Introduction When I published my first major baking book, Ultimate Cake Book , in 1994, it was with the hope that it would encourage more people to take up homebaking, and show inexperienced cooks that cake making isn't as complicated as it might first appear. The success of that book has been tremendous and I have been touched by how many people still rely on it even now, nearly thirty years later! In 2003, as I wrote the introduction for the revised edition of the Ultimate Cake Book , I remember marveling at the continuing demand for cake-making instruction. Now, it seems, people are turning to homebaking even more since the success of The Great British Bake Off! In light of this increased interest in homebaking, I felt it was time to create a new complete book of baking--my Baking Bible. This is a new edition of The Baking Bible to include right up-to-date favorites--such as a glorious Red Velvet Cake, Rainbow Cake, Quick Sourdough Loaf, and Herb and Garlic Flatbread. I hope this book will inspire a new generation of cooks, as well as prove useful to seasoned bakers. The aim was to produce an easy-to-use baking collection to satisfy all your baking needs. I have included a bread section, containing my new bread recipes. There are some unusual cakes to try, like Zucchini Loaves, and recipes for favorites, such as Cupcakes.

But as this is a "baking bible," I have tried to include as many classic recipes as possible. There are lots of traditional celebration cakes for occasions such as Easter, Christmas and christenings, birthdays and weddings, and some well-known favorites like Victoria sponge and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I've included lots of simple recipes for children to make (with supervision), and some more challenging recipes that require careful timing, and more skill, including patisserie-style desserts, such as Gateau Saint Honore. Cooks of all levels of experience should find something to make and to challenge them here. Since I first started writing recipes, the equipment available has evolved and improved enormously. Now we have reliable ovens, food processors and electric mixers, nonstick pans and baking sheets, and bread-makers. With the help of these aids, baking has become quick, easy, and stress-free. All you need is to weigh and measure your ingredients very carefully and follow the tested step-by-step instructions.

I have tried to include recipes for all occasions and I hope you will find plenty of bakes to suit your tastes. But, most of all, I hope that this new collection of my favorite and trusted recipes will help you enjoy homebaking. Cakes are made to be shared, so once you have mastered a recipe, invite your friends and family to enjoy the fruits of your labor with a good pot of tea--happy baking!.