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Join the Bon Appétit Bake Club: A Community for Baking Enthusiasts

Published Oct 01, 2026666 readers

Experience the joy of baking with the Bon Appétit Bake Club, where monthly challenges and a supportive community await every passionate baker.

Join the Bon Appétit Bake Club: A Community for Baking Enthusiasts

Welcome to the Bake Club

If baking occupies a significant part of your life—whether as a hobby or a passion—you’re not alone. The Bon Appétit Bake Club caters to everyone, from casual bakers to seasoned enthusiasts. It's not just about whipping up batches of cookies or perfecting soufflés; it’s a space where we engage with the art of baking, understand its nuances, and relish every moment of the culinary journey. Coordinated by senior editors Jesse Szewczyk and Shilpa Uskokovic, this monthly initiative invites you to adopt a fresh baking challenge. Each month features a new, thoroughly tested recipe that serves as the centerpiece for our community activities. What sets this club apart is its spirit of collaboration—participants are encouraged to share their triumphs and missteps alike. You can post pictures, ask questions, or even vent about an unexpected baking disaster. The goal? To foster an environment filled with curious and confident bakers who appreciate both the ritual and the rewards of baking. Joining the Bon Appétit Bake Club isn’t just about baking; it’s an invitation to be part of a vibrant community. If you’re willing to put on your apron and share your own experiences, you'll find yourself in excellent company.

How to Get Involved

Getting started is easy. First, make sure to save each month's recipe; they’re all conveniently listed below. We want you to dive in, make those recipes, and share your results—whether they’re Instagram-worthy or not. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions via the Recipe Notes in the Epicurious app, where we actively read all comments and suggestions. Want to connect more deeply? Join our Bon Appétit Bake Club chat on Substack. This is where you can get exclusive insights into our recipe development process and the stories behind each dish. We also encourage you to share pictures of your baked goods on Instagram using the hashtag #BABakeClub. Engage with us, share your favorite tips, or submit questions to possibly be featured on our podcast. Each recipe episode drops at the beginning of the following month, creating an ongoing dialogue about everything from butter ratios to the best types of flour. This club isn't just a monthly cooking challenge; it's a celebration. So roll up your sleeves and let's get baking. The community awaits!
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon

Emerging from Bake Club's summer offerings is an eye-catching sunflower yellow cake that bounces with charm. This dessert achieves its unique composition through a blend of fresh or frozen corn and sweetened condensed milk, paired with a key ingredient: sweet rice flour. The result? A dessert that boasts an intriguing texture—offering just enough resistance and a subtly elastic quality. Flavor-wise, this cake intriguingly melds notes of buttered corn, toasted coconut, and nutty caramel, making it more than just another sweet treat.


June 2026: Tiny Tomato Galettes

If one were to combine the best features of a tomato sandwich, pizza, and flaky pastry, these tiny galettes would command the spotlight. The process begins with a pie crust elevated by black pepper, easy to make without any specialized tools. Each small round of dough is generously filled with a rich garlic-Parmesan herb mayo, providing a crucial shield against the juicy tomato slices, ensuring the pastry remains intact and satisfying to bite into. —Rebecca Firkser, Test Kitchen editor


May 2026: Whole Lemon Bars

Why limit yourself to just lemon juice and zest when the entire fruit can elevate a dish? That’s exactly what these lemon bars capitalize on. By incorporating two whole lemons into the curd and straining away the pulp, you harness the full spectrum of lemon's bright attributes: from the pith's bitterness to the skin's essential oils and, of course, the zing of the juice. Think about it: these bars punch up the classic lemon dessert into a tart treat with a vibrant twist.


Final Thoughts on the Home Baking Experience

Baking has a unique way of blending creativity and tradition, and the emergence of easy-to-follow recipes allows anyone to produce bakery-quality goods from their own kitchens. Take the bagel recipe we highlighted: with just a handful of basic pantry items and some patience, it's possible to create a dozen chewy delights that can compete with the offerings of prestigious New York shops. Here’s the kicker—boiling the bagels before baking them is a significant technique that elevates the final product. This method not only ensures that the bagels have a pleasingly chewy texture but also grants them that glossy finish which is often a marker of a well-made bagel. You may think you need complex techniques or fancy ingredients to achieve bakery standards at home, but the simplicity of this two-step process challenges that assumption. If you're trying to impress friends or just enjoy a quality breakfast, this is more accessible than it looks. Moreover, the versatility in toppings opens up a world of flavor possibilities. From classic sesame seeds to the intriguing furikake, the only limit is your imagination. This level of customization invites everyone to add their personal twist, making baking not just about following instructions but about individual expression. What this means for you is clear: the art of baking is no longer reserved for experienced chefs or expensive classes. It’s an accessible craft, ripe for exploration. As you try your hand at creating these recipes, you’ll find some joy in the process and satisfaction in the results. Getting hands-on with these classic staples can transform your kitchen into a mini bakery, and who knows—your creations might just become the new local favorite. For those eager to embark on this culinary journey, the tools are at your fingertips. You can start with the bagel recipe right here: Make the Recipe. Embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and transform your home baking into something truly special.
Source: Jesse Szewczyk, Shilpa Uskokovic · www.bonappetit.com
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