Weighing almost as much as a small child, Beth Hensperger's The Bread Bible contains 300 recipes, plus slice after slice of baking wisdom. H...
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May 11, 2011
Trish
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I use this book pretty consistently now. All the other million bread books I have are referenced only occasionally and this stays with me when I need something I know is going to turn out well. In addition, I offered my breads 'once-a-week delivered' a part of the auction for a local farm where I volunteer, and all the breads came from this book. it was a huge success.
The breads range from savory to sweet, and some of the breads, e.g., Pain de Campagne, and Pain de Campagnard, are s More...
The breads range from savory to sweet, and some of the breads, e.g., Pain de Campagne, and Pain de Campagnard, are s More...
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Dec 22, 2008
Kim
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Bought this because I wanted a good basic bread baking book. I admit I was drawn in by the photo on the cover, but the recipes I have made from this book (Tuscan Peasant Bread, White Mountain Bread) have turned out well, even for this novice baker. I enjoy how the recipes have options built in to them, which is helpful for those of us that are so new to baking that we're unsure of what we can substitute for what. Will continue to use this, and hope to try out a challah loaf for Christmas dinner!
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Mar 25, 2010
Angie
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Having been baking bread for as long as I have, I've been through a billion and one different recipes, although I often use my own impromptu concoctions based on my mood (or stomach). However, knowing I'm a bread fanatic, my husband picked this up for me, and I couldn't be happier about it.
This book has everything, and I really mean that. It's got the basics, the explanation, the why's and wherefores and, most importantly, the recipes. Oh, my, the recipes. Every kind you can imagine. More...
This book has everything, and I really mean that. It's got the basics, the explanation, the why's and wherefores and, most importantly, the recipes. Oh, my, the recipes. Every kind you can imagine. More...
Mar 12, 2011
Katharine
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I've bookmarked a ton of recipes from this book and hope to try them next week. The instructions are clear and written as if someone you know wrote the recipe down for you, along with notes and options (like if you want to freeze it, or you might want to save a loaf for toast the next day since it tastes best then, etc). Looking forward to trying some recipes. In response to a previous review - the book clearly states how to make buttermilk, on page 55. Pour regular milk in a cup and add a
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Sep 20, 2010
Caroline
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I've made a bunch of the recipes in this book. The banana bread, zucchini pancakes, white sesame bread, focaccio, pizza, eggplant pie, whole wheat sesame, buttermilk biscuits, many more. I started baking bread a few months ago. It's way easier than I ever thought and then you get to eat it, which, most of the time, is a good thing. Well, it's something I really wanted to do, so I went ahead and baked bread, and it wasn't so scary after all.
The fine art of slicing fresh bread has b More...
The fine art of slicing fresh bread has b More...
Jan 27, 2012
Becky
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As an avid baker this is my favorite bread book. The recipes are written for everyday people so they are easy to understand and everything that I have made has come out amazing. One of the first recipes is for French Bread. It is a crowd pleaser. Top it with your favorite bruschetta and you. It would also make an amazing bread bowl for your favorite soup. If you love to bake and want to give bread a whirl this is your book.
Aug 12, 2010
Corbin
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Titling a reference book a "Bible" is a bold statement. While I've used a few of the recipes and ideas from Hensperger's book, it falls short of being an exhaustive compendium such as Joy of Cooking.
I didn't have buttermilk when I wanted to make the cornbread, for instance. - No mention of alternative recipes or substitutions. And why not include some delayed fermentation techniques in bread baking? While I am getting tired of Reinhart's arrogant-tainted writing, he do More...
I didn't have buttermilk when I wanted to make the cornbread, for instance. - No mention of alternative recipes or substitutions. And why not include some delayed fermentation techniques in bread baking? While I am getting tired of Reinhart's arrogant-tainted writing, he do More...
Jun 06, 2010
Alexis
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Baking bread is the ultimate test of patience. And passion. And dedication. And the rewards are beyond anything I've felt while making art. It is truly beautiful, and this book helped me understand some very simple but terribly important skills that can't be taught. You have to really want your bread.
Feb 19, 2011
Cici
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Her recipes are easy to read for someone who has never made bread before and she gives incredible tips during the process. I have made perfect bread each time. She takes the fear out of the breadmaking challenge. The recipes are incredible!!
May 18, 2009
Tricia
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I checked this out from the library just to make sure that I liked it before buying it. I made one of the recipes so far. It was really good, but I had to make a few adjustments in the water to flour ratio, but other than that, it was super simple. I think that I will buy this one because I look forward to trying out many of the recipes.
Jun 06, 2011
Micah
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Very solid recipes. Encyclopedic selection. Also, doesn't get too complicated like some other bread authors I've read.
Dec 11, 2007
Phule77
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This is one of the first books on baking that I picked up, after seeing it on the stacks repeatedly at Amazon.
It's a fairly simple book, for all that it contains a bunch of recipes, but I think that the large benefit to it is that it is simple, and is basically just a lot of good starting recipes. I've made many variations off of the white mountain bread, and the challah recipes in it are still may favorites, even compared to that of Rose Levy Berenbaum. It's not necessarily the bes More...
It's a fairly simple book, for all that it contains a bunch of recipes, but I think that the large benefit to it is that it is simple, and is basically just a lot of good starting recipes. I've made many variations off of the white mountain bread, and the challah recipes in it are still may favorites, even compared to that of Rose Levy Berenbaum. It's not necessarily the bes More...
Feb 09, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
Don't be intimidated by yeast!
Everything I've made out of this cookbook is divine. The honey buttermilk bread is easy and delectable: great in sandwiches, toasted, fresh from the oven, with butter or jelly and made into a cinnamon swirl bread.
Everything I've made out of this cookbook is divine. The honey buttermilk bread is easy and delectable: great in sandwiches, toasted, fresh from the oven, with butter or jelly and made into a cinnamon swirl bread.
Sep 04, 2007
angi
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i am determined to learn bread-baking from this book. my first loaf of tuscan peasant bread turned out pretty well, so i think i picked the right book. other recipes tried: english muffins (yum! 9/2007).
Apr 30, 2008
Sara
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This is a fantastic book for learning about all sorts of bread baking - the science and the art of it all!
May 18, 2009
Rebecca
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Again, not really "reading" it as much as gleaning information and some good recipes. I haven't made any bread yet from it but I'm really inspired and plan to make some this week.
*Update: I finally made a few recipes and I loved them! I made some potato bread and some homemade pizza dough that was super delicious. I plan on purchasing this book for my bookshelf!
*Update: I finally made a few recipes and I loved them! I made some potato bread and some homemade pizza dough that was super delicious. I plan on purchasing this book for my bookshelf!
Feb 09, 2012
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