Taste of Home Baking Book Book

Discover more than 725 recipes for irresistible baked goods-from cookies, bars, brownies, cakes, cheesecakes, pies, bread puddings, and meringues to yeast breads, quick breads, coffee cakes, muffins, biscuits, and more-and bask in the warm, complex aroma of a fresh-baked loaf of bread, the luscious whiff of cinnamon rolls, or the sweet, fruity fragrance of pies. Best of all, they are all made with easy-to-find ingredients. Every recipe has been tasted and reviewed by the professional home economists of the Taste of Home test kitchens. More than 675 full-color photographs illustrate mixing and baking methods and showcase the delectable baked results!

Step-by-step directions take the worry out of baking-plus, prep and bake times make it easy to plan your kitchen time. The easy-to-follow instructions will have a novice baking like a pro, and both beginners and experienced bakers alike will appreciate the in-depth quick reference section with general measuring and mixing techniques, charts, bakeware tips, an overview of common baking ingredients, and a glossary of baking terms. The chapters include: Baking Basics; Cookies; Bars & Brownies; Cakes; Cheesecakes; Pies & Tarts; Desserts; Quick Breads; Muffins, Biscuits & Cones; Savory Yeast Breads; Sweet Yeast; Breads; Fanciful Creations; and Holiday Baking. Plus there are solutions to baking dilemmas, information on adjusting recipes for high-altitude baking, and plenty of tips from the Taste of Home experts.

With an alphabetical listing on each chapter divider plus a subject and reference index, you'll have instant access to everything inside this comprehensive baking guide. Special features include a 5-ring binder that lies flat when open, snap-in splash guards to protect the pages from food spills and sticky fingers, tab dividers for quick reference, and pocketed pages to store your personal baking recipes.

Novice bakers will cherish this beautiful volume for its easy-to-follow instructions, and experienced cooks will treasure the at-a-glance baking reference, which covers everything from simple cookies and breads to sumptuous cakes and sophisticated tortes.

Publishers Weekly

Fans of home-baked sweets need look no further than this massive collection of more than 700 recipes submitted by Taste of Homereaders, which covers everything-and its variations (Apple Coffee Cake, Zucchini Oat Muffins, etc.). Designed with the user in mind, the book is organized by type of baked good (cookies, bars, pies and tarts, desserts, savory and sweet yeast breads, etc.) and augmented with helpful tabs and a comprehensive index. Once the flour starts to fly, readers can use the thick plastic page protectors included to keep pages clean, and sturdy ring-bound construction ensures that the book will hold up to frequent use. Submissions come from all over the country, ranging from regional favorites like Old-Fashioned Raisin Pie (from Illinois) and Fruit-Filled Kolachkes, a fluffy Polish pastry, to classics like Bread Pudding and Lemon Bars. Purists may scoff at some recipes and techniques (such as German Chocolate Cookies that call for a box of German chocolate cake mix), but the focus here is the end result. Rounded out with tips on everything from shipping cookies to creating chocolate "clay" that can be molded and used as an accoutrement, the authors have achieved an exceedingly thorough resource; this brilliantly conceived title should top the list for anyone looking for a first book on baking. (Sept.)