dk books

Customer Review:

Review by: Sally Wilkin, 13 June 2012

'This is a lovely book, with a huge variety of bread recipes. The step-by-step approach with clear photos means everyone can have a go. The only problem is which recipe to try first. We''ve had excellent results and can''t wait to try more of the recipes.'

Customer Review:

Review by: Louise Ellis-Barrett, 07 June 2012

'As soon as I opened this book and saw the mouth-watering pictures of delicious breads that I could be making I was inspired. Divided into five easy to use sections, classic bread, artisan bread, flat & crisp bread, quick breads & batters this book is easy to use and every recipe is straightforward, simple to follow and well illustrated. Some fantastic breads that I have never heard of and would have considered beyond my skills are presented in such a manner that even the impossible seems possible. With the help of this book I may even finally tackle croissants! I also love the variations which are included for a number of recipes, particularly the twists on tortilla and crepes! This is a delicious and indispensable book for anyone who loves their bread, pastries and cakes.'

Customer Review:

Review by: Vimes Fan, 05 June 2012

'I was very keen to get my hands on this book as I''ve wanted to try bread-making for some time and it certainly didn''t disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised by the huge variety of breads covered: over 125 recipes cover basic loaves, artisan breads, national variations like focaccia, baguette and naan, as well as biscuits and some cakes. Our family really liked the attractive design and layout of the book and found the instructions very easy to follow, with accurate timings which lead to good results. I think this book is going to be very heavily used and it has certainly inspired us to experiment with different recipes.'

Customer Review:

Review by: Emma, 04 June 2012

'What a fantastic book! I was really impressed by the variety of breads in this book and have had a bit of a mad few weeks baking everything from tortillas, to spiced lamb pies to muffins. In fact I think the only type of bread I''ve not baked is a regular loaf. The recipe chooser at the start of the book sorts breads by type and is a great picture index to find what you want to make - the only thing to note is that it doesn''t include all the breads so make sure you don''t limit yourself by what''s there. My friends and I have spent the last few weeks testing some of the recipes and found that the recipes are really easy to follow. The step-by-step pictures are also incredibly helpful when you''re not sure what your dough/bread should look like at different points. I would have thought some of these breads would be really difficult to make - and get to come out well - but every recipe tried has worked beautifully. The baker''s tips are really handy, and I also really like the suggestions for when you can leave things to prove overnight, or at what stage you can freeze dough for later use. The only improvement I might suggest to this book is that perhaps it would benefit from an introductory chapter explaining some of the basics of bread making. For example including a brief explanation of different types of yeast and how to activate them (or not) and why you knead breads for different amounts of time.'

Customer Review:

Review by: Tina, 29 May 2012

'This is a lovely book. Lots of different recipes, all with a colour photo of the end product (to tempt you and to help you know what you''re aiming for). Also many recipes have colour photos alongside the step by step guide. Although it is called Step-by-Step Bread it covers a broad range, everything from traditional loaves and rolls, to pizzas, pancakes, crumpets, doughnuts, brioche, croissants, even toad-in-the-hole! I tried the cinnamon rolls recipe at the weekend - absolutely delicious! The recipe was really easy to follow, no guess work needed, and I am far from being a master baker! In the summary it tells you how long it will take for mixing/prep, baking and rising/proving, as well as how many servings it will make. So you know what you''re letting yourself in for. Who knew that croissants took so long to make... A great book, perfect for the beginner as well as the more experienced cook who is looking for some inspiration. I can''t wait to try some more recipes, I''ve challenged my boyfriend to make bagels next...'

Customer Review:

Review by: Holly, 26 May 2012

'This book has something for everyone who would like to try making their own bread. No experience is necessary as there is clear step-by-step guidance for each recipe. There are more than 100 recipes to try, so there is something for everyone. There are a range of breads including classic loaves, flat breads and sweet breads. Each recipe comes with clear photos to help you through the process with a guide to the time it takes to make and how long the bread can be frozen for. I liked the helpful ''Baker''s Tips'' that are added on to many of the recipes, with helpful information and advice. I found the photos clear and the instructions were simple to follow. I also found the recipe chooser at the start of the book full of ideas and inspiration. Do be aware though, this is a book for making breads by hand, so not one for those that like to rely on a bread machine. Overall a really useful book with lots of helpful tips and hints. The colourful photos help even the inexperienced baker to make some lovely breads and treats.'

Customer Review:

Review by: Chris Moizer, 25 May 2012

'The most comprehensive and easy to follow book for breadmakers that I have seen. Six illustrated pages at the front of the book show the huge variety of breads with suggestions of when to eat them (e.g. afternoon tea), and the page number where the recipe may be found. Also at the side of each photograph there are two symbols; one showing how long to prepare the bread and the second the cooking time. I love the fact that whilst all the breads look delicious they are not over-produced in the studio and really do look home-made. Another excellent feature included in the book is that the author explains what to do if things go wrong at certain stages. All in all a book for people who love bread but want to make lots of different ones with the minimum of fuss. Absolutely value for money.'