Better Homes And Gardens Special Interest Publications Roasted

Open Preview

See a Problem?

We'd love your help. Let us know what's wrong with this preview of Better Homes and Gardens Baking by Better Homes and Gardens.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

Be the first to ask a question about Better Homes and Gardens Baking

Community Reviews

· 82 ratings · 26 reviews

Start your review of Better Homes and Gardens Baking: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Like a Pro

My mother was not a cookbook collector, recipe horder, coupon clipper, or gourmet cook when I grew up. She had two cookbooks, one being the old fashioned Better Homes and Gardens. Every year at Christmas time she would spend hours creating the same recipes to hand out to everyone on Christmas plates – Banana Bread (she makes the best ever, a secret is self-rise flour instead of all purpose for hers), chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, mint brownies, coconut balls, date balls, and snowballs (w My mother was not a cookbook collector, recipe horder, coupon clipper, or gourmet cook when I grew up. She had two cookbooks, one being the old fashioned Better Homes and Gardens. Every year at Christmas time she would spend hours creating the same recipes to hand out to everyone on Christmas plates – Banana Bread (she makes the best ever, a secret is self-rise flour instead of all purpose for hers), chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, mint brownies, coconut balls, date balls, and snowballs (which I found out since are also known as Russian tea cakes.) Almost all of her recipes came from better Homes and Gardens.

No matter how simple it seems, or how complex, it's almost always delicious. I was absolutely delighted to have this one to read – dedicated to baking from the best? Yes, please. Their traditional kitchen and timeless techniques are covered in detail within these pages. They go through everything in their basics, each page a large picture with writing over it, many times with additional pictures. Everything from lining pans with different items to all the types of sugars, chocolates, and extra ingredients. They even show four pictures and instructions each on every way of mixing and blending baking ingredients.

Thinking the instructions weren't fancy enough, even the recipe pages are decorated with background photos and art. It's awesome, really. I wonder how their chocolate chip cookie recipe measures up to my beloved tollhouse cookie recipe? I'm especially curious to try the Soft Maple Sugar cookies! I'm so picky on sugar cookies already but these look delicious. Maple icing too? Yum!

I love their chapter on decorated cakes, especially the make-it-mine mini birthday cake ideas and cheeseburger ice cream cake. I have made a Big Mac cake before but never with ice cream. The burger part turns out to be the chocolate ice cream and the fries are part of the food. How great does this look?? Their cakes are all easy to do without having to purchase special molds, which is a nice change for some fancy, creative cakes such as the lollipop one.

It's normal – and I expected – for them to have chapters on stuff like cakes, cookies, pies and tarts, but I didn't expect an entire chapter on Cheesecakes, one of the more difficult items to make. Excellent. Good grief, cheesecake is rich enough, I think the Chocolate Peanut Butter cheesecake should almost be illegal! They had my favorite, and I kept searching for it, a Pumpkin Cheesecake. But theirs is with Sugar Pepitas, and I really have no idea what that is. It looks like something you make (they give you a recipe for it), but I think I'd rather have it without.

My favorite section ended up being "Coffee Shop." Not because I want to make these for coffee, but because I have an obsession with baby desserts and having them with tea and for tea parties. I've found some of the most delicious recipes in the world doing that, trust me. The ones they have here are pretty good too and in the same vein, although I suppose they use the title coffee shop since that's the more popular drink.

Did all my mom's recipes from the book make the cut and carry through? Sadly, no. For the size of the book they of course can't fit all the recipes in there that were in the original. Plus, there are more than triple the pictures and detailed instructions in this edition. I did spot her banana bread, using all purpose of course as before, but they've now added the twist of cinnamon. I missed the sight of her other Christmas classics, but at least I have her recipes handed down for those.

Overall a great recipe/dessert book from a cookbook publisher I trust. Since it's baking, they of course don't have it filled with the newer, modern low fat editions. They do make a note at the beginning on ways you can cut down on fat in any recipe you create at home, which is to me more useful than just providing it in the recipes themselves. This leaves the option for the creator.

