The Artful Baker: Extraordinary Desserts From an Obsessive Home Baker

by Cenk Sönmezsoy

More than 100 extraordinary desserts—with photos and meticulous instructions—by the creator of the internationally acclaimed blog Cafe “Superb.” —David Lebovitz, bestselling author of My Paris KitchenWritten, styled, photographed, and designed by Cenk Sönmezsoy, The Artful Baker shares the inspiring story of a passionate home baker, beginning with his years after graduate school in San Francisco and showcasing the fruits of a baking obsession he cultivated after returning home to Istanbul. Sönmezsoy’s stories and uniquely styled images, together with his original creations and fresh take on traditional recipes, offer a window into the life of this luminary artist. The Artful Baker is comprised of almost entirely new content, with a few updated versions of readers’ favorites from his blog, such as Brownie Wears Lace, his signature brownies topped with blond chocolate ganache and bittersweet chocolate lace (originally commissioned by Dolce & Gabbana and awarded “Best Original Baking and Desserts Recipe” by Saveur magazine); Raspberry Jewel Pluot Galette, inspired by Chez Panisse’s 40th anniversary celebrations; and Devil Wears Chocolate, his magnificent devil’s food cake. Covering indulgences from cookies to cakes and tarts to ice creams, recipes include Pistachio and Matcha Sablés; Tahini and Leblebi (double-roasted chickpeas) Swirl Brownies; Sakura Madeleines; Sourdough Simit, the beloved ring-shaped Turkish bread beaded with sesame seeds; Isabella Grape and Kefir Ice Cream; Pomegranate Jam; and Blanche, a berry tart named after the Golden Girl Blanche Devereaux. Each has been tested by an army of home bakers with varying levels of skill, equipment, and access to ingredients, and revised to ensure they’ll work flawlessly in any kitchen. Measurements of ingredients are provided in both volume and weight (grams), and where a volume measurement isn’t useful, weight measurements are provided in both ounces and grams.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2017

Reviews

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free electronic copy of The Artful Baker: Extraordinary Desserts From an Obsessive Home Baker from NetGalley for my honest review. This is honestly the most beautiful cookbook I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of cookbooks. This is not your typical baking book. Cenk Sonmezsoy's
recipes are sinfully and deliciously beautiful works of art. Absolutely delightful!

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous photos!

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! The month that we baked out of this for the Food 52 Baking club people were oohing and ahhhing over it, and the things that we made out of it (the chocolate bundt cake, the apple bundt cake, and the chocolate caramel tart) were spectacularly delicious. I highly recommend it, especially if you want to make desserts that look complicated but are less so, then it is a real find.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw Cenk speak in SF! My favs include Brownies My Way (p. 90) and the Blanche tart (p. 170).

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you have a cookbook called The Artful Baker, you'd expect it to be beautiful. You'd be right. Cenk Sonmezsoy, creator of the food blog Cafe Fernando, has created a gorgeously photographed book filled with mouth-watering sweets (and some savory recipes too!) in breath-taking pictures. Not too bad for a guy who describes himself in the introduction as someone who at one point wanted nothing more than to sit on the sofa with ice cream watching The Golden Girls. As someone who can see the beauty in that, I feel like there is now a chance for me too to become an expert baker. 

The chapters are packed with flavorful recipes for brownies, cookies (oh, the macarons!), cakes, muffins, pies, tarts, breads, pastries, ice creams, sorbets, drinks, caramels, jellies, and jams. Plus, there are tips for tempering chocolate, for working with fruits, for what equipment is best for baking, and so many more. One chapter focuses on nothing but those base recipes that if you can master, you can create almost anything you want in the pastry world--flaky pie crust, pastry cream, pate a choux, short tart dough. You can start there and go pretty much anywhere you want to. 

And speaking of going anywhere, The Artful Baker includes several international recipes, like Eton Mess, Monte Bianco, Rosemary and Sea Salt Focaccia, Sourdough Simit, and Membrillo, to take you places outside of the U.S. And when you're ready to come back home, there is a Peel-to-Stem Apple Pie that looks like it could bring you to tears. 

You can tell just by looking at the cover how exquisite these recipes are. Right there, drawing you in, is a decadent devil's food cake covered in perfectly tempered chocolate shards. No wonder baking goddess Dorie Greenspan is a fan! 

The Artful Baker is the perfect gift for wannabe bakers, or better yet, for yourself. With accessible recipes, all the tips you need to succeed with this tantalizing treats, and beautiful ideas to create masterpieces, you too can make art with your baking. 



Galleys for The Artful Baker were provided by Abrams through NetGalley, with many thanks. 

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning photography makes this book well worth having even if the recipes were terrible. Landscapes relating to recipes' origins, wonderful process photos, shots of ingredients that make them look like they should be in museums, and pictures of the finished products that range from adorable to charming to drop-dead gorgeous. Seriously, the photos alone are worth the price.

