The Pastry School: Sweet and Savoury Pies, Tarts and Treats to Bake at Home

Beautiful photos and finished products. Each stunner requires a different size or type of baking mold, not to mention other necessary equipment. Which she is too lazy to list in the short, incomplete equipment paragraph on the last page.For example, there are recipes requiring loose-bottom circular tart tins in the following sizes: 8x2.5 cm, 18x2.5 cm, 18x3 cm.18x4 cm, 20x3.5 cm, 20x4 cm, and 21x3.5 cm. Then there are the recipes for loose-bottom square tins sized 20x20x3.5cm, 22x22x2.5 cm, and fluted 23x23,2.5 cm. Not to mention the tart tatin tins (mini and regular), petit-four tins, tartiflette tins, mini muffin molds, rectangular, fluted, loose bottom tins, cubed metal molds, eclair molds, circular pie dish, loose bottom pie (or cake) tin, oval raised pie mold, and oval ovenproof dish, piping bags and nozzles, baking beans, trays, baking paper, and muffin trays.This author is British. Maybe baking tins are cheaper in England. My gripe is that this book is supposed to be for pastry learners. It does say "school" in the title. Ms. Jones, who obviously owns every size and type of baking tin in the world, was more interested in taking pretty pictures of her beautiful creations than in being helpful to the novice bakers who purchase her book.So one star for the basic pastry recipe section. One star for the instructional pictures. And one star for the aspirational photos of the beautiful finished products.

This brilliant beautiful pastry book is so inspirational!!! I’m very much a novice baker. I’ve been following Julie’s stories and feed for well over a year. I’m completely enamored with her craft and artistry. I couldn’t resist making the cover pastry, a gorgeous pistachio and rhubarb tart... Just Wow! I was so excited to dive in and see how it all unfolded. Her clearly tested recipes and approachable instruction gave someone like myself with zero baking skills the ability to create something absolutely magical! So grateful to her for giving me the confidence I needed to get beyond those wobbly feelings about baking.Deb H

Wonderful recipes, clearly described and beautifully illustrated, you can’t help but be inspired. A kitchen essential for pasty lovers who want to elevate their skill level and for new bakers to learn the best ways right from the start. A real delight.

I love the layout of this book. The first pages describe the basic types of pastry dough and how they are made and used. The remainder of the book is how to use those basic pastry dough recipes as a jumping off point for making delicious bakes. I would not say this is a beginner level book but it takes the average baker and provides them with great knowledge on the how and why. I love that the measurements are by weight (it's the only way to go with baking). Ms. Jones is a wealth of experience and knowledge but I found her book very approachable. I highly recommend this book to the baker that wants to take the next steps to further their baking skills.

The book is very beautiful. All the recipes seem very appealing. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to pastry beginners since it’s a bit too complicated to follow with some ingredients that I find not easy to getimmediately from local stores. I hope someday after I become skillful with pastry I’ll be able to execute some of those recipes in the book.

This book is the most amazing pastry bible you could ever find. It is not only beautiful but it is clear and easy to follow and beyond delicious. Her other book The Soulful Baker is another favourite. I honestly use it every other day - it has the best scones bar none. I also follow her on Instagram and she has tutorials there too. It has been the best shining light of the lockdown. Brilliant book for body and soul.

I scan many pastry cookbooks to look for ideas and tips. This cookbook is surprisingly delightful in its combinations and ingredients and it’s easy to read organization. The presentation and pictures are beautiful. I think you will get more than a few inspirations from this book.

Want the best pie crust you’ve ever eaten? This book has it. From easy short crust to the more difficult laminated pastry, Ms. Jones gives you all the instruction you need to master the crust and make beautiful pastries. The book is well organized starting with techniques then supplies sweet and savory options from super simple to difficult but doable. Every recipe I’ve made has delivered on flavor. This is a great pastry book for the home cook to professional hobbyist. Excellent cookbook.

For months I've been waiting for Julie's book to arrive, and it did not disappoint. The Pastry School is a beautifully written book for amateurs and more accomplished bakers alike. The recipes are easy to follow, you can be as simple or faffy as you wish, there are lots of savoury options (hurrah!!), and everything delivers on taste as promised.But more importantly her lovely persona drips off of every page. As someone who has followed her for years on IG I was and still am blown away by her love for her family; the way she cared for her mum, the way she teaches her boys, the way she finds a kind word for everyone although she must be swamped with messages by now...it is moving beyond words. Her success is well and truly deserved; her book should be on the shelf of every passionate baker (even if you think you've seen it all...)Also a quick shout out to Peter Cassidy whose photography complements the recipes in the most beautiful way possible.

This beautiful book was delivered on the day of release and it is full of delicious recipes, stunning photos and brimming with inspiration paired with clear, concise instructions and tips. I made nana maud’s custard tart as soon as I could and it turned out beautifully - no more store bought egg custards for me! The book inspires you to tackle more advanced things with confidence, thanks to julie’s clear instructions and warm, reassuring manner. This is not a book of quick, chuck it together recipes, more for when you want to escape to the kitchen for a couple of hours peace and quiet to enjoy creating something with a bit of love in it. Beautiful book.

This book is a whole set of masterclasses in one book. Step by step instructions with loads of photos lets Julie take you through a full range of pastry types including vegan and gluten free! Every potential pitfall is addressed. The second section of the book is a wide range of sweet and savoury recipes. Appetising tarts, pies, viennoiserie. The depth of information is incredible. This is tutorial, reference book and recipe book all in one. An absolute masterpiece. Julie's style is so thorough she gives you confidence to try it all. It's a beautifully illustrated book. I've recommended this to several friends already. You will not be disappointed and will be your go to pastry book forever!

Lovely book, I’ve been a great fan of the author Julie Jones for years and follow her on Instagram Her bakes and artistry are truly a site to behold. I bought her first book “Soulful Baker” which in my opinion is a good guide for the basics of Pie & Tart making. I found this second book slightly advanced, technical, time consuming and intricate. Having said that, it is a great book to own and I have no regrets in purchasing both her books. This book would make a great present for pastry lovers as the festive season is fast approaching.

I follow Julie Jones on Instagram and have been waiting for ages to have enough money to buy her book. I finally did and I’m so glad. It contains detailed recipes for all kinds of pastry, as well as recipes using her pastry. I’ve made her apple rosette tarte already with her shortcrust pastry and I can attest that it’s the best pastry I’ve ever made! Do yourself a favour and buy this book if you’ve been thinking about it.