A fresh crop of cookbooks has landed in our kitchens this spring. We read, cooked and baked our way through dozens in search of the volumes that would inspire new culinary adventures. Star L.A. baker Roxana Jullapat taught us that not only do early birds catch the worm, they also get to start their days by breaking into the most plush chocolate muffins, made with rye and yogurt to balance out the sweetness. The founders behind La Copine, a bustling desert destination for California cuisine, have shared some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes in a new cookbook, including a bright lemon polenta cake that inspired the chocolate almond version you’ll find on the menu. And beyond that, our favorite spring cookbooks can guide you through making your own butter, the multitude of culinary influences that weave through the Caribbean and Indigenous American traditions that emphasize connection with the land. These are the cookbooks we’ll be reaching for all season.
Best spring cookbooks
La Copine: A culinary ‘oasis’ in the desert
Time Roughly 1 hour, plus cooling time
Yields Serves 8
Morning Baker: Pastries for the people
Time 40 minutes
Yields Makes 12 muffins
