Beyond Baking Cookbook Review

Beyond Baking: Plant-Based Baking for a New Era

Following our recent review of A New Way to Bake, Philip Khoury’s acclaimed debut that reimagined plant-based pastry for a new generation, we now turn the spotlight to his new book — Beyond Baking: Plant-Based Baking for a New Era.

Where its predecessor laid a foundation in mindful technique and accessible ingredients, Beyond Baking soars further, redefining what modern baking can achieve when tradition is questioned and innovation is embraced.

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A Visionary Leap in Plant-Based Pastry

From the opening pages, Beyond Baking positions itself not as a mere collection of recipes but as a manifesto for the future of baking.

Philip, an award-winning pastry chef with a track record of pushing boundaries, invites bakers to rethink structure, richness, and lift, all without eggs, dairy, or heavily processed substitutes.

Where A New Way to Bake laid out core principles for plant-based technique and ingredient behavior, Philip here extends these ideas into ambitious territory.

The Plantry chapter, reminiscent of the ingredient deep dive in his first book, equips readers with a practical understanding of plant-forward building blocks. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned baker, this foundational section helps demystify even advanced processes.

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Recipes That Push Boundaries

The breadth of recipes in Beyond Baking is remarkable. While you’ll find approachable favorites like Peanut Butter Choc Chop Cookies and a Light Fruit Cake, perfect for everyday baking, the real excitement comes from showstoppers that command centre stage in any pastry case.

Think Pistachio and Raspberry Cream Dream, Muscovado Medovic, and laminated wonders like Croissants and Almond Pain au Chocolat that truly shatter with flake and tenderness.

Sweet creations coexist with a compelling savory chapter, a welcome expansion from the largely dessert-focused A New Way to Bake. Corn-ish Pasties, Cheesy Buns, and Nightshade Quiche demonstrate how plant-based techniques can translate into deeply satisfying, bakery-worthy savory delights.

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Technique Meets Digital Guidance

One of Beyond Baking’s strongest assets is how it bridges traditional cookbook instruction with modern technology.

QR code tutorials accompany select recipes, walking readers visually through every fold, mix, and proof, a thoughtful extension of the accessible teaching style that made Philip's earlier work resonate with home bakers and professionals alike.

Much like A New Way to Bake's clear, approachable tone paired with in-depth understanding, this book doesn’t talk down to its audience. Instead, it empowers bakers to experiment confidently, avoiding shortcuts without sacrificing joy or creativity.

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Final Thoughts

Beyond Baking doesn’t merely follow its predecessor — it elevates it. It is an ambitious, inspiring exploration of how plant-based baking can be delicious, technically sound, and endlessly imaginative.

For anyone who devoured A New Way to Bake and wondered what comes next, this book delivers both answers and provocations, reshaping expectations for what plant-based pastries and savories can be.