The Fearless Baker

by Emily Luchetti and Lisa Weiss

Little, Brown and Company, $29.99

As much a science as it is an art, baking can intimidate the home cook. In her sixth cookbook dedicated to all things sweet, James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Emily Luchetti rids people of worry by taking on the role of baking mentor. She baked each of the 175 homey, irresistible recipes in this book with friends and family, whom she nicknamed the “Fearful Bakers.” Their chatty dialogue is sprinkled throughout, providing insight into Luchetti’s methods and answering many of the questions a cook might have about recipes like Coffee-Chocolate Meringues or Lemon Crème Brûlée. Her approachable style is sure to turn any worry into confidence.