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Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook
Every new book from Martha Stewart is cause for celebration, and with Martha Stewart s Baking Handbook, she returns to bring the pleasures of baking to readers at every level, from beginner to expert and beyond. A culinary compendium packed with more than 200 foolproof recipes for the best baked goods, Martha Stewart s Baking Handbook takes readers by the hand and guides them through the process of creating an irresistible variety of cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, breads, and much more.
This essential addition to every cook s library is rich with tips, techniques, and the mouthwatering and stunning recipes for which Martha Stewart is so well known. Covering a delectable array of topics from simple to sophisticated, including biscuits, muffins, scones, cookies, layer cakes, specialty cakes, sweet and savory pies and tarts, and pastries and breads, she provides a dazzlingly delicious yet crystal-clear, vividly illustrated repertoire of recipes. There are cakes that are elegant enough for formal occasions, such as showers, weddings, and dinner parties, and basic favorites meant to be enjoyed every day and then passed down through the generations. Every chapter includes indispensable visual equipment glossaries and features vital make-ahead information and storage techniques. Organized for maximum clarity and practicality, the handbook also offers step-by-step how-to photographs that demystify even the most complex and nuanced techniques. These culinary building blocks will turn good bakers into great bakers, and make great bakers even better.
Filled with time-honored classics, such as Marble Cake with White-Chocolate Glaze, Apple Pie, Challah, Baba au Rhum, and Croissants, as well as lots of new surprises, Martha Stewart s Baking Handbook will be reached for again and again, no matter the season or occasion. Here, you will find the recipes and how-tos for the popovers you dream about, and for the simple crumb cake that you always want to whip up on Sunday morning, and for the double-chocolate brownie cookies that will make you a bigger hero with the after-school crowd, and for the citrus bars that you could only find in that little bakery that s no longer under the same management. . . . Baking offers comfort and joy and something tangible to taste and savor. We all hope that these recipes provide you with years of pleasure. Martha Stewart"
This essential addition to every cook s library is rich with tips, techniques, and the mouthwatering and stunning recipes for which Martha Stewart is so well known. Covering a delectable array of topics from simple to sophisticated, including biscuits, muffins, scones, cookies, layer cakes, specialty cakes, sweet and savory pies and tarts, and pastries and breads, she provides a dazzlingly delicious yet crystal-clear, vividly illustrated repertoire of recipes. There are cakes that are elegant enough for formal occasions, such as showers, weddings, and dinner parties, and basic favorites meant to be enjoyed every day and then passed down through the generations. Every chapter includes indispensable visual equipment glossaries and features vital make-ahead information and storage techniques. Organized for maximum clarity and practicality, the handbook also offers step-by-step how-to photographs that demystify even the most complex and nuanced techniques. These culinary building blocks will turn good bakers into great bakers, and make great bakers even better.
Filled with time-honored classics, such as Marble Cake with White-Chocolate Glaze, Apple Pie, Challah, Baba au Rhum, and Croissants, as well as lots of new surprises, Martha Stewart s Baking Handbook will be reached for again and again, no matter the season or occasion. Here, you will find the recipes and how-tos for the popovers you dream about, and for the simple crumb cake that you always want to whip up on Sunday morning, and for the double-chocolate brownie cookies that will make you a bigger hero with the after-school crowd, and for the citrus bars that you could only find in that little bakery that s no longer under the same management. . . . Baking offers comfort and joy and something tangible to taste and savor. We all hope that these recipes provide you with years of pleasure. Martha Stewart"
415 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
177 people are currently reading
11069 people want to read
About the author
Martha Stewart
457 books580 followersMartha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
January 10, 2013
There are 150+ recipes in this book and I have tried just a small sample, 17, of these recipes. 12 of these recipes I would make again. I find especially this is so with the icings and "side recipes" that go into recipes.
If I rated just on recipe awesomeness, this book would get a 5 for sure. All the recipes I tried were good, very good, or phenominal. But the reason that I just don't feel this book gets a 5 is because many of the recipes are expensive and/or require unusual/hard to find ingredients. That's not to say that all the recipes are expensive, because there are a lot of great recipes that aren't; and that I may make in time. It's just that all the really phenominal looking recipes, all the recipes that make my mouth water when I look at the pictures are the three-recipe, seven-stage, 25-ingredient recipes. And I want a cookbook that makes me mouth-wateringly interested in making the basic recipes also.
