10 Best Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

The 'America's Test Kitchen 25th Anniversary Cookbook' is a comprehensive collection of 500 recipes that have significantly influenced American cooking over the past quarter-century. The cuisine type is broadly American, covering a wide range of dishes from comfort food to modern culinary innovations, making it suitable for a diverse audience. The skill level required to use this cookbook varies, offering both simple, beginner-friendly recipes and more complex dishes for experienced cooks, which makes it versatile for different users.

Dietary preferences are addressed to some extent, with recipes catering to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets, though the primary focus is on traditional American cooking which might limit options for more niche dietary needs. The recipe variety is impressive, providing a wealth of options across different meal types and occasions, ensuring that users can find recipes for everyday cooking as well as special events. Ingredient accessibility is generally good, with most recipes using common ingredients that can be found in standard grocery stores, although some specialized recipes may include harder-to-find items.

The visual appeal of the cookbook is enhanced by high-quality photographs and clear, step-by-step instructions, making it visually engaging and easy to follow. The author's expertise is evident throughout the book, with America's Test Kitchen known for its rigorous testing and reliable recipes, which assures users of the quality and success of the dishes. However, the book's large size and weight might make it cumbersome for some users to handle. Additionally, its focus on American cuisine could be limiting for those seeking more international or diverse culinary experiences.

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.

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.