Bake!: Essential Techniques for Perfect Baking

by Nick Malgieri

After 30 years of teaching and 8 cookbooks, Nick Malgieri is finally writing the book he's meant to―a collection of 20 essential techniques, with 3 to 5 variations thereof-outlining the easiest way to learn the essentials of baking. The 20 chapters cover all the main techniques of fine baking, starting with simple pastry dough and moving through puff pastry and Danish pastry, all sorts of breads, quick breads, cakes, and cookies.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2010

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would write a five-star review of a cookbook. So far, this book has been a great push for me to advance my baking repertoire. Found a recipe for the most amazing buttercream frosting without any grit at all! Love the explanations of cooking techniques and plan to find more books by this author. It is a great reference for beginners and more advanced bakers alike. A huge thanks to my in-laws for purchasing this off my Amazon Wish list for my birthday this year.

[Asma · Rating 3 out of 5]

overall it is good book for basic baking techniques. i loved the pictures they look delicious. i also liked how you can play with the recipe. the only thing i felt that this book does not have enough recipes i mean in the bread section there are just very few excamples of recipes and in the cookies too.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the second book by Nick I have read. He is a very good baker and a very good instructor which combine into very good baking books. Much worth reading.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting one to read. I like the way is written. Defo will use some of the recipes. I'm very curious how them bakes turns out :)

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Malgieri's simple two word statement "bake something" helps me to do just that! He uses these two words in both of the books of his I have. This one was a bit overwhelming when I look at the table of contents and see 20 chapters. I am intimidated. After reading his short intro, I begin to calm down. The picture on the opposite page from the table of contents, a picture of Mr. Malgieri and a few of his students, all smiling while Mr.Malgieri is scooping a white mixturing out of a mixing bowl and placing it in a measuring device - on the table are 4 layers of yellow cake - frosting a cake and if it is to be 2 cakes, placing the white filling in between 2 layers. Got it and they are enjoying themselves . Now I am completely relaxed and thinking,"I have done this tons of times. No reason to get nuts about this." In the intro, he mentions that he has video tutorials on his website and with the narrative written in a very understandable style along with the many fantastic photographs, this book is a winner. I will be learning and applying new techniques. I can do this. Now I am smiling also. A great new cookbook (for me) on making and baking something!! I read & reread this lovely book!

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

His perfect white pan bread is divine. I have also tried the perfect merinque buttercream which is the same recipe as usual but his directions should make it seem easy even for the novice baker. Also made the rye bread and fococcia. His is superb as usual

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures beautiful book!

[Erin Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

made gingerbread the other day - delicious - and today may do the muffin recipe!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rye bread recipe is a keeper in our house!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The recipes look good, but I hesitate to try any without knowing how they will turn out at a high altitude.

[Dineen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overall above-average baking book with recipes that work, and step-by-step techniques.

[Cecily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be more about techniques and the 'hows' and 'whys' of baking. There are some recipes that I'm actually excited to try, however, such as puff pastry and homemade danishes.