The book starts out with a small section that is a baking primer, with tips, techniques, and equipment suggestions. Then the book is divided into sections by baked good theme: simple baked goods; cookies; cakes; pies, tarts, cobblers, and crisps; yeasted baked goods; pastries; basic recipes (icings, sauces, curds, all that little etc. stuff). Each section starts out with a mini-primer and includes 20-30+ recipes with, I'm pretty sure pictures for every recipes (Which I always love!). Most of the recipes look delicious! I also like that even though the book is divided into themes, the themes are not ridged; the cookie section includes things like brownies and biscottis; the cakes section includes things like tortes, roulades, madeleines. Like all Martha books that I've run across, it's clear that only the best of the best in the book. They don't do things like the best 200 ______ recipes. What's there has gone through rigourous inventing (there's always a pelthora of uber-unique recipes) and testing. Like I mentioned before, there are a lot of multi-step recipes but there are also a lot of simpler recipes.
Recipes to try: fudgy chocolate brownies (this recipe is the end-all-be-all brownie recipe), one-bowl chocolate cupcakes (simple and affordable), brown sugar buttercream icing (rich, unique flavour), pate brisee (aka the easiest pie crust recipe in the world), and olive oil bread (the olive oil gives it a hint of a sourdough taste).
Recipes I have tried (starred for like it):
Fennel and golden raisin scones
*fudgy chocolate brownies
apple-spice layer cake
*creamy goat cheese icing
*one-bowl chocolate cup cookies
*brown sugar buttercream icing
*vanilla buttercream icing
*chocolate buttercream icing
*mocha roulade
fourth of july apple pie
*pate brisee
peach, apricot, and cherry pie
*olive-oil bread
honey whole-wheat bread
*vanilla whipped cream
*mocha mousse
*basic caramel
If I rated just on recipe awesomeness, this book would get a 5 for sure. All the recipes I tried were good, very good, or phenominal. But the reason that I just don't feel this book gets a 5 is because many of the recipes are expensive and/or require unusual/hard to find ingredients. That's not to say that all the recipes are expensive, because there are a lot of great recipes that aren't; and that I may make in time. It's just that all the really phenominal looking recipes, all the recipes that make my mouth water when I look at the pictures are the three-recipe, seven-stage, 25-ingredient recipes. And I want a cookbook that makes me mouth-wateringly interested in making the basic recipes also.
The book starts out with a small section that is a baking primer, with tips, techniques, and equipment suggestions. Then the book is divided into sections by baked good theme: simple baked goods; cookies; cakes; pies, tarts, cobblers, and crisps; yeasted baked goods; pastries; basic recipes (icings, sauces, curds, all that little etc. stuff). Each section starts out with a mini-primer and includes 20-30+ recipes with, I'm pretty sure pictures for every recipes (Which I always love!). Most of the recipes look delicious! I also like that even though the book is divided into themes, the themes are not ridged; the cookie section includes things like brownies and biscottis; the cakes section includes things like tortes, roulades, madeleines. Like all Martha books that I've run across, it's clear that only the best of the best in the book. They don't do things like the best 200 ______ recipes. What's there has gone through rigourous inventing (there's always a pelthora of uber-unique recipes) and testing. Like I mentioned before, there are a lot of multi-step recipes but there are also a lot of simpler recipes.
Recipes to try: fudgy chocolate brownies (this recipe is the end-all-be-all brownie recipe), one-bowl chocolate cupcakes (simple and affordable), brown sugar buttercream icing (rich, unique flavour), pate brisee (aka the easiest pie crust recipe in the world), and olive oil bread (the olive oil gives it a hint of a sourdough taste).
Recipes I have tried (starred for like it):
Fennel and golden raisin scones
*fudgy chocolate brownies
apple-spice layer cake
*creamy goat cheese icing
*one-bowl chocolate cup cookies
*brown sugar buttercream icing
*vanilla buttercream icing
*chocolate buttercream icing
*mocha roulade
fourth of july apple pie
*pate brisee
peach, apricot, and cherry pie
*olive-oil bread
honey whole-wheat bread
*vanilla whipped cream
*mocha mousse
*basic caramel
November 9, 2012
I've owned this book for several years, and it has quickly become one of my favorite baking books (Believe me, I own quite a few). The recipes run the gamut from simple breakfast muffins to rustic cobblers to elegant napoleons. There is even a recipe for a three-tiered wedding cake! Some recipes are quick and easy, while others tend to be very complex and involved, offering options for both the novice and advanced home baker, and allowing the user to grow with the book, trying more difficult recipes as one's skills expand. However, even the most complex of the recipes are laid out and explained clearly. In addition, there are beautiful photos on nearly every page (and most pages have more than one!), showing both finished baked goods and illustrating techniques.
