659639 Thu Oct 15 08:23:13 -0700 2009 3 31 Home Cooking 0 5105079 I'm thinking of purchasing Crust and Crumb by Peter Reinhart and already own The Bread Baker's Apprentice. I have made a few recipes from BBA and have always had success with them all. Anyone out there own both BBA and CC? Can you tell me if it is worth it to own both or is it quite similar? What are the differences and/or simliarities? Thanks Thu Oct 15 08:23:14 -0700 2009 248357 instantnoodle 1 5105134 I read Crust and Crumb first a few years ago and wish I had started with Bread Baker's Apprentice. Crust and Crumb takes it much farther, I think that Bread Baker's Apprentice and I found it almost overwhelming with information when I was just starting out. BBA will take you to making a good loaf of bread and the basic understanding. I found C&C at the library so you might want to check that out first before committing to it. If you're happy w/ your knowledge of bread baking after BBA, I don't know if you need C&C but if you find yourself wondering why or what if or what more, then it is, if that makes sense. I also liked Rose Levy Berenbaum's Bread Bible, if you want a different perspective that Peter Reinhart's. What I like about RLB's book is that she covers different methods of kneading, how to use each one and why they work and don't work (hand, mixer, bread machine, food processor). Reinhart doesn't cover them as much in his books but briefly mentions them. RLB gives details for each recipe. Thu Oct 15 08:41:03 -0700 2009 5105079 39874 chowser 2 5107556 Yes, I'll try and read CC a bit and decide I like it. Thanks for the recommendation on Bread Bible. I will definitely look into that. A different perspective will be interesting. Fri Oct 16 06:56:05 -0700 2009 5105134 248357 instantnoodle 1 5105456 I started with C&C and have bought and read BBA but not baked from it - yet. I've made many breads from C&C (my standard house bread is his French bread with old dough, currently made with 25% semolina flour:75% bread flour, and 2 TB olive oil added - but I've also made it exactly per recipe many times. I found BBA more complicated and less involving than C&C. Thu Oct 15 10:24:30 -0700 2009 5105079 13709 buttertart