Book excerpt: Now more than ever, home cooks are flexing their baking muscle by preparing from-scratch breads, golden biscuits, wow-worthy cakes, snackable cookies and other sensational sweets. Whether you’re a novice baker or a pro, this book has all the recipes, hints, tips and tricks you need to bake up an impressive specialty. With the Taste of Home Ultimate Baking Cookbook, you’ll uncover the secrets today’s home bakers rely on most. Want to bake crescent rolls like Grandma? Follow the how-to photos for the perfect result. Wondering how to make the perfect pie? See the step-by-step directions for sweet success. Want to learn how to master sourdough bread? We’ll show you how, from sourdough starter to the perfect rise to the best bake. Entire chapters walk you through the basics of yeast and quick breads, cheesecakes, pies, bagels, brownies, coffee cakes, cobblers, cookies, cakes for every occasion and so many other favorites! CHAPTERS Baking 101 (Everything you need to know before you begin) Yeast Breads Loaf Breads Egg Breads: Brioche & Challah Foccacia Dinner Rolls Sweet Breads & Rolls Sourdough Breads Pizza Crusts & More (Bagels, Pretzels & Breadsticks) Quick Breads Quick Breads Muffins Soda Bread & Scones Biscuits & Corn Bread Cookies Drop Bar Cutout Sliced/Icebox Shaped/molded Biscotti Brownies & Bars Pies & Tarts Pie crusts Fruit Pies Custard & Meringue Pies Tarts & Galettes Nut Pies & More Cobblers, Crisps & Crumbles Cheesecakes & Custards Cakes Layer Cakes Sheet Cakes & Cake Rolls Bundt Cakes/Pound cakes Upside-Down Cakes & Skillet cakes Chiffon Cupcakes Assorted Cakes (includes classic tortes) Pastries & More Breakfast Rolls & Pastries Puff Pastry & Phyllo Dough Coffee Cakes Assorted Pastries Icings, Glazes, Sauces & More Baking Reference Guide Cake-Pan Conversions Ingredient Substitutions Weights for common baking ingredients How to cut down recipes RECIPES Classic Carrot Cake Red Velvet Cake Mom’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake Peanut-Butter Chocolate Cupcakes Cranberry-Pumpkin Bread Cheesecake Squares Key Lime Cheesecake Monster Cookies Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies Ginger Bites Caramel Brownies Banana Split Bars Pecan Pie Scones Cape Cod Blueberry Pie Brandied Apricot Tart Blueberry Crisp Apple Brown Betty Chocolate Eclairs Peach Cream Puffs