By Cheryl and Griffith Day

Satisfy your sweet tooth craving with Back In the Day Bakery Made With Love. Cheryl and Griffith Day share the secrets to their most popular treats like sweet potato and lemon bread or banana chiffon cake, along with decorating techniques and helpful tips for even a novice baker.

A few to try: Georgia Peach Pie, Strawberry Buttermilk Cake, Shaker Meyer Lemon Pie Bars.

by Charmian Christie

What began as a popular blog by the Canadian author, this cookbook embraces the not-so-tidy yet still delicious affair baking can be. Recipes like walnut frangipane and raspberry rhubarb galette drop the staged perfectionism associated with baking and replace it with simple fun.

A few to try: Fig and Apricot Newtons, Almond and Fruit Florentines, Cherry and Lemon Macaroon Meringues.

by Jeffrey Hamelman

Baking from scratch is far less daunting through Jeffrey Hamelman's Bread. Create your own glossy brioche loaf or step into wild territory while trying your hand at sourdough. Precise illustrations and step-by-step guides break down even the most challenging baking techniques.

A few to try: Pretzels, Tarte Flambée, Fougasse with Olives.

by Hannah Kaminsky

Hannah Kaminsky’s imaginative batch of entirely egg and dairy free confections, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, natural sweeteners, and whole grains, shines for its luscious, full-color photographs. And her imaginative riffs on sweet sensations, like No-Bake Pumpkin Crème Brulee and an especially airy riff on whipped cream, concocted from coconut milk and soy creamer.

A few to try: Tomato Cakes with Balsamic Frosting; Red, White, and Blue Layer Cake; Cherry-Berry Peanut Butter Cobbler.

by Kim Boyce with Amy Scattergood

Kim Boyce moves beyond bleached wheat flour and shows how whole-grain baking can be uniquely delicious. Barley, rye, amaranth, and teff flours update your favorite desserts with a complex and nutritious flavor profile. Don’t miss her chapter on jams, compotes, and fruit butters as well.

A few to try: Ginger Peach Muffins, Zucchini Bread, Huckle Buckle, Summer Peach Pie, Drop Biscuits with Strawberries and Cream.

by Georgeanne Brennan

This cookbook takes an authoritative look at cheese, acting as both a comprehensive cookbook as well as a helpful primer on the subject. From key types of cheeses and main regions, to tips on pairing cheese with wine and beer and creating the perfect cheese plate for any occasion, to enticing cheese-centric recipes, organized by course, this is the ultimate resource for any cheese lover who is looking for great ways to showcase this favorite food through delicious dishes.

A few to try: Plum Tartlets with Ginger and Chèvre, Mascarpone Almond and Apricot Crostata, Lemon Cheesecake.