Sally's Baking 101: Foolproof Recipes from Easy to Advanced

by Sally McKenney

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Feeling that baking itch but don’t know where to start? Sally put together a comprehensive baking guide for anyone who’s just starting their baking adventure. Baking from scratch has never been easier with expert guidance from everyone’s favorite baker.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The ultimate baking book for home cooks of all skill levels with 101 sweet and savory, foolproof recipes plus helpful tips for best results—from the creator of the beloved website Sally’s Baking Addiction.

“Sally has a gift for creating recipes that bakers trust and that families and friends crave. There’s so much to learn and so much to love here.”—New York Times bestselling author Dorie Greenspan

For years, Sally’s Baking Addiction has been the trusted online resource for anyone who wants to make delicious baked goods from scratch. An expert self-taught baker, Sally McKenney has been dedicated to developing and perfecting a wide range of baking recipes and her devoted audience trusts her implicitly. In this collection of 101 irresistible recipes, she presents an array of crowd-pleasing bakes to suit every occasion and craving, from cookies and bars to cakes, pies, breads, and brunch fare. Sprinkled throughout the book, you’ll find a selection of her most treasured fan favorites, including Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Strawberry Cake, Homemade Pizza Dough, and Classic Apple Pie.

Sally shares everything you need to know to be a successful home baker including basic baking principles, tools and ingredients, detailed how-to’s, and step-by-step photos. She also offers her best tips and tricks, such as how to brown butter, prepare your baking pans, freeze baked goods, test for doneness, and so much more. Simpler recipes are included if your time is limited or you’re just beginning your baking journey, like Chewy Banana Walnut Cookies, Thick & Fudgy Brownies, Lemon Lavender Olive Oil Cake, and the Ultimate Fruit Crisp. Advanced bakers will be excited to try Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Danishes, Tiramisu Cake Roll, Sky-High Chocolate Mousse Pie, and Asparagus & Smoked Salmon Tart. Many of the recipes are somewhere in between, including Buttermilk Chive Fantail Rolls, Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies, Caramel Sheet Cake, and Butternut Squash & Sage Chicken Pot Pie.

With Sally’s Baking 101 as your guide, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to feel confident baking from scratch with tempting, reliable recipes guaranteed to delight family and friends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593581971
Publisher:	Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	232 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Sally McKenney is the creator of the hugely popular website Sally’s Baking Addiction (aka Sally’s Baking). She is known for providing clear, concise instructions, tips, and tutorials to make every recipe approachable for home bakers of all skill levels. Her work has been featured in People, on Good Morning America, and more. She lives in Maryland with her husband, their two children, and their rescue dogs.

Read an Excerpt

Introdution

“Mommy, do you have a taste test?” my daughters would ask with bright, hopeful eyes every afternoon when they got home from school.

For the past three years I’ve been working on this book, the answer was usually yes. If something looked good to them, they were thrilled to try a bite of my latest creation.

Though my recipe development career has spanned more than a decade, I’ve never had the volume of kitchen work that this cookbook demanded. And while it was at times overwhelming . . .

. . . like when my oven broke right before a deadline and I had to bake pies at my neighbors’ house and then—extremely carefully—carry them back home to photograph them (thanks, Mel & Tom!) . . .

. . . or when I spilled cake batter on my keyboard and my computer began typing random cAPiTaL LeTTeRs in my manuscript . . .

. . . it was mostly exciting, as I welcome creative challenges with open (and flour-speckled) arms!

My name is Sally, and back in 2011, I decided to share a baking recipe online. When I was growing up watching my grandmother and mother in the kitchen, I learned firsthand the power of from-scratch baking. They taught me that there’s comfort in the kitchen, and when life gets loud, hectic, or confusing, just pull out the flour and bake something that brings you joy. When I was on my own in my mid-twenties and uncertain that my office job in finance was the right path for me, I turned to the kitchen. I opened a blog account, took a photo of peanut butter blondies with my iPhone, typed how to make them, and pressed the publish button without much thought. And certainly no idea that the recipe would eventually be seen by millions of people!

That was the stepping stone to the—rather untraditional—career I have today. Four readers (my parents and siblings!) turned into hundreds, then thousands, and now, millions. I’ve upgraded my blog to a professional website, fine-tuned my recipe writing, and massively improved both my photography and baking skills after developing and shooting thousands of recipes for my site and three previous books. I now have a wonderfully talented and dedicated team that helps me operate my business and test recipes. I didn’t know it on that December day nearly fourteen years ago, but I was on my way to building a business from scratch.

