SIFT: The Elements of Great Baking

Written by

Nicola Lamb

Published

02 May 2024

SIFT: The Elements of Great Baking

Learn the fundamentals of accomplished baking with Nicola Lamb

From bread to pastry, cakes to cookies, discover 100 beautiful recipes organised according to the time taken to bake them

A must-have addition to any baker's cookbook collection

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Everything you ever wanted to know about baking but were too afraid to ask

Felicity Cloake

1/4

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Nicola understands and explains baking like nobody else

Jamie Oliver

2/4

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Every page is a masterclass in better baking

Nigel Slater

3/4

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Simply extraordinary recipes

Helen Goh

4/4

Who is the author: Pastry chef, recipe developer, and ‘Kitchen Projects’ newsletter author Nicola Lamb has worked at some of the biggest places in the food world, including Dominique Ansel, Ottolenghi, Happy Endings, and Little Bread Pedlar.

Nicola’s writing has been hailed as go-to resource for novice and seasoned bakers alike, and she counts Verena Lochmuller of Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, Toklas Bakery, and Soft & Swirly among her collaborators.

What’s it about: SIFT is everything you need to know about the art of baking, with chapters breaking down the fundamentals and science of flour, eggs, sugar, and more to create the perfect bake with confidence.

Its more than 100 recipes are beautifully photographed and organised according to how long they take to create, so you can dip in and out of this baking bible whether you’re looking to whip up a quick and easy batch of cookies, turn around the perfect layer cake in a day, or while away a weekend with a more ambitious baking project.

Recipes we love: Olive Oil Brie-oche with Roasted Grapes, 3-Day Foccaccia, Miso Walnut Double-Thick Chocolate-Chip Cookies, and Mocha Passionfruit Opera Cake.

Perfect for: Baking aficionados, sweet tooths, and fans of cooking bibles like Salt Fat Acid Heat.