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You’ll often find me reminiscing about my childhood years (nostalgia anyone?!). This is largely due to growing up in a home where baking was as common an occurrence as any other kind of cooking. My mom kept (and still keeps) a wooden box on her counter of recipes passed down from one generation to the next – my great grandmother’s venison stew, cinnamon coffee cake (a staple in Wisconsin) and pumpkin cookies – along with several she’s tried which were found worthy to reside in the box.

As I started baking solo at the age of 9 or 10, I too began adding to the recipe box. I quickly learned the parameters for a worthy recipe. My dad (a 4th generation descendant of German immigrants in the 1850s and son of an avid baker) would not leave anything on his plate and proclaim in a deep, satisfied voice “that was really good”. Secondly, the leftovers of whatever was baked would be devoured to completion no later than the second day.

When not baking out of the recipe box, I scoured the many Taste of Home magazines my mom received from her monthly subscription. I’d then move on to countless local church cookbooks neatly stacked in the cupboard by the oven. Wherever I happened to find baking inspiration in those juvenile years, it’s translated into an adult baker who still loves cookbooks to this day.

Knowing that many cookbook authors wrote their books with sweet memories influencing them makes them all the more special. This baking cookbook gift guide includes several cookbooks I own and love as well as others I’d dearly love to add to my ever growing collection.

Most were written by bloggers, food photographers and bakery owners who simply had a passion for baking. They were able to turn that passion into a profitable business and share their baking love in the books below. Whatever you love to bake, there’s a bounty of knowledge and love in this gift guide.

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2019 Baking Cookbook Gift Guide

1. Sister Pie – I was gifted this cookbook and love the candid warmth of the author’s writing style. Plus, the pie crusts recipes are just perfection.
2. Midwest Made – Big, Bold Baking From the Heartland
3. The Fearless Baker: Simple Secrets for Baking Like a Pro – I’ve been a long time fan of Erin McDowell. She’s known as the Queen of Pie for good reason. I used her perfect pie crust recipe and technique for all my pies this past Thanksgiving, and they turned out so flaky and delicious. She’s set to release another cookbook all about pie next year!
4. Simple Cake: All You Need to Keep Your Friends and Family in Cake – I own this darling book. Simple recipes and beautifully minimal photography for delicious cakes.
5. Weeknight Baking: Recipes to Fit Your Schedule – I just recently discovered Michelle Lopez over on Instagram and through her ever popular blog Hummingbird High. I adore the premise of her cookbook and can’t wait to add this one to my collection.
6. Vintage Cakes:Timeless Recipes for Cupcakes, Flips, Rolls, Layer, Angel, Bundt, Chiffon, and Icebox Cakes for Today’s Sweet Tooth
7. Lomelino’s Cakes: 27 Pretty Cakes to Make Any Day Special – Linda Lomelino was one of the first food bloggers and photographers I started following that made me envious to start taking photos just like hers. Her moody, emotive photography style is just as beautiful as the many delicious recipes she’s packed into her cake and pie cookbooks. Her banana bread recipe is now my go-to!
8. Lomelino’s Pies: A Sweet Celebration of Pies, Galettes, and Tarts
9. The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book: Uncommon Recipes from the Celebrated Brooklyn Pie Shop
10. Classic German Baking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites, from Pfeffernüsse to Streuselkuchen
11. The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Pastry Arts – I’ve had this cookbook for a while now, and it’s a staple book I turn to time and time again for the basics of pastry. It’s taught me how to make croissants and crème pâtissière and is loaded with helpful tips and detailed instructions for tackling all kinds of pastry scrumptiousness!