually this one.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : Mary Berry's Baking BibleIn the US? amazon.com
How to Bake
Paul Hollywood · 2012
A sensible bread-first baking course from the Bake Off judge, moving from simple loaves to sourdough, pastries and cakes. Good on what dough should look and feel like.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : How to BakeIn the US? amazon.com
Dough
Richard Bertinet · 2005 · new edition 2026
James Beard Award, Baking & Desserts, 2006
Bertinet's slap-and-fold method of working wet dough by hand, shown in step-by-step photographs, then five basic doughs turned into dozens of breads. It is the friendliest introduction to real bread.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : DoughIn the US? amazon.com
Flour Water Salt Yeast
Ken Forkish · 2012
James Beard Award, Baking and Dessert, 2013
Portland baker Ken Forkish's system for crusty artisan loaves and pizza at home, with timings that fit around a working day. Precise and encouraging, with a big following among home bakers.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : Flour Water Salt YeastIn the US? amazon.com
The Bread Baker's Apprentice
Peter Reinhart · 2001 · 15th anniversary edition 2016
James Beard Cookbook of the Year, 2002; IACP Cookbook of the Year, 2002
A bread masterclass: the twelve stages of baking explained, then classic loaves from bagels to ciabatta. The long, cool fermentation methods transformed home bread-making.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : The Bread Baker's ApprenticeIn the US? amazon.com
Tartine Bread
Chad Robertson · 2010
The San Francisco bakery's country sourdough, explained step by step in patient detail with photographs. It started much of the home sourdough craze.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : Tartine BreadIn the US? amazon.com
BraveTart
Stella Parks · 2017
James Beard Award, Baking and Dessert, 2018
Homemade versions of America's classic desserts and shop-bought favourites, with the history of each and rigorously tested recipes. Fun, exact and full of good tricks.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : BraveTartIn the US? amazon.com
Dessert Person
Claire Saffitz · 2020
Cakes, tarts, pies and breads arranged by difficulty, with a chart to help you choose. Warm, clear writing that gives nervous bakers confidence.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : Dessert PersonIn the US? amazon.com
The Cake Bible
Rose Levy Beranbaum · 1988 · 35th anniversary edition 2024
The famously precise American cake book, with weights, temperatures and the science behind every crumb. The 35th anniversary edition updates the recipes and adds new ones.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : The Cake BibleIn the US? amazon.com
Sweet
Yotam Ottolenghi & Helen Goh · 2017
Ottolenghi's bakery cakes, biscuits, tarts and meringues, full of flavour and good-looking. Some recipes are long, but they work.
View on Amazon UKView on Amazon US : SweetIn the US? amazon.com
New guide 1 November 2026. Awards checked against published winners' lists; Amazon listings checked on 1 November 2026.