cover image Bigger Bolder Baking: A Fearless Approach to Baking Anytime, Anywhere

Bigger Bolder Baking: A Fearless Approach to Baking Anytime, Anywhere

Gemma Stafford. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $30 (320p) ISBN 978-1-328-54632-6

Stafford, host of the YouTube baking show Bigger Bolder Baking, delivers a fun, accessible collection of more than 100 recipes in her debut cookbook. With most recipes requiring fewer than 10 ingredients and only a few simple baking tools, Stafford proves that baking can be “an everyday art” instead of “a weekend-only indulgence.” The chapters are conveniently organized by kitchen tool type, such as “Wooden Spoon & Bowl,” “Rolling Pin,” and “No Oven Needed,” so readers can choose recipes based on their comfort level. Instructions are written in a clear, straightforward manner, with accompanying tips, like how to repurpose devil’s food cupcake batter for a cake and how to caramelize crème brûlée without a kitchen torch (use the broiler). Some of the more noteworthy recipes include her popular red velvet pancakes with cream cheese frosting, baked cinnamon-sugar churros, and no-bake Oreo cheesecake. Stafford generously devotes a concluding chapter to instructing how to create DIY baking ingredients, such as self-rising flour and brown sugar. This book will be sure to build confidence in the most novice of bakers, while more experienced bakers will appreciate the solid collection of classic desserts. (Sept.)