In a world of Pinterest and baking bloggers, cookbooks and old-fashioned recipes books seem more futile with every passing app update. For someone who truly loves to cook and bake, however, cookbooks will never be a thing of the past. Growing up, I always remember my Grandmother pulling out tiny little recipe cards with chicken scratch on them while she was cooking dinner in the kitchen and my mom’s collection of cookbooks sitting on the kitchen shelves just waiting to be used.
With the holiday season right around the corner (way sooner than I am prepared for), cookbooks are a great present to pick up on Amazon and wrap up for your favorite baker to open on Christmas morning. Bonus: most of these are under or right around $20! The tricky part is, how do you know what cookbook you should get? Especially if you’re not a baker yourself, differentiating between an average cookbook and a useful cookbook can be difficult. Luckily, I’ve got a list for you! No matter what type of baker you’re shopping for, one of these cookbooks will knock them off their feet!
Here we go:
7. Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories
If you’re looking for classic recipes that even Grandma will love, then Grandbaby Cakes by Jocelyn Delk Adams is the cookbook for your baker. Maybe it’s due to my recent trip to the South or the fact that I started baking on old Italian-family recipes, but I just LOVE the traditional, home-style feel of this cookbook. All the recipes are rooted in southern traditions with fun twists and are easy to execute on any skill level, but fun enough to challenge the more experienced bakers. Plus, Jocelyn offers thorough instructions that can help you figure out any new baking challenge.
6. BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts
Do you have a history-loving baking in your life? Hop over to Amazon and order this book now! To be honest, I have not purchases this well-known cookbook yet, but I am seriously hoping that Santa will leave me one under the Christmas tree this year. What drives me to this book is that all of the recipes are focused on American classics, but more importantly, making those American classics as deliciously as possible. The other fun part of this book is that it includes a good amount of history in it, so for a history-lover like myself, this book is definitely a hit.
5. Art of the Pie: A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts, Fillings, and Life
Does your baker LOVE making pie? Maybe they’re like me and HATE making pie! Either way, this is the cookbook for them. I specialize in all things cakey, fudgey and non-flaky so pie is not my department at all. I struggle a lot with perfecting a flaky crust and getting the proportion of gooey filling just right, but this cookbook can help turn any pie-fearing baker like myself into a pie master in no time. Pies are truly an art that any good baker should master at some point in their life, so get them started today!
4. Surprise-Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion–with a Little Something Extra Inside
Amanda Rettke is a literal cake-decorating goddess. Her website, I Am Baker, is full of cakes that look like your wildest Pinterest dreams, but she makes them so easy to execute! On top of that, she has this amazing ‘Surprise-Inside Cakes’ book that can help any baker create a cake that will wow your family in friends in no time. Now, these recipes are sometimes a little more trickier, so I only recommend this book for the baker that’s ready to kick it up a notch. If you’re sick of having 3 layer white cake every other week, pick up this cookbook for your baker and give them a real challenge!
3. The Sprinkles Baking Book: 100 Secret Recipes from Candace’s Kitchen
Could I really leave the Queen of Cupcakes herself off this list? Any baking aficionado knows that Candace Nelson is the supreme authority on all things cupcake which is why her cookbook is an essential addition to your bakers collection (if they don’t own it already). While this cookbook doesn’t contain just cupcake recipes, it does contain a lot of the recipes that can give you the taste of a Sprinkles Cupcake ATM right in your home. If your baker is in need of some extra baking inspiration, try out the Sprinkles Baking Book. There’s even a few *vegan* recipes included, too!
2. Ample Hills Creamery: Secrets and Stories from Brooklyn’s Favorite Ice Cream Shop
What is there to say about Ample Hills Ice Cream? They come up with wacky flavors that are designed to deliver a fun twist on your childhood favorites, and this cookbook sticks to that brand. Including many of their famous flavors, this cookbook will help any budding ice cream-maker explore their wild side with some creative flavors that anyone can get behind. If your baker is ready to step out of the realm of plain old chocolate, vanilla and caramel ice creams, pick this book up for them before spring is in full gear!
Note: I only wanted to include 1 Ice Cream Book as this is a baking list, but I also recommend The Perfect Scoop
1. Sally’s Cookie Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cookie Bars, Shortbread, and More
Sally’s Baking Addiction was one of, if not THE first blog that I started avidly reading when I started really committing to baking. Sally provides the best tips for any type of baker and recipes of all skill levels. Not sure how to bring an egg to room temp? She’s got you covered! Want to torch your homemade meringue to the perfect golden brown? No problem! While Sally does it all, my favorite recipes of hers have without a doubt always been her cookie recipes. The ‘Cookie Addiction’ version of her first cookbook
That’s all folks! Do you have a favorite cookbook? Send me a message to let me know – I’m looking for some new ones to add to the collection!
I love these picks, Darrian! I just shared this to Pinterest 😀