ISO Bread Baking Book

16 years ago

While I consider myself a decent cook I've never done much baking. Mainly because my old oven sabotaged any attempts at creating something edible. Now the new kitchen also includes my dream oven and I've started to try out a few things.

But I haven't done any breads yet. I'm an absolute beginner and could use a good bread baking book. With easy to understand basic explanations but also with some whole wheat breads which I know are a bit more difficult to produce.

Any suggestions?

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Comments (10)

jimster
16 years ago
The Bread Baker's Apprentice has been highly recommended. I purchased a cope but haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: The Bread Baker's Apprentice
arley_gw
16 years ago
For general bread baking, I like Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book of Breads. It has instructions on kneading by hand but one nice thing is that it also has timings for how long to knead with a stand mixer, if you happen to have a decently powerful mixer. (See the link. Read the reviews; the reviewers discuss its competitors and similar books.) And if you get into bread baking seriously, you probably will get a good stand mixer. The romance of hand kneading wears off real quick, LOL.

Clayton's book is 'white-flour oriented'. If you're looking to do a lot of whole grain baking, check out "The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book." It's excellent.

Here is a link that might be useful: clayton bread book
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teresa_nc7
16 years ago
Any books by Bernard Clayton are excellent. Also, The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Berenbaum, and Amy's Bread. Some of the excellent books by Peter Reinhart and Joe Ortiz may be a little beyond the beginner bread baker.

Beard on Bread is not new, but it is good for the beginner. Also The Bread Book by Betsy Oppenneer is a good basic book.

It might sound silly, but read through a few recipes from the books before you buy. If your eyes glaze over or if you are totally confused at the end of the recipe....look at another book.
readinglady
16 years ago
Another book I'd recommend is the King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion.

I have all the other books mentioned (except the Oppenneer book - I have her Celebration Breads) but the KAF book, I feel, provides a lot of very helpful basic information, including some of the clearest information I've ever encountered on sourdough and starters.

It is a more general book, covering cookies, pies, etc. in addition to bread, but the yeast dough section is very well done with excellent explanations.

Another book I'd recommend for beginners is Beth Hensperger's Bread Bible, which is designed for those who haven't much experience.

For those really committed to bread I'd recommend Jeff Hamelman's Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes, even over The Bread Baker's Apprentice and Crust and Crumb, both by Reinhart.

I really second the suggestion to go to a well-stocked bookstore and actually look at the books. These titles are well-known and you should be able to physically examine at least 80% of them.

Also, do not forget websites, which can be very helpful. One really good one is linked below. You get lots of advice and the visuals are a tremendous benefit.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: The Fresh Loaf
cream_please
16 years ago
Beatrix,
I have a lovely book titled, "Ultimate Bread" by Eric Treuille and Ursula Ferrigno.

It is loaded with good explanations on types of flour, grain, yeasts, equipment, baking methods, etc. It is LOADED with great color photographs so you can see for yourself what the items and ingredients look like.

There are recipes for all kinds of bread, from basic white, to sour dough, pretzels, to challah to flavored and whole grain breads.

I bought it recently after enjoying a library copy and wanting my own.

Amazon has it. You will see a nice picture and the price, including shipping was very reasonable.

Happy baking.
Cream
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
I'll second Beth Hensperger's Bread Bible and the King Arthur books. I've lost a lot of love for King Arthur over the years, but their bread cookbooks are still worth every penny.

Crust and Crumb is not for beginners. I think it would intimidate even a intermediate bread baker. There's much good info in that book, but it's almost a case of too much information.
KatieC
16 years ago
I'm getting back into bread baking after several years and so I've been collecting baking books.I get first dibs on anything going to the book sale...somebody has to sort 'em, hehe. I usually wind up going back to my old Tassajara Bread Book. I use the basic recipe and toss in whatever strikes me and it always turns out good.

I ordered Artisan Breads in Five Minutes a Day for the library, but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.
grainlady_ks
16 years ago
- Bread Made Easy (A Baker's First Bread Book) by Beth Hensperger

- Making Bread At Home - By Tom Jaine

- BREAD - A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes - By Jeffrey Hamelman (Director of the Bakery and Baking Education Center, King Arthur Flour)

- The Pleasure of Whole-Grain Breads - By Beth Hensperger (It's far better than Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book, in my opinion.)

- CookWise - By Shirley O. Corriher (the first 99 pages of the 500 page book are about "The Wonders of Risen Bread" and a must read for anyone interested in the science as well as great recipes. To me, the science is equally as important as the recipe and the ingredients.

Check the shelves at your local library. They will have many of the books mentioned so you can look through them before investing in them. The library may also have videos about bread making that may be helpful. I would suggest "Artisan Breads" video from King Arthur Flour. GREAT instructions!

-Grainlady
doucanoe
16 years ago
I have a lovely book titled, "Ultimate Bread" by Eric Treuille and Ursula Ferrigno.

I have this one, too. I really like it, lots of great info for a "not so experienced" bread baker. Explanations and plenty of photos of different flours, equipment, yeasts & starters, kneading with and without appliances, glazing, baking methods, etc.

Plus lots of really good recipes. I have not been disappointed in any I have tried from this book.

Linda
artsyshell
16 years ago
Here is another great site for breadmaking, with online lessons.

http://www.cookingbread.com

Shelley

ISO Bread Baking Book

Comments (10)

jimster

arley_gw

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teresa_nc7

readinglady

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