My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love bread. Just about any kind of bread you can come up with, I love to eat it and to make it. I’ve baked bread from many different cookbooks, and I was so excited to get this cookbook. Unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations.

I’m not sure what happened with the recipes in this book, but there are many issues. Proof times on some of the recipes are a joke. In the time it tells you the dough should have doubled, it is barely starting to rise. Instructions are seriously lacking in places. For instance, Crazy and Festive Challah has photos of multiple fancy braids/shapes, but there is only clear directions for a basic three strand braid, and some vague description of other ways to do it.

Focaccia is usually an easy and at least somewhat quick bread. The No-Knead Focaccia recipe is three pages long!! The number of steps is ridiculous for a focaccia that is not better than any other I’ve made from much shorter, easier recipes.

Last, but not least, there are really no instructions given to hand knead any of these. The directions call for a stand mixer and if, like me, you don’t own one, you’re on your own.

This is a gorgeous book. I feel like I put on five pounds just enjoying the photos. Unfortunately, when it comes to the actual recipes, it really falls short.

I received a copy of this book from Artisan books for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.