The Soulful Baker was a beautiful book. Its so much more than a cookbook, the author shares recipes, beautiful photos, & the heartwarming story of her mother's influence on her baking.

The recipes are for a more experienced baker but the book will appeal to bakers of all ages.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I have been reading my fair share of cook books and though this one had a wonderful lay out and beautiful pictures, for me the recipes are something that I would not be trying. I am trying to give an honest review and I have read and collect cookbooks, even have over 100 in our home library. So I am not trying to be critical of the author at all just honest for me. The recipes and seem easy to follow through but the final product is just not for my liking. The author shows her passion for baking through the stories she tells and from her mother and the time she spent with her and with her going through dementia which adds to this book. I was brought back when I learned to bake from my grandmother and mother but it was a very rustic homemade style, and some of these finished products reminded me of items you would see in an upscale bakery, or restaurant. Overall the stories and photographs make up for whatever short comings I might think I see in this book. Take a look inside you may find something that you are looking for.

Not being an expert baker, I found these recipes to be mouthwatering but a bit complex for me! Although with practice, I am sure I could turn out these delicious tarts, pies, and other desserts. The story behind the recipes is heartwarming and uplifting.

Soulful Baker by Julie Jones is a loving tribute to baking made beautiful by Julie Jones. I’ve followed Julie Jones and her soulful excursions making pies, tarts, cakes, and bakes for some time. Beautifully decorated desserts made with natural ingredients, and the pastry recipes perfectly extraordinaire.

There is simply nothing more beautiful than the story behind both her Instagram account and this beautiful cookery book. Both feature fabulous creations by Julie and her mum captured in beautiful photography and loving stories shared throughout. From the apple roses to the salted caramel, and the chocolate tart– this book is filled with inspiration. This is your chance to learn how to bake like a pro. All you need is your imagination and Soulful Baker by Julie Jones.

I requested Soulful Baker from NetGalley to review because of its loving tribute to the author’s mum. I simply fell in love with the recipes, photos, and stories included with each recipe. I highly recommend this cookery book to everyone!

This is an excellent for someone who is interested in learning advanced baking skills or starting their own cottage business as a baker. It would also be an excellent gift for any cook.

This book is worth buying for its superb photographs by Lisa Linder of the most beautifully decorated tarts and cakes alone! I often lack inspiration when it comes to dressing up my baking, and “Soulful Baker” has provided many ideas and useful instructions to change often simple baked goods into stunning creations.
A good example is the white chocolate crème brûlée tart where a basic crème brûlée, enriched with chocolate and on a pastry base, is made into something glorious with the addition of beautifully arranged berries, mint leaves and white chocolate. So simple, yet what eye candy!
Clear instructions broken down into stages, and useful tips make this book suitable for less confident bakers as well as for more experienced bakers looking for new ideas. I really enjoyed reading the book - it lacked that condescending tone that has crept into so many cook books recently.
So far, I have only tried two recipes and was very happy with the results of the Roasted Plum and Frangipane Tart and the Financiers. My next task is to try one of the more elaborately decorated tarts, though the interesting combination of Chocolate and Aubergine Brownies really intrigues me!

Once again, hate the layout!!!!!!!! However, there are enough pictures of the treats being made that my stomach is growling, and saying I need to put the new oven to work. The author has great tips on how to get your dough right, making small changes, challenges when doing each type of project. Overall, not a bad effort. However if it comes out in print looking like my ebook galley, i will be truly saddened.

This is one of the most beautifully photographed books that I have had the pleasure to lay my hands on! They say we eat with our eyes, and this Stunning work of art cookbook, will leave you wanting to make EVERYTHING in the book. It's filled with recipes that are workable recipes, that you will reach for daily! Don't miss out on this one! It's gorgeous, and with recipes that work! This is one that I plan on purchasing!

