Member Reviews
BakeClass Step by Step by Anneka Manning is a delightful and educational guide for both novice and experienced bakers. Manning's approach is methodical, breaking down the baking process into manageable steps that build confidence and skill. The book's clear instructions, combined with beautiful photography, make it easy to follow along and achieve professional-looking results.
Manning's passion for baking shines through in her writing, as she patiently explains the why behind each technique. From basic breads to intricate pastries, every recipe is designed to teach foundational skills that can be applied to a wide range of baked goods.
What sets this book apart is its focus on building a baker's intuition. Manning encourages readers to understand the ingredients and processes, which fosters creativity and adaptation in the kitchen. The book is not just a collection of recipes; it's a comprehensive baking course that empowers readers to experiment and develop their own style.
Overall, "BakeClass Step by Step" is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their baking skills. Anneka Manning's expertise and approachable style make it a joy to read and an essential addition to any kitchen library.
This is an all around solid cook book for baking. It meets the needs of new bakers as well as those with more experience. Not only are the recipes well photographed, they are well explained. In addition, the book has ten basic lessons for bakers that I found helpful and I'm not even a newbie. Couple that with the yummy recipes and this book's a total winner.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy.
This is a very well written beginner baking book. It is very well explained and contains plenty of photographs
This is an incredibly well written and photographed cookbook, and I learned a few tips even as a fairly experienced baker. Highly recommended, and good for gifting as well!
Very simple baking book. Perfect for the beginner (just starting out with recipes) or those who are beginning collecting for their own kitchens. Very basic.
NetGalley Review – Manning Bake Class Step by Step
Manning’s goal in writing Bake Class is to provide clear lessons on how to bake with chapters separated by different methods. In this sense, the book is very strong. The methods are clearly illustrated and the writing is easy to understand.
The only weakness in the book are the recipes. Some of the ingredients may be unavailable (ex. golden syrup) and it would have been useful for the author to provide alternatives or ways to create (ex. caster/superfine sugar can be approximated with regular sugar in a food processor.)
If you are a beginning baker, however, the book is a great starting point.
wonderful beginners book but filled with recipes for every baking level!
i loved of the author made it easy for an actual beginner to learn to love baking by simply and easily explaining not just steps and processes but often used words and methods in recipes so that the person beginning to learn how to bake/cook actually understand what things mean but without sounding condescending or as if explaining what folding in means or how to do it is something everyone should just know. this book explains it easy and simply but clearly and moves on - very well done!
the pictures are stunning and the recipes easy to follow with great results!
highly recommend!
This is a cookbook that is equal parts teaching and recipes. I learned the mechanics of a few techniques that I previously knew, but didn't understand how it affected the recipe.
This cookbook starts out with explaining the basics of baking, common ingredients, and materials needed (different pans, utensils, and machines). Then it goes into techniques. Each techniques is like a little chapter with tons of recipes for you to practice with. The recipes themselves are easy to follow and very clear. They give metric and American measurements for measuring ingredients (making this universally helpful). The recipes include beautiful photos for each dessert.
This has given me the knowledge and skill base to expand my baking expertise. I can't wait to start making things that I previously would have just bought from a bakery (because I thought they were too complicated).
It can be super hard to decide how to learn to bake. This book made it so easy by letting my new skills build on each other! And the recipes were delicious!
I read this book whilst away from home in the midst of storm Babette. It made me want to get home and in the kitchen. A fabulous cookbook that tells you why the individual steps and processes in a recipe are need to creat the best ever bake. It was so helpful and with great recipes to try. The book is broken down in different type of mixture methods, rubbed in, fold in etc. Agreat resource that will help you get the best of of your baking.
Wonderful easy to read and follow cookbook. . Excellent resource
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book
Full of practical advice for baking many delicious recipes, both savoury and sweet, this lovely book guides the reader with step by step instructions and clear illustrations on how to bake successfully. The baking is divided into ten fundamental mixing methods and has tasty recipes in each category with variations and bakers tips. There are some really tempting bakes including the intriguing Whole Orange Cake and the Fig and Cranberry Christmas Cake. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I thought it was neat how this book was broken into section by technique versus ingredients. Learn one technique and here are the x number of recipes that use that technique. Also the recipes are very unique. Not your average cookies and cakes baking cookbook.