I've made quite a few of the recipes in this book and thought I'd share a few of my favorites. There are four cupcake recipes in this book, of which I've tried three. The Maple-Walnut Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream (p. 164) are really excellent. Make more candied walnuts than cupcakes - you'll just want to grab a handful and munch on them while you're garnishing. The Carrot-Ginger Cupcakes (p. 166) were really light and fluffy, although they very mild and not all that carrot cake-y, so that may not be to everyone's taste. But the instructions for making marzipan carrots (with photos!) make them so easy. I've made the One-Bowl Chocolate Cake on p. 168 as both cupcakes and a layer cake, and it's a great go-to basic chocolate cake recipe. The Marble Cake with White Chocolate Glaze (p. 65) is super easy yet impressive - the perfect thing to have with coffee when a friend stops over.
Martha's Classic Apple Pie recipe (p. 228) is simple and excellent, and her Pate Brisée (p. 224) is my go-to recipe for pie dough - it works every time. The Tarte Tatin (p. 265) is about as easy as a "company" dessert can get, looking both rustic and fancy at the same time (and it tastes amazing - like candied apples on pie crust; how could you go wrong?) I've made the Fruit Curd Tartlets (p. 258) with both lemon and lime curd (both on p. 390), and while the tartlet molds I used were really small (about 1" - don't do it to yourself!!!) and a huge pain in my ass, everyone loved them and they were gone in a flash.
This book makes even difficult, pastry chef-caliber techniques like laminated doughs accessible. I made the from-scratch Puff Pastry on p. 359, and while it took the better part of a day and used a crapload of butter, the difference from frozen, pre-packaged puff pastry was so amazing that I don't ever want to buy it again. I also tried my hand at the Danish Dough (p. 334), and made the Prune Pinwheels and Apricot Bow Ties (p. 336 & 338, respectively). The absolute winner of the book, though, is the Chocolate Babka on p. 352. Coming from a Russian/Polish Jewish background, I've eaten a lot of babkas, but this one was PERFECT. Loaded with chocolate, covered in streusel.... you need to try it. Granted, the recipe calls for 2 rises and with several different components it takes a bit of time to complete, but it also makes three loaves and they freeze beautifully. Eat one, store the other two in the freezer, and you'll have something perfect to bring to a potluck or housewarming at a moment's notice.
I've made quite a few of the recipes in this book and thought I'd share a few of my favorites. There are four cupcake recipes in this book, of which I've tried three. The Maple-Walnut Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream (p. 164) are really excellent. Make more candied walnuts than cupcakes - you'll just want to grab a handful and munch on them while you're garnishing. The Carrot-Ginger Cupcakes (p. 166) were really light and fluffy, although they very mild and not all that carrot cake-y, so that may not be to everyone's taste. But the instructions for making marzipan carrots (with photos!) make them so easy. I've made the One-Bowl Chocolate Cake on p. 168 as both cupcakes and a layer cake, and it's a great go-to basic chocolate cake recipe. The Marble Cake with White Chocolate Glaze (p. 65) is super easy yet impressive - the perfect thing to have with coffee when a friend stops over.
Martha's Classic Apple Pie recipe (p. 228) is simple and excellent, and her Pate Brisée (p. 224) is my go-to recipe for pie dough - it works every time. The Tarte Tatin (p. 265) is about as easy as a "company" dessert can get, looking both rustic and fancy at the same time (and it tastes amazing - like candied apples on pie crust; how could you go wrong?) I've made the Fruit Curd Tartlets (p. 258) with both lemon and lime curd (both on p. 390), and while the tartlet molds I used were really small (about 1" - don't do it to yourself!!!) and a huge pain in my ass, everyone loved them and they were gone in a flash.
This book makes even difficult, pastry chef-caliber techniques like laminated doughs accessible. I made the from-scratch Puff Pastry on p. 359, and while it took the better part of a day and used a crapload of butter, the difference from frozen, pre-packaged puff pastry was so amazing that I don't ever want to buy it again. I also tried my hand at the Danish Dough (p. 334), and made the Prune Pinwheels and Apricot Bow Ties (p. 336 & 338, respectively). The absolute winner of the book, though, is the Chocolate Babka on p. 352. Coming from a Russian/Polish Jewish background, I've eaten a lot of babkas, but this one was PERFECT. Loaded with chocolate, covered in streusel.... you need to try it. Granted, the recipe calls for 2 rises and with several different components it takes a bit of time to complete, but it also makes three loaves and they freeze beautifully. Eat one, store the other two in the freezer, and you'll have something perfect to bring to a potluck or housewarming at a moment's notice.
