Description

The International White Bread Cookbook

A Comprehensive Guide to 50 Classic White Breads from Around the World

Discover the rich, global history of humanity’s most cherished staple food with The International White Bread Cookbook . As a standalone volume in The Bread Baker’s Cookbook Series , this book takes home bakers on a culinary journey across continents to explore the art, science, and ritual of crafting 50 world-renowned white breads.

Classic French Baguettes. Source: Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

Pillowy Japanese Shokupan. Source: Rimma_Bondarenko / Getty Images

 

What’s Inside This Volume?

• 50 Global Recipes: From European classics like the French Baguette , Pain de Mie , and Italian Ciabatta , to Asian favorites like Japanese Shokupan and Chinese Mantou , as well as regional specialties such as Mexican Bolillos , Vietnamese Bánh Mì , Filipino Pandesal , and South African Bunny Chow Loaf .

• Cultural Pairings Guide: Learn how each bread interacts with local culinary traditions—from dipping focaccia in balsamic and oil to scooping curries with naan or assembling classic tortas.

• Master Essential Ingredients & Ratios: Understand the precise roles of flour protein levels, hydration, salt percentages, fat enrichments, and yeasts.

• Step-by-Step Shaping Tutorials: Detailed techniques for forming boules, bâtards, baguettes, knots, braids, and specialty shapes like Épi de Blé (Wheat Stalk) and Rosetta Rolls .

• Advanced Baking & Steam Techniques: Learn how to use pre-ferments (biga/poolish), autolyse methods, stretch-and-fold techniques, and specialized home steam-baking options for thin, crackly crusts.

• Troubleshooting & Storage: Tips for proofing, diagnosing common baking issues, proper freezing, and serving ideas.

Recipes Featured by Region: