If you've ever wondered about the ideal ratio of oil to vinegar in vinaigrette, why cakes sometimes sink, or why pie dough falls apart when rolled, Christopher Kimball has the answers in these kitchen guides—each a mini master class in home cooking, with hundreds of recipes and step-by-step instructions. The founder of Cook's Illustrated and former host of America's Test Kitchen, Kimball has spent years testing recipes to make them as delicious and foolproof as possible.

Here you'll find the best and easiest ways to make more than 300 favorite desserts, including layer cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, brownies, puddings, mousses, ice cream, sorbets, fruit desserts, sauces, and frostings. Christopher Kimball reviews equipment from mixers to rolling pins, as well as the best ingredients among types of flour, sugar, baking chocolate, and other essentials. He explains techniques like beating and folding in egg whites, working with pie dough, and folding flour into batters, and offers a section on restaurant desserts that can be made at home.