I’ve been meaning to do this blog post for AGES – and here it finally is! My all-time 12 favorite cookbooks! It was hard to narrow down the list, but I did it! We’ve got cookbooks for dessert, small-batch dessert, bread-baking, everyday meals, and more!
I can’t think of a more appropriate time to post this since today is Amazon Prime Day! They’re giving $5 off any book orders of $20 or more with the code PRIMEBOOKS18. It’s the perfect time to find some new recipe inspiration or to snag a gift for someone special – I’ve included links for all these books to make things easy!
Let’s dive in!
1. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook
One of my best purchases ever. It’s split into sections with categories that include all of Mrs. Weasley’s best recipes, Hagrid’s recipes (rock cake, anyone?) and recipes from Hogwarts’ Dining Hall. The pumpkin juice is a must-try!
2. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
If you’re intimidated by bread-baking, this is the book for you. Full of easy-to follow recipes with lots of make-ahead tips, you’ll be a bread-baking pro in no time! The brioche recipe alone is worth the cost of admission.
3. Magnolia Table
Are you surprised that this cookbook made the list? Neither am I. I’ve been stocking up on all the Hearth & Hand goodies since the line launched at Target, and this cookbook is my latest obsession. Full of desserts, breakfast recipes, and hearty meals – make sure to try the Cinnamon Squares and the Chicken Spaghetti!
4. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook & Smitten Kitchen Every Day
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If you’ve never heard of Smitten Kitchen, you may have been living under a rock for the past 10 years. Deb is pretty much the original food blogger and her recipes never disappoint! These books are filled with every type of recipe you could ever want – plus lots of good vegetarian options! Try the Peach Dumplings with Bourbon Hard Sauce (from her first book) and the Short Rib Carnitas (from her second book).
5. Half Baked Harvest
Here’s another cookbook that has been raved about in the past few months – and understandably so! The recipes are delicious, the variety is endless, and the photography is gorgeous! Try the Sunday Meatballs (they’re made in a cast iron pan and drenched in red sauce and cheese – YUM!) and the Surprise Tiramisu Cupcakes.
6. Paleo Takeout
Ever wanted to make lightened-up versions of your restaurant favorites at home? This book has you covered. From Kung Pao Pork to General Tso’s Chicken to our favorite – the Orange Chicken! The burger recipes and the fried chicken are also fantastic.
7. Seriously Delish
This cookbook is absolutely amazing – the recipes are so creative! From the Slow Cooker Short Rib Breakfast Hash to the S’mores Hot Fudge Shakes. It’s all mouth-watering. The Oatmeal Apple Butter Bars are my favorite quick dessert!
8. The Pretty Dish
By the same author as Seriously Delish – this is one of the first cookbooks I ever found that made me say, “Yes! I can see myself making almost EVERY recipe in here!”. If you’re obsessed with cookbooks like I am, you know this is a rare find. I’m obsessed with the tomato bisque recipe (I did a blog post on it!) and the Blueberry Peach Cobbler Bars. You HAVE to make them while peaches are still in season!
9. Sweet & Simple: Dessert for Two
This cookbook is a lifesaver for me because when I make dessert, I want to eat ALL the dessert. These recipes are all small-batch – meaning you’ll only have to worry about eating 4 cupcakes or 6 cookies instead of two dozen. We LOVE the brownies in this cookbook, and the coconut sugar cookies!
10. Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind
This book is for when you’re trying to be a little healthier but you still want to treat yo self. All the desserts here are are fully or almost fully paleo! The S’mores Bars are SO good, as are the Brownie Crumb Donuts (cover photo). There’s also a small section of main-dish recipes that are almost all paleo!
11. The Little House Cookbook
Did you grow up reading the Little House books, too? Ok good – you know why I included this book. I always wanted to make the food they were talking about as I read these books! Laura Ingalls Wilder has a way of describing food that just makes your mouth water. This cookbook includes every recipe she mentions in the books! I’ll admit, I haven’t made too many recipes from this one, but I LOVE looking at the illustrations and snippets from the books that accompany each recipe. It’s just nostalgia, ya know?
