Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast

We’re talking about one of our favorite genres of baking today: the bakes of Chinatown.  From bolo bao to dan tat, we can’t get enough of the gorgeous goods lining the bakery cases of Chinatowns across the US. So of course, we had to have cookbook author Kristina Cho on the show to share more about the history of these bakeries, their place in Chinese American communities, and her tips for making the best versions of these iconic bakes at home. Along the way, David and Jessica share their experiences eating in two of the best Chinatowns in the country, plus their answers to your biggest baking questions (with some crucial help from Kristina!). Jessica has a shockingly positive Jess-opinion for once, and she and David close out the show by sharing the recipes they’re baking this week.  Recipes and other links from this episode: Find our recipes for Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao), Hong Kong Egg Tarts, and Red Bean Mooncakes Learn more about Kristina’s two cookbooks, Mooncakes & Milk Bread and Chinese Enough For more on steamed buns, check out our blog: Everything you need to know to make steamed buns Find our Golden Milk Bread recipe in the Big Book of Bread  And for more on tangzhong and milk bread, see our blog: What is milk bread? What David’s baking this week: Bagels (with help from our On-Demand Bagel Class) What Jessica’s baking this week: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Plugra. Learn more about their premium European-style butter at plugra.com. 

We’re back, and we’re talking all about butter!  Legendary baker Dorie Greenspan joins the show to share her thoughts on all things butter, plus some stories that will make you want to move to France immediately. David and Jessica dive deep into baker Nicole Rucker’s Cold Butter Method (CBM) and their tips for baking better with butter, before answering your questions, including their thoughts on softening butter quickly and making the most flavorful brown butter using a tip from our Test Kitchen. They then take a detour to the Minnesota State Fair, where butter carving takes centerstage, and close out the episode with the recipes they’re baking this week.  Recipes and other links from this episode: Jessica and David’s summer bakes: Swirled Rhubarb Bars (double the recipe to make in a 9” x 13” pan!) and Toasted Marshmallow Whipped Cream  Find Nicole Rucker’s book here: Fat + Flour: The Art of a Simple Bake Jesse Szewczyk’s blog: The secret to fudgier cookies? It's all about the butter. Dorie’s newest cookbook is almost out!: Dorie’s Anytime Cakes   Lydia’s Ultimate Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats  Blog: Creaming butter and sugar: How to get it right Blog: How to soften butter quickly  Blog: The baking trials: butter vs. vegan butter Learn more about Gerry here, and find videos of him sculpting here.  What David’s baking this week: The Most Pumpkin Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread What Jessica’s baking this week: Apple Pie Bars  Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Plugra. Learn more about their premium European-style butter at plugra.com. 

Things Bakers Know, the official podcast from King Arthur Baking Company, is back with a ten episode second season — starting September 29th! Join King Arthur’s Jessica Battilana and David Tamarkin as they explore every corner of the baking world. Each episode dives deep into a different baked good — its history and lore, tips and tricks, trends and takes — and they'll always leave time to answer baking questions from listeners. Along the way they chat with the best bakers in America to get their expert advice. Things Bakers Know is available wherever you get your podcasts, and now on Youtube, or by going to KingArthurBaking.com/podcast!

We’re closing out our first season with a complex, fascinating, and all-around delicious baked good: biscuits!  Historian and food anthropologist Deb Freeman is here to teach us about biscuits’ riveting history, discussing their early role in American baking and the way Black bakers’ skill and knowledge have contributed to where biscuits are today. Then, Jessica and David answer your biscuit baking questions in Ask the Bakers, covering everything from the best flour to use for biscuits (with a cameo from our Reasearch & Development kitchen!) and how to pick the right butter. Our producer Rossi Anastopoulo joins the show to share the surprising link between biscuits and basketball in North Carolina, and David and Jessica close out the episode with a Jess-opinion all about biscuits at breakfast and the best recipes they’re baking this week.  Follow Deb on Instagram and watch her PBS series, Finding Edna Lewis Read Deb’s piece The rise: a history of American biscuits Read Vonnie Williams’ piece Erika Council’s tips for better biscuits  Find our new Buttermilk Biscuit Flour Blend  Buttermilk Biscuits recipe What David’s baking this week: Braided Challah recipe What Jessica’s baking the week: Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts recipe Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! 

In this engaging conversation, Amber Eisler, the Director of Baking Education at King Arthur Baking Company, shares her extensive sourdough expertise. Listeners will learn about common pain points bakers face when crafting sourdough and effective solutions to conquer them. Amber also dives into the finer points of proofing and starter care, ensuring bakers achieve that perfect loaf. Plus, delightful names for sourdough starters are unveiled, accompanied by amusing anecdotes. This chat is a must-listen for sourdough enthusiasts!

Dive into a delightful celebration of birthday cakes with two Southern baking icons. Discover the secrets behind mastering the reverse-creaming method and find out what to do if your cakes sink. The hosts discuss the cultural significance of birthday cakes, share personal stories, and explore current baking trends. Plus, get inspired by fun baking projects like cinnamon roll focaccia and customizable mini pizzas, all while debating the age-old cake versus pie rivalry. It's a joyous tribute to creativity in the kitchen!

Dan Richer, bestselling author of The Joy of Pizza and owner of Razza, dives deep into the delicious world of pizza. He shares essential tips for mastering home pizza making, from optimal oven setups to techniques for achieving that perfect crispy crust. Richer reveals his favorite methods for reheating pizza, leaving everyone stunned with a unique cheese-down frying pan trick. The discussion also sparks lively debates on controversial toppings and personal preferences, all while celebrating the joy of baking and sharing pizzas with loved ones.

Join bestselling cookbook author and TV host Zoë François as she dives into the rich legacy of chocolate chip cookies, sharing her hands-on testing for her latest book, 'Zoe Bakes Cookies.' Discover her intriguing family ties to this classic treat and hear expert tips on the best chocolate to use for the perfect bake. The conversation takes a fun twist as they explore the challenges of baking cookies in space and tackle listener questions. Plus, playful debates about warm cookies reveal surprising preferences!

Introducing the official new podcast from King Arthur Baking Company, dropping April 28th! Join King Arthur’s Jessica Battilana and David Tamarkin as they explore every corner of the baking world. Each episode dives deep into a different baked good — its history and lore, tips and tricks, trends and takes — and they'll always leave time to answer baking questions from listeners. Along the way they chat with the best bakers in America to get their expert advice.