The most intriguing, unusual recipe I found that looks delicious, a bit difficult, and to wow people: Opera cake.

...more

Aug 23, 2013 ♥ Unaeve ♥ rated it it was amazing

I am very satisfied with the recepies,they are very informative,good explained and the pictures are gorgeus.
I did a few of them together with my 10 year old daughter and we had great fan choosing the recepie and later eating our cookies ;)

I have been looking for a book like this for a long time - something that gives all the basics, techniques, tips as well as traditional favorite recipes (and a few surprise ones) in one volume.

Not all of us grew up with a stay at home mother who passed down all her knowledge. As such, it's been frustrating trying to learn to cook/bake with little or no foundation knowledge. There is so much more to a recipe than just following directions - and this book lays it all out in an easy-to-read format. It's one of the best resources for everything baking - blessedly simple recipes, tips, how to fix problem baked goods, techniques, and best of all, images for nearly every recipe or technique covered.

I especially like that it is so easy to read that it is perfect for my 10 year old and I to do together. No weird exotic ingredients, 30+ steps, 100 ingredient recipes. Just your standard recipes (good old chocolate chip cookies), more modern recipes (snickerdoodles), and some fun original ones (peach pie lollipops!!).

Although I received this as an ARC from the publisher, I will be buying two copies as soon as it is released - one for me and one for my sister's family.

Highest recommendation for those who want easy to use recipes of traditional favorites that kids and husbands love.

...more

Sep 06, 2013 Diane rated it it was amazing

Better Homes and Gardens Baking:
More Than 350 Recipes Plus Tips and Techniques
Better Homes and Gardens

WOW, I loved this book, even though, we shouldn't be eating all of this delicious stuff. This book has "everything" you need to know to whip up some delicious and lovely treats.

The chapters are divided up as follows: techniques; cookoes; bars and brownies; cakes and cupcakes; cheesecakes; down home desserts; artisan breads; quick breads; morning favorites; coffee shop items; holiday baking and

Better Homes and Gardens Baking:
More Than 350 Recipes Plus Tips and Techniques
Better Homes and Gardens

WOW, I loved this book, even though, we shouldn't be eating all of this delicious stuff. This book has "everything" you need to know to whip up some delicious and lovely treats.

What I loved was that the instructions for each recipe are easy to understand, are presented beautifully (great photos) and like other BH&G Cookbooks, it's easy to be a success in the kitchen.

A few of the recipes I jotted down at first glace were: a classic carrot cake recipe, Bourbon chocolate Tipsy Cake, Island Bananas Foster and a white chocolate and almond pound cake. That is just the beginning though, there are so many other recipes that are worth trying.

LOVED IT!

...more

Aug 15, 2013 Tera rated it it was amazing

Awesome book that includes from bread to brownies. May become my favourite baking cook book. Included tips and beginning basics for new bakers or great for those who don't bake often. Wide, nice selection of a variety of baking goods. It'll come out just in time for the holidays.

ARC from Netgalley

...more

Jun 02, 2014 Kerry rated it really liked it

Okay, I must absolutely posses this book! I love to bake and I want to try everything in this book! I could only give it 4 stars because I haven't had a chance to try and make anything so I don't know what will happen when I actually attempt to follow the instructions. Time will tell because believe you me -- I WILL be trying these goodies! Okay, I must absolutely posses this book! I love to bake and I want to try everything in this book! I could only give it 4 stars because I haven't had a chance to try and make anything so I don't know what will happen when I actually attempt to follow the instructions. Time will tell because believe you me -- I WILL be trying these goodies! ...more

Jan 22, 2019 KC rated it it was amazing

Fantastic cookbook, devoted to baking. The book includes well-written and illustrated recipes that range from easy to advanced. I especially liked that the writers included recipes with options (flavorings, shortenings, flours, etc.) so that you can adapt the baked item to your own taste. Finally, many recipes include instructions for doing "mini" versions of the recipe, ideal for one or two people. (Why don't more cookbooks do this?) Fantastic cookbook, devoted to baking. The book includes well-written and illustrated recipes that range from easy to advanced. I especially liked that the writers included recipes with options (flavorings, shortenings, flours, etc.) so that you can adapt the baked item to your own taste. Finally, many recipes include instructions for doing "mini" versions of the recipe, ideal for one or two people. (Why don't more cookbooks do this?) ...more

