6 Fall Baking Books
Plus 2 Must-Haves for Foodies
In case you were concerned, I’ve recovered from my summer-has-passed-me-by blues and am looking forward to the fall season. After all, fall is the height of two of my favorite pastimes. Baking and gobbling up all the new cozy cookbooks that make their debut this time of year. There is no end in sight of interesting cookbooks and truly something for everyone. In fact, food memoirs and cookbooks are consistently among the strongest areas of the book industry. Below are six books that I’m planning to add to my kitchen bookshelf this fall. For now my list is focused on baking, but I’ve also included the “queen” (Ina’s) memoir and a fun surprise from Dan Pelosi whom I adore.
I hope you find a new cookbook on the below list for yourself or a lovely gift for a friend. Even better if you support your local bookstore or shop on Bookshop.org. In case you’re not familiar, allow me to give a plug for Bookshop. Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores, plus you can choose a specific store in your neighborhood to benefit from your purchase. Their business model basically gives independent bookstores tools to compete online and financial support to help them maintain their presence in local communities. Read more about how they operate. Bookshop also has an affiliate program in which I participate. On my Kitchenistics Bookshop, I’ve gathered an assortment of cookbooks for fellow food lovers. Note that if you order from me, I receive a small affiliate commission.
Let’s get baking!
First, know that preordering cookbooks helps support your favorite authors. In addition to the marketing benefits, preorders indicate demand for a book and help retailers determine how many copies to order. I personally love preordering for the simple fact that when that book hits my P.O. box or my front porch, it’s a joyous little surprise!
1. Zoë Bakes Cookies (available now)
Zoë Bakes Cookies by Zoe Francois is available now. She describes this book as her “Eras Tour of Cookies.” I preordered this one a while back and can say that it’s made for some good reading so far! I mean who doesn’t love Zoe Francois? Her enthusiasm is infectious. I love her cake book and subscribe to her Substack newsletter. Perhaps the best part of the book is her “Cookie Academy,” where Zoe explains the science behind baking ingredients and methods. Basically, you can figure out the different nuances to achieve your personal favorite chocolate chip cookie. Now I can’t wait to dig into the 75 cookies and bars recipes. At the top of my list are the Ultra Peanut Butter Cookies made with gluten free peanut flour. And Maple Coconut Bars.
2. Small Batch Cookies (September 24)
Small Batch Cookies, from Great British Bake-Off winner Edd Kimber is perfect for when you only want to bake enough for yourself or a few guests. Already available in the UK, the book is available in the U.S. on Sept. 24. The cover shows off Edd’s red velvet sandwich cookies. If you’re a person who always wants to try new recipes, but you don’t want to commit to two dozen cookies, or if you just want to satisfy a craving (not naming names), then this book is for you. I’m looking forward to making the Salted Malt Shortbread cookies and the Chewy Flourless Double Chocolate Cookies. And how about a Butterscotch Pecan Single cookie all to yourself?
3. 100 Afternoon Sweets (October 1)
100 Afternoon Sweets is the third in Sarah Kieffer’s trilogy of “100 books” available Oct. 1. Sarah is the face behind the popular Vanilla Bean Blog and author of Baking for the Holidays. I’ve shared recipes from her 100 Cookies and 100 Morning Treats in the past. Her recipes are consistent, easy to follow and always a success. So naturally I’ve preordered 100 Afternoon Sweets to make sure I’m covered. Her newest book promises to be a mixture of one-bowl cakes, bars and brownies, pies, scones, and a giant pop tart cause yes you need one. In addition to easy-to-make bakes, there are also bigger weekend projects. I love that she includes a music playlist to bake to. I’ve been looking at Coffee Blondies, Millionaire Pie and Raspberry Almond Coffee Cake Squares. If you preorder, you get access to a virtual baking class (Oct. 21) with Sarah and a chance to win a baking package from Nordic Ware.
4. Sweet Tooth (October 8)
Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel creator of Broma Bakery debuts Oct. 8. This is Sarah’s first cookbook. (I couldn’t help but preorder a book named “Sweet Tooth.”) I’ve followed her on Instagram for several years and I think I took an online food photography class with her during the pandemic. I love how her recipes are twists on traditional bakes and sometimes a bit unexpected. Don’t miss her how-to videos on YouTube. Sweet Tooth is billed as 100 desserts to save room for (wait, Is that a problem?) Two recipes already on my list: Espresso Martini Cake and Vanilla Bean-Blackberry Scones.
5. The Cake Bible, 35th Anniversary Edition (October 22)
On Oct. 22, the legendary Rose Levy Beranbaum is coming out with The Cake Bible, 35th Anniversary Edition. Man, oh man. I feel like my baking library has been missing this! I recently picked up Rose’s Pie and Pastry Bible at my local library’s used book sale, but the cake book is what I’ve really wanted. This edition updates all the classics since the original 1988 version. It also includes about 30 percent new recipes, along with the latest methods, ingredient and equipment information. Basically, it’s everything you need to know about cakes and why the ingredients in cakes work the way they do. There’s something in here for serious cake bakers and those relatively new to cake baking.
6. Sift (November 12)
The U.S. release of Sift by Nicola Lamb is Nov. 12, two days after my birthday so yes, it could be a birthday gift to myself. This book is described as “an essential guide to baking that combines easy-to-follow, science-based advice with 100 reliable and delicious recipes for both novices and more experienced bakers.” Nicola is the renowned pastry chef behind the Kitchen Projects newsletter. In her book, she talks about the foundational ingredients in great bakes (flour, sugar, eggs, fat), and the techniques that result in successful recipes (texture, color, how things rise), and a technical overview. Nicola organizes the 100 recipes by difficulty and time commitment (so you can pick the perfect bake depending on whether you have 30 minutes, an afternoon or a weekend. I can’t wait to dig into Sift.
Two Foodie Extras
Be Ready When the Luck Happens (October 1)
Get ready! The queen Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, will be released on Oct. 1. I haven’t decided if I’ll buy this book or listen to it. Probably both. There’s something enticing about sitting back and listening to Ina herself read this one to me. You may know that Ina is the author of 13 bestselling cookbooks (Just counted; I have 12). This is Ina’s inspiring account of her journey that started with a boring bureaucratic job in Washington, D.C., to owning the Barefoot Contessa shop to the author and TV host she is today. In this book, she shares the important life lessons she’s learned, such as “do what you love because if you love it you'll be really good at it.” And who can resist Jennifer Garner’s pretend cooking show, inspired by the queen herself.
The Big Italian Sandwich Puzzle (November 5)
And for the grand finale … coming Nov. 5, The Big Italian Sandwich Puzzle from Dan aka Grossy Pelosi. Not a cookbook, buy hey who can resist this Italian sandwich as a centerfold? I wrote about (and met!) Dan Pelosi a year ago this month. His Let’s Eat cookbook is a cookbook with a centerfold – of a big Italian sandwich! And now that centerfold is a 560-piece puzzle that comes in a hoagie-shaped gift box. Perfect for gifting or doing on a rainy day while watching football and eating a big Italian sandwich. Recipe included!
