Best Pastry Baking Books of 2026

Sweet Enough: A Dessert Cookbook by Alison Roman is a must-have for anyone who loves desserts but doesn't have the time or skill to pull them off. The book is filled with no-fuss recipes perfect for quick and easy baking projects that are blissfully effortless. Roman's trademark casualness shines through as she shows you how to make simple yet sublime sweets with little more than your own two hands and a few mixing bowls. The recipes are geared towards those without fancy equipment or specialty ingredients. Overall, Sweet Enough is a casual, effortless, and chic dessert cookbook that should be on every pastry lover's bookshelf.

The "Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners" is an excellent guide for those who want to start a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing taste. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the Mediterranean diet, its health benefits, and a 30-day weekly plan to follow. It also includes a shopping list for quick reference and plenty of tasty and quick recipes to prepare. This cookbook is suitable for both experts and beginners. The book is a great investment for anyone looking to improve their health and lose weight while still enjoying delicious meals.

The debut cookbook from celebrated baker and pastry "it girl" Natasha Pickowicz, More Than Cake, offers 100 fresh and uncomplicated baking recipes inspired by her Chinese and Californian heritage. With invaluable tips and techniques, Pickowicz brings a spirit of generosity and joy to her work, emphasizing the importance of pleasure and community in baking. The book includes recipes like olive oil, mascarpone, and fennel layer cake and kabocha squash galettes. More Than Cake is a philosophy to live by and a must-have for any cake baking enthusiast.

The Ninja Creami Deluxe Cookbook is an excellent guide for beginners who want to utilize their Ninja Creami device to make a variety of frozen desserts. The cookbook offers user-friendly instructions on how to use the device, along with a wide range of easy and creative recipes for sorbet, gelato, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, and more. Each recipe is accompanied by step-by-step cooking instructions, making it easy for even first-time users to create delicious frozen treats. This cookbook is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make fresh and nutritious desserts at home during the hot summer months.

Bake Me a Cat: 50 Purrfect Recipes for Edible Kitty Cakes, Cookies and More! is a must-have for cat lovers who also love baking. The book features 50 adorable cat-themed recipes for cakes, cookies, desserts, bread, and more. Kim-Joy's expertise in creating gorgeous animal-themed bakes is evident in the purrfectly charming feline characters that have a personality all of their own. The book caters to a range of skill levels, making it accessible to both beginner and advanced bakers. Overall, Bake Me a Cat is a delightful addition to any baker's cookbook collection and a great gift for cat-loving kids.

The Magnolia Bakery Handbook is a beautifully photographed book that offers nearly 150 scrumptious recipes and hundreds of tips, tools, and techniques for successful baking. Bobbie Lloyd, Magnolia Bakery’s Chief Baking Officer, shares her expertise in maintaining the company’s reputation for handmade baked goods and its authenticity throughout its growth. The book includes chapters on cakes, cupcakes, brownies and bars, pies and crisps, and much more. The Magnolia Bakery Handbook is an essential staple for home bakers who want to make classic desserts of Magnolia Bakery at home.

Mooncakes & Milk Bread is a comprehensive cookbook by Kristina Cho, featuring sweet and savory recipes inspired by Chinese bakeries. The book covers classic recipes with fresh and uncomplicated interpretations for modern bakers, including baked buns, steamed buns, Chinese breads, cookies, cakes, dumplings, breakfast dishes, and drinks. Cho also provides tips and tricks for perfecting each recipe, making this book ideal for both beginners and experienced bakers. The book has been named one of the 10 Best Cookbooks of 2021 by San Francisco Chronicle and is highly recommended for all home bakers and anyone who enjoys Chinese food.

The French Patisserie: Master Recipes and Techniques from the Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts is an ultimate reference for aspiring pastry chefs. The book covers everything from basic techniques to Michelin-level desserts, including essential doughs, fillings, and decorations. It also provides practical information in tables, diagrams, and sidebars for easy reference. The easy-to-follow recipes are graded for the level of difficulty, allowing readers to develop their skills over time. This patisserie bible is a must-have for amateur home chefs and experienced pâtissiers alike. The book is simply supreme and the best pastry book of the 21st century, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.

Savory Baking: Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Everything in Between is a must-have for any baking enthusiast, whether a beginner or an experienced baker. The book is brimming with inventive recipes and variations that allow for endless customizations. With chapters spanning all times of day and night, readers can enjoy freshly baked goods whenever the mood strikes. The inclusion of "sweet tooth breaks" throughout the book is an added bonus for those who can't resist a sweet treat. Overall, Savory Baking is a beautifully photographed guide to baking that will inspire and expand your baking repertoire, making it a unique addition to any cookbook collection.

The Lune Croissanterie in Australia has been praised as the best bakery in the world by several celebrities and news outlets. In her debut cookbook, Kate Reid shares her techniques for rolling and shaping croissants, followed by recipes for every meal of the day, including ideas for using leftovers. The book also offers suggestions on how to make a croissant a special occasion. Reid's transition from an aerodynamicist in Formula 1 to a pastry chef is an inspiring story. This pastry baking book is a must-read for anyone who loves croissants and wants to learn how to make them like a pro.