I’ve always been a little intimidated by breadmaking. The idea of kneading, proofing, and shaping dough felt like a science experiment I wasn’t qualified to attempt. But Kathryn Hawkins’ "Complete Starter Guide to Making Bread" is like having a patient, knowledgeable friend walk you through every step of the process.

First off, the book is incredibly approachable. Hawkins starts with a brief but fascinating history of bread, which I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. Learning about how bread has shaped cultures and societies throughout history gave me a deeper appreciation for the craft. From there, she dives into the essentials—ingredients, equipment, and techniques. I appreciated how thorough she was in explaining the different types of flour, yeast, and other ingredients.

The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the photos are a huge help. I’ve tried a few recipes so far—the classic tin-baked white loaf, rosemary focaccia, and the chocolate bread (which was a hit with my family). Each one turned out better than I expected. Hawkins also includes tips for troubleshooting common issues, like sticky dough or a crust that’s too hard.

One thing I really appreciated was the variety of recipes. There’s something for everyone here—sweet, savory, gluten-free, and vegan options. I’m excited to try the Bao buns and Babka next. The book also covers alternative baking methods, like using an air fryer or slow cooker, which is perfect when you don't always want to heat up the oven.

If I had one minor critique, it’s that the book leans more practical than aesthetic. While the photos are helpful, I wouldn’t call them “coffee table book” level. But honestly, that’s a small gripe. This book is meant to be used, not just admired, and it’s clear that Hawkins’ priority is helping readers succeed in the kitchen.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I’d like to start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book; I’ve enjoyed it!

The only reason for the 4 is because although the practicality was there, it wasn’t as aesthetic as I would’ve liked. I like my cookbooks to have a little personality and this one was very straightforward.

However! I really enjoyed going through this book. I have some baking experience but have rarely made breads. The basics on the bread preparation were very easy to understand, especially with the pictures, and made the recipe following much easier. I also enjoyed the introduction to the different kinds of flours that could be used, and the noted base combinations. The recipes themselves were very basic but in a way where you could easily build on them, and even had a few non-loaf recipes.

So far I’ve made the plain loaf, rosemary focaccia, and chocolate bread with chocolate chips. They were as I said very basic but I plan on making all three again, and plan to experiment with the chocolate bread to taste like the Cheesecake Factory’s.

Making bread is definitely therapeutic.
This book covers a brief history and understanding of bread and bread making that I personally find very important part of the process of bread making itself for the ultimate result.
The history section is very well written and helps the understanding of the different needs and different bread types in different societies and cultures.

Although it gets technical during the part of the basics and ingredients, explaining these things was important for me to understand what ingredients and methods work better together and also understanding why making bread sometimes fails.
This section is exhaustive and comprehensive, fitting well for the various preferences and needs.

Inside the book, the author provides several measurements (oz, grams, tsp) where relevant and able.
The explanations are simple and clear.

The book covers most situations and questions one might have. from reheating to storing, wet dough during kneading, crust looks, etc. It doesn't just stop at bread making but goes beyond to specific situations for the ultimate bread.

This book is an important tool that I will definitely go back to when making bread in the future.
I will definitely be trying several of the recipes in this book.

This book was a free advance copy for my honest review. Which I would like to thank
#Netgallery
for, as well as the author and publisher. I really enjoyed reading this book. I actually read it a couple of times and have learned quit a bit about bread and break making . I simply can't recommend this book enough. I loved this book. 5 out of 5 stars!
#CompleteStarterGuildtoMakingBread
#Netgallery

The complete Starter Guide to Making Bread by Kathryn Hawkins is an all encompassing guide to navigating the science of all the flavorful doughy delights in our lives. It's a perfect addition to your kitchen or the kitchen of any bakers you know.
The book was very informative and filled with an array of tips, photos, and recipes to help the reader succeed on their quest to make the perfect loaf. They covered a wide variety of baking techniques and there were notes on how to make the recipes fit a variety of diets (dairy free, gluten free, vegan, etc). Making bread has always been intimidating, but this comprehensive guide has given me a little more confidence to try again!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Very pleased with this book. Perfect for beginners, with the techniques very well explained, and a troubleshooting guide that can help make your bread making journey so much easier in the beginning.
The recipes are well explained, with measures in both systems (which I find is something very useful and yet very rare), and great variety: from savoury to sweet through gluten free there's always something for every occasion.

Very recommended.

There is so much to say about this comprehensive guide to bread baking by Kathryn Hawkins. Just when I wasn’t certain there was much more to learn about how to improve and trouble shoot, I found myself poring over these sections and carefully reviewing why my dough might be sticky, how I could get the perfect slice and what my texture might look like.
This was all before the recipes even began! The varied offerings include gluten free choices such as steamed buns, sweet chocolate bread and even air fryer cheese and onion buns.
The greatest challenge is choosing what to bake!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Excellent cookbook for making bread! The recipes are great and very easy to follow, as well as quite informative to the art of making bread and the common mistakes people make.

As an absolute beginner at making bread this book has been an invaluable resource! I am so happy to have all I need to know in one place. The range of recipes and care of instruction and backstory is wonderful. I highly recommend this book to anyone getting started on their breadmaking journey!

