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Bread Toast Crumbs: Recipes for No-Knead Loaves & Meals to Savor Every Slice: A Cookbook
With praise from Dorie Greenspan, Jim Lahey, and David Lebovitz, the definitive bread-baking book for a new generation. But this book isn't just about baking bread-- it's about what to do with the slices and heels and nubs from those many loaves you'll bake.
Alexandra Stafford grew up eating her mother's peasant bread at nearly every meal--the recipe for which was a closely-guarded family secret. When her blog, Alexandra's Kitchen, began to grow in popularity, readers started asking how to make the bread they'd heard so much about; the bread they had seen peeking into photos. Finally, Alexandra's mother relented, and the recipe went up on the internet. It has since inspired many who had deemed bread-baking an impossibility to give it a try, and their results have exceeded expectations. The secret is in its simplicity: the no-knead dough comes together in fewer than five minutes, rises in an hour, and after a second short rise, bakes in buttered bowls.
After you master the famous peasant bread, you'll work your way through its many variations, both in flavor (Cornmeal, Jalapeno, and Jack; Three Seed) and form (Cranberry Walnut Dinner Rolls; Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread). You'll enjoy bread's usual utilities with Food Cart Grilled Cheese and the Summer Tartine with Burrata and Avocado, but then you'll discover its true versatility when you use it to sop up Mussels with Shallot and White Wine or juicy Roast Chicken Legs. Finally, you'll find ways to savor every last bite, from Panzanella Salad Three Ways to Roasted Tomato Soup to No-Bake Chocolate-Coconut Cookies.
Bread, Toast, Crumbs is a 2018 nominee for The IACP Julia Child First Book Award, and Alexandra's Kitchen was a finalist for the Saveur Blog Awards Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners 2016
Alexandra Stafford grew up eating her mother's peasant bread at nearly every meal--the recipe for which was a closely-guarded family secret. When her blog, Alexandra's Kitchen, began to grow in popularity, readers started asking how to make the bread they'd heard so much about; the bread they had seen peeking into photos. Finally, Alexandra's mother relented, and the recipe went up on the internet. It has since inspired many who had deemed bread-baking an impossibility to give it a try, and their results have exceeded expectations. The secret is in its simplicity: the no-knead dough comes together in fewer than five minutes, rises in an hour, and after a second short rise, bakes in buttered bowls.
After you master the famous peasant bread, you'll work your way through its many variations, both in flavor (Cornmeal, Jalapeno, and Jack; Three Seed) and form (Cranberry Walnut Dinner Rolls; Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread). You'll enjoy bread's usual utilities with Food Cart Grilled Cheese and the Summer Tartine with Burrata and Avocado, but then you'll discover its true versatility when you use it to sop up Mussels with Shallot and White Wine or juicy Roast Chicken Legs. Finally, you'll find ways to savor every last bite, from Panzanella Salad Three Ways to Roasted Tomato Soup to No-Bake Chocolate-Coconut Cookies.
Bread, Toast, Crumbs is a 2018 nominee for The IACP Julia Child First Book Award, and Alexandra's Kitchen was a finalist for the Saveur Blog Awards Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners 2016
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 5, 2018
I am a very good home baker. Don’t care if that sounds braggy. As competent as I feel around a stand mixer and piping bags, if a recipe requires a packet of yeast, I keep on walking. However. Ever since I laid my hands on this book a few months ago, I’ve baked fresh, yeasty delicious bread 1-2 a week. It’s an amazing book—well done, lots of gorgeous photos and all written in a wonderfully straightforward and insightful tone. If you’re a bread eater with even a passing interest in baking, I highly recommend this book. It’s a keeper.
July 7, 2017
These no knead breads are FOOLPROOF! The writing in this book is gorgeous. I want to live inside this book.
December 19, 2021
So, I have never really been a baker, and bread has always kind of scared me because it seems so labor intensive. But I’m at home a lot now, and we keep buying giant bags of flour at Costco and I keep getting super annoyed at grocery store bread that tastes like glue, so I looked up what bread is the easiest to make and got this cookbook as the result.
