There's nothing like fresh bread - from the smell and taste of it, fresh from the oven, to its incredible versatility: Irish soda bread, flatbreads, hearth loaves, no-knead, pizza, focaccia... we could go on and on. From Peter Reinhart's Bread Baker's Apprentice to Jeff Hertzberg's five-minute loaves, these are the bread books Cookbooker members reach for most. Every title here has been reviewed by multiple community members and are the perfect companions as you start (or continue) your baking journey.
Peter Reinhart and Ron Manville's 2001 guide contains 63 bread recipes, with 34 member reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5 stars. The most popular recipes among community members are Bagels, Cinnamon Buns and Sticky Buns, and Lavash Crackers. The cookbook itself has received 3 overall book reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5.
Published by King Arthur Flour in 2003, this baking reference contains 380 recipes covering bread, pastries, cookies, and other baked goods. The 18 recipes reviewed by Cookbooker members average 4.5 out of 5 stars, with Maple Cornbread, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Bagels among the most frequently reviewed. The cookbook itself received a 5 out of 5 rating from one member review.
Rose Levy Beranbaum's 2003 bread baking guide contains 15 indexed recipes with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 18 member reviews, with the Raisin Pecan Bread, Perfect Pizza Dough, and Basic Hearth Bread receiving the most feedback. The cookbook itself has received 4.8 out of 5 stars across 4 overall book reviews from community members.
By Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois, this 2007 baking guide focuses on a method that requires only five minutes of active preparation time per day. The 14 indexed recipes average 4.1 out of 5 stars from 19 member reviews, with the Master Recipe - Boule, Buttermilk Bread, and Light Whole Wheat Bread receiving the most feedback. Overall, members rated the book 3.8 out of 5 stars across 5 reviews.
Peter Reinhart's 2009 guide contains 52 bread recipes that have generated 164 member reviews, with an average recipe rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The most frequently reviewed recipes include Bagels, Neo-Neopolitan Pizza Dough, Soft Sandwich Bread and Rolls. Members rated the book itself at 4.7 out of 5 stars across 6 reviews.
Ken Forkish's 2012 guide to artisan bread and pizza making contains 41 recipes covering fundamental techniques and formulas. The cookbook has generated 13 member reviews on Cookbooker with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5, with The Saturday White Bread, Field Blend #1, and Overnight Country Blonde receiving the most attention from community members.
