I'm giving How to Bake for Beginners a 3.5 stars. I thought the book was good but not great. If you have any other beginner baking books in your collection then I don't think you need to purchase this book as well.

I'm not sure what kind of baker I am. Is there a level somewhere I can measure up to? I'm fairly sure I can bake given that I enjoy it and all of its challenges (macarons still elude me), but I don't call myself intermediate or expert. I just bake, and love reading baking books -- and How to Bake for Beginners was no exception. For the most part, I recognized a lot of the techniques/lingo used, but it's still nice to read and check if I'm still on the right track or just making things up. The illustrations/photos are really nice and the recipes are standard but still great (lots of classics). Sometimes simple is just the best. I definitely know a few friends that could benefit from this book -- it truly is for beginners. #HowtoBakeforBeginners #NetGalley

How to Bake for Beginners: An Easy Cookbook for Baking the Basics by Mahy Elamin is an excellent cookbook for anyone who doesn’t know much about baking, but wants to learn. The book includes information on baking ingredients, baking equipment, and baking terms. It also includes a chapter on baking fundamentals, which is excellent for beginners, and that chapter also includes photographs, which is really helpful.

After reading about and learning the basics, Elamin goes on to the recipes, which are mouthwatering and appealing. Most of the baked goods are pictured, which is definitely helpful, especially to new bakers. While the cookbook doesn’t have recipes for difficult or time-consuming baked goods that are often found in pastry shops, it does have recipes for simple things like bar cookies, drop cookies, basic breads, pies, cakes, and even cobblers. The instructions are easy-to-follow and the finished products (so far for me) have turned out picture perfect.

Elamin has added hints and tints at the end of each recipe to insure good results, and the prose is very readable. Although the purpose of a good cookbook is to present recipes that will turn out right, it is a bonus when the author includes her personal notes and views on the recipes, and makes it seem like the recipes have come from a friend. Elamin has done this, and beginning cooks will not only enjoy reading from this cookbook, but also baking from it, since the recipes actually turn out.

This book would make an excellent gift for anyone who wants to learn to bake, and for those who are experienced bakers, it has recipes that are actually doable and enticing.

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

Basics & Pro Tips Everyone Should Learn

From a pharmacist turned baking addict, comes a simple, easy to use basic baking guide filled with essential techniques and delicious recipes. Aimed toward the beginner level, I was surprised to find how much I learned from the success tips included with each recipe. There are so many things experienced cooks do automatically after years of trial and error (as my own children have told me time and again) but we never remember to include these things when we share our recipes. Here are a few of my favorite tips or techniques included in this cookbook:

• Which rack of the oven to place your quick breads or muffins (who knew?)
• How to easily convert a quick bread recipe to muffins
• How to quickly ripen your bananas
• The proper way to knead bread dough
• Basics like preparing a baking pan, cracking and separating eggs, egg temperature, the easiest way to measure dry or sticky ingredients, and cooking terms (with images) such as melting, folding, mixing, cutting in, etc.
• Foolproof recipes that include how to swap or add other ingredients
• Pro tips, like making sure your butter is at room temp to get the perfect oatmeal cookie

I’ve already made the Ultimate Banana Bread recipe twice, and it came out perfect and delicious every time (although I didn’t have buttermilk and had to substitute with milk+teaspoon of vinegar). I’m very pleased with results of everything I’ve baked so far. This cookbook will be one I’ll use over and over.

My copy was provided in advance from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is perfect for the new Baker. It explains things really well and is packed full of tips and other useful information. If your inspiring to be a better Baker I'd highly recommend this book

A good introduction to baking for beginners, or those that want to brush up on their skills. Elamin covers all the necessities for getting started- equipment, ingredients, procedures, etc, and includes some really tasty sounding recipes to get new bakers started. Photos throughout help illustrate the methods described, and the instructions are thorough.

#HowtoBakeforBeginners #NetGalley

I am not a cook or baker, but have been trying to learn to do both. This book has recipes that are super easy to follow, which are perfect for a beginner like me. I have only made a few things out of here, but they have tested really good and were easy to make.

A great introduction, lots of tips, and a slew of easy to do recipes. I thank Netgalley and Callisto Media for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The baking bible for beginning bakers

The art of baking requires a helping of science, a sprinkle of magic, and a whole lot of love—and all it takes is a simple recipe and some dependable guidance. How to Bake for Beginners is the ideal cookbook for beginners, welcoming you to the world of baking with easy-to-follow recipes and techniques that will have you baking like a pro in no time.

From scratch to your first batch, this standout among cookbooks for beginners will show you the ropes of simple baking techniques, like handling eggs, mixing the batter, and making the dough. Learn what tools and ingredients you’ll need for sweet success before putting your new skills to the test with tasty step-by-step recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, and more!