April 30, 2008
Good as gold. The recipes are flawless, the pictures are beautiful, and I wouldn't be surprised if the book itself is bulletproof.
February 1, 2025
Martha is the GOAT! 100 million stars!
October 25, 2008
I have had great success with this baking cookbook. Baking is tricky, but with proper adjustments I got some great recipes out of this while living at 9000 feet! Now that I am at a lower altitude, everything I've tried in here has been fabulous. Recently did the cake on the cover, basically a mixed berry pound cake with homemade whipped cream that was overall easy, but looked pretty and cut nicely despite the height. Cake was perfect--sort of a cross between pound cake and a shortcake, delish. The bagel recipe is right on, with my own bagel making tweaks, of course. Recipe only makes ten bagels, and I would double or triple it with right equipment. It's kind of hard to justify the work & mess for a small yeild, so I don't often make them. Until I have a (much) bigger mixer, though, I stick with ten, or make twelve smaller bagels. They taste great!
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September 3, 2010So I typed in Baking. This is the first thing that comes up. No, just no. Martha Stewart SCARES ME! She's 69, you know. Thats older than my grandmother. What the hell. Honestly, I think she sold her soul to the devil years ago. Everything she makes is so, so... I DUNNO! It just makes you wanna have it! It's like RESTORATION HARDWARE! That place gets me excited for some reason. I don't even like buying furniture. Except for my BEAUTIFUL RECLINER. They sell luxury scrabble there. It's like a mahogany board on a lazy susan and the places where the tiles go are lined with brass. Its like 200 dollars. Can't you get scrabble for like, five bucks at Wal-mart? Silly Martha Stewart and Restoration Hardware. :P
October 21, 2015
This is easily one of my favorite cookbooks. It's well laid out, has a marvelous variety, and is very easy to follow. I have made dozens of things from this book and never been dissapointed. A must own for bakers.
June 28, 2012
This is the only Martha Stewart cookbook I own. It is invaluable if you like to bake. I consider it as essential as my Joy of Cooking. I have given it as gifts because it is such a great cookbook!
October 12, 2022
Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook is a wonderful recipe book with tons of tips and helpful information about baking in general. It also includes lots of fun recipes to try! I baked a few, and not only were they delicious, but I also learned a lot about baking along the way.
My only complaint is that some of the ingredients and kitchen supplies are a bit fancy and expensive…which is expected, given her job is based on baking and she must have tons of extra materials on hand. And I can tell she tried to simplify the resources as much as she could. Can’t be complaining about expensive ingredients when the results are more than worth it!
I love how each recipe is unique. There’s a variety of different desserts with different flavors that pop in your mouth. Martha Stewart only includes the top bakes in her book! One of the best recipe books around these days.
My only complaint is that some of the ingredients and kitchen supplies are a bit fancy and expensive…which is expected, given her job is based on baking and she must have tons of extra materials on hand. And I can tell she tried to simplify the resources as much as she could. Can’t be complaining about expensive ingredients when the results are more than worth it!
I love how each recipe is unique. There’s a variety of different desserts with different flavors that pop in your mouth. Martha Stewart only includes the top bakes in her book! One of the best recipe books around these days.
July 17, 2019
I guess my tag will always be currently reading for this one. If you bake, love to bake, have questions about baking, this is the baking bible. I have been coveting my friends Susies book for a while and finally broke down and bought it. I have already cooked several items (cheesecake, key lime pie) and they were EXCELLENT. No they were not easy to make, but sometimes thats the joy in the result. Right?
January 30, 2025
Absolutely amazing and thorough handbook for baking at home, with tips and tricks that go beyond your normal everyday life hacks. Martha is really the queen of home making, and especially baking. Her recipes are always top notch, no matter which one you choose. The cover and pages are beautiful, the images are amazing, and her decorating skills forever show their hand in everything she touches.
5/5 stars in every way!
5/5 stars in every way!
February 6, 2021
Great book for beginners for baking
This was a great read with some very yummy recipes. Martha has over 98 books out there, I hope to read them all! This book covered almost everything I could imagine for baking.
This was a great read with some very yummy recipes. Martha has over 98 books out there, I hope to read them all! This book covered almost everything I could imagine for baking.
April 29, 2021
I've been watching the Great British Baking show. Wanted to try some of their recipes but the conversion put me off. Why wouldn't I just go with the American standard MS? That's what I did, her recipes are so easy to understand and the photos alone are worth the price. I'm actually baking....
November 17, 2017
I can't wait for another book from these author
December 1, 2017
Read this book if you want be master chef.
