Carla Bakes: Sweet, Savory, and from the Heart [A Baking Book]

by Carla Hall, Lauren Chattman (Other)

Acclaimed chef, TV host, Top Chef fan-favorite, and author Carla Hall returns to her first culinary love story—baking—with over 80 sweet and savory recipes.

“For years, I have had the pleasure of sitting next to Carla and listening to her explain the science and the art of baking. Now you get to experience her knowledge, wisdom, and humor as well in Carla Bakes.”—Duff Goldman

For Carla Hall, baking is a creative outlet, her source of play, and her first true passion. But her journey from absolute beginner to Top Chef fan-favorite didn't start until she was well into her twenties with two careers— accounting and modeling —already behind her. Away from home and missing the Southern flavors she grew up with, she took to the kitchen and began to experiment, master, and perfect.

Now, as a multi-cookbook author and guest judge on multiple baking competitions, Carla is ready to share all her baking knowledge that will guide you whether you're at novice baker or an expert one. Carla Bakes is filled with over 80 recipes for baking savory and sweet goods rooted in her Southern traditions and inspired by her world travels. Carla brings her joy and playfulness to every recipe, showing you just how much fun it is to bake and bring your own twists to new recipes,

• breakfast treats like Sorghum Flour Drop Biscuits, Crisp Sweet Corn Waffles, and Savory Clafoutis with Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Smoky Tomato Curd
• cookies like Nut Butter Puffed Cereal Treats, Southern Pecan Crinkle Baklava, and Shortbread Cookie Canvas
• pastries like Giant Frosted Strawberry Pop Tart, Sweet Po-Punkin Pie, and Ham & Cheese Paris-Brest
• cakes like Double Chocolate Oat Flour Snack Cake, Lemon Meringue Cake, and Fairytale Forest Party Cake
• yeasted goods like Hot Cross Milk Buns with Port- and Hibiscus-Soaked Fruit, Butternut Squash Beignets with Spiced Sugar, and Chocolate Focaccia

If you've ever felt intimidated by baking, set those fears aside. Carla's expert guidance and encouragement in Carla Bakes will leave you feeling confident and inspired in your kitchen!

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2026

About the author

Five days a week Carla Hall bursts into your kitchens as the co-host of ABC’s talk show “The Chew.” Carla has never considered doing anything more than following her heart. From accountant to model to caterer to talk show host, life is a journey, and every wrong turn leads to a right.

After graduating college with an Accounting degree Carla moved to Europe to pursue a modeling career which ultimately led her to discovering her true calling as a chef.

While Carla didn’t start cooking professionally until she was well into her 20’s, her recipes reflect those classic dishes from her childhood growing up in Nashville, TN surrounded by soul food cooked from the heart. Her culinary philosophy is all about keeping it simple and flavorful. (“If you don’t know how to perfectly roast a chicken, that’s where you need to start in the kitchen.”)

Inside and out of the kitchen, Carla believes that you have to, “Say Yes! Adventure follows, then growth.”

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carla Hall is like a dear, familiar friend, and in this book, she shares the creativity she is known for with her precision as a skilled baker. The confluence of influences that have impacted the recipes she develops are evident in this book, and Carla generously shares the tips that have made her so beloved among her fans. For instance, she thoroughly explains why you might melt versus cream your butter in her fabulous cupcakes. Her version is light and moist, and so much better than a boxed mix, with little extra effort. She suggests substitutions that really work, and still provide maximum flavor. She tells you when you should splurge on fancy ingredients, and when common grocery store ingredients are just fine. She provides clear instructions for tempering chocolate with a microwave, and I had perfect results with the chocolate covered strawberries I made using her technique. I was provided a free copy of this book by Ten Speed Press, but the opinions and experiences are my own. This cookbook contains sweet and savory bakes; typical fare such as waffles, hush puppies and pound cakes; and really creative and elevated recipes such as the rustic carrot tart. The photography is beautiful, and this book will provide many hours of inspiration for not only the fall baking season, but throughout the entire year. I can’t wait to try my hand at from-scratch puff pastry, which Carla makes seem very doable. I expect it to be every bit as successful as her signature cream cheese pie dough, which was extremely easy to work with and so tender and flavorful!

[Brenda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten Speed Press provided me with a free copy of this book; the opinions are my own.
This is a great baking book by Carla Hall. It is informative, delightful and full of fabulous baking recipes, both savory and sweet. It is good to see that in one baking book.
Carla has included her preferred ingredients and equipment which is always appreciated in a baking book. They are commonly found and most are easy to locate if they are not already in your pantry.
I can hardly wait to try the Giant Frosted Strawberry Thyme Pop-Tart!
There are also several cookie recipes that will be perfect to try over the holidays and am looking forward to baking those too.
This is one book that I will cherish for a long time to come.
*Please note that I am reviewing the hardcover version.