Pastry Love: A Baker's Journal of Favorite Recipes

Like the title says, it very evident that Ms. Chang loves creating and making pastries, and wants nothing more than to share that love and knowledge with her customers and readers. The background story for each recipe explains how the recipe was developed, giving full credit to the creator. This, to me, marks an individual who is not only humble, but wants to give where credit is due and bring others up along with her. She clearly knows she did not build her beloved and thriving business on her own, and her loyal team seems to have been with her for years. I’ve made about a dozen recipes thus far (Alina’s milk bread, ciabatta, chocolate chip cookie, double chocolate rye cookie, and strawberry chiffon cake to name a few) and I have yet to be disappointed. Her instructions are clear, easy to follow, and accurate. I’ve lacked in execution where more practice is needed ( in terms of presentation), but the taste is spot on. It’s made intimidating pastries seem more than approachable and do-able, and given me more confidence that if I can just get my hands on the right ingredients, I can make/bake anything. The pictures are gorgeous and the recipes are inventive, incorporating so many alternative flours, whole grains, as well as vegan and gluten free options. Since it’s been difficult to go out to bakeries during quarantine (not that there’s anything comparable to Flour Bakery where I live), it’s been so rewarding, fun, and delicious to bake from home. This book is for all levels of bakers. She provides ample instructions for the beginner to follow, but also gives easy to follow directions for more complex recipes for sophisticated pastries, making readers want to attempt them rather than shy away from. I am so impressed with how this book has inspired me to bake almost daily, making this time of isolation so much more enjoyable. You won’t regret buying this book. This is the best pastry/dessert book I’ve purchased in the last decade. You will learn so much and become super impressed with your newfound skills. Plus, if you can share any of your baked goods (provided you don’t eat it all), your friends and family will be super impressed.

This book is a great resource for any home baker. First off, the book is stunning, with lots of pictures, and gorgeous photography. It has a nice balance of simple everyday treats - like muffins and scones, to more challenging recipes - like the Sticky Bun Kouigns Amann. But Ms. Chang presents the content in such an easy to follow way, that every recipe feels within reach. Also, and one of the best things about this book, is that I really feel like I want to make every recipe. Sometimes authors try to be too creative, and mix ingredients or flavors to try to "wow" or go really way outside the box, or require hard to find ingredients. This book does have some more creative recipes, but in a way that really works - just unique enough to be interesting - like Vietnamese Espresso Profiteroles and Apple Cider Sticky Buns - but not outrageous. Again, every recipe feels within reach, especially the techniques I haven't tried before. I've made a few recipes already, including the Whole Wheat Maple Blueberry Scones - wow! These were delicious! I am so happy with this book, and I know this will be a resource I will turn to often when I'm in the mood to bake something wonderful.

I am in love with Joanne Chang's new cookbook Pastry Love. I would consider myself a pretty good home baker, but I never attempt bread because whenever I do it never comes out right. It is too wet or too sticky or when it's baked it becomes too dense...etc...etc. Well I decided to take a chance and make her Master Brioche Dough for apple sticky buns and it turned out PERFECTLY. Her recipes are easy to follow and very detailed with pictures for any complicated steps. The book is also filled with warm and personal stories of how Flour bakery came to make this particular treat. I also love that at the beginning she outlines prep, tools, defines what she means by certain terms, and adds tricks like cutting that perfect parchment circle. I have gone on to make her garlic monkey rolls, crepe cake, Japanese cotton cheesecake and many more recipes with outstanding success. If you are a home baker who wants to stretch your skills just a little bit with a talented guide that will help you step by step then this is the cookbook for you! Not to mention that every recipe has a beautiful photograph showing you what you are going for and they all taste DELICIOUS. I can not recommend this cookbook enough. Buy it - you will be glad you did and so will all your friends!

Joanne's book is absolutely beautiful and was clearly made with love. As a home baker looking to master foundational pastry techniques and then getting all sorts of creative with them, this books serves as the kind of textbook I ACTUALLY want to read (like... I literally read this as my bedtime book...) Each recipe includes a gorgeous full page photo, ingredient measurements in both grams and volume, and the instructions are very clear. The kinds of recipes are super diverse- from familiar items like breads, cakes, pies and cookies, to more challenging items like profiteroles, pavlovas, and kouigns amann. I also appreciate the inclusion of a couple dietary-accommodating recipes- considering the book is over 450 pages, I don't mind having a few recipes that I can make for my gf/vegan friends. A sweet or funny anecdote is included for each recipe in which Joanne talks about the inspiration behind a recipe or graciously credits her bakers that helped develop them. I've seen many of the treats in this book also in photos of the Flour bakeshop's display case- so I'm confident that each recipe has undergone the rigorous testing before ending up in these pages. My only pang of sadness is that unfortunately the book was delivered with a slightly torn binding. That being said, this book will be covered in sticky notes and kitchen crumbs in no time, so I'll get over it.

Inspiring recipe book.

Not worth the money . Nothing new here . Disappointed

Nothing to dislike. Recipes work. Some are more challenging than others. Read the front of the book with advice on ingredients, equipment and hints first of all and go for it.My daughter made more of the recipes than me. Some are vegan and/or gluten free. All of Joanne Changs recipe books are great. The bakeries are worth visiting too.

This is easy the best baking book I own, and I’m a compulsive cookbook collector. Highly, highly recommended. Thank you, Joanne!