12,300+ cookbooks Ships from the US · 30-day returns
👤 My Account
🔪 Methods & Techniques

Back to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share and Enjoy

✍️ Olson, Anna
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$40.00
Backordered — usually ships in 1–4 weeks
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Anna Olson guides bakers through reliable frameworks for creating perfect homemade treats.

This volume focuses on the technical aspects of baking, offering readers a way to take charge of their dessert preparation. Olson provides twenty-one new recipes that range from simple staples to elaborate seasonal dishes. The text prioritizes education on measuring and problem-solving, helping users understand why recipes work rather than just following steps blindly. It addresses the growing need for allergen-friendly options by explaining how homemade baking allows for ingredient control. The book is structured to build confidence in the kitchen, moving readers past common failures toward reliable outcomes. It appeals to those who enjoy the process of creating food and want to ensure their treats are safe for specific dietary restrictions.

Key Themes
baking troubleshooting accurate measuring tips homemade dessert control
Literary Context

Published by Whitecap Books, this work reflects Canadian culinary sensibilities while addressing universal baking challenges. Olson’s background as a celebrity chef informs the accessible yet professional tone. The book sits within the broader tradition of home cooking guides that emphasize self-sufficiency and dietary awareness in modern American and Canadian households.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Judy Rodgers · The Bread Baker's Apprentice · Flour Water Salt Yeast
🔪
Methods & Techniques
🏛 Whitecap Books 📅 2011 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781770500631
📚 This Book in Collections

📝 Description: Back to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share and Enjoy

Anna Olson presents a comprehensive guide to baking that emphasizes control over ingredients and preparation methods. The book offers a structured approach for both beginners and experienced cooks, focusing on fundamental recipes such as shortbread cookies and brownies alongside more complex items like classic tortes and holiday desserts. Olson includes practical sections on accurate measuring techniques and troubleshooting common errors, ensuring that novice bakers can avoid kitchen disasters and achieve consistent results. The text encourages making modest portions of extras to fit into a balanced diet, highlighting the benefits of homemade goods for those with food intolerances or allergies. The content is organized to support the baking process itself, providing a reliable framework for success rather than just listing ingredients. Olson’s expertise as a bestselling author and celebrity chef informs the clear instructions and supportive tone throughout the volume. The book covers techniques relevant to Canadian culinary traditions while addressing general baking methods suitable for any home kitchen. It serves those who value understanding what goes into their food and prefer making items from scratch over purchasing pre-made alternatives. Readers seeking quick fixes or no-bake options may find this text less relevant, as it focuses on traditional baked goods requiring oven use. The guide is ideal for individuals who want to master the basics of baking and appreciate the ability to customize recipes based on specific dietary needs. Olson’s work remains a practical resource for anyone interested in the mechanics of creating delicious, safe, and enjoyable baked items at home.

💎 Expert review

“
🍳
Eatbook Family editorial team
Cookbook desk
Olson excels at demystifying the baking process by explaining the mechanics behind each step. This approach empowers readers to troubleshoot issues independently, making it a valuable resource for those tired of blind obedience to instructions. The inclusion of twenty one new recipes provides practical application for these concepts. However, this book will not suit casual cooks looking for quick, no effort shortcuts or those uninterested in the underlying theory of baking techniques.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Eatbook Family —
⭐ eatbookfamily.com editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
Home bakers seeking technical mastery rather than just recipes. Ideal for those who want to understand the science behind measuring and problem solving. Perfect for individuals managing dietary restrictions who need control over ingredients while building confidence in creating reliable, allergen…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Eatbook Family editorial team

Olson excels at demystifying the baking process by explaining the mechanics behind each step. This approach empowers readers to troubleshoot issues independently, making it a valuable resource for those tired of blind obedience to instructions. The inclusion of twenty one new recipes provides practical application for these concepts. However, this book will not suit casual cooks looking for quick, no effort shortcuts or those uninterested in the underlying theory of baking techniques.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, it addresses allergen friendly options by explaining how homemade baking allows for specific ingredient control to ensure safety.
331 pages, hardcover.
Published in 2011 by Whitecap Books.
Orders ship from a US warehouse. The shipping cost is shown before you pay, and returns are accepted within 30 days.

📖 Who should read this

Home bakers seeking technical mastery rather than just recipes. Ideal for those who want to understand the science behind measuring and problem solving. Perfect for individuals managing dietary restrictions who need control over ingredients while building confidence in creating reliable, allergen friendly treats at home.

📜 Historical context

This volume distinguishes itself by focusing on technical aspects and educational frameworks rather than merely listing instructions. It addresses the growing demand for allergen friendly options through ingredient control. The text prioritizes understanding why recipes work, helping readers move past common failures toward consistent results in dessert preparation.

✍️ More books by this author Olson, Anna

All books by this author →
Anna and Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Olson, Anna
Anna and Michael Olson Cook at Home: Recipes for Everyday and Every Occasion
$39.95
82
Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Olson, Anna
Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
$24.95
83
Fresh with Anna Olson: Seasonally Inspired Recipes to Share with Family and Friends
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Olson, Anna
Fresh with Anna Olson: Seasonally Inspired Recipes to Share with Family and Friends
$29.95
80
Another Cup of Sugar: More Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Olson, Anna
Another Cup of Sugar: More Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
$24.95
69

🏛 Books from this publisher Whitecap Books

All books from this publisher →
The 500 Best-Value Wines in the Lcbo 2010
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Phillips, Rod
The 500 Best-Value Wines in the Lcbo 2010
$19.95
88
Gourmet Traveller Seafood
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Whitecap Books Ltd
Gourmet Traveller Seafood
$19.95
78
Had a Glass: Top 100 Wines for 2009 Under $20
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Hodgson, Kenji
Had a Glass: Top 100 Wines for 2009 Under $20
$19.95
79
Cooking Desserts
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Whitecap Books Ltd
Cooking Desserts
$29.95
69
Cooking Seafood
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Whitecap Books Ltd
Cooking Seafood
$29.95
84
Cooking Under the Influence: Food to Drink to
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Canaider, Ben
Cooking Under the Influence: Food to Drink to
$32.95
78
Bills Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Granger, Bill
Bills Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
$29.95
78
Creme Brulee
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Whitecap Books Ltd
Creme Brulee
$12.95
78

You might also like

See more →
Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Olson, Anna
Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts
$24.95
83
Edith Adams Omnibus
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Adams, Edith
Edith Adams Omnibus
$24.95
90
New Food Fast
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Hay, Donna
New Food Fast
$34.95
89
Slow Cooking: Not So Fast Food
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Glynn, Joanne
Slow Cooking: Not So Fast Food
$24.95
88
Everyone Can Cook Midweek Meals: Recipes for Cooks on the Run
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Akis, Eric
Everyone Can Cook Midweek Meals: Recipes for Cooks on the Run
$24.95
87
Panini: Gourmet Recipes to Help You Get the Most from Your Panini Press
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
Duby, Dominique
Panini: Gourmet Recipes to Help You Get the Most from Your Panini Press
$19.95
87
The Guy Can't Cook: Over 350 Fantastic No-Fail Recipes a Guy Can't Be Without
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Chavich, Cinda
The Guy Can't Cook: Over 350 Fantastic No-Fail Recipes a Guy Can't Be Without
$24.95
86
Well Preserved: Small Batch Preserving for the New Cook
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Dragan, Mary Anne
Well Preserved: Small Batch Preserving for the New Cook
$24.95
86
The Baker in Me
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Rabinovitch, Daphna
The Baker in Me
$45.00
84
Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist