Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast
King Arthur Baking Company
library_music 29 Episodes Available
Recent Episodes
Exclusive: Chad Robertson Talks About His New Brooklyn Bakery
A new Chad Robertson venture is always a big deal, and we have all the details. In May, Jessica talked to the Tartine co-founder for our episode all about his bread and the enormous influence it has had on baking around the world. During that conversation, Chad talked at length about his forthcoming bakery and cafe in Brooklyn, Altbau. But those details weren’t quite ready for prime time when the episode came out. So we held that part of the conversation back — until now. Listen as Chad gives us all the delicious details about Altbau, including the story behind it, and a preview of what to expect. This is a bonus episode of Things Bakers Know. We’re still on a between-season break, and will be back with more episodes in the fall. Until then, follow the recipe! Recipes and other links from this episode: Listen to our full episode about Tartine, featuring Chad Robertson Follow Chad Robertson and his work on Instagram Inspired to bake? Order a sourdough starter or make your own This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
The Bagel Boom, featuring Carlos Perez of Boil & Bake
It’s bagel week on the show, and this time, David is bringing all the opinions. Together, he and Jessica discuss bagels in New York and beyond, including the burgeoning world of California-style bagels and the different styles that abound. Then, Southern California bagel maker Carlos Perez joins the show to share his perspective on West Coast bagels. Next, Jessica and David dive into your bagel-baking questions, including queries on shaping and boiling, before closing the show with a Jess-opinion about the right (and wrong) way to apply cream cheese and the recipes they’re baking this week. This episode marks the end of season three, and we’ll be back in the fall with more freshly baked episodes for season four! Until then, follow the recipe. Recipes and other links from this episode: Learn to make bagels in our On-Demand class, hosted by instructor Jonathan Frishtick Learn more about Carlos and Boil & Bake at boilbake.com Find our Gozney outdoor pizza ovens in our online Shop Pick up a bag of high-gluten flour Learn more about how to shape bagels What David’s baking this week: Small-Batch Chocolate Cupcakes What Jessica’s baking this week: Swirled Rhubarb Bars Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
This Loaf Changed American Bread, with Chad Robertson
Today, we’re dedicating a whole episode to a single loaf of bread. But not just any bread: the loaf from San Francisco’s Tartine bakery, which kicked off a sourdough revolution in the States. David and Jessica start the show by unpacking just what made Tartine and its bread so influential; together, they dig into the ways this loaf's impact continues to resonate today, plus their own personal relationships to it. Then, Jessica is joined by Tartine’s Chad Roberston, who shares his baking journey, the myriad inspirations that shaped his bread baking, and his thoughts on sourdough today. Finally, they answer some of your biggest sourdough questions before closing the show with this week’s Jess-opinion and the recipes they’re baking. Recipes and other links from this episode: Pick up a copy of Tartine Bread and Tartine No. 3 (which Jessica cowrote!) Follow Chad Robertson and his work on Instagram Inspired to bake? Order a sourdough starter or make your own Read Carla Lalli’s newsletter, Food Processing Bake our Pain de Campagne recipe Learn more about autolyse What David’s baking this week: Chocolate Sourdough Babka What Jessica’s baking this week: Creamy Coconut Sheet Cake Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
Diving Deep on Doughnuts, with Fany Gerson
Heat up your fry oil — today, we’re talking doughnuts! After sharing a slightly traumatic, mostly doughnut-filled childhood story with David, Jessica talks to Fany Gerson of Fan Fan Doughnuts in New York. They discuss Fany’s relationship to doughnuts, her biggest sources of inspiration, and the enduring power of this timeless treat. Then, Jessica and David jump into your listener questions, including tips to fry without fear. Finally, they close the show with a freshly fried Jess-opinion and the recipes they’re baking this week. Learn more about the history of the doughnut from Smithsonian Magazine Bake our recipes for Yeast-Raised Doughnuts and Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts Find our Pączki recipe Learn more about Fany Gerson and her work at FanyGerson.com Bake Fany’s recipes for Bigotes de Azúcar (Sugared Mustaches) and Puerquitos (Piggies) Learn how to fry without fear For a shortcut, get our recipe for Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Muffins What David’s baking this week: Jelly Doughnut Cake What Jessica’s baking this week: Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
We're in Our Croissant Era, with the Baking School's Elisabeth Berthasavage
With their shattering layers and honeycomb interior, croissants are perhaps the ultimate pastry achievement. And they’ve never been hotter than right now. In this episode, David and Jessica unpack what makes croissants so special, including the intricacies of the lamination process, the irresistible appeal of a perfect pastry, and the “croissant theory” that powers many patisseries. They are then joined by Elisabeth Berthasavage, an instructor from the King Arthur Baking School known for her croissant classes. She shares her insight on how to make a perfect croissant at home (and why you should try!) before David and Jessica jump into Ask the Bakers to answer more questions about making croissants directly from listeners. Finally, they close out the show with a Jess-opinion about a particular croissant mashup and the recipes they’re baking this week. Recipes and other links from this episode: Read about The Croissant Theory in the Wall Street Journal Learn how to make croissant directly from Elisabeth in her On-Demand Class Intro to Laminated Baking Can’t get enough? Take our other croissant-focused On-Demand Class with instructor Wilhelm Wanders: Extra Flaky Croissants Find our recipe for Baker’s Croissants Read more about why more folds aren’t always better in croissants Subscribe to our new Substack: Things Bakers Know! What David’s baking this week: Salt Bread (Shio Pan) What Jessica’s baking this week: Weeknight Detroit Pizza Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
Talking Tortillas, with Pati Jinich
What can’t tortillas do? Whether they’re made with corn or wheat, masa or masa harina, homemade tortillas are a thing of beauty. No one knows that better than today’s guest, Pati Jinich. One of the foremost experts on Mexican cuisine, Pati has traveled all over Mexico and the US to eat tortillas. She shares her vast knowledge of these special flatbreads, as well as her top tips for making them at home. Then, Jessica and David answer caller questions, including queries about tortilla presses and the elusive tortilla puff. Finally, they close the show with a Jess-opinion about what she likes to call the “burrito stump” and the recipes they’re baking this week. Recipes and other links from this episode: Get Pati’s recipe for Tacos Rojos (Red Tacos) Ready to make tortillas? We have recipes for Flour Tortillas, Corn Tortillas, and 50/50 Corn and Flour Tortillas Learn more about Pati Jinich, her work, and her upcoming book, Foods of La Frontera, at PatiJinich.com Get Pati Jinich’s tips for the best homemade tortillas What David’s baking this week: Masa Harina Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce What Jessica’s baking this week: Lemon Tiramisu Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com.
Fudgy vs. Cakey: A Deep Dive on Brownies with David Lebovitz
Young or old, everyone loves a brownie. But we all have our own preferences: fudgy or chewy, edge piece or center. The options are endless! Today, we’re discussing all the ways you can make your brownies, from the ingredients you choose to the method you make them with. We also invite one of our favorite bakers, David Lebovitz, to share his thoughts on brownies, including his experience as an American brownie lover living in Paris. For our Ask the Bakers section, we dive into everything from cocoa powder to nailing the bake, before Jessica jumps in with a Jess-opinion all about a very specific type of brownie. And as usual, she and David close the show with the recipes they’re baking this week. Recipes and other links from this episode: For a real hit of nostalgia, make our Easy Frosted Brownies Learn more about David Lebovitz and subscribe to his Substack at davidlebovitz.substack.com Find the recipe David mentions for Helene’s brownies Pick up the updated release of David’s The Great Book of Chocolate Get a box of our fan-favorite Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies Mix Find your perfect cocoa powder in our online Shop If you do like brownie brittle, we have a great recipe What David’s baking this week: Sun Buns (Solskinnsboller) What Jessica’s baking this week: Mint and Cheese Ka’ak Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! Thanks to Curio Spice Co., a woman-owned mission-driven spice company, for sponsoring this episode. This episode is sponsored by Supernatural. Supernatural makes imaginative baking ingredients that are colored by plants, fully traceable, and totally free from anything artificial or synthetic. Learn more at supernaturalkitchen.com
Vanilla: Boring or the Best? with Claire Saffitz
We think vanilla has gotten a bad reputation, so we’re here to correct the record: Vanilla is anything but boring. To prove our point, we invited one of the country’s biggest vanilla fans (and all-around star baker) Claire Saffitz to come on the pod and argue why we should all be giving vanilla its due. Then we answer your baking questions in Ask the Bakers, covering everything from how to substitute different extracts to the real difference between vanilla extract and vanilla paste. Jessica has an opinion on the surprising way to put your biggest vanilla bottle to use, and she and David close the show with the recipes they’re baking this week. Recipes and other links from this episode: Learn more about Claire and her work at dessertperson.com Choose your vanilla: vanilla paste or vanilla extract (or both!) Follow Claire’s advice to use vanilla in custard and make Vanilla Bean Flan Find our Recipe of the Year: Flaky Puff Crust Pizza Get your own big bottle of vanilla for gifting What David’s baking this week: Ultra-Vanilla Cupcakes with Easy Vanilla Frosting What Jessica’s baking this week: Simple Stovetop Vanilla Pudding Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com. Thanks to Curio Spice Co., a woman-owned mission-driven spice company, for sponsoring this episode.