April 7, 2018
Tons of great recipes, basic and more and lots of great baking tips!!
April 2, 2019
Martha S does a pretty good job covering most traditional types of baking. She is easy to read and the directions are clear and mostly straightforward.
June 6, 2019
Great recipes.
I’m disappointed that there are no ingredient weights. The recipes look delicious and I look forward to trying some. Love Martha’s baking show on PBS.
I’m disappointed that there are no ingredient weights. The recipes look delicious and I look forward to trying some. Love Martha’s baking show on PBS.
June 9, 2019
My first banking book. The oatmeal cookies are a hit in my house.
January 12, 2020
I didn't read the book bcz there showi ng the reviews of people who read. but the book is not coming however I have click on "want to read" but.....
December 11, 2020
I was interested only in bread recipes, all of which require a stand mixer. The book might be fine, but I don't have high dollar kitchen gadgets.
March 6, 2021
Many yummy treats.
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October 4, 2021Marked some recipes for my husband to make me!
December 7, 2023
This is one of Martha's older cookbooks, but I go back to it time and again. It's a must have around the holidays, especially for cakes and breads.
February 13, 2024
Bought for a friend who bakes. Great pictures, recipes and descriptions.
October 8, 2020
I love 💘 it it it
February 28, 2015
1/3 - 416 pages of Martha Stewart baking prowess. Every recipe pictured, plus bonus 'step-by-step' pictures of some of the more difficult processes - making a lattice top for your pie, using a mini ice cream scoop to portion out cookies, examples of different piping bag nozzles for decorating a special cake, the different stages of proving bread, and so many more that I'd be here all day listing them. Every single recipe looks enticing, even the ones that I wouldn't normally choose to eat due to ingredients that I don't like, like olives or capers (these less agreeable ingredients mostly feature in the breads chapter, so don't worry there aren't any cakes or cookies with olives). As you would assume, all the measurements are imperial (lbs, cups, ozs, etc) but living in Australia and loving American (Ina, and now Martha) and UK (Nigella, Jamie, Tom Kerridge) chefs I have become quite a good translator of imperial measurements into the more easy to understand metric system, so that doesn't bother me in the least. I have yet to bake anything from the book, but as I said, everything looks good so I'm sure it won't be long before I do. Updates when we've had a piece of cake or a cookie.
September 5, 2007
This is one of my favourite baking book. It's complete with recipes from simple baked goods to yeast baked goods(yes, of course you can find many cookies, pies, tarts, cakes and pastries recipe too!).
Two words..Simple and Easy.
Not to mention that this book is full of pictures. Yey, finally there's a baking book included the pictures of all the recipes... If you are a baking maniac(just like me), you would understand that picture helps us to understand what is the final result of the recipe.
There's also a lot of useful baking tips for beginners~agaaaain, martha make your day a lot easier by providing pictures on the tips.
What about the recipes? Oh my*drooling*.. I've tried some of them(e.g. blueberry muffin, newyork cheescake, apple fruit turnover, plum crisp). And it's all fab.
However, if you're a professional baker maybe you would prefer another baking book which is more complicated.
As I said before, its simple and easy. Just perfect for all home baker.
Two words..Simple and Easy.
Not to mention that this book is full of pictures. Yey, finally there's a baking book included the pictures of all the recipes... If you are a baking maniac(just like me), you would understand that picture helps us to understand what is the final result of the recipe.
There's also a lot of useful baking tips for beginners~agaaaain, martha make your day a lot easier by providing pictures on the tips.
What about the recipes? Oh my*drooling*.. I've tried some of them(e.g. blueberry muffin, newyork cheescake, apple fruit turnover, plum crisp). And it's all fab.
However, if you're a professional baker maybe you would prefer another baking book which is more complicated.
As I said before, its simple and easy. Just perfect for all home baker.
March 17, 2011
For years I thought that Martha's books would be far to difficult for me to cook from. In reality, this baking book is incredibly easy to use! I've cooked many of the dessert pastries and breads. The ones I chose to make are really simple and always turn out great. In many of the recipes there are also pictures of the food in the process of being made. When it comes to folding pastries or cutting cookies, sometimes its really helpful to have these aids!
I also love how she gives some cultural history with most of the recipes. When cooking food for a group, I always like sharing the information I learned from Martha's little history lessons!
Two of my favorite recipes from this book: Challah & Cherry-Frangipane Galette
I also love how she gives some cultural history with most of the recipes. When cooking food for a group, I always like sharing the information I learned from Martha's little history lessons!
Two of my favorite recipes from this book: Challah & Cherry-Frangipane Galette
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews