Men's Baking Manual

Book excerpt: From puddings to patisserie, sourdough to sausage rolls, the Men's Baking Manual tells you everything a chap needs to know about baking. Covering tools and equipment, perfect pastry, yeasts and starters and cake making, it's packed full of advice, tips and recipes that will have you wowing your friends and family with stunning breads, cakes, puddings and pastries. Equipment - all the kit you'll need, from tins to rolling pins, including advice on mixers, and selecting a good knife. Basic techniques - from 'rubbing in' to kneading dough and piping cream, as well as how to temper chocolate, whip cream and make a sourdough starter. Also advice on flours, sugars and fats and how to use them. Recipes - fancy tucking in to a freshly baked fougass or focaccia? Or slathering homemade crumpets or tea bread with butter and serving with a cuppa? What about showing off your homemade parkin, Chelsea buns or Eccles cakes to the family?