New York Pizza: the Iconic Slice, with Wylie Dufresne
While we love all styles of pizza, there’s a special place in our hearts for New York pizza — and not just because David lives in its home city! New York pizza is one of the most iconic dishes in America, and this episode shines a spotlight on the unique history and culture behind each slice. And as a special treat, we have one of the most notable people making New York pizza today on the show: the legendary chef Wylie Dufresne. Wylie dishes on the secrets behind his incredible pizza, then Jessica and David are joined by The Book of Pizza co-author Martin Philip to dig into your listener questions and help you make this style of pizza at home. To close out the show, Jessica shares a Jess-opinion on a popular pizza side, and they finish up with the recipes they’re baking this week. Recipes and other links from this episode: Grab a copy of our new cookbook, The Book of Pizza Find our New York-Style Pizza recipe Try Wylie’s pizza at Stretch in New York City Learn more about our Grains for Good program For the crispiest pizza crust, bake with a pizza steel Watch Martin teach you how to make New American pizza To really nail your pies, take our New York Pizza On Demand Class, hosted by Martin What David’s baking this week: Rossa Pizza from The Book of Pizza What Jessica’s baking this week: Everyday Olive Oil Cake Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Brød & Taylor. Your best bread is within reach. Brød & Taylor builds tools that help you get there. See what's possible at brodandtaylor.com. Thanks to Curio Spice Co., a woman-owned mission-driven spice company, for sponsoring this episode.
Everyone Loves Focaccia, featuring Samin Nosrat
With its fluffy crumb, dimply dough, and endless spins, focaccia has stolen the heart of countless bakers — including us. So we decided to dedicate a whole episode to it. Jessica and David dissect the current focaccia moment and how this simple bread has evolved from its Italian origins to something truly showstopping. Then Samin Nosrat stops by the show to share the story behind the viral salt-brined focaccia from her TV show Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and dish on her latest focaccia recipe, found in her newest cookbook Good Things. As always, Jessica and David answer your biggest bread baking questions in Ask the Bakers, then Jessica shares a Jess-opinion about sweet focaccia before closing the show with the recipes they’re making this week. Find our 2025 Recipe of the Year: Big and Bubbly Focaccia Pick up our Big Book of Bread for even more focaccia Order Samin’s latest cookbook, Good Things Find Samin’s salt-brined Ligurian Focaccia Get some bread flour to make Samin’s latest focaccia recipe Check out our Small-Batch Cheesy Focaccia recipe Read more about how to make an inside-out focaccia sandwich Make our Big and Bubbly Cinnamon Roll Focaccia recipe to hop on the sweet focaccia trend What David’s baking this week: Strawberry Lemonade Bars What Jessica’s baking this week: Karpatka Cake Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here!
Cracking the Cheesecake Code, featuring Carla Hall
We’re back, and we’re talking cheesecake! Jessica and David dive into a bit of the history behind this iconic dessert before Jessica sits down with TV host and cookbook author Carla Hall to chat all things cheesecake, including Carla’s best tips and tricks. Then, they answer your biggest cheesecake questions, covering everything from water baths to springform pans. Jessica delivers her Jess-opinion on the best style of cheesecake (hint: It’s not from the US!) before they close the show with the recipes they’re baking this week. Recipes and other links from this episode: Subscribe to our new Substack: Things Bakers Know! Find some of our favorite cheesecake recipes: NY Cheesecake, Cannoli Cheesecake, Irish Whiskey Cheesecake Pre-order Carla Hall’s upcoming cookbook, Carla Bakes Find our Basque Cheesecake recipe and Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake recipe Need a springform pan? Get one here! Find our recipe for No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Bars Get our recipe for light, fluffy Japanese-Style Soufflé Cheesecake What David’s baking this week: Super Protein Pancakes What Jessica’s baking this week: Favorite Fudge Birthday Cake Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here!
