10 Best Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

The 'Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook' by Ina Garten, known as the Barefoot Contessa, is a popular choice among home cooks. The author brings her extensive culinary expertise to the table, ensuring that the recipes are both reliable and delicious. The cookbook focuses on a variety of dinner recipes, making it suitable for those who frequently prepare evening meals at home.

The recipes cater to a range of skill levels, from beginners to more experienced cooks, providing clear instructions and tips to help users achieve great results. The book covers multiple cuisine types, primarily focusing on American and comfort food, with some international influences sprinkled throughout. This variety can keep meals interesting and cater to different tastes and preferences.

One of the strengths of this cookbook is its visual appeal. The high-quality photographs are not only beautiful but also serve as a helpful guide for presentation and plating. Additionally, the ingredient lists are generally accessible, with most items available at local grocery stores. Despite its size and weight, which might make it a bit cumbersome to handle in the kitchen, its hardcover format ensures durability. 'Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook' is an excellent resource for home cooks looking to expand their dinner repertoire with reliable and visually appealing recipes.

Betty Crocker's Cooky Book is a classic choice for those interested in baking a wide range of cookies, from simple chocolate chip to more unique varieties. The recipes generally suit beginner to intermediate skill levels, making it accessible for home bakers who want straightforward, reliable instructions. The book focuses mainly on traditional American cookie recipes, which means it may not cover specific dietary preferences like gluten-free or vegan options extensively.

One strong point is the variety of cookie types offered, giving you plenty of ideas to try different flavors and textures. Ingredients called for are common and easy to find at most grocery stores, avoiding complicated or specialty items that could be hard to source. Visually, the book features clear, appealing photos that help you understand what the finished cookies should look like, which is great for less experienced bakers. Betty Crocker’s reputation as an experienced and trusted name in home cooking adds confidence to the recipes, assuring that they have been tested for good results.

The cookbook’s print is somewhat dated, and the selection might feel traditional, so if you're looking for modern or international cookie recipes, you might want to supplement this book with others. Its size and weight make it a sturdy, easy-to-handle kitchen companion without being bulky. This cookbook suits anyone keen on classic cookie baking with simple, accessible recipes and clear guidance.

Baking for Two: 200+ Small-Batch Recipes, from Lazy Bakes to Layer Cakes is a versatile cookbook that caters to those who enjoy baking in smaller quantities, perfect for couples or small households. The cuisine type focuses primarily on baked goods, ranging from simple, everyday bakes to more elaborate layer cakes, ensuring a broad appeal to a variety of tastes and occasions.

The recipes are designed to be approachable for bakers of all skill levels, with clear instructions that beginners can follow, while also providing enough complexity to keep more experienced bakers engaged. The variety of recipes is a strong point, covering over 200 different bakes which helps to keep one's baking routine interesting and diverse.

Ingredient accessibility is thoughtfully considered, with most recipes using common, easy-to-find ingredients, which makes it convenient for everyday baking without the need to hunt for specialty items. The visual appeal of the book is likely high, given its association with America's Test Kitchen, known for their high-quality photography and clear, step-by-step images that guide the reader through the recipe. The author's expertise is implicitly supported by America's Test Kitchen's reputation for reliable, tested recipes, providing credibility and confidence in the results.