This is a great book on baking that Allyssa gave me for my birthday one year. I really appreciated this gift that she gave early in our relationship. Cookbooks, drink books, and baking books are great because you can always find something in one of them. You don't need to read them cover to cover, and you don't have to bake everything in them. If you make something from a book like this once it has your money's worth. Even if you just use it for reference to another recipe its worth it too! This is a great book on baking that Allyssa gave me for my birthday one year. I really appreciated this gift that she gave early in our relationship. Cookbooks, drink books, and baking books are great because you can always find something in one of them. You don't need to read them cover to cover, and you don't have to bake everything in them. If you make something from a book like this once it has your money's worth. Even if you just use it for reference to another recipe its worth it too! ...more

Nov 19, 2019 Christine D rated it really liked it

This contains basic and advanced recipes and everything in between.
I also appreciated the technique tips along the way.
I definitely will not make a lot of these but I will definitely try some of these.

Jun 18, 2021 Susan rated it it was amazing

My go to for baking! Great recipes with great presentation photos. I love how some of the recipes have build your own recipe with suggested options.

Mar 16, 2017 BRNTerri rated it it was amazing

Most things I made out of here turned out good. There are still a handful of recipes I'd like to try at some point in the future like sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, brownies, popovers, and so on. My favorites that I baked from here are the chocolate muffins and sandwich cookies.

The book itself is a heavy hardcover with lots of color photos that take up a whole page.

I purchased this book myself.

See my baking images here.

The book itself is a heavy hardcover with lots of color photos that take up a whole page.

I purchased this book myself.

See my baking images here.

...more

Sep 12, 2013 Darren rated it it was amazing

Do you like any of the following: cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, breads…? If so this is a book that you might lust over and be rather hungry as you browse through the mass of pages in this extremely thick book.

It might be easier to try and work out what this book does not deliver. It starts with a great, informative section about the baking basics, explaining how all of the ingredients can work together and how you can maximise the impact of a recipe as well as teaching you many hints, tips and short-cuts of how to become a baking pro. Great photography, clearly written text and a sheer mass of information draws you in, possibly overloading your senses in the process, whilst you are browsing through this book. Even if you think you know the basics, perhaps you should take the time to read it anyway as it might teach you a new wrinkle or possibly correct a bad practice..

The attention to detail within the recipes is impressive. Nearly everything you could want is included here: a clear estimated preparation and cooking time, nutritional information, simple, jargon-free text and a feeling that you can achieve everything if you just try. About the only oddity is the lack of dual U.S. imperial and metric measures - using a conversion table is no solution. You cannot fail to make a very long "shortlist" of things to try and this book could easily become a firm, eventually dog-eared and food-splattered companion in your kitchen.

The range of recipes is very impressive too. Of course, when you become hooked to this baking lark you will want even more books as it is a disease, yet if you set out to just bake everything from this book you will be busy for a very, very long time. Best not to think about the waistline though.

One hopes that the index at the end of the book is similarly as comprehensive and overwhelming as everything else has been but this pre-release review copy did not feature the promised index so no opinion can be given over this rather critical thing. With this book's size and sheer wealth of recipes and information, a good index is an essential thing to have!

A book like this does manage to show you, without being patronising, that you can and will manage to make things that would not look out of place in a high-end bake shop. Maybe the bigger risk is that your family and friends won't believe that you did make what you serve up in front of them ?

Better Homes and Gardens Baking, written by Better Homes and Gardens and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9781118453261, 528 pages. Typical price: USD29.99. YYYYY.