12. Mom’s Recipes
This cookbook is NOT sold in stores anywhere and that’s why it’s the most special one on this list! My mom made this for me a few Christmases ago, and it holds all of our treasured family recipes. Most are recipes from my Mom, some are from family friends, and some are from my Grandparents. She even put all the recipes in plastic sleeves for me because I’m the messiest cook ever – good call, Mom!
Some of my favorites are Mom’s Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake and the Lemon Basil Cookies!
So there ya have it! My top 12 all-time favorite cookbooks. I’d love to hear your top cookbook recommendations – leave them in the comments!
I hope this was helpful and I hope your mouth isn’t watering at all the delicious possibilities – well, maybe just a little. Happy Reading!
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Chef Mireille says
Despite all the modern cookbooks on the list, the one I’m going to search out is the Little House Cookbook – I was obsessed with the show as a child and read the entire series of books
Stephanie Simmons says
How fun!!! Glad I’m not the only one out there with a soft spot for all things Little House! ❤️
Mirlene says
What a great collection of books. I have seen a few recipes in the magnolia cookbook – tons of great recipes. Have to check out the others.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Mirlene!
Kathy says
Mom’s Recipe is such a nice touch to the list! Thank you for sharing i’ve been meaning to check out Magnolia!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you Kathy!
Holly says
I LOVE clean eating with a dirty mind…one of my all time faves as well❤️
Stephanie Simmons says
Isn’t it great!? ❤️
Tiffany Alexandria says
So many beautiful cookbooks! I didn’t know there’s a harry potter cookbook! Would LOVE to try some recipes in that one. sounds magical 😉
I think all my favorite cookbooks are… interesting haha. definitely not the usual standard.
Stephanie Simmons says
It is SOO magical! Just like the rest of the HP books ?? I’d love to hear what one of your fave cookbooks is! I love finding unique ones!
Lisa says
I love this post! So many great cookbooks- I will definitely have to check out a few of these!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Lisa! ❤️
Samantha H. says
Huge, avid cookbook collector over here! I totally agree about the How Sweet Eats books, they’re so amazing. I have the new Smitten Kitchen and Half Baked Harvest books but haven’t looked at them yet – but I have high hopes! And obviously I have the Harry Potter book, haha. I will check the others out!
Stephanie Simmons says
Great (cooking) minds think alike, haha! The new SK and the HBH books are SO good! You should grab a glass of iced tea and dive into them! (Outside, preferably, if the weather is nice by you haha!) there’s nothing I love more than reading a good cookbook outside with a cold drink in hand ?❤️
Jacqueline Debono says
I love cookbooks, but don’t actually have any of these. I’d love to buy the Smitten Kitchen ones! She’s great! Love the recipes from your mum!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Jacqueline! Highly recommend the Smitten Kitchen ones
mydeliciousmeals says
I would also add the Flavor Bible to this list, this is a great resource when developing new recipes. Like the Paleo takeout book, will check it out, thanks for sharing!
Stephanie Simmons says
I will have to check out the Flavor Bible – thanks for the recommendation!!
Kelly Anthony says
What a fun idea for a post! I am a cookbook fanatic. Cant wait to check these out 🙂
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Kelly! Cookbook fanatics unite! ??
sondria Harp says
What a great list. There were a lot on here that I never heard of, i’m going to have to check them out.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Sondria!
Jere Cassidy says
Yes, to the Harry Potter cookbook!!! And the cookbook your mom made is always going to be the best. What a perfect gift.
Stephanie Simmons says
It is such a special gift! And Harry Potter = the best!
Stine Mari says
What a great mom <3 I should definitely have all my recipes in plastic sleeves… I'm thinking of getting some new cookbooks, so this is a great list!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Stine! Plastic sleeves are my life saver when cooking ?
Gloria says
I am a cookbook collector too. I have Magnolia Table and Smitten Kitchen (she was actually a guest speaker at a conference I attended). As for Mom’s….I do have a collection of “notes”…that I truly treasure.
Stephanie Simmons says
That’s so cool! I’d love to hear Deb speak someday! Ahh isn’t that the best? I think lots of is have cherished family recipes in some form or another – so special! ❤️