The Wooden Spoon Bread Book: The Secrets of Successful Baking

Rating:
Summary: Great for beginning bakers!
Review: After several attempts at breadmaking with unpredictable results, I wanted to know the "why's" and "how's" of consistently successful breadmaking. I found this book in the library. After reading the first two chapters and using a couple of the "ah, that makes sense!" recipes, I rushed online to order my own copy. The thought of giving up this helpful book was just too much to bear. Mrs. Moore, my entire family thanks you!

Rating:
Summary: The Wooden Spoon Stands for Magic in Your Bread!
Review: I bought this book several years ago when it was first published. I have worn out the original and have purchased another copy. Bread has been a hobby of mine for about twenty years, yet I learned new techniques from this book. My favorite recipes in here are the Irish quick bread (great for making and taking to work) and the Granny Smith Apple Bread (great, period).

While the Clayton bread books are more comprehensive, I find that this reference is both more reable and easier to understand.

Whether you are new to bread or an old hand at it, this book will have something to offer you!

Rating:
Summary: The Wooden Spoon Stands for Magic in Your Bread!
Review: I bought this book several years ago when it was first published. I have worn out the original and have purchased another copy. Bread has been a hobby of mine for about twenty years, yet I learned new techniques from this book. My favorite recipes in here are the Irish quick bread (great for making and taking to work) and the Granny Smith Apple Bread (great, period).

While the Clayton bread books are more comprehensive, I find that this reference is both more reable and easier to understand.

Whether you are new to bread or an old hand at it, this book will have something to offer you!

Rating:
Summary: For every level of baker...
Review: I highly recommend this book for every level of 'baking skill' - as an experienced baker, I continue to enjoy the recipies in the book. My husband requests "anything from the bread book!"

The book is an excellent book for novice and experienced bakers. There is an excellent introduction and 'lesson' for those who want to learn - as well as those who jst want to understand how to bake better bread.

An excellent addition to any collection.

Rating:
Summary: For every level of baker...
Review: I highly recommend this book for every level of 'baking skill' - as an experienced baker, I continue to enjoy the recipies in the book. My husband requests "anything from the bread book!"

The book is an excellent book for novice and experienced bakers. There is an excellent introduction and 'lesson' for those who want to learn - as well as those who jst want to understand how to bake better bread.

An excellent addition to any collection.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have!
Review: I received this book as a gift over a year ago (Dec 98), and have used it dozens of times. Every time I pick it up, I find a new recipe that I want to try. This book not only gives you fool-proof, delicious recipes that make you look like a pro, but also provides you with the information necessary to be successful when you feel experienced enough to try adapting and "improving" recipes. My mother (an experienced bread-baker who rarely uses a recipe) was over today and commented on how wonderful the cinnamon bread was that I had made using a recipe adapted from one in this book. She glanced through the book, and decided she needed to buy one of her own.

For the beginner, this book offers easy-to-follow recipes for basic yeast breads, rolls, and quick breads. Even if you are brand-new to making bread, this book is for you -- as you gain experience, you can easily locate a new recipe to challenge your skills -- I haven't "failed" with any of these recipes!

For the more adventuresome and/or experienced, there are recipes for criossants, breakfast breads, crackers, several varieties of and methods for making sourdoughs, heritage breads (like challah, vortlimpor, stollen, and zwiebach)... the list is endless. What a wonderful resource, too! From making syrups, flavored butters, and jams and jellies, to where to locate the best in bread-making supplies -- it's in there!

Rating:
Summary: This one gets it right!
Review: Several years ago I began baking bread as a hobby, and this hobby has now fed my family on a fairly regular basis. In an effort to expand my horizons and add good recipes to the collection I already had, I chose this book after perusing it on a store shelf. After looking at book after book after book, I found that this one was better than most.

Many books on bread rely on pictures and diagrams to sell themselves. This one is not so -- you will not find pictures in this book accompanying the recipes. What you will find, though, is a series of well thought-out and tested recipes that are clear, concise, and easy to follow. The author has done a fine job of keeping things simple, even on the most complex recipes.

I have not made all the recipes in this book; to do so would take more time than I have in the evenings. However, I have made many of them and all of the ones I have tried have been successful. One of the best recipes in the whole book is "Cut Vienna Loaf" -- if you try no others, I encourage you to try this one.

This book has an interesting organizational layout. It begins with a section detailing basic bread making, including a couple of recipes, some terminology, and a very short primer on how to create your own recipes by modifying other recipes that you already have. It then plunges into a section called "One Baker's Dozen" which is a collection of very good recipes that the author has chosen as her favorite. Sections following that one include white breads, quick breads, and even snack breads and crackers.

Many authors of bread cookbooks like to add their commentary on their personal experiences with the sections or even the recipes in their books; this one is no exception. Where this book differs is that the commentary is not fluffy, look-at-all-the-cool-things-I-have-done type of drivel that can be found in many other books. It fits with the sections and the recipes and adds a nice dimension to it. While certainly not necessary, it's not out of place here, either.

This book is well-suited for the beginner and the expert alike. Anyone who is interested in making good homemade breads will benefit greatly by having this book in the ready. It is clear and easy to follow, and the results are superb.