My recipes are approachable for everyone, because I focus on the fundamentals and take the time to explain how and why the recipes work. Baking is a science, and I understand the importance of publishing a recipe that’s not only well tested but written with attention to detail. I take that responsibility seriously, even if it takes me ten tries to get the perfect Strawberry Cake (page 89), so that it will take you only one!

For this cookbook, I mixed dozens of either sweet or savory new baking recipes with a sprinkle of beloved classics from my website. You’ll see the latter labeled as Fan Favorites because they each have hundreds of positive reviews. I rate all of the recipes by skill level, so you know what to expect before starting:

Beginner: Recipes that have simple steps and require minimal technique.

Intermediate: Recipes that need more precision and/or specialty baking tools.

Advanced: Recipes that use more advanced techniques and tools, and make for an exciting yet challenging baking project.

Regardless of your skill level, I encourage you to read through the Baking Basics in the beginning of this book. I cover some key principles and tips, and recommend essential ingredients and tools for stocking your home kitchen. The extra few minutes you spend reading this section will set you up for success and help you feel confident before you begin.

This book asks you to spend time in the kitchen, and I want it to be fun and fulfilling— either quality “me time” or time spent with your loved ones. Baking isn’t just a means to an end, it’s a rewarding journey. And a fresh batch of cookies is a welcome bonus! I hope the recipes on these pages earn a permanent spot in your baking repertoire, and become part of your family’s traditions, celebrations, and memories . . . just as they have for me. Remember to enjoy the process . . . and the taste test!

Sally

Editorial Reviews

McKenney’s work has generated a cult following and for good reason: She leads with meticulous attention to detail. This level of precision could not be more present in her new cookbook, Sally’s Baking 101.”—Epicurious

“Self-taught baker Sally McKenney has a knack for explaining even the most intricate of pastry procedures with a calm, relaxed tone that makes you feel like you can conquer the task at hand.”—Vogue

“Sally has a gift for creating recipes that bakers trust and that families and friends crave. There’s so much to learn and so much to love here.”—Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling author and author of Dorie’s Anytime Cakes

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a more reliable source of baking recipes—recipes for home cooks with real kitchens—than Sally; this is the kind of cookbook we’ll keep forever.”—Deb Perelman, New York Times bestselling author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers

“Sally’s Baking 101 is destined to be an American classic! Sally always delivers on deliciousness, and her friendly baking guidance will guarantee success.”—Zoë François, New York Times bestselling author of Zoë Bakes Cookies

“At the end of the day, Sally’s Baking 101 is the baking book to end all baking books. We mere mortals are just lucky to be in Sally’s presence, soaking up all the sweet wisdom she’s serving.”—Jocelyn Delk Adams, television host and award-winning author of Grandbaby Cakes and Everyday Grand

“Sally’s meticulously tested recipes, thoughtful instructions, and expert advice will eliminate any baking anxiety to practically guarantee perfect results from your home kitchen. The mouthwatering photos are just the icing on top. I’ve dog-eared nearly every recipe!”—Tessa Arias, cookbook author and creator of Handle the Heat.

“Sally brings her signature style to this book for recipes that are reliable, fun, and always delicious. Sally is right by your side, guiding you every step of the way.”—Erin Jeanne McDowell, author of The Book on Pie and host of Happy Baking

“Perfect for every baker from beginner to experienced, Sally’s Baking 101 makes baking approachable and fun.”—Holly Nilsson, creator of Spend with Pennies and author of Spend with Pennies: Everyday Comfort

“Sally’s Baking 101 is everything you love about her blog in cookbook form—an essential for any home baker. Every recipe I tried was a hit, easy to follow, and turned out perfectly thanks to her step-by-step guidance. Sally is a legend, and this book proves why.”—Matthew James Duffy, baking professor and chef, creator of Sourdough Duffy, and author of Bread Etc.

“I have no doubt Sally’s Baking 101 is going to become the ultimate baking resource in households all around the world, including mine.”—Nagi Maehashi, cookbook author and creator of Recipe Tin Eats

“A well-thought-out and welcome introduction to the art and science of baking.”—Library Journal

From the Publisher