Soulful Baker, by Julie Jones, is an absolutely beautiful cookbook. Even for those who aren’t ready to bake immediately, it’s the perfect book to peruse, and dream about creating beautiful food. In her introduction, she tells about her Mum and problems with dementia – how they would bake together and she would be able to see her Mum back in earlier times. Not only can many relate, but it makes the author very human. The best part about this book, however, is the fact that there are recipes for everyone, from beginning bakers to those who have experience. The pictures show how talented the author is – not only in the excellent, mouthwatering recipes she has chosen to include, but also the artistic way she displays the finished products. Truly, there is not even one recipe in this cookbook that readers won’t want to make. The instructions are easy to understand and follow, so each will turn out perfectly.

Jones has included basics like English Muffins, and a bread she calls Trampoline Bread (which she says she makes almost every day) and homemade butter to put on them. Both recipes turn out perfectly, and most of us will find we want to make the Trampoline Bread every day too. I am lazy and have adapted it to my automatic bread machine (just to prepare the dough; I shape it and bake it as she specifies).

Although this cookbook is only 99 pages, it has 99 pages of absolutely incredible recipes. There are enough recipes to keep everyone happily baking for months, and the recipes turn out so beautifully and picture perfect, that most bakers will be repeating their favorites over and over.

For US bakers, it is a good idea to have an accurate digital scale handy so that they can weigh the ingredients, since the measurements are in grams. Most bakers are used to this and it really doesn’t take any longer and insures that the recipes turn out perfectly.

I love this book and plan to purchase several as gifts for my friends and family members who love to bake. The recipes are unique, innovative, beautiful, and delicious. Soulful Baker belongs in every cookbook collection and on the shelf of everyone who likes to create showstopping desserts and baked goods.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

A wonderfully and well put together cookbook. I love to bake and get excited when I come across a new cookbook and the recipes it has to offer. This book wasn't only filled with fabulous recipes, beautifully illustrated pages, but the main ingredient any recipe needs, love. I bake when I'm stressed, want to do something special for someone else, and just for fun. The heartfelt story behind the authors reason for baking touched me and made me think of my own mother and the time we spent together in the kitchen. I tried several recipes because what good is a cookbook if you don't try out what it has to offer. Being a southerner I baked the Pecan Muffins and Banana Muffins. I also gave the Chocolate Ganache a try since the recipe was different from my own. The recipes were easy to follow. As every baker knows when baking you must be precise in your measurements so I'm happy to say that my treats turned out great. I look forward to taking on more of the recipes included in the book, probably a tart, those have always been a favorite.

A great collection of baking recipes and are innovative. Must try all the recipes from the book.......

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. This book is a work of art. The author put her heart and soul into this book. The love for baking with the background story, pictures the well thought out recipes, tips, is very apparent. It is a book for novices and accomplished bakers. I will definitely be giving this book for gifts!!!

This is by far one of the most stunning baking cookbooks I have read. The recipes and photography is outstanding. After personal family struggles author Julie Jones was looking for an outlet and turned to baking her mother and grandmother's recipes and created this cookbook. Her delectable treats are intricate and skillful. I will confess that they are a little intimidating for this amateur baker but is still inspiring enough to give them ago. I can not wait to share this book with the bakers in my life.

It's uncanny how books match thoughts -- just the other day I was thinking of trying to replicate a donut that I had, and I 'open' this book to find the most gorgeous donuts I've seen decorated. Works of art that should not be eaten! It's a very personal cookbook with the photos of the author's family, gorgeous photos of the desserts, and honestly they're all so beautifully decorated, I'd ate for anyone to eat those creations. But really, don't mind if I do. Her tips for decorative techniques can be used for almost anything, and I think this is a great cookbook for inventive bakers, novices (who aren't easily frustrated), and those who like to entertain.

This book has it all. A very touching introduction, beautiful photos, wonderful recipes and a baker whose artistry will knock your socks off. What Julie Jones does with her pastry creations is unbelievably beautiful. Without a doubt this beautiful, amazing book would please any baker.

A charming book written with great love of home and family celebrating baking. The recipes look delicious and most are not fussy so they are great for the home baker. My only concern is that too many of the recipes call for the use of pastry bags, something many home cooks don't use.

Although the author is English the editors have done a good job of translating the majority, but not all, British words and oven settings to American and Canadian ones.

A resource list at the end of the book will be helpful for finding items and ingredients.