Buzz

We spoke with pastry chefs, recipe creators and culinary educators to find cookbooks for sweet tooths at every skill level

Gifting a cookbook can be an intimate act, as we often give cookbooks that are meaningful to us, be they a nostalgic tether to our childhood, an everyday kitchen companion or a spark that’s emboldened us to try new things. The baking books that make the best gift for dessert lovers—aspiring or experienced—are replete with working recipes and clearly conveyed techniques. With that in mind, we contacted seven pros to discover the sweet and savory baking books they use (and treasure) most. Whether the next baking book you buy is for yourself or a friend, you’ll find a practicable and passionate recommendation here. And for the more savory-minded, check out our guide to the best cookbooks.

Guidance plus science

With “Bakewise,” lucky bakers have chef and biochemist Shirley O. Corriher beside them, coaching every step of the way. Corriher has divided 200 recipes into five chapters. Each opens with an overview, providing perspective and guardrails for new bakers. For those with more experience, she shares baking science and tips that will add finesse to an existing skill set. “Shirley is the queen of instructional baking,” says Andrew Zimmern, television personality and chef with a new frozen food line. “There is no book like ‘Bakewise;’ the hand-holding is second to none.” (Pro tip: Add Corriher’s “Cookwise” to your cart to simultaneously level up your savory cooking.)