But the recipes are very very not terrible. Contrary to what seems to be the norm since the pandemic began, I haven't had much time for baking in the past couple of years, but (once I get past the fact that my last stove blew up) I sincerely want to make every item in this book. And that never happens - there's always something too weird or outre or with some ingredient I don't like that I'd be fine skipping. Not here. Desserts from Chocolate Chip Cookies to macarons to something strange and wonderful called Mont Blanco; beverages from hot chocolate to elderflower cordial; recipes sweet and savory; globe-spanning foods ranging from focaccia to simit from Istanbul to Eton Mess (keep hearing about this dessert in your British television or novel consumption? Here's your chance to make it. It looks marvelous.) And, as in the Great British Baking Show, there's an ice cream section which could, if I allowed it, be life-altering.

I like that the recipe names basically follow the rule of "just tell me what it is". "Carrot cake with blond chocolate frosting/';[" - sorry, I drooled on the keyboard there. But there is also a touch of whimsey here and there - the apple cake included here isn't just an apple cake, it's a "Deeply Appley Apple Cake", which is actually something I've been looking for for years. And "The Devil Wears Chocolate", which when you think about it makes sense.

And if the beautiful pictures and the amazing recipes on the whole weren't enough, there's a recipe for making your own chocolate and hazelnut balls - "Fernando Rocher." I need to do some shopping soon to stock up my baking essentials.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was and is an incredible cookbook. From the cover the last page you are taken away by first the beauty of the photographs, but also by the authors love and passion for food and the creations that are being made. Wanting to share that with everyone you are given step by step instructions on everything you need to recreate what was created in these pages. Since they were created in the author’s kitchen you are given the tools you need but also if there was something that was easier or a simpler step you are given that piece of advice as well. This was the first cookbook I have come across that had a chapter just for brownies. You would have thought to give the brownie there own chapter. That alone might have made this a top book, but no. It was the way the author, chief took you through each recipe and the story behind them that made this book wonderful and unique. A beautiful book art wise, and food wise from someone who loves food. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Andrea (mrsaubergine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gorgeous chocolate creation on the front immediately attracted me to this book, and the photographs inside are just as mouth-watering and quirky. The author has an engaging writing style which begins with his journey from childhood to food blogger, and gives great background and tips on all the recipes he has developed. He admits to judging other cooks on the quality of their chocolate chip cookies, and I don't think that's a bad gauge to go by. Although many of the recipes contain hard-to-come by or unusual ingredients, and some are quite involved and time-consuming, there are plenty of others here that pique my interest. Although the digital version is impressive, I think a hardcover would be fantastic on any kitchen bookshelf.

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

[Halyna English · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an obsessive cookbook collector and am very careful about adding to my collection now as I have so many. This is a FANTASTIC book. I've made 2 recipes so far, the Triple Raspberry and Lemon Birthday Cake (twice) and the Devil Wears Chocolate. Wow! The flavours were stunning and the cakes were so delicious. It is very evident that Cenk Sonmezsoy has spent a lot of time making sure that his recipes are perfect. The instructions are clear and easily followed. The book is beautiful, filled with lovely photos and dotted with short anecdotes which make for very interesting reading. The book should have something for everyone - cakes, muffins, cookies, tarts, breads, pastries, ice creams, confections, drinks and jams to name some of the categories of recipes. A very impressive 383 page tome.

[Ashley Hite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This amazing new baking cookbook from blogger Cenk Sonmezsoy is fun, creative and packed full of great new recipes that I can not wait to add to my repertoire. My favorite part about this book flavor combinations he has come up with, I am always looking for a unique take and he does not disappoint. Even traditional favorites are elevated. Not all the recipes are simple but the step by step instructions are easy to follow and he has included some tips and tricks to help armature bakers along the way. The photos and personal stories are as endearing as the tasty treats waiting to be sampled.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this book was incredible. The photography was clean and interesting and the recipes were well laid out. Even though some of the recipes appear challenging, the concise and well-explained instructions will definitely help bakers succeed. Most recipes have easy to find ingredients, and if they're not , there's an explanation as to why they should be sought out!

This is a beautiful and interesting cookbook. Definitely a winner

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 stars

Includes sections on resources and recommended equipment.

There are brownies and bundts galore, as well as an extensive section devoted to macarons.

Favourites:

Deeply Appley Apple Cake
Sour Cherry & Almond Upside-Down Cake
Deeply Pumpkiny Pumpkin Cheesecake
Carrot Cake with Blond Chocolate Frosting
Devil Wears Chocolate- showstopper!
Chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart
Raspberry, White Chocolate & Yogurt Tart
Peach & Sour Cherry Cobbler
Esin Giz's Sour Cherry Liqueur
Vanilla Bean & Apricot Jam
Million-Dollar Raspberry Caramels *