I love baking and was very excited to be able to review this cookbook- there are some yummy recipes which a few I’ve already tried and have been a huge hit in our family. We’ve enjoyed the chocolate self saucing pudding, the caramel pecan cake, melting moments and sticky toffee pudding. They were all delicious and got a thumbs up from all who tried it.
I love how the book explain each method step by step for each recipe and also the chapters with all the science such as creaming method.
Great cookbook! One of the best I’ve seen. The pages are clean and easy to read and to follow, and the photos are great! The book talks about ingredients, baking tools, how to read a recipe, and then it goes to the lessons and recipes. Each lesson has some recipes so you can try each method.
1. The Measure & Mix Method
2. The Measure & Beat Method
3. The Folding Method
4. The Mixing in a Food Processor Method
5. The Creaming Method
6. The Rubbing-in Method
7. The Whisking Egg Whites Method
8. The Whisking Egg Whites & Sugar Method
9. The Whisking Egg & Sugar Method
10. The Kneading Method
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
This is a good book for anyone who is starting to bake. It is a dictionary of everything you use and need to bake. Great recipes, not only of pastries and cake, but appetizers and other temptations. I thank NetGalley and Quarto Publishing/ Chartwell Books for the advance read.
This is a great guide to equipment and step by step instructions for baking along with some basic recipes to follow. The breakdown of why each type of equipment is used along with why certain ingredients are used is very detailed and comprehensive.
Really enjoyed previewing this cookbook. Thanks to NetGalley and Chartwell books for the ARC to read and review. Expected publication date 11/7/23
I like many readers am intimidated by baking. This book provides a system that I believe I can use to become a better baker. I love how the author breaks down the process and offers some delectable looking recipes to progress along a pathway to increasing one's baking skills!
The photographs are enticing and the variety of recipes is wonderful.
I found this book very inspiring and more doable than most baking books.
I particularly appreciated the introduction with its thorough discussion of ingredients, baking tools and other tips.
The beginner recipes are great and one ends up with a beautifully impressive bake.
This is a book that I definitely plan to add to my own collection upon publication!
I recently had the pleasure of diving into Anneka Manning's incredible book, and I can confidently say that it deserves a solid five-star rating. "Become the Baker You Want to Be" is an absolute gem for anyone passionate about baking or looking to embark on a delightful baking journey.
Manning's approach to teaching the art of baking is nothing short of amazing. Whether you're a novice baker or a seasoned pro, her step-by-step lesson sequence is a game-changer. It equips you with the knowledge and skills to master ten fundamental mixing methods, which serve as the bedrock for all baking endeavors. The inclusion of expert instructions and clear, step-by-step photos makes the learning process not only accessible but enjoyable as well.
I was particularly impressed with the inclusion of gluten-free recipes, such as the Gluten-free Baby Passionfruit Cakes with Raspberry Icing. It's a testament to the book's inclusivity, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the wonders of baking.
In conclusion, "Become the Baker You Want to Be" is a must-have addition to any baker's collection. Anneka Manning's passion for baking shines through every page, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced bakers. With this book by your side, you'll not only enhance your baking skills but also embark on a journey of culinary delight. Prepare to be showered with requests to bake these delectable treats again and again. Five stars without a doubt!
I have always dreamt of being a great baker, but that is not the reality of my baking skills. I am always excited when I find a baking book that is straightforward and explains things well. This is definitely one of those books.
I really like that it starts with explaining a method and then provides recipes that use that method. I feel that this will be incredibly helpful in improving my baking skills and understanding the methods I need to use for different types of baking.
So many of these recipes look absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to try all of them. Though I am not convinced this book will make me the best baker out there, I think it will certainly go a long way in getting me to the point that I can bring baked dishes I am proud of to events and gatherings.