10 Best Pastry Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen is a versatile pastry cookbook that caters to bakers of various skill levels. It offers a broad range of recipes, from classic cookies to novel treats, brownies, and bars, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their baking repertoire. The book's step-by-step instructions are clear and concise, ensuring that even beginners can follow along with ease.

Some recipes may require specialized ingredients or equipment, which could be a drawback for those with limited kitchen resources. The author, who is well-regarded in the baking community, brings a wealth of expertise to the table, lending credibility to the recipes. The book's dimensions and weight are manageable, and the hardcover format adds to its durability. Despite being slightly on the heavier side, at 2.2 pounds, this shouldn't be a major issue for most users.

Published by Chronicle Books in August 2020, this illustrated edition has quickly become a favorite among baking enthusiasts.

The Baking Bible is a substantial pastry-cookbook weighing 4.4 pounds and spanning 576 pages, making it a comprehensive guide for baking enthusiasts. Its hardcover format and illustrated edition enhance its durability and visual appeal. The book is authored by a seasoned expert, ensuring high author expertise, which is beneficial for both novice and experienced bakers.

The recipes are varied, catering to different skill levels, ranging from simple to complex, thus providing a broad spectrum of baking challenges. Clear and detailed step-by-step instructions are a highlight, making it easier for users to follow along and achieve good results. The book also covers a wide range of ingredients and equipment, ensuring that bakers are well-prepared for various recipes.

The Baking Bible stands out for its comprehensive content, expert guidance, and user-friendly instructions, making it a valuable addition to any baker's collection, despite its bulkiness.

The King Arthur Baking Company's All-Purpose Baker's Companion (Revised and Updated) is a comprehensive pastry cookbook that caters to a wide range of skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, the book offers a variety of recipes that cover basic to advanced baking techniques. This makes it a versatile addition to any kitchen. The generous 592 pages ensure a broad assortment of recipes, so there's something for everyone's taste preferences.

Importantly, the book emphasizes accessible ingredients and common kitchen equipment, which simplifies the process for those who may not have specialized tools. The step-by-step instructions are detailed and clear, helping to guide you through even the most complicated recipes with ease. This can be especially beneficial for less experienced bakers who appreciate thorough guidance. The credibility of the authors, backed by the King Arthur Baking Company's long-standing reputation, adds a layer of trust to the content.

The book's size and weight (3.7 pounds) may make it cumbersome to handle, and some users might find the sheer volume of information overwhelming. Despite these minor drawbacks, the book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their baking skills with reliable recipes and expert advice.