About the Book

Critically acclaimed baking expert and media star Samantha Seneviratne dispels common baking myths and fears—and shares 100 of her favorite irresistible recipes.

Star baker Samantha Seneviratne wants to tell you the baking secrets of industry pros: You can soften butter in a microwave in seconds, without melting it. Don’t bother sifting flour. No stand mixer? No problem—you can mix it by hand. Test the doneness of a cake without toothpicks (who actually has those?). Make a custard with a dump and stir method. Tempering schmempering.

Break free from common baking myths, fears, and unnecessarily fussy procedures, with Bake Smart, filled with Sam’s tips and warm reassurances plus 100 stunning, mouth-watering recipes that are surprisingly achievable for any home baker. Chapters are organized by main baking ingredient (Butter; Sugar; Eggs; Flour, Nuts & Cocoa; and Yeast), each starting with a quick intro to break down the fundamentals of baking, as well as core recipes—like Basic Custard, Any-Nut Frangipane, and Rough Puff Pastry—that are easy to master and return to again and again.

And each chapter includes recipes for delicious, modern-yet-timeless sweets:

• Stuffed S’more Cookies
• Lemony Hibiscus Doodles
• Raspberry Rye Balsamic Tart
• Burnt Caramel Basque Cheesecake
• Caramelized Banana Cream Cornflake Tart
• Passion Fruit and Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Gianduja Rugelach
• Maple Tahini Chocolate Skillet Cake
• Big and Fluffy Lemon and Orange Buns
• Chocolate Sesame Swirl Bread
• Linzer Cookies
• Apricot Cardamom Buns

Critical Praise

“Samantha Seneviratne has a fresh approach to what can feel like a tired niche—the baking book. She organizes her beautifully photographed cookbook by spice, so chapters are sorted by cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and so on. It’s a different way to peruse—and be inspired by—a baking book. And tucked inside those chapters are approachable and creative takes on classic treats.” — J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press, on The New Sugar & Spice

“The Joys of Baking is a sweet meditation on why we bake, on how what we make with our hands changes us, soothes, comforts and inspires us. Sam’s generously personal stories and the collection of recipes she braids into them encourage us to bake, to pay attention as we stir and knead, and to reap each of the many pleasures she describes. The book is a delight.” — Dorie Greenspan, award-winning author of Everyday Dorie and Dorie’s Cookies

“The Joys of Baking bursts with ripe fruits and berries, dark, bittersweet chocolate, buttery tarts, whole grains, and creamy custards—in short, all of my favorite things to bake... and eat! Sprinkled with personal stories, Samantha Seneviratne’s gorgeously photographed cookbook will fill anyone’s sweet spot.” — David Lebovitz, author of My Paris Kitchen and The Perfect Scoop 

“It’s not just glorious recipes, it’s her personal stories too—Sam shares her passion for baking and the physical and emotional benefits of baking.” — MarthaStewart.com on The Joys of Baking

“Samantha covers a lot of ground—cookies, cakes, breads, pies—making this a lovely gift for a baker looking to discover new things.” — FoodNetwork.com on The Joys of Baking

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780358715146
• ISBN 10: 0358715148
• Imprint: Harvest
• On Sale: 11/07/2023
• Pages: 240
• List Price:43.50 CAD
• BISAC1 : COOKING / Methods / Baking
• BISAC2 : COOKING / Courses & Dishes / Desserts
• BISAC3 : COOKING / Courses & Dishes / Pastry
• BISAC4 : COOKING / Courses & Dishes / Chocolate

Other Works by Samantha Seneviratne

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