The Messy Baker: More than 75 Delicious Recipes from a Real Kitchen

Christie eschews the notion of precise baking and encourages readers to make it “messy” in this collection of over 75 recipes. Christie doesn’t go rogue when it comes to quality output—she still touts tried-and-trued baking “musts,” such as reading the complete recipe first, setting out ingredients before starting, and using the right ingredients—but her refreshing approach is apparent from the beginning, with chapters broken down into categories including “Crumbly,” “Sloppy,” “Gritty,” and “Drippy.” The “Dippable” chapter, for example, is chock full of hand-held baked goods ready for dunking, including espresso and hazelnut biscotti; the “Smudy” chapter is filled primarily with savory selections like bacon, cheddar, and thyme waffles. Family memories, along with helpful serving suggestions, prevail in the worthy headnotes, and tip boxes give added information and substitution ideas. Christie’s approach to baking is fun and insightful. (Aug.)