I am still not really a baker. Or at least, not really a good one. But thanks to this book I feel like I’m kind of getting the hang of it? The only problem is that the loaves the main recipe makes are pretty small, and I have a toddler who keeps coming to the counter demanding, “Bread. Bread. Bread” the second it comes out of the oven, so it never lasts us for more than a few days. But it is super easy, and is getting easier with practice, so I feel like maybe at some point I’ll be able to find the time/energy/inclination to make it more than once every two or three weeks?
Anyway, I feel like I’m getting close to mastering at least the basic recipe and will probably try one of the many variations pretty soon. I’ve never really been big on bread, but trying this has been fun and has actually made me appreciate it more. And it never tastes like glue, yay!
I am still not really a baker. Or at least, not really a good one. But thanks to this book I feel like I’m kind of getting the hang of it? The only problem is that the loaves the main recipe makes are pretty small, and I have a toddler who keeps coming to the counter demanding, “Bread. Bread. Bread” the second it comes out of the oven, so it never lasts us for more than a few days. But it is super easy, and is getting easier with practice, so I feel like maybe at some point I’ll be able to find the time/energy/inclination to make it more than once every two or three weeks?
Anyway, I feel like I’m getting close to mastering at least the basic recipe and will probably try one of the many variations pretty soon. I’ve never really been big on bread, but trying this has been fun and has actually made me appreciate it more. And it never tastes like glue, yay!
October 1, 2019
Great bread book. It's not the most sophisticated bread, but it makes a decent peasant loaf and it's easy. The focaccia is delicious, as is the pizza- really great- among the best I've made. Her recipes using toast and crumbs are great. I really enjoyed this book. Got it from the library, then bought a used copy on Amazon.
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October 29, 2021Checked it out of the library. Read the little forward / story about the author-cook's mom. Appreciated that these 'magic bread bakers' were women, not the usual men. Wondered why everyone was blond. Didn't make any bread. Returned it.
June 4, 2020
I have quite a few cookbooks, more than I realized, and would love to add this one to my collection. My copy needs to go back to the library. Whenever I can find yeast in the stores again, I want to definitely try Peasant Bread, Beer Bread, Cheesy Bread, Focaccia... OMG there are so many. Homemade pizza! And those are in just the first 40 pages. Anyway, a book full of good reading or good cooking if so inclined.
December 9, 2023
I’ve been using the book for a while trying
The different breads. Definitely a fan of the cornerstone peasant bread and rosemary focaccia.
The different breads. Definitely a fan of the cornerstone peasant bread and rosemary focaccia.
October 2, 2022
I’m still not a great bread maker, but the basic peasant loaf was the best bread I’ve ever made. I did have to buy the 1 quart Pyrex bowls to have the best effect though. I’ve tried the dough before in other vessels, but I think the Pyrex has made all the difference. I’m not sure if I’ll try out the food recipes, but I definitely want more bread.
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November 25, 2020I'm a fan of the CONCEPT of this book. Here's an incredibly basic bread recipe, here are some similar basic recipes, here are some recipes for the bread once you've baked it, here are some recipes for the bread once it's gone stale. I can't actually rate it because I haven't cooked every recipe in here but I've made the basic bread a couple of times and it's quite serviceable so I would recommend this to people who want to bake bread but are confused by sourdough starters and/or have long nails and don't want to knead dough (<--me on both counts)
January 19, 2020
What a lovely book.
February 2, 2022
I first saw Stafford's infamous bread recipe on her Tik Tok, then was coincidentally gifted her cookbook over the holidays. That really worked out!
Anyway, I was eager to try her jalapeno/cheddar bread and kalamata olive/onion bread recipes, since I've really grown fond of baking bread and experimenting with different techniques during COVID.
While Stafford's bowl method was quicker, simpler, and rather clever, I think the flavor payoff wasn't as spectacular as I had expected it to be. The exterior crust was delicious and crunchy, because of the layer of butter, but the interior was quite bland. I think the yeast isn't given adequate time to ferment and produce as strong of a flavor in the dough, but I'm no expert! That being said, I'll be sticking to my go-to bread recipes instead.