This guide goes beyond other cookbooks for beginners, including:

I enjoyed the book. I am far from a beginner, and it was a nice change. I, of course, wish it had been longer. For a new baker, it did a great job. Everyone should slay the oven and win.
A great gift.

Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

How to Bake for Beginners is a really good, basic baking book as author Mahy Elamin gives clear explanations on how to bake. Her cookbook features plenty of color photos depicting the art of baking which should help all bakers create tasty baked creations. I also loved her tips sprinkled throughout her cookbook as the tips will truly help novice bakers learn how to bake.

Some of the recipes you'll find include:

Breakfast Oatmeal Bars
Decadent Brownie Cookies
Easy Linzer Cookies
Coffee Cake Muffins
Basic Biscuits
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake
Easy Lemon-Blueberry Cobbler
French Pear Custard Tart
Peach Hand Pies
Mushroom and Spinach Quiche
Foolproof Dinner Rolls
Challah

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

#HowtoBakeforBeginners #NetGalley

The baking bible for beginning bakers

The art of baking requires a helping of science, a sprinkle of magic, and a whole lot of love—and all it takes is a simple recipe and some dependable guidance. How to Bake for Beginners is the ideal cookbook for beginners, welcoming you to the world of baking with easy-to-follow recipes and techniques that will have you baking like a pro in no time.

From scratch to your first batch, this standout among cookbooks for beginners will show you the ropes of simple baking techniques, like handling eggs, mixing batter, and making dough. Learn what tools and ingredients you’ll need for sweet success before putting your new skills to the test with tasty step-by-step recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, and more!

This guide goes beyond other cookbooks for beginners, including:

Baker’s dozen—The baker’s dozen tips include advice on best kitchen practices and need-to-know baking lingo unseen in other cookbooks for beginners.On the rise—Unlike other cookbooks for beginners, a user-friendly tutorial section will help you master the basics with confidence.Joy of baking—With dozens of scrumptious sweet and savory goodies, you won’t need other cookbooks for beginners.
If you’re looking for cookbooks for beginners but aren’t sure where to start, How to Bake for Beginners is your definitive guide to deliciously easy baking.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

This book doesn't lie. It is a baking bible!! I have been baking for a few years and I cook for a large family almost every day. I learned a lot, just in the beginning of the book. That doesn't take into account the delectable recipes that are included in this book! I can't wait to try them. I book marked several!

I am not a beginner in baking, but I do love getting new ideas even if it’s basics.
There’s a lot of information about basic ingredients, skills, utensil, etc. which can help new bakers on their way.
I don’t understand why some cooking books don’t have photographs, so I was happy to see there were pictures in this one. The recipes are clear and easy

I was given an opportunity via the publisher to read How to Bake for Beginners: An Easy Cookbook for Baking the Basics. It was my choice to review this cookbook and my opinion is freely given.

The cookbook starts out with a great Introduction, including such elements as Fundamental Skills, How to Get Started, Keys to Success, Essential Ingredients and Supplies. It goes on to teach beginners how to read a recipe and some basic terminology that they may encounter.

The recipes themselves are divided into logical sections, starting with the easiest items to learn to bake: the bar cookie. Below are the sections and my favorite recipes in each.

Bars: Breakfast Oatmeal Bars; Fudge Brownies with Walnuts; Perfect Lemon Bars

Cookies: Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies; Bite-Size Coconut Macaroons; Easy Linzer Cookies

Quick Breads & Muffins: Ultimate Banana Bread; Double Chocolate Mini-Muffins; Basic Biscuits

Cakes: Basic Yellow Cake; Red Velvet Cupcakes; Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

Pies: Easy Lemon-Blueberry Cobbler; Peach Hand Pies; Mushroom and Spinach Quiche

Yeast Breads: Pretzel Sticks; Foolproof Dinner Rolls; Best Cinnamon Rolls

As an experienced baker myself, I can see how helpful this cookbook can be to a beginner. The author does a good job of explaining everything, from defining baking techniques, to prepping, and to describing different skills necessary for being a successful baker. Getting the fundamentals out of the way early, the rest of the cookbook focuses on foolproof recipes that are easy to make and enjoy. Every other recipe has a photograph, which I appreciate because inspiration can be gained through seeing the finished dishes. Little tips or alternate ingredients given for each recipe can help bakers envision how to personalize what they bake. I like how each section has a tutorial before the recipes, helping new bakers pave the way for success. For the reasons listed above, I completely recommend How to Bake for Beginners: An Easy Cookbook for Baking the Basics.

Baking for beginners! Love this one!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great basic baking book for beginners, with info on techniques and a nice amount of baking recipes for savoury and sweet items. Great book for the new adult who is interested in baking.