Bigger Bolder Baking

May 6, 2019
Stafford, host of the YouTube baking show Bigger Bolder Baking, delivers a fun, accessible collection of more than 100 recipes in her debut cookbook. With most recipes requiring fewer than 10 ingredients and only a few simple baking tools, Stafford proves that baking can be “an everyday art” instead of “a weekend-only indulgence.” The chapters are conveniently organized by kitchen tool type, such as “Wooden Spoon & Bowl,” “Rolling Pin,” and “No Oven Needed,” so readers can choose recipes based on their comfort level. Instructions are written in a clear, straightforward manner, with accompanying tips, like how to repurpose devil’s food cupcake batter for a cake and how to caramelize crème brûlée without a kitchen torch (use the broiler). Some of the more noteworthy recipes include her popular red velvet pancakes with cream cheese frosting, baked cinnamon-sugar churros, and no-bake Oreo cheesecake. Stafford generously devotes a concluding chapter to instructing how to create DIY baking ingredients, such as self-rising flour and brown sugar. This book will be sure to build confidence in the most novice of bakers, while more experienced bakers will appreciate the solid collection of classic desserts.

August 1, 2019

When Irish-born YouTuber Stafford started her cooking show, she wished to step away from contest-driven content and focus on techniques that bakers must master to turn out delicious desserts. Her first cookbook extends that concept to prove that baking can be a fun, simple, daily activity, resulting in this accessible collection of cakes, cookies, pastries, and puddings. A section describing common ingredients illuminates the differences between various flours, leaveners, and chocolates, ensuring baking newbies will be able to execute the recipes confidently. The recipes themselves are straightforward, with notes regarding substitutions and suggestions for fine-tuning the results. The writing makes baking even complicated-looking desserts seem attainable. Recipes include baking classics (banana bread, cinnamon rolls) and Irish favorites, such as shortbread and "Irish Fairy Cakes," as well as more challenging options (profiteroles, palmiers, and jelly donuts). While a few ingredients may be difficult to source here, most are available online, can be made at home, or have an easily available substitution. VERDICT An excellent selection of unfussy desserts that serve equally well for daily treats or special occasions.--Rebecca Brody, Westfield State Univ., MA

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