This cookbook gives step-by-step instructions for making delicious bread, pretzels, doughnuts, and rolls. There is a special section entirely for holiday sweet breads and desserts.

The introduction gives a lot of information about terminology used in bread baking, like “fermentation, leaven, proofing, and yeast”. It also includes general instructions on kneading the dough, checking the temperature, mixing and measuring, different types of flour, and using “starter” dough. There is a list of types of equipment needed, and a troubleshooting section if something goes wrong.

With step-by-step photos and careful instructions, it’s almost impossible to make a mistake. And there are substitutions suggested in the recipe if you don’t have the right ingredients or starter dough. I really appreciate that there are so many photographs showing each stage of the recipe as the dough rises, then is kneaded, and finally baked.
There are beautiful photographs that show the delicious finished products, and make my mouth water just looking at them! The recipes include baguettes, bread bowls, cinnamon swirl bread, pumpkin rolls, pizza, hazelnut babka, cheesy pull-apart bread, star bread, flat breads, brioche, and dozens more.

(The only thing not included is muffins, because I suppose that’s technically cake. Also, all of these recipes contain gluten, because that is what gives bread dough its elasticity.)

I can’t wait to try some of these recipes! The instructions make it look so manageable. I used to be way too intimidated to try making bread from scratch, but with this book I feel like I could do it!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.