Zingerman's Bakehouse

Finally, master bakers Amy Emberling and Frank Carollo's Zingerman's Bakery (Chronicle, $29.95) celebrates the Michigan artisanal bakery's 25th anniversary with 65 of their most popular recipes. Delightful breads, brownies, cookies, and breads are all represented, accompanied by easy-to-follow recipes and 50 full-color photographs. For something sweet, try Ginger Jump-Up Cookies or Bakehouse Brownies. Savory? Parmesan Pepper Bread or Detroit Style Pizza. And when you're done with those, there are 61 more! --Stefanie Hargreaves, editor, Shelf Awareness for Readers
Founded in 1982, Zingerman's-a household name in Ann Arbor, MI-has grown from a single delicatessen to a thriving community of food-related businesses. One of these is Zingerman's Bakehouse, a bakery specializing in artisanal breads and pastries. To coincide with its 25th anniversary, Bakehouse co-owners Emberling and Carollo have crafted a cookbook that intimately blends the business's unique history and philosophy of service with never-before-published recipes for its best-loved baked goods. All home bakers will recognize its merit, made visible in precise recipes (e.g., Detroit-style pizza, coconut cream pie, chestnut baguettes, pecan sandies with bacon), stunning photographs, and deeply reflective storytelling. Notably, the book includes a wealth of traditional Hungarian and Jewish foods. VERDICT A stellar all-purpose baking collection for every skill level.