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2024 Holiday Gift Guide | Cookbooks

The season has arrived! It's time to begin ticking off items from your holiday shopping list. Below, you'll find my top suggestions for baking and cooking cookbooks, along with advice on finalizing your gift. Wishing you a joyous holiday season!


Baking

Here are my recommendations for those who love baking, or are aspiring to be a baker...



Who wouldn't enjoy learning the stories and history behind some of our beloved southern baking delights while discovering how to bake with love? This cookbook offers just that.


This book is considered one of the most comprehensive bread guides to be released in the past ten years, making it an excellent choice for individuals interested in beginning their bread-making journey or seeking fresh bread ideas.


If you haven't seen Zoë François's show on the Magnolia Network yet, I highly recommend adding it to your watchlist. Her latest cookbook is dedicated to all things cookies, and as a big fan of hers, I'm excited to dive in!


Claire Saffitz is regarded as a baking icon for the modern era. Recipient of the IACP AWARD • Recognized as one of the top cookbooks of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Bon Appétit, NPR, Epicurious. Known for her distinctive warmth and exceptional talent in clarifying all things baking, Claire is poised to convert everyone into dessert enthusiasts.


Anticipated from the woman hailed as "the most meticulous cook who ever lived," every delightful recipe in this book is genuinely foolproof. It features meticulous instructions that remove any uncertainty, advance planning suggestions, clever tips, and success pointers.


Presenting a distinctive approach to self-care, this cookbook showcases 75 recipes created by licensed psychotherapist and expert baker Jack Hazan. The recipes are simple to execute and intertwine baking techniques with evidence-based therapy methods that Jack Hazan incorporates into his daily practice.


I use this cookbook regularly all year round. My six-year-old enjoys browsing recipes and assisting me in baking cakes and breads. Our favorites are the banana bread and Victorian sponge recipes!


I first discovered Food52 through my boss in Napa, and I've been hooked ever since. Food52 presents the most popular and widely discussed desserts of today, along with hidden treasures that are set to become favorites. This curated selection will not only elevate your reputation as a baker but also enhance your skills in the kitchen.


Everyone appreciates a delicious French dessert. Whether you're aiming to master traditional treats like brioche, éclairs, and macarons or create a galette or clafoutis for a casual dinner, there's a choice for every baker and taste. French baking can be elegant and uncomplicated, and regardless of your baking expertise, Manon will guide you through the process.





Cooking


Cookbooks serve not only as a guide for meal ideas, but have also become stunning works of art. These are ideal for cooking enthusiasts seeking inspiration to dive into the culinary world.




Raise your hand if you have experienced this scenario firsthand or if you know someone who has: arriving home exhausted and not feeling like cooking, yet understanding the importance of preparing a meal. This cookbook is designed for you, packed with easy recipes that simplify dinner preparation - each recipe is a full meal comprising protein, vegetables, and starch, making meal planning effortless!


The latest cookbook from Tieghan Gerard, the mega-bestselling author, showcases over 120 recipes that capture her current cooking style: using simple ingredients, quick to prepare, and bursting with flavor. Tieghan Gerard is constantly busy creating recipes, capturing photographs, and working with friends. Her previous cookbooks, "Every Day" and "Super Simple," are also highly recommended.


Regardless of your opinions on celebrity chefs, Bobby Flay has consistently delivered for me. I have found all of his recipes to be excellent and simple to make. This impressive cookbook compiles 100 of the most enduring and influential recipes from the initial phase of Bobby Flay's remarkable career, all in one location for the very first time.

These recipes include quick weeknight meals as well as long-cooked Sunday sauces, reflecting the dishes we prepare for special occasions, comforting moments, and everyday enjoyment. They embody a blend of Italian and American influences that resonate with a wide audience, regardless of their cultural background.


If you haven't tried cooking a dish from one of Alex Snodgrass's recipes, you're really missing out. I'm a huge fan! Her recipes are amazing, and you can easily adapt them to fit your dietary needs. Alex Snodgrass is renowned for her "cleaned up" weeknight comfort food, understanding the importance of making healthy food both flavorful and easy to prepare. After a long day or week, all you want is to quickly prepare a tasty meal that helps you unwind from the day's stresses.


Whether you are preparing meals outdoors or indoors, by the campfire or on the grill, The MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook is an essential resource for both beginners and experienced cooks. Rinella is a skilled wild game chef, providing a variety of recipes that include his unique versions of classic dishes and unexpected, exotic meals.


Julia Turshen, a renowned cookbook author, presents a fresh, creative, and engaging method for cooking that simplifies the process of preparing everyday meals. RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE TOP FALL COOKBOOKS BY Eater, People, Forbes, Simply Recipes. Julia Turshen is a trusted companion for home cooks. She is celebrated for her straightforward, yet incredibly gratifying recipes, as well as her genuine, relatable, and solution-oriented approach. In her latest cookbook, Julia introduces readers to a fresh perspective on cooking, emphasizing the mastery of meal preparation and providing numerous variations to explore.


I feel like 2025 will be the years of soups, salads and sandwiches! Renowned for his daring and creative tastes, Matty Matheson has produced a cookbook that will transform your perception of these fundamental kitchen staples. This book is suitable for everyone, showcasing Matty's unique interpretations of traditional recipes, presented with simplicity to maximize flavor.


Carolina didn't start off as a picky chef or an unrealistic food influencer. She honed her cooking skills at home, where her family's love for food was evident, even though they seldom dined out. Transitioning from this familial passion, she ventured into the restaurant industry and leveraged her expertise to become a successful full-time recipe developer. This journey led her to build an online community of millions who admire her culinary creations. Carolina Gelen, a renowned blogger and viral recipe innovator, introduces 100 delectable recipes that are both crowd-pleasing and effortlessly delicious, reflecting her uncomplicated yet refined culinary approach.



TIPS FOR COMPLETING YOUR GIFT

  1. Add an element, or two, that connect with your cookbook. I love gifting olive oil or sea salt with cookbooks. If you know someone loves wine, it also makes a great accompaniment to your cookbook gift.

  2. Are there any specialty gadgets that could be useful? Candy thermometers work for both candy making, but also deep frying. This microplane is one of my secret weapons in the kitchen. I also love getting spatulas, you can never have enough.

  3. Tea towels or oven mits are also great accompaniments to a cook book.


    What are your gifting tips or questions with cookbooks? Drop a comment or question below!


    This post contains some links that could lead to a commission. All opinions are my own.

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