The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book

My Great-Grandmother was known for her baking. My mother's home-made bread has been likened to cake. My sister has never had a problem baking anything. But, when it came to baking, I was (too many times) unsuccessful - avoiding it like the plague. Since I love to cook - want to do it as a profession, even...I thought I'd better become able to bake, as well. Thank You, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Illustrated, for the only baking book that has ever made complete sense to me and taken the mystery out of baking. It's almost like breaking the Baking Code!
Now, I not only bake, but I bake very well. I understand what I am doing - what I had been doing wrong in the past - and even, how to create my own recipes using the basic techniques and the RIGHT tools and equipment. When someone else has done all the work for you, it's almost impossible to fail at this art. Fear has been replaced by confidence and joy. I can not say enough about this book - worth every cent!

I am hopelessly addicted to anything kitchen and cooking related. Lately I've been reading cook books almost as one reads novels. This book is cook book excellence. This book takes a step-by-step approach in which novices and experts alike can extract useful information. Details abound in the techniques required to complete each recipe. The recipes are range from beginner to expert which is fantastic. I feel as if I can achieve growth in my baking skills by attempting simpler recipes and then heading for more the more complex recipes contained within this book. This book is well organized with pictured dividers, sturdy with hardcover and binder system. Individual recipes can be removed from and reinserted into the book. This not only makes and wonderful addition to a personal collection but is truly appropriate as a gift for someone that has a mere interest or full fledged passion for baking.

This companion to the AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN FAMILY COOKBOOK offers a collection of foolproof recipes, step-by-step directions, product ratings and troubleshooting guides for a range of quick dishes, no-knead breads, no-bake cookies, and more. The lay-flat thick binder format lends to kitchen use and explanations cover how or why a recipe works, what could go wrong, and how to avoid any uncertainties. Over 700 recipes offer baking results guaranteed to succeed.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The book was great!! Received sooner than expected which was greatly appreciated. Thanks for the GREAT service you provide to me.

I come from a family of excellent bakers, but so far my baking experience has been mostly things to come out of a box. I can count on one hand the times I have baked something from scratch, and half of those times my Mom has helped. (I'm 27 years old, so it's about time I learn!)

This book is a very well-rounded, staple baking book that I can see myself using for years. But what makes it stand out from all the other cookbooks and baking books that sit on my shelf, gathering dust?

I no longer feel intimidated to try my hand at baking something from scratch. This book is very good at explaining, in simple terms, the "science" of baking. I am always amazed at why two people can follow the same recipe and have such strikingly different results.

The Test Kitchen baking book claims to "make the mistakes, so you don't have to." It has a great introductory section which explains the importance of: preheating your oven, using the right measuring methods, choosing quality ingredients, using the right equipment, watching your baked goods instead of relying solely on a timer, etc. It also explains the differences between the variety of flours, and why they make a difference in your recipes - as well as many other ingredients. It also goes through a variety of other pantry staples to have on hand, as well as baking pans and other equipment... recommending their favorite brands.

I didn't realize so many things can affect your recipe, like using the wrong temperature of butter. The last time I made cookies with my Mom, she "freaked out" when I added dry ingredients before properly creaming the butter and sugar. I thought she was crazy, but now I understand why proper creaming is important for cookie texture. There are even pictures to show me the under creamed, over creamed, and "just right" level.

It explains basic cooking techniques and shows photos of the process, such as whipping egg whites or melting chocolate.

So, not only does the book equip you with a great set of recipes that have been tested in their home kitchen for ease of use, it also gives you the basics you need when following the recipe, to make sure it turns out well. I think this is what takes it beyond a book that "sits on the shelf" to one I'm ready to dig in and start using. Also, the recipes themselves are great - things Mom and Grandma used to make, not too fancy, but not too basic either. The book isn't dedicated to dessert - there is also a section of pizzas, calzones, breads and breakfast items such as scones and muffins.

I've made many recipes from the America's Test Kitchen Family cookbook, which is laid out just like the Family baking book. Not only is there a photo of most recipes, often there are photographs of the various steps involved. This is so helpful for a new baker in discovering the way things are supposed to look and get a visual picture of some more complicated steps. I think even an old baker can learn a trick or two.

I highly recommend this book for college students, wedding presents, or housewarming gift - or to anyone who aspires to be a better baker. The recipes that are good for beginners are even marked so, giving those "intimidated bakers" in your life a great starting point. There are so many tasty items in here that I can't wait to get baking! So in that respect this book has already done its job.

Thanks, America's Test Kitchen, for inspiring us willing but intimidated chefs and bakers into action!