The Cook Who Tested Everything: Ella Quittner is Obsessed with the Best

The Cake Bible is a classic cookbook that has been a guiding light in the world of baking since its first publication in 1988. It includes recipes for every major type of cake, from pancakes to four-tiered wedding cakes, and provides instructions on how to mix a buttery, tender layer cake in under five minutes, make fabulous chocolate cakes with just three ingredients, and create cakes with less sugar but maximum flavor and texture. The book is known for its detailed explanations of baking techniques, including the reverse creaming method, and offers measurements in weights, highlighting the superiority of the metric system. The 35th Anniversary Edition includes new recipes, updated methods, and the latest ingredient and equipment information.

BraveTart is more than just a cookbook; it delves into the surprising stories of how favorite American desserts came to be. From chocolate chip cookies to prohibition-era ice cream sodas and floats, Stella Parks provides award-winning pastry chef expertise along with over 200 customizable recipe variations. The book includes a foreword by J. Kenji López-Alt, vintage advertisements, and photography by Penny De Los Santos. It offers a deep dive into the science and history of baking, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced bakers.