What Are Some Good Beginner Baking Cookbooks?

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
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published Jun 10, 2015
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Q: I have decided to learn to bake. I (embarrassingly) have hardly baked anything that doesn’t come out of a box. Does anyone have any recommendations on beginner cookbooks? I love Alton Brown and his scientific explanations, and am hoping to find something similar to his style.

I’d like to learn how to actually bake, not just follow recipes.

Sent by Christina

Editor: Congratulations on your new baking endeavor. Very exciting! If you want something in a scientific style, then the ideal book for you is Bakewise: The Hows and Whys of Successful Baking with Over 200 Magnificent Recipes, by Shirley Corriher, who actually taught Brown much of what he knows and was a regular guest on his TV show.

Here are some more cookbook suggestions to get you on your way:

Readers, what are some of your favorite cookbooks for a beginning baker?

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Baking
Cookbooks
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