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing cookbook. The pictures, instructions, and tips will help any baker quickly become an expert. The recipes include everything from pastries and cakes to jams and ice cream. The authors stories add a nice touch in allowing the reader to connect with him and his recipes. A must have for any avid baker. I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much deliciousness! These pastries look so yummy, I want to make and taste them all! Anyone who bakes and wants to try out something a bit different, will enjoy this recipe book. Loved the photos! I haven't tried any recipe yet, but found one I am thinking of making for my daughters b-day. It has pistachios- her favorite. Definitely worth a look.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Really Likeable Book

This book is a joy to read and the recipes are varied and delicious. The stories and instructions on how to bake the recipes were easy to read and follow. I loved the pictures of the finished product. I think pictures are so important. It enables you to see what it should look like when your done. Well done, Cenk.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book with great pictures and well developed instructions. Even when using unusual ingredients, he offers logical substitutions.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! A little too advanced for me as a new...ish baker...but one day!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

delicious from start to finish! wonderful recepies, easy to follow instructions, magnificent pictures...if you’re into desserts, this book is a must read!!!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely STUNNING cookbook. The recipes look delicious, but the photography is even more incredible.

[Jillyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful cookbooks that I have read in 2017. The photographs are stunning, the recipes are delicious, and it really is like looking through an art book.

The book is divided into types of dish, including: Cookies, Brownies, Cakes Muffins Cheesecakes and Meringues, Tarts Galettes Pie Quiche Cobbler and Crumble, Bread and Pastries, Ice Cream Frozen Yogurt and Sorbets, Confections and Drinks, Jams and Jellies, Base Recipes, and Ingredients, Equipment and Conversions.

There's a lot of personal stories and name dropping in this book, making it clear that the author has a level of not just passion, but pride in what they do. You learn why they included the recipes and ingredients they did, and what makes them the best.

In addition to the recipes, there's also a TON of extra tips and techniques in this book. There are step by step photos of how to deal with vanilla beans, there's a whole section on perfecting macarons, there's a guide to tempering chocolate. It's clear the author wants to help you succeed with their recipes! There's also a lot of storage advice, which is appreciated.

As I mentioned, the photos are beautiful. A lot of the things look too beautiful to eat (I mean, not that that'd really stop me, but you know what I mean). There's an abundance of photos too, at least one per recipe though there's often more.

One of the downsides is that some of the ingredients are relatively hard to find, like sakura flavored white tea leaves. You'd need to plan well in advance for some of these recipes, they don't all lend themselves to spur of the moment baking.

Some of the recipes that sound the best to me include Sour Cherry and White Chocolate Macarons, Sakura Madeleines, and Isabella Grape and Kefir Ice Cream.

This book is fantastic, and any home bakers looking to up their game or to more finely hone their baking techniques would find something to benefit from in this book.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jeanette Blain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also received this book as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.

The Artful Baker: Extraordinary Desserts From an Obsessive Home Baker is impressive in the digital version and I would love to collect it in hardback. Cenk Sönmezsoy is a food blogger whose mission is to meld the food traditions of his Turkish heritage with those of his beloved, adopted city of San Francisco.

Autumn is baking-season and there is a lot here to get excited about. New flavor twists on tried and true recipes are my speed. I'm just an average home baker whose Pinterest-perfect ambitions are far beyond my skillset, so I like to take an experienced guide along on my culinary adventures.

This book is ideal for beginners with its equipment instructions and a section of base recipes. But, for advanced bakers, there is a sizable section dedicated to the classic French macaron, as well as detailed instructions on making your own green apple pectin stock to thicken jams and jellies.

The photos in this book are beautiful, but not the usual shots. Let's just say they have personality, but they also work well to set this book apart from the typical. The author's creativity and enthusiasm come through in this work. And, yes, there is a gorgeous photo with each recipe, so you have a visual goal to aim for. Sönmezsoy also adds just enough personal information and baking commentary to keep things personable and interesting, without drowning the recipes in background.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally, I borrowed The Artful Baker from Libby with my library card. It's an extraordinary cookbook ten years in the making by acclaimed amateur baker and obsessive perfectionist Cenk Sonmezoy. Cenk began the book as a young grad student in San Francisco, with an emphasis on flavors remembered from his childhood in Turkey: pistachios, sour cherries, and chocolate. You'll find simple recipes such as vanilla bean cake, chocolate chip cookies, and decadent brownies, as well as elaborate cakes and confections such as White Chocolate Raspberry Tart, Pistachio Cake, and Passion Fruit Caramels. The instructions are both thorough and easy to follow, and the encouragement he offers novice bakers to experiment in the kitchen is an inspiration. As a bonus, the cookbook is beautifully illustrated with his own photography. A print version of the Artful Baker now lives on my bookshelf, with my own notes and many happy exclamation points rapidly filling the margins, as I bake my way through this wonderful book.

[Patricia Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book full of creative and unique recipes, accompanied by pictures of the final product. While most of them aren't very simple these recipes are perfect for home bakers who love trying out new flavors and challenges. I will definitely be buying my own copy as soon as possible.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read cookbooks like they are novels, I love them. This one had several recipes I tried and loved. I plan to buy this for my Mom for her birthday, I know she will enjoy it as well