...more

Title: Better Homes And Gardens Baking
Editor: Jessica Saari Christensen
Photographers: Blaine Moats, Jason Donnelly, Kritsada
Publisher: Houghton Miffin Harcourt
Published: 10-8-2013
ISBN: 13-978-1-118-45326-1
Pages: 528
Genre: Food & Wine
Tags: Cooking, Family,
Overall Rating: Great
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Reviewer: DelAnne

You hear Better Homes And Gardens and know is going to be done well. Why would a Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook be any different. Better Homes and Gardens Baking: Everythi

You hear Better Homes And Gardens and know is going to be done well. Why would a Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook be any different. Better Homes and Gardens Baking: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Like a Pro is just that. Besides the over four hundred recipes and beautiful photographs that have you drooling in anticipation, there are numerous techniques discussed and shown to give an amateur the ability to produce a product that can rival a professional's.

Now to discuss those over 400 recipes... Just from a picture I was drawn to make Sticky Pecan Upside-Down Baby Cakes. Let me tell you that these little cakes will be perfect for making uniform serving sizes, that is if you can manage to stop at just one. If that doesn't do it for you try the Make It Your Own Oatmeal Cookies. With a wide variety of optional ingredients you will soon have a new favorite. Discussions on mixing methods, utensils and pan forms, not to mention the results of using the different fat, sweeteners or dairy sources for the different needs of the varied recipes.

Better Homes and Gardens Baking: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Like a Pro is so much more than just a cookbook. Buy yourself a copy to keep hand when you want to bake and have everyone ask where on earth you purchased that pie, cake or tart. When they find out you made it yourself they will be asking you for your recipe. What you tell them is up to you.

...more

Nov 30, 2013 Alex McGilvery rated it really liked it

Don't read this cookbook when you're hungry. It will result in raiding your baking cupboard in the desperate attempt to recreate one of these luscious recipes. The book is divided into chapters which start with the basics like cookie and brownies and move on to the very complex offerings that you might find in a coffee shop. The book is really an intense (and delicious) course in how to bake.

There are hints throughout the book that apply to more than one recipe and fantastic illustrations and pi

There are hints throughout the book that apply to more than one recipe and fantastic illustrations and pictures. The directions don't stop at how to bake, but carry right through to how to put the finishing touches on that make your baking stand out. I baked two brownie recipes. The Chocolate Pecan Caramel Fudge Brownies and the Raspberry and White Chocolate Brownies. I brought these to a function and was sadly disappointed that I didn't get one single leftover.

The directions are clear and simple to follow. I didn't find as I do with some recipes that I'd somehow jumped a step and had to place fast and loose to get back on track. As always baking times are dependent on the actual heat of your oven and the actual volume of your baking dish, but I had no problems recognizing when the brownies were done. I would dearly love to have time to try out more recipes, but with a diabetic in the family baking and sweets are at a minimum. It would have been a great nod to modern reality to have a few diabetic friendly recipes or at least a section on how to convert to alternative sweeteners without sacrificing flavour.

Great cookbook and very interesting in that it takes the cook through all the steps to becoming an accomplished baker, exactly as the subtitle suggests.

...more

Sep 29, 2013 Clary rated it it was amazing

"Better Homes and Gardens Baking" is a great accessory to every kitchen. Equippd with detailed photographies of both the baked goods and the needed kitchen tools, it is a real beauty in every household. In the first chapters you can find a lot of tipps on the right ingredients, the right tools and the right baking techniques. Some tipps are very basic, trying to help even the most inexperienced cook, but some are also interesting to more experienced ones. I especially appreciated the "trouble sh "Better Homes and Gardens Baking" is a great accessory to every kitchen. Equippd with detailed photographies of both the baked goods and the needed kitchen tools, it is a real beauty in every household. In the first chapters you can find a lot of tipps on the right ingredients, the right tools and the right baking techniques. Some tipps are very basic, trying to help even the most inexperienced cook, but some are also interesting to more experienced ones. I especially appreciated the "trouble shooting" section which deals with recipes gone wrong and how to prevent these kind of kitchen accidents in the future. Very helpfull indeed!
The other chapters resolve mostly around different kinds of cakes, cookies and other baking products. The book usually entails traditional recipes, but also gives you ideas and alternatives to spice things up a bit - re-inventing traditional recipes, so to speak.
The measurements and ingredients are written neatly next to every recipe - as it should be to immediately start baking.
All in all an amazing cook book that should have a permanent place in every kitchen! ...more

