The Magnolia Bakery Handbook: A Complete Guide for the Home Baker

by Bobbie Lloyd

Published in celebration of Magnolia Bakery on the eve of its twenty-fifth anniversary, a beautifully photographed book offering nearly 150 scrumptious recipes and tips, tools, and techniques accompanied by 250 photographs and illustrations destined to be the favorite resource for the home baker.

When it opened its doors in 1996, Magnolia Bakery quickly became a landmark and destination in New York City. Fans lined up around the block to get a taste of the shop’s freshly-baked cupcakes, cakes, banana pudding, cheesecakes and much more. Today, Magnolia Bakery can be found in shops in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Dubai, Manila, and Bangalore.

Bobbie Lloyd, Magnolia Bakery’s Chief Baking Officer, has played a critical role in maintaining the company’s reputation for handmade baked goods, and its authenticity and excellence throughout its growth. Bobbie has worked to update its classic treats, introduced new temptations, and carefully expanded the business both online and in new locations across New York and the world.

The Magnolia Bakery Handbook is the first book Magnolia Bakery has published since the business was sold by the founders in 2007. Gorgeously designed, filled with irresistible creations, it is sure to become an essential staple for home bakers. Along with almost 150 recipes, all beautifully photographed, Bobbie shares hundreds of tips, tricks, techniques, and must-have tools for successful baking.

Inside you’ll find everything you need to make the classic desserts of Magnolia Bakery at home. Chapters include:

Invaluable Tips and Techniques for the Home Baker
The Ingredients Used in My Kitchen and at Magnolia Bakery
Tools of the Trade
Cakes
Cupcakes
From the Cookie Jar
Brownies and Bars
Pies and Crisps
Muffins
Scones and Coffee Cakes
Ice Box Desserts
Banana Pudding
Base Recipes: Buttercreams and Icings, Crumbs and Crusts, Fillings and Sauces, Adornments
Sources

Whether you have a craving for Magnolia Bakery’s popular banana pudding, classic icebox cake, or their rich double fudge brownie, The Magnolia Bakery Handbook shows you how to make it and bake it right.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Adult, Reference

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

Bobbie Lloyd is the CEO of Magnolia Bakery in New York.

Reviews

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Favourites:
Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream
Super-Rich Chocolate Cake
Coconut Cake with Coconut Filling and Marshmallow Meringue Icing
Lemon Cake with Lemon Meringue Buttercream + Cupcakes
Thanksgiving Cake with Caramel Sauce*
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing +Cupcakes
Banana Cupcakes
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing
Harvest Apple Cupcakes
Chocolate Chunk Caramel Sea Salt
Brown Sugar
Cracked Sugar
Linzer Bars
Lemon Bars with a Shortbread Cookie Crust
Pumpkin Pecan Bars
Double-Crust Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie with Praline Topping*
Berry-Buttermilk Crumb Muffins*
Lemon Zest Muffins
Cinnamon Sugar Muffins
Coffee Cake Pecan Muffins*
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Scone Base with variations for Blueberry Lemon, Lemon Poppy, Strawberry, Almond & Maple Pecan
Blueberry Jamboree
Peanut Butter Icebox Bars
Pumpkin Icebox Pie
Salted Caramel Banana Pudding

[S. Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t actually tried a lot of recipes yet. I’m impressed with the master scone mix and the technique is also the same one I’ve developed over the years, so it was fun to see I was on the right track. The ones I tried were delicious. It’s a totally inspiring book to have around, and the instructions and tips are thorough. Not too many intimidating ingredients for someone like me who lives in a small mid-western town, USA. Multiple pictures with each recipe. That’s one of my requirements.

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't read a cookbook in many years, I can see why, zero temptations 🙂

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipes, Tips, and a Bit of Memoir: I am smitten with this baking cookbook. LGA Terminal C, dashing to a connecting flight home, turned a corner and to my surprise a MB shop! I purchased a somewhat frozen serving (small tub) of their banana pudding, and this cookbook. The New Yorker in me (born and raised) longed for something familiar and comforting. Both the pudding and the book came through. The recipes (including THE banana pudding!) are well written, quite doable even for a beginning baker, and the photos are beautiful anticipations of what you can make for yourself. My mantra: If you can read, you can cook and bake. I plan to prepare the coconut macaroons, then the carrot, and blueberry scones this summer. Happy baking, indeed!

