My favorite cookbooks for the holiday season—both new and beloved—along with thoughtful pairing gift ideas. Great for beginner, intermediate, or experienced home cooks.
Cookbooks shown left to right, top to bottom
While I skip the chaos of post-Thanksgiving shopping, I love putting together annual gift guides—and this year I’m starting with cookbooks. My shelf includes new releases, long-time favorites, and a few in between. Cookbooks are more than recipes: they inspire cooking techniques, styling, and photography, and, in my view, make one of the best holiday gifts. With a couple of thoughtful additions, a cookbook can become a meaningful, useful present that encourages someone to cook right away.
One of my favorite ways to give a cookbook is to pair it with items specifically useful for the recipes inside. It takes a little more thought, but the result feels curated and practical. For baking books, for example, consider non-stick cake pans, a quality spatula, or a bottle of pure vanilla. Many cookbooks include pantry or equipment notes in the introduction—those pages are a great place to find pairing ideas. Below are some of my current favorites and suggested pairings tailored to each book.
Pasta by Hand by Jenn Louis – A recent addition that I’m excited to explore. This book focuses on Italy’s regional hand-shaped pastas and the traditions behind them. Most recipes don’t require special pasta machines—just your hands and a willingness to learn. Ideal for pasta lovers and Italophiles. Pairing ideas: a bottle of Chianti or other Italian red, a chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano (store carefully), and a potato ricer for perfect homemade gnocchi.
River Cottage Veg by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – A vegetable-forward cookbook that remains my go-to for creative, approachable vegetable dishes. Nearly every recipe is accompanied by a full-page photo, and the book is written by a non-vegetarian, which makes it broadly appealing. Great for vegetarians and anyone who wants to cook more veg. Pairing ideas: a Whole Foods or local market gift card, a 7-inch Santoku knife for chopping, and a bag of high-quality French green lentils.
The Elements of Pizza by Ken Forkish – My pizza bible for home bakers. Forkish breaks down the fundamentals of great pizza and provides dough recipes for different time frames and occasions. Pairing ideas: a pizza stone or baking steel, a bag of 00 flour, and a good bottle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi – A modern classic that remains one of my favorite cookbooks. Ottolenghi’s recipes are reliable, vibrant, and often use flavorful, sometimes uncommon, ingredients. Perfect for cooks who enjoy exploring new flavors. Pairing ideas: preserved lemons, tahini paste, ground cardamom, and dried chickpeas.
Gjelina by Travis Lett – A newer favorite that captures Southern California and Mediterranean-inspired cooking. The recipes range from simple to more involved, and most use accessible ingredients. The book is beautiful and inspiring—perfect for someone who enjoys fresh, seasonal cooking. Pairing ideas: a bottle of Californian red or white wine, high-quality extra-virgin olive oil, and aged balsamic vinegar.
Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish – My top bread-baking book. It’s approachable, clearly written, and consistently delivers excellent results; my go-to is the overnight 40% whole wheat loaf. Pairing ideas: a pizza stone or baking steel, SAF instant yeast, a 4-quart Dutch oven (Staub, Le Creuset, Lodge, or Emile Henry are all good choices), and a precise baking scale.
Small Victories by Julia Turshen – One of my favorite recent releases, full of recipes I’m eager to try. The book’s layout and tone make it especially giftable. Pairing ideas: an 8-inch chef’s knife or paring knife, a microplane grater, wooden spoons, or festive kitchen towels.
The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme – A warm, seasonal book full of cozy recipes, crafts, and DIY projects—ideal for gifting during the holidays. It’s a great pick for friends who enjoy baking, entertaining, and handmade touches. Pairing ideas: a monogrammed coffee mug, a cable-knit throw, and a quality chocolate bar for baking.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child – A timeless classic perfect for someone learning to cook or who loves classic French technique. Pairing ideas: a good set of non-stick skillets, a linen apron, and a marble mortar and pestle.
Layered by Tessa Huff – A terrific book for baking enthusiasts who want to master layer cakes. Recipes are thorough, easy to follow, and suitable for a range of skill levels. Pairing ideas: 8-inch non-stick cake pans, pure vanilla bean paste, a revolving cake stand, and a baking scale.
Roots by Diane Morgan – A comprehensive cookbook devoted to winter root vegetables. Chapters focus on each root’s varieties, storage, preparation, nutrition, and creative recipes that let them shine. Ideal for seasonal cooks and anyone who wants to expand their vegetable repertoire. Pairing ideas: an 8-inch chef’s knife, a sturdy wooden cutting board, and a reliable vegetable peeler.
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