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The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More: A Baking Book

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Description

JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNER • IACP AWARD WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A dynamic, authoritative sourdough baking bible for those looking to build confidence in the craft with a wide range of foolproof recipes, from pan loaves to pizza to doughnuts, by the beloved blogger and resident bread baker at Food52 “Maurizio Leo has given all bread-heads, whether newbies or experienced bakers, the ideal gift.”—Peter Reinhart, author of The Bread Baker’s Apprentice and host of Pizza Quest ONE OF SAVEUR'S BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR Maurizio Leo’s blog The Perfect Loaf is the go-to destination on the internet for beginner sourdough bakers. He now brings his impeccably detailed techniques, foolproof recipes, and generous teaching style to a groundbreaking debut cookbook that delves into the absolute fundamentals of sourdough—plus the tools and confidence to explore beyond. Recipes cover flavorful, crowd- pleasing favorites: Essential freeform loaves: Simple Sourdough, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Extra-Sour Sourdough, Cranberry & Walnut, Demi BaguettesPan loaves: Everyday Sandwich Bread, Naturally Leavened Brioche, German Whole Rye, Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich BreadPizza and flatbread: Roman-Style Pan Pizza, Focaccia, Naan, Flour Tortillas, PitaBuns, rolls, and more: Soft Dinner Rolls, Potato Buns, Ciabatta Rolls, English Muffins, BagelsSweets: Weekend Cinnamon Rolls, Italian Doughnuts, Summer Fruit Sourdough Crostata, Banana Bread, Cinnamon Babka Beginner bakers will have their hands held the entire way, with troubleshooting sections and numerous sidebars answering almost every question they may have—like how to store a sourdough starter long-term, how bakers’ percentages actually work, and a visual guide to common “bread fails” and how to remedy them. Seasoned bakers will relish deep dives into the science behind baking processes and expert information on how to build their “baker’s intuition” and level up by experimenting with hydration, ingredient ratios, freshly milled grains, and specialty flours. Whether you're new to bread baking or a pro, The Perfect Loaf will be your indispensable guide in the kitchen. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarkson Potter


Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2022


Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 432 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593138414


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 10


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.27 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.29 x 1.34 x 10.43 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Bread Baking (Books) #2 in Cooking, Food & Wine Reference (Books) #2 in Cooking Encyclopedias


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • EXCELLENT WEALTH OF SOURDOUGH KNOWLEDGE
Format: Hardcover
This book is well written, highly organized, and has excellent recipes with extremely detailed step by step instructions. This book is great for a sourdough beginner of someone who is wanting to really fine hone and understand their sourdough bread making completely. If you or someone you know is on a sourdough path this book will become their greatest companion. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2026 by tracy

  • BEST COMPLETE BOOK ON EVERYTHING SOURDOUGH BREAD
Format: Hardcover
I bought a couple of top line leading books in sourdough making. But this book was the best of them all. Maurizio breaks everything down and isolates the problem for each situation. Every page is full of wisdom and clear photos, timelines, and diagrams for both beginner and advanced bakers to understand. My breads were coming out pretty good but when I started really getting the breakdown with his detailed instructions and troubleshooting, problems went away! I am getting nice crumb and excellent crust and excellent taste in my breads. The book is easy to read and easy to follow. And yeah if you are a professional, which I am not, it is full of excellent material. Every page is full of beautiful photos as well. 431 pages, lots of photos, and even QR codes to scan with your phone that takes you right over to YouTube to see a demonstration of exactly what he is referring to in the book! The book is loaded with these instructional videos along with the text and photos for step-by-step and you cannot go wrong. I highly recommend this book as a top notch number one must-have if you are into sourdough bread making! Maurizio Leo has such a passion for his work. He troubleshoots and breaks everything down and provides remedies and solutions to the sourdough process. If you've been baking sourdough for any length of time, you come to the conclusion that it is a continual moving target. Since atmosphere, room temperature, strength of your levain, types of flour, quantity of water, and time - have everything to do with the end results. Maurizio takes you through the process in detail but also makes it easy to follow. Yes, there is an intuitive part to this as well which comes with experience. The book has 431 pages including a very minimal index in the back. The content page in the front is also limited but the but has an sensible progression whereby you can find what you are looking for. My only crit would be that it needs a more extensive index, more thorough, so that there is less time flipping to find the content but between the index and the front content, you should be able to find your answers. The book has many other sourdough recipes including pizza, flatbread, buns, rolls, sweets, and so on. It is my go-to book for everything sourdough. Plus Maurizio is so good about answering questions, emails and so on. He is an amazing person full of goodwill and good heart. You cannot go wrong with this book and it is worth far more than the price in my opinion! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023 by Reviewer Reviewer

  • Fantastic Sourdough Bakery Book!
Format: Hardcover
Fantastic Book! I love the QR codes throughout the book with pre-recorded videos showing various baking techniques. The information is top notch, explained with great detail, logically catagorized without being overly complicated and will absolutely make you a better baker. There are recipes for all levels of experience. I've been following Maurizio through his newsletter, forum, and website for many years. I love baking with everything sourdough and captures this style of baking wholeheartedly in everything his creates and offers. He stays involved in the forum answering questions and tempting us with new recipes he is creating with descriptions that make our mouths water in antipation of getting the finalized recipe to try for ourselves. It is exciting to see and read how recipes turn out with those who share. The forum is welcoming without any intimidation. People of any skill level and experience feel comfortable sharing and asking questions. Maurizio travels globally training with other chefs, visiting various bakeries and of course, shares the new insights he has accumulated on various social media platforms and his website. Thank you Maurizio. Your offerings continue to make me a better baker. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2025 by Dave Anthony

  • The ultimate guide to sourdough baking.
Format: Hardcover
The perfect guide to sourdough baking. It has helped me to develop my baking and make my own recipes! I love understanding the science behind baking and this gives so much information. I have seen reviews saying recipes make you wake in the middle of the night. But if timed correctly that is far from true!!!! These recipes fit into life and are extremely detailed. Answering any questions for novice and experienced bakers alike. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2026 by FlourandFable FlourandFable

  • The Perfect Loaf ***Review*** Simply the Best!
Format: Hardcover
This is a beautiful book with loads of information and step by step instructions which I need because this will be my first time attempting bread making. So grateful for the amazing photography as well, most needed. I hope there will be courses in the future. Ann D, Tampa Fl
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2026 by Annie D.

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