Update: It's mid-June and last week I prepared the Banana Pudding. Yes, it's just that good.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just wonderful. The cakes, scones, cupcakes, cookies, and other products chosen for the book are varied. The recipes themselves are all uncomplicated, easy to read, and contain good ingredients. The organization of the book is fantastic. There are sections in the back with recipes for all the frostings, decorations, and fillings. So it give the reader the creative license to mix and match anyway they see fit. Photography is also excellent.

Everything about this book makes me wish I had a Magnolia Bakery close to me. But since I don't, I may have to start baking some of these delicious looking recipes myself.

[BluMoon Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an avid baker and incredibly picky with which baking books I pick up and use over and over again. I read them front to back multiple times, judge the recipe proportions and ingredients, and look for the slightest hint of dryness or overmixed batter in a photo. And, I am happy to say, this is going to the top of my heavily relied-upon baking book stack! The recipes are not difficult in the slightest, the photography helps me understand the texture of the dessert, and it includes in the beginning and end tips, tricks, and essential base recipes. Highly recommend.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well dang. I want to make all of these recipes. Every. Single. One. *sigh*

Chapters include: cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies & bars, pies & crisps, muffins, scones, icebox desserts, puddings, buttercreams & icings, crumbs & crusts, and fillings. It’s a beautiful cookbook full of really yummy looking things.

I will be trying some of the recipes soon, so I will update the review when I finally try some.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Really Nice Book To Have!

I found this book to be delightful. The recipes were easy to comprehend and detailed. Lots of tips. Interesting anecdotes. And to top it off, pictures! Lots of pictures! And boy are they delicious looking. If they taste as good as they look one word, YUM!!!

[Vicki Gaudier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrot Cake - My 1st Time

The directions were spot on, easy to read and simple to follow when mixing the cake. I read the intro completely and offered valuable tips for beginners-home cooks like myself. The ingredients are easily found in supermarkets and resulted in a perfect for senior ladies club luncheon. Lots of accolades were received...and recipe requests. Thank you!

[Carolyn Fagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book to have on hand for all the tips and explanations that she shares in the beginning. I only made the lemon cupcakes with the buttercream meringue frosting, but that frosting is worth the whole book! Looking forward to working my way through this one.

[Judy Jablonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this as a gift for my daughter. She really likes the simplicity of the recipes and adding things into spice them up. She also was quick to pick up on the large quantity some of the recipes made and adjust for a test batch. Happy with the purchase.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photographs combined with meticulous instructions for mouth watering and beautiful baked treats. This would be a welcome addition to any kitchen - and a great gift for any baker. Many cakes, cupcakes, and cookies are featured in this beautiful book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book.

[Lisa Arrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always get cookbooks from my library first, so I can see if the recipes are ones I would use. This book is a must buy!!

[Heatherterrybell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book and pictures. Awesome recipes. Lovely cover

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So yummy looking I wanted to eat every page.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great baking book. Lots of of wonderful recipes. A book worth owning.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recipes look delicious, the photography is gorgeous and the anecdotes are great!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing recipes that are easy to follow and lots of beautiful pictures to go with each recipe. Plus great baking technique how-to’s and tips.

[Sef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well organized and recipes are easy enough even if they do require some equipment the average baker may not have.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

great recipe book. many tips for baking and simple to understand. I took some recipes and will try to replicate them. I like the simple ingredients and easy read.

[Kristen Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve made about ten recipes from this book so far, and they were all delicious!!! Highly recommend:)

[Libraryassistant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some excellent tips for baking and decorating. Made me really really hungry for a cupcake.

[Ivi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the detailed explanations but was shocked by how much sugar is being used in every recipe

[Carol Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good baking ideas

I will be trying several of these recipes for my family to sample. I love seeing all of great images of the dishes.

[Tiffiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yum!

I'm excited to try out a few recipes, but blueberry jamboree is calling my name right now! I think my coworkers will really enjoy it!

[Michelle Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

Excellent book. So many variations for different recipes. The banana pudding variations are a definite try. She has great buttercream recipes.

[Terri Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recipes. Will be trying many of them.

[Carlton Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last time I visited NY, I also visited Magnolia Bakery. The cupcakes were very delicious. So I was very excited to try some of the recipes. The cake and buttercream recipes are excellent.

[Caroline McDade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

Very nice book. Everything you need is in this book and probably some things you've forgotten! Easy to follow..lots of pictures!