Coming Soon - Season Three of Things Bakers Know: The King Arthur Baking Podcast
Things Bakers Know, the official podcast from King Arthur Baking Company, is back with a ten episode second season — starting March 23rd! Join King Arthur’s Jessica Battilana and David Tamarkin as they explore every corner of the baking world. Each episode dives deep into a different baked good — its history and lore, tips and tricks, trends and takes — and they'll always leave time to answer baking questions from listeners. Along the way they chat with the best bakers in America to get their expert advice. Plus this season, we are on video! Things Bakers Know is available wherever you get your podcasts, and now on Youtube, or by going to KingArthurBaking.com/podcast!
Reinventing Pizza for 2026
We’ve officially unveiled our 2026 Recipe of the Year, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Announcing: Flaky Puff Crust Pizza! In this episode, David and Jessica are joined by two of our Test Kitchen stars and the creators of this exceptional recipe, Sarah Jampel and Molly Marzalek-Kelly. They discuss how and why they landed on pizza as this year’s Recipe of the Year, the biggest challenges of recipe development, and the keys to this recipe’s unique success. (Hint: It includes butter.) Jessica and David then answer questions from our listeners about how to maximize their pizza success, from saucing to topping, before closing out the show with the recipes they’re making this week. This episode concludes our second season, and we’ll be back in March with the next batch of freshly baked episodes! Bake our 2026 Recipe of the Year: Flaky Puff Crust Pizza Find all of our past Recipes of the Year here Preorder King Arthur Baking Company's Book of Pizza: Recipes for Every Pizza Maker, publishing April 7, 2026 What David’s baking this week: Delicata Squash Galette with Cheese and Herbs What Jessica’s baking this week: Ultimate Flaky Biscuits Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Plugra. Learn more about their premium European-style butter at plugra.com.
Celebrating Holiday Cookies with Dan Pelosi
Celebrating Holiday Cookies with Dan Pelosi ‘Tis the season to bake as many cookies as you can! We kick off the show by unveiling King Arthur’s 2025 holiday cookie lineup before being joined by Dan Pelosi, a baker known for his annual holiday cookie party. He chats with Jessica about the keys to successfully throwing a cookie party, including his holiday cookie philosophy, then David and Jessica answer your burning baking questions with their advice for avoiding cakey cookies and making cutout cookies that actually keep their shape. In this week’s Jess-opinion, Jessica gives her thoughts on the controversial inclusion of chocolate chip cookies in the holiday cookie landscape, and we close the show with the best cookies she and David are baking this season. Introducing our 2025 holiday cookie platter Find our list of all the classic holiday and Christmas cookies you should bake Level up your cookies with our scoop set Learn more about Dan and his recent cookbook, Let’s Party, on his website Blog: Why you should always bake a few test cookies Find our Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies recipe We like decorating with this Simple Cookie Glaze What David’s baking this week: Rugelach and Piped Vanilla Shortbread Cookies What Jessica’s baking this week: Whipped Lemon Shortbread Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Plugra. Learn more about their premium European-style butter at plugra.com.
Our Holiday Baking Q&A Spectacular!
We have a very special episode today. Ahead of the busiest baking season of the year, we’ve got an entire show dedicated to answering your biggest holiday baking questions! And we’ve invited some friends to help us. We’ve assembled an all-star collection of our King Arthur colleagues, including Molly Marzalek-Kelly and Sarah Jampel from our Test Kitchen, Amber Eisler from our Baking School, Martin Philip from our YouTube channel, and Melanie Wanders from our R&D team. Together, we tackle pressing questions like how to make holiday cookies ahead of time, what to do if your cream puffs keep deflating, and the best way to make whole grain dinner rolls that are still light and fluffy. Let’s get baking! Take Mel’s Cookie Decorating Essentials On Demand class Find Martin (and more King Arthur bakers!) on our YouTube channel Record your question for our Ask the Bakers segment here! This episode is sponsored by Plugra. Learn more about their premium European-style butter at plugra.com. The recipes mentioned in this episode include: Latke Focaccia recipe Everyday Olive Oil Cake recipe Gingerbread Biscotti recipe Fluffy Frosted Orange Rolls recipe Buckwheat-Cardamom Chocolate Chunk Cookies recipe Olive Oil Sufganiyot recipe Jelly Doughnut Cake recipe Chocolate Bûche de Noël with Cookie Butter Whipped Ganache recipe