Who needs the James Beard Best Cookbooks List when we've got the Browns Kitchen Best Cookbooks List? Just kidding, most of our favorites are James Beard winners, but we're going to tell you which ones are actually worth it. We've broken it down by our favorite book in each category to make it easier for you to find the perfect cookbook for that special person on your list!
Best Bread Cookbook: Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast
Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast was published in 2012, but nearly 12 years later, still lands in our number one spot for the best bread cookbook.
Author Ken Forkish breaks down the fundamentals of baking bread in a way that is accessible to beginners who are interested in making their first loaf of bread. While it includes the basics to get started, it is by no means just a book for novices. It includes invaluable information that even established bread bakers will learn from and be able to incorporate into their beloved loaves.
Best Cocktail Cookbook: The Classic Cocktail Deck
We are loving this new format of cookbooks that are presented as decks rather than traditional cookbooks! The cards make it so easy to grab the recipe your interested and work from it without the hassle of a giant book! We like to tuck our recipe card into our pocket when we head to the grocery store so we can make sure we don't forget any essential ingredients! The Classic Cocktail Deck includes 75 iconic cocktail recipes along with stunning photos to show you how each drink should be presented. At only $19.99, this is a perfect gift for any aspiring cocktail aficionado in your life!
If you're interested in more deck style cookbooks, check out the Cheese Board Deck, the Wine and Cheeseboard Deck, and the Essential Cocktail Deck.
Best Baking/Dessert Cookbook: Delectable
We love Delectable because of the way it brings in the knowledge of baking at home and teaches readers how to elevate their goods to bakery level! This cookbook includes categories for Breads, Donuts, Cakes, Cookies, Pies, and Savory treats like tarts and crostatas. Not only are the recipes delicious, the images are so stunning you could leave it out on your coffee table for guests to peruse during their visits.
Best Charcuterie Cookbook: On Boards
Charcuterie boards can be overwhelming to create, but On Boards breaks it down into an easily accessible format that will make hosting a breeze. You'll be able to put together grazing boards that will wow your guests and allow you to focus on spending time together, rather than being stuck in the kitchen.
Best Family Cookbook: The Stay At Home Chef Family Favorites Cookbook
Raising children and keeping a household is already a full time job, and making gourmet meals is not at the top of the to do list. We love this cookbook because it has a wide variety of recipes that are quick and easy to make while running between sporting events and dance recitals! The Stay At Home Chef Family Favorites Cookbook also promises to provide recipes that the whole family, including the picky eater, will love!
Best BBQ/Grilling Cookbook: Eat Your Bourbon
We cannot stop making the Smoked Pimento Cheese recipe from the Eat Your Bourbon cookbook. Seriously, it's addictive. This book is filled with recipes that the bourbon drinker in your life will love. It covers the spectrum of appetizers, mains, sides, desserts and cocktails, making sure there's a recipe perfect for every occasion!
Best Pasta Cookbook: Simple Pasta
Make homemade pasta easy, fun, and delicious with Simple Pasta. This cookbook teaches you three base doughs then shows you the endless possibilities for creating your own variations! Pasta is such a joy to create and eat with your family members, and by gifting this cookbook, you're also gifting years of fun and new memories too.
Best Pizza Cookbook: The Pizza Bible
The perfect cookbook to go with your new Gozney Pizza Oven! Just kidding... kind of. But seriously, the Pizza Bible is great for anyone who wants to learn how to make the perfect pizza crust, with or without a pizza oven. This book breaks down nine different regional styles of pizza and shows you how to perfect each one in your own kitchen! This would make a great gift, and you can tell them that their gift to you is a slice of pizza!
Best Vegan Cookbook: The Homemade Vegan Pantry
The Homemade Vegan Pantry is a guide to creating vegan versions of pantry staples--from dairy and meat substitutes such as vegan yogurt, mayo, bacon, and cheese, to dressings, sauces, cookies, and more. This cookbook raises the bar on plant-based cuisine, not only for vegans and vegetarians, but also for the growing number of Americans looking to eat lighter and healthier, and anyone interested in a handcrafted approach to food.
Best Wine Cookbook: Wine Folly
If you're looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life, look no further. Wine Folly is the complete reference guide including 100 wine profiles, 35 regional wine maps, 246 regional wine profiles, hundreds of wine terms and classifications, and much, much more. This book makes a wonderful reference book, coffee table book, and addition to a home bar. Pair the book with a bottle of wine, and you'll have the gift of the year!