I love how informative this book is! I just started baking, simple cookies and muffins and now I want to expand that into bread! This book is going to help me so much!! I truly enjoyed the history of bread and learning about the cultures it dives into! This book covers it all and I can’t wait to try my hand at making the cinnamon bread.

The introduction has a brief history of baking bread in many cultures and religions. There is also a comprehensive guide to the different types of flour, leavening agents, and liquids that can be used. Dairy and gluten free products are addressed in this guide with more depth than I have seen in other bread cookbooks. The author is a food stylist and the many beautiful and useful photographs confirm that. There are suggestions for different shapes to consider for many of the recipes. It’s on my Christmas list for 2025.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. There were some great tips,using flaxseed and water for a flaxseed ’egg’, if you don’t have eggs. There are several recipes I’m looking forward to trying.

Did I just get schooled on making bread?

Yes, I believe I did. That's a good thing if the book is all about making bread.
I appreciated that it was geared to a reader like me: an absolute beginner. So, with some tips from this book, its off to make some bread.
Recommend.

I love making bread. I have for a long time. But I am no expert. I always enjoy reading books on the process. I learned something different from each, and every book that I read, and this book was no exception.

If you’re looking to start making your own bread, this is your book!

A great book with a very thorough bread education in addition to recipes. Really helpful for learning all of the important pieces!

Book Review: Complete Starter Guide to Making Bread by Kathryn Hawkins

Rating: 5 Stars

When I first picked up "Complete Starter Guide to Making Bread" by Kathryn Hawkins, I was just a casual baker, dabbling in the occasional loaf when time permitted. Little did I know that this book would light a fire under my culinary ambitions and transform my kitchen into a bustling bakery.

Right off the bat, Hawkins' experience as a seasoned food writer shines through in her clear and engaging prose. With over 35 years in the food industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge that's both comprehensive and surprisingly approachable. This isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a breadmaking odyssey that explores the history and evolution of one of humanity's most beloved staples. Each page is brimming with fascinating details and insightful tips—everything from essential ingredients to the art of kneading, proofing, and shaping your dough.

The book offers more than 25 mouth-watering recipes, ranging from Irish soda bread and French baguette to more exotic creations like Bao buns and Babka. What I particularly loved was the vast array of baking techniques Hawkins covers. Whether you're using a traditional oven or experimenting with an air fryer, multi-cooker, or even a slow cooker, Hawkins has you covered. Her instructions are as easy to follow as they are detailed, making each recipe feel like a guided tour through the world of bread.

For those with specific dietary needs, the book doesn’t disappoint. It includes clever tips for making your bread gluten-free, vegan, or sugar-free. This attention to inclusivity means that no one needs to miss out on the joy of homemade bread.

The vintage-style illustrations harken back to the cookbooks my grandma used to cherish, adding a touch of nostalgia without feeling outdated. It’s like having a family heirloom that’s perfectly suited for today’s modern kitchen. This guide truly feels like something every baker—or aspiring one—should proudly display on their shelf.

In sum, "Complete Starter Guide to Making Bread" is an absolute gem. It's packed full of everything you could want to know about breadmaking, all explored in remarkable detail. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your repertoire with new recipes and techniques, this book is a must-have. It's not just a cookbook; it’s an invitation to embark on a delicious journey that’s as rewarding as it is enriching. Five stars, without a doubt!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

If you want to impress me with a cooking/baking book give me a bit of history woven in with technique! Hawkins does that beautifully in this book! I loved it!

I love baking, and I'm really good at it. Just ask my family and coworkers. However, bread has always been difficult for me to master. I try, I fail, my bread is hard, it's a disaster. That's what initially drew me to COMPLETE STARTER GUIDE TO MAKING BREAD. Perhaps it's time for me to just reset everything and try from the beginning.

This book is incredible. It starts off with a detailed history of how bread has contributed to society, and then goes deep into the different ingredients. I particularly enjoyed reading about the different types of flours and how regional flour is.

When this book tells you that it's a starter guide, believe it. It goes into what equipment you should use, including how to knead the bread when you're preparing it. It felt like a nice refresher and I noticed that I have been skipping essential elements of my bread making, which is probably why I have been so unsuccessful in the past.

The actual recipes are also wonderful, and they include the ingredients in both volume and weight measurements. That's always a sign of a great cookbook to me. I also jumped for joy that the recipes include fresh yeast, which has always been my go-to yeast for bread, but it's very difficult to find recipes with fresh yeast.

I started with the whole wheat loaf. The instructions were clear and my bread turned out quite delicious. It was a lot more simple than I had originally thought and I felt fully supported by the instructions in the book.

This book is perfect for anyone who is wanting to get starting making fresh breads, who has had difficult making bread in the past, or someone who is starting off on their own in a new apartment or house. Overall, it's a delightful book that makes a great addition to any kitchen.

I requested this arc for my mother because she enjoys trying out recipes and what not and I think this is a great book for a 55+ demographic and you can see clearly that the author cares deeply and thoughtfully on the subject.

This as a lovely, comprehensive guide to making bread. I liked the variety of recipes and techniques in this book.