# Recommend me a book on making bread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 30, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321 "2009-03-30T15:59:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/1 "2009-03-30T15:59:41Z")
I’m not the baker, SpouseO is. And he makes bread, but he wants to improve. For his birthday, I’m buying him some more tools, and I’d like to include a bread bible. I see tons on Amazon and in the bookstores, so I thought I’d hit up the most knowledgeable bunch I know. What’s your favorite bread book? Gimmee recommendations! ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/2 "2009-03-30T16:04:16Z")
_The Bread Bible_, by Rose Levy Beranbaum, is definitely not half-baked. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/3 "2009-03-30T16:05:15Z")
It’s not a book, but [here](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/08mini.html) is a link to an article from the New York Times that describes a technique for making bread without kneading. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/4 "2009-03-30T16:06:14Z")
[Artisan Baking](http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Baking-Maggie-Glezer/dp/1579652913%3FSubscriptionId%3D06KMPSHEDSXXQMQVT482%26tag%3Daskcom-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1579652913) by Maggie Glezer is the one I’d go for, especially if he already has a little experience baking. If he wants to go the low hassle route (i.e. “no knead”,) there’s also [Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day …](http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919%3FSubscriptionId%3D06KMPSHEDSXXQMQVT482%26tag%3Daskcom-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0312362919) by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. ---
**Author:** ![Taenia\_spp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@Taenia\_spp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taenia_spp)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/5 "2009-03-30T16:18:02Z")
I second Rose Levy Beranbaum’s _The Bread Bible_. Oh, and if you want to learn how to make delicious pies and pastries, check out her appropriately titled book _The Pie and Pastry Bible_. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/6 "2009-03-30T16:53:17Z")
I have the Bread Bible and Artisan Baking, they are both wonderful books, and I’ve made some super bread using their recipes and techniques. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/7 "2009-03-30T16:57:35Z")
Thirding _The Bread Bible_. Also, I really enjoyed _Beard on Bread_ by the legendary James Beard and _Brother Juniper’s Bread Book_ by Peter Reinhardt. Both are a joy to read, as well as to bake from, if he’s the type that enjoys curling up and reading a cookbook just for the heck of it. Lastly, _Baking with Julia_ by Dorie Greenspan has a good variety of bread recipes including several traditional French artisan breads, and is a fantastic all-round baking book with beautiful photos. It’s my default go-to book for just about any baking I do. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-on-making-bread/491321/8 "2009-03-30T17:46:54Z")
He does have some experience baking - he’s been making bread on and off for the past couple of years. His bread is pretty good, but he’s really looking to improve it. I’ve seen the Bread Bible and the Artisan books - it’s good to know they’re a good bet. Thanks!