Dec 27, 2015 Denise rated it it was ok

Beautiful photographs in this baking book. Great descriptions of how to perform different techniques and what they do for your baked goods. Practical recipes as well as ways to make old favorites new by making them your own with different flours or ingredients. Plenty of pies, cookies, cakes, breads and bars as well as fancy recipes such as tarts, souffle, scones, creme brulee and croquembouche. Easy to follow recipes with photos and sometimes step-by-step photos or suggestions. Recipes mostly o Beautiful photographs in this baking book. Great descriptions of how to perform different techniques and what they do for your baked goods. Practical recipes as well as ways to make old favorites new by making them your own with different flours or ingredients. Plenty of pies, cookies, cakes, breads and bars as well as fancy recipes such as tarts, souffle, scones, creme brulee and croquembouche. Easy to follow recipes with photos and sometimes step-by-step photos or suggestions. Recipes mostly on one page with suggestions for making mini versions. So far I've made the lemon cheesecake, the knot rolls and the key lime tart. All tasted good, but weren't great. Other recipes are better. I still like the BHG checkered cookbook best. ...more

Jan 08, 2014 Michelle rated it really liked it

A pretty book, lots of recipes, nice photos. The recipes looked pretty good, some were quite interesting, but they were definitely not with health in mind. I know the book didn't INTEND that, but I'm left a little uneasy at the sheer amount of shortening, sugar and white flour. An apple dumpling with 910 calories???? Whew. But as I said, that wasn't its intention. I AM glad they put in the nutrition info. A pretty book, lots of recipes, nice photos. The recipes looked pretty good, some were quite interesting, but they were definitely not with health in mind. I know the book didn't INTEND that, but I'm left a little uneasy at the sheer amount of shortening, sugar and white flour. An apple dumpling with 910 calories???? Whew. But as I said, that wasn't its intention. I AM glad they put in the nutrition info. ...more

Mouth watering goodness! Absolutely a must need for all bakers!

They teach you how to do the basic techniques, then set you free to make your own decisions, and then give you some amazing recipes to follow- how can you go wrong? I wrote out all of the recipes I wanted to try thinking there would be 1-2 from each section... WRONG! I pretty much wrote out the entire book! The two recipes I tried were very good! Definitely recommend this book!

Mar 18, 2014 Shamekia rated it really liked it

I never buy books. I'm going to have to buy this book. I made the 'Perfect Peach Crumble' twice and it was so tasty and easy. It's got great color photos, and it tells you how to 'make it mini'- a miniature version of the recipe just in case all you want is a small bite of something sweet without forcing family and coworkers to help you consume those calories. I never buy books. I'm going to have to buy this book. I made the 'Perfect Peach Crumble' twice and it was so tasty and easy. It's got great color photos, and it tells you how to 'make it mini'- a miniature version of the recipe just in case all you want is a small bite of something sweet without forcing family and coworkers to help you consume those calories. ...more

I love this book! The recipes are easy to follow, and I like the alternative mix ins. This will be my go to cookbook for baking. The pictures are wonderful, and I have many pages flagged for recipes I want to try next.

Dec 28, 2014 Sarah rated it liked it

I made an applesauce bread out of this. It was ok, but I do like the cookbook in general, and hope to make more from it. I love cookbooks with nutrition information in them, and cookbooks with options for variations from the standard recipe.

Oct 30, 2013 Rena rated it it was amazing

I really want this book to own! Someone buy it for me!

Jan 11, 2014 Cassie rated it it was amazing

Love the pictures. Love the recipes. Love BHG.

Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per year by the Meredith Corporation. It was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith, who had previously been the United States Secretary of Agricultur Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per year by the Meredith Corporation. It was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith, who had previously been the United States Secretary of Agriculture under Woodrow Wilson.

Better Homes and Gardens is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.

...more