Baking is often more difficult to do without a recipe than cooking. There is a certain science to baking, especially with desserts - you need the right proportions of all of the ingredients to achieve the desired effect.
Jane Dunn began her career with an online food blog. Her foolproof recipes for delicious and elaborate desserts became extremely popular, and she is now a social media star and has released a cookbook.
The recipes are easy to follow with good explanations of the various steps, and they even include tips on how to customize the desserts.
Pros
Simple - The recipes are easy to follow
Beginners - This book is perfect for beginners
Tips - It includes plenty of helpful tips and tricks for baking
Cons
Photos - It could do with some more photos to show you what the dessert should look like
Zoe Francois is a pastry chef and a popular food blogger. Her sweet and savory recipes are designed to make cooking and baking more accessible so everyone can make delicious food.
This award-winning cookbook includes over 80 incredible recipes for different cakes, each with step by step instructions and stunning photographs.
You will master different techniques including glazing and decorating.
Pros
Structure - There are different sections of the book which give general advice on cake making before you jump into the recipes
Simple - The recipes are straightforward and easy to follow
Photos - There are plenty of photographs to show you what the cakes should look like
Cons
Difficulty - Some of the cakes are quite advanced and would be challenging for beginners to make
Mary Berry is a very experienced and popular British chef who is often dubbed the Queen of Baking.
Her recipes always include step by step instructions which are easy to follow and lead to perfect results.
This book is accessible for bakers of all levels and includes lovely photographs to show you what you are aiming for. She also has a book that focuses on cakes only.
Pros
Experience - Mary Berry has a wealth of experience that she draws from in this book
Simple - The recipes are straightforward and easy to follow
Photos - The photos help to guide you through the recipes
Cons
Traditional - The recipes tend to be very traditional rather than modern
Bernadette Gee is well known for her artistic cake designs, and this book will help you to learn how to create these masterpieces at home.
The recipes are allergy friendly and include step by step instructions as well as dual measurements.
Pros
Simple - The recipes are step by step and easy to follow
Photographs - You can see the finished result of each dessert
Measurements - Each recipe has dual measurements
Cons
Difficulty - Some of the recipes will be too challenging for beginners
How To Choose The Best Female Chef Dessert Cookbook
If you are struggling to choose which dessert cookbook is going to be best for you, here are some things that you should consider.
Recipes
You should check how many recipes are in each book to make sure that you are getting the best value for money.
The more recipes there are, the more things you will be able to make from just one book. You might prefer to get two shorter books for more variety.
Desserts
Which desserts will you actually be able to make with the cookbook that you choose?
If there is a particular dessert that you want to master then you should check whether it is included in the recipe book.
You might want to focus on one type of dessert, like cake or pastries, or you might prefer a book with more variety so that you can attempt lots of different types of desserts.
Instructions
If you are an experienced cook then you might only need limited instructions in order to create the desserts.
If you are new to cooking or less confident in the kitchen then you should make sure that the instructions are straightforward yet detailed, with some photographs to help you along the way.
If the cookbook takes the time to explain techniques and methods for tricky recipes then this will be especially helpful.
Experience
Younger chefs or food writers often have exciting and innovative recipes and tend to make the most of modern cooking techniques.
However, it can be helpful to choose a book by a more experienced chef, as they have years of cooking and baking behind them and they know how to get around various problems and prevent mistakes.
Summary
Any of these cookbooks would make an excellent choice for someone who wants to learn how to make desserts. They are all written by female chefs and include a great range of recipes for you to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about making desserts.
Are Desserts More Difficult To Make Than Savory Dishes?
It depends on the recipe and the dessert you are making. However, many desserts require a certain amount of finesse and exquisite presentation which can make them more challenging.
They often require patience and a certain amount of skill.
Can You Substitute Ingredients To Make The Desserts More Healthy?
Many people avoid making desserts as they tend to be high in fat and/or sugar.
Sometimes you can swap out ingredients for healthier substitutes, but you risk compromising on flavor or texture.
It is better to follow the recipe, and have a smaller slice or share it with family and friends if you are concerned about health.
Are Female Chefs Better At Making Desserts?
Baking is often seen as a female activity or a feminine hobby, but this is not the case. All chefs can be excellent at baking and making desserts.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