However, there are so many other recipes besides bread that Stafford includes, so I'm excited to try several of those! Plus, there are some priceless tips (like for proofing dough, special ingredients, etc.) and the pictures are stunning!
Anyway, I was eager to try her jalapeno/cheddar bread and kalamata olive/onion bread recipes, since I've really grown fond of baking bread and experimenting with different techniques during COVID.
While Stafford's bowl method was quicker, simpler, and rather clever, I think the flavor payoff wasn't as spectacular as I had expected it to be. The exterior crust was delicious and crunchy, because of the layer of butter, but the interior was quite bland. I think the yeast isn't given adequate time to ferment and produce as strong of a flavor in the dough, but I'm no expert! That being said, I'll be sticking to my go-to bread recipes instead.
However, there are so many other recipes besides bread that Stafford includes, so I'm excited to try several of those! Plus, there are some priceless tips (like for proofing dough, special ingredients, etc.) and the pictures are stunning!
January 21, 2019
I have to start with a caveat: I didn't read or try any of the loaf recipes. I'm a pretty competent bread baker (Peter Reinhart and Dan Lepard are my go-to's) but my life has become busier and I've become intrigued, for the first time, by the no-knead angle. But I was equally intrigued with this book because of the inclusion of meal recipes; it's so easy to just fill up on bread and I thought this book might give me more ideas on bread-based meals.
But the meal recipes are so insufferably twee. I literally threw the book on the couch after paging through maybe a dozen recipes. It feels disjointed to me--a bread baking method that's prime for busy people, combined with the kinds of expensive-ingredient, multiple-component recipes you might expect to find at a neighborhood breakfast bistro. Maybe she should have written two cookbooks and focused on the strengths of each idea. I guess I'll just read Jim Lahey's book instead.
But the meal recipes are so insufferably twee. I literally threw the book on the couch after paging through maybe a dozen recipes. It feels disjointed to me--a bread baking method that's prime for busy people, combined with the kinds of expensive-ingredient, multiple-component recipes you might expect to find at a neighborhood breakfast bistro. Maybe she should have written two cookbooks and focused on the strengths of each idea. I guess I'll just read Jim Lahey's book instead.
August 12, 2019
I love the peasant bread recipe — it is consistently a hit with guests. It is about 1 time in every 3 I make it that I can get the bread out of the small vintage Pyrex bowls she recommends (I went all in, what can I say). I have tried slathering butter on, but there is a point where there appears to be too much butter and the bottom crust does not crisp, but rather stays a bit moist and can separate from the bread when I cut it. Basically, this bread tastes great but it is a bit frustrating to work with.
I tried the hamburger buns and those did not turn out tasting like hamburger buns should, either in flavor or texture (too crunchy or too raw, no nirvana-level in between).
Overall I love her ideas and I bake from this book about twice a month. I do use the guide of making bread and using it at all stages (toast, crumbs) and this is a great guide for doing more “at home” baking.
I tried the hamburger buns and those did not turn out tasting like hamburger buns should, either in flavor or texture (too crunchy or too raw, no nirvana-level in between).
Overall I love her ideas and I bake from this book about twice a month. I do use the guide of making bread and using it at all stages (toast, crumbs) and this is a great guide for doing more “at home” baking.
July 30, 2020
Full disclosure: I already jumped on the Alexandra's peasant bread train last year. I've had a pound of yeast (less 2 teaspoons at a time) in my fridge since December, so I was fully prepped and ready for the quarantine bread making craze and I didn't have to bother with feeding a starter.
This book landed in my holds about two days after my town went into quarantine and I was finally able to free it via curbside pickup recently. And I am hype to make a bunch of these recipes.
There's variations of the peasant bread, which I've personally not messed with too much yet, since bread can be finicky. There's other breads. There's "toast" recipes which was mostly just sandwich food porn for me. And then there's crumb recipes -- which for a single person living alone, sometimes two loaves of bread is just a loaf too many.
This book landed in my holds about two days after my town went into quarantine and I was finally able to free it via curbside pickup recently. And I am hype to make a bunch of these recipes.
