The Secrets of Baking by Sherry Yard

One of my habits is to carry a book around the house with me, tucked into a pocket if it’s small enough. It can be anything from a favorite Agatha Christie to a volume of poetry- I like having something at hand to read all the time.

And lately it’s been this book. I know, a cookbook? A heavy, hardbound cookbook?

The very first recipe I made from this book was a Master Genoise. It was my very first Genoise, which is far from a simple cake to make, and it turned out perfectly. Next, I made Ms. Yard’s Carrot Cake (based on her Master Financier)- and it was astoundingly good. The best carrot cake I’d ever had, and I’ve been making them for over 20 years.

It’s not often I can turn to the same book for both basic and fancy recipes, but that’s the case here. A “master recipe” for each chapter, and endless variations. I also adore Ms. Yard’s “My Bakeshop Rules” section, which includes tips on organizing your work area, selecting the best ingredients, and proper oven placement for various baked goods. Also fun are the little gems of wisdom on each of this section’s pages, such as:

Remember, you control your area; your area should not control you.

and

Make yourself aerodynamic.

Highly, highly recommended for anyone with even the remotest interest in baking.

The Secrets of Baking: Simple Techniques for Sophisticated Desserts by Sherry Yard