Bread Illustrated: A Step-By-Step Guide to Achieving Bakery-Quality Results At Home Kindle Edition

I have several different cookbooks and baking books in my library. They all have different things that I like about them, but I have to say that Bread Illustrated is definitely my favorite of them all. America's Test Kitchen has an amazing collection of recipes. While I don't know much about their magazines, TV show, and websites, their cookbooks and recipes are all absolutely amazing! I have had amazing success with all the recipes from this book I have tried so far.Many reviews mentioned the color of the lettering was difficult to read. I considered this fact before buying the book, but decided to buy the book anyway. I am so glad I did! It has caused me no problems whatsoever. I have found all of the lettering very easy to read. Furthermore, other reviewers have mentioned how this book is difficult to use. Because each recipe takes up several pages, some have said it is bothersome to flip back and forth between pages while baking. While I believe it would be easier if each recipe only took up a page, all of the extra content makes it well worth it. Each recipe includes a full sized photo of the finished product. Each recipe also includes an in-depth, very detailed section about what went into making the recipe, why it works, and what all of the steps and ingredients do for the recipe. Each step in the recipe also includes a picture. The pictures showing each step are really helpful, especially for beginners, in showing exactly what you are to do. This extra content is so helpful in showing what you are to be doing for each recipe.All of the instructions are clearly laid out. This book is an amazing one for beginners. It over lots of helpful hints and simple recipes to get you started. It is a great resource for intermediates and even experts as well. There are many higher level recipes included as well. The first chapter is a great place to start. There are many quick bread recipes, like corn bread, tortillas, and quick cheese bread. The first also has several easier level recipes or shortcuts to making things that are more complicated. Other chapters in the book include recipes for sandwich breads, pizza and flatbreads, sweet/enriched breads, sponge breads, and more. The last chapter in the book is great if you are looking for something harder. It includes details on how to make your own sourdough starter, bagels, baguettes, fougasse, and pain d'epi. There is really something for everyone in this book, and America's Test Kitchen really scales it down, making it simple and easy to understand.As I have mentioned, all the recipes I have made so far have turned out amazing. I have made pizza, pitas, soft pretzels, ciabatta, and so much more. I have made the homemade flour tortillas (only four ingredients!) several times so far. My family loves them and we have deemed them much better than the store. In fact, we have part of a batch in the fridge right now. I hope to make the yeasted doughnuts and pane francese soon as well. Pictured above are English muffins, challah, whole wheat quinoa bread, ciabatta, American sandwich bread, focaccia, Chicago style deep dish pizza, and bagels. Everything has turned out so good. The recipes in this book can really help guide you in proper bread baking techniques and taking your skill to the next level. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has even the slightest interest in baking!

I was stuck between this book and several other bread baking books and I’m so pleased with this one! I love that this book offers general basics and tips with recommendations for equipment. Then it gets into a bunch of recipes within specific categories, like basic breads, sandwich breads, and sweet breads. And then it finishes with trickier classics like sourdough and bagels. My mom has been getting more into baking bread so I didn’t want to get her something that would be repetitive to what she’s already practiced. This gives her great tried and true recipes with a ton of additional options to play around with. I also love that there are troubleshooting sections for every recipe, so you can actually learn the techniques and things to improve. The pictures are beautiful and I love that there are step by step images as well as final products. I’d definitely recommend this!

If you are a bread beginner, this is the book to get. If you are an experienced breadmaker looking to up their game, this is the book to get. It provides, in the usual America's Test Kitchen style, clear information as to both the "what to do" as well as the "why it is needed" in the bread making process. The recipes cover a wide range of breads, ensuring you will be able to find something appealing.A must-have and must-read for bread making. Five stars.

Great recipes, lots of photos… most people don’t want to make a recipe without a photo, and helpful information about why recipes work!

I love this book. The ingredients are easily accessible and the directions are clear. The breads I made came out perfectly. My only complaint is I feel limited not having a stand mixer. Some of the recipes even go as far as to suggest not making if you don't have a stand mixer. No fault to the book, but this would have been nice to know before purchasing the book. I was expecting more hand kneading, with the option for a stand mixer, not the other way around. But again, still a great book.

This is a fantastic book. I knew it would be, America's Test Kitchen always has good books full of hints and tips that make life easier.There is everything from sourdough to quick breads in this book. Illustrations that are helpful and explain what is being described makes it easy for novice and expert cooks to follow along. I am very glad I made the decision was made to purchase this book. It is a welcome addition to the cookbooks I term "keepers".This book is perfect for people who are learning how to bake bread. It discusses various ways to knead bread, depending on the type you are baking. It talks about tools that are useful and ones that are "must haves". It talks about substitutes and ways to fix problems. There are lots and lots of pictures to show what they mean so if you are visual learner, you are covered.Beyond this, there are recipes, lots and lots of recipes for bread of all types. You are sure to find what you are seeking in this book, be it a quick bread that you need or a fancy bread for a dinner party. Everything is explained, so novice cooks are not left guessing what is meant. Experienced cooks will likely learn something as well, I know that I did! From the moment I heard this book was hitting the shelves, I was pacing.Bread is a weekly thing at our house. Sometimes sourdough, sometimes yeast, often both on the same day. Bread baking has become a ritualistic type of thing that is a way to relax and make the house smell divine. Yes, even in the depths of summer, when the mercury rose to 100*, there was rising bread. Tweaked recipes and new techniques are tried, some flop, some exceed expectations, and this book is helping to make the ritual even more fun.