There's variations of the peasant bread, which I've personally not messed with too much yet, since bread can be finicky. There's other breads. There's "toast" recipes which was mostly just sandwich food porn for me. And then there's crumb recipes -- which for a single person living alone, sometimes two loaves of bread is just a loaf too many.
February 19, 2018
Alexandra Stafford grew up eating her mother's peasant bread at every meal. Eventually after she started a food blog she convinced her mother to share her bread recipe. This cookbook starts with that recipe then the first section "bread" gives other bread recipes and variations on her mother's original recipe. The second section "toast" covers recipes that use the breads from the first section - sandwiches, entrees using bread, etc. The final section "crumbs" includes recipes on using the bread in a broken down way - crumbs, croutons, bread pudding, etc. I really like the way Stafford organized the cookbook and there were LOTS of recipes I'd like to try. If you want to get started baking bread (and finding all kinds of ways to use that bread) this would be a great place to start.
November 16, 2017
I love that Bread Toast Crumbs is so comprehensive. I've been baking no-knead bread with the Jim Leahy method for a while now (this morning, cinnamon raisin!) but I have yet to try her method. Author Alexandra Stafford gives us some favorites and loads of new twists and recipes in which to use all aspects of her yummy sounding breads.. Anyone who has read my baking cookbook reviews know that most important to me is ingredients measured in weigh not volume. Alexandra Stafford gives both. She does a great job with step by step explanations, and I appreciate her detailed hints and FAQ's.
March 14, 2020
This was our chosen cookbook for Cookbook Club this month. Bonus, the author is local and came to our meeting. I can say the author herself is a lovely individual, great a demonstrations and easy to talk to if you have questions. As for the book itself, absolutely wonderful. I don't make bread. I'm not really a baker, but these were so dang easy I'd do it again. The ones we tried were delicious, the one I made will be made again, and the addition of recipes that aren't bread, but include it as an ingredient greatly balances it all out.
March 6, 2018
The photography is gorgeous, the recipes are delicious - I can't wait to try everything in the book! The bread turns out fabulous, and I have gotten rave reviews from anyone I have shared it with. The stuffing recipe is absolutely perfect, and I will definitely be making it for Thanksgiving. An easy, forgiving, delicious, and from-scratch stuffing recipe? Yes, please! The pissaladiere turned out great, too. So many terrific-sounding recipes to try!
May 23, 2020
This is a Food 52 Baking club book that was very popular--mostly with the bread recipes, but also with the recipes that follow, which use bread. The no knead style of bread is baked in 1 quart pyrex pans, that make a smallish loaf, but two of them, so you can give one away or freeze it for another day. A good option, especially for those who live alone of with one other person and who are not adventurous bread bakers (like myself).
February 17, 2018
We used this for our cookbook book club and every dish was delicious! The peasant bread, salted dinner rolls and brioche bread were outstanding. The non-bread items were equally as tasty. The lime gelato with the toasted coconut and crumb topping was excellent, as was the bread pudding. There was not a recipe that wasn't enjoyed!
October 16, 2019
I tried out her website as well. Great recipes for her basic breads. The book gave me a lot of ideas for easy and fast breads. I did like her recipes that she includes with the bread recipes and which bread pairs well with those recipes, but I decided not to try them. There are simpler recipes out there that won't cost me so much.
December 5, 2020
Intriguing cookbook I borrowed from the library, featuring a no-knead peasant loaf, and lots of recipes using bread in all stages, from fresh to saved loaf ends (crumbs). I may have to add this one to my personal collection.
January 18, 2023
Good collections of recipes for bread, and what to do with the bread. Many are simple to do, and several are quite unique. Definitely a bread book that will be used repeatedly on baking days, and to haul out for ideas for get togethers with friends.
May 28, 2017
I reviewed this book on my blog.
September 12, 2017
can't wait to try some recipes!
October 5, 2017
Interesting. There are definitely some recipes in here that I would like to try
February 28, 2018
from library. Liked enough to put on my watch list for used copy
May 12, 2018
Wow! In love with this cookbook! Want to make so many things.
October 27, 2018
See my notes for the recipes I want to try.
January 15, 2019
Minimal kneading and most loaves turned out decently!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews