Critically acclaimed baking expert and media star Samantha Seneviratne dispels common baking myths and fears--and shares 100 of her favorite irresistible recipes.

Star baker Samantha Seneviratne wants to tell you the baking secrets of industry pros: You can soften butter in a microwave in seconds, without melting it. Don't bother sifting flour. No stand mixer? No problem--you can mix it by hand. Test the doneness of a cake without toothpicks (who actually has those?). Make a custard with a dump and stir method. Tempering schmempering.

Break free from common baking myths, fears, and unnecessarily fussy procedures, with Bake Smart, filled with Sam's tips and warm reassurances plus 100 stunning, mouth-watering recipes that are surprisingly achievable for any home baker. Chapters are organized by main baking ingredient (Butter; Sugar; Eggs; Flour, Nuts & Cocoa; and Yeast), each starting with a quick intro to break down the fundamentals of baking, as well as core recipes--like Basic Custard, Any-Nut Frangipane, and Rough Puff Pastry--that are easy to master and return to again and again.

And each chapter includes recipes for delicious, modern-yet-timeless sweets:

Stuffed S'more CookiesLemony Hibiscus DoodlesRaspberry Rye Balsamic TartBurnt Caramel Basque CheesecakeCaramelized Banana Cream Cornflake TartPassion Fruit and Pineapple Upside Down CakeGianduja RugelachMaple Tahini Chocolate Skillet CakeBig and Fluffy Lemon and Orange BunsChocolate Sesame Swirl BreadLinzer CookiesApricot Cardamom Buns