The 10 best cookbooks for Mother’s Day gifts

Best for: every Australian kitchen

From cake stall treats to birthday celebrations, Australian families have been baking with our very own Women’s Weekly Test Kitchen recipes for more than 50 years. In Baking, we revisit our classics to create our best-ever versions of the recipes your family will love for many more years to come.

We asked Women’s Weekly Food Director Fran Abdallaoui what makes this cookbook so special. “Baking is close to our hearts in the Test Kitchen and this book is an essential kitchen companion for those just starting out on their baking journey right through to those avid bakers who bake for a living,” says Abdallaoui. “It has all the recipes you ever need from the best-ever carrot cake and brownie to unlocking the secrets of pastry and sourdough. All thoroughly tested (and tasted!) in our Test Kitchen.”

Best for: the serious sweet tooth

The perfect companion for both pro and novice bakers, Melbourne’s Natalie Paull covers it all in her new bakebook. Doughs, cookies, cakes and more get the Beatrix Bakes treatment, with clear instructions for sweet success every time.

“To be perfectly honest, I have a serious cooks’ crush on Natalie Paull!” says Abdallaoui. “Her recipes are a mix of classics and new favourite bakes that you didn’t know you needed but are so glad she has created and shared. The genius within these pages are not only the exquisite recipes but Natalie’s incredible knowledge and acute understanding of the science of baking, ingredients and techniques that will inevitably make you a better baker. Her writing is both generous, encouraging with a sense of humour that foodies will appreciate.”

Best for: adventurous cooks

Chef and host of food and travel series Food Trail: South Africa, Warren Mendes, shares a buffet of recipes in his new cookbook. From classics to twists, Mendes takes home cooks on an incredible adventure through South Africa’s rich and diverse culinary history.

“If there’s one thing I love just as much as food, it’s travel, and Warren Mendes’ cookbook is written off the back of his second food and travel series Food Trail: South Africa,” says Abdallaoui. “Flipping through the pages is a feast for the senses with stunning food photography, delicious recipes and a privileged view of the local culture and the wonderful people Warren cooks with at different locations in captivating South Africa.”

Food Trail South Africa will be published 01/06/2024.

Best for: home cooking made simple

With her signature simple style, Nicole Maguire tackles family dinners with ease. The Simple Dinner Edit is more than delicious and speedy recipes, Maguire also shares her clever tips for taking charge of your kitchen – from saving money to storage solutions.

Best for: desserts for every event

From her simple, crowd-pleasing desserts to special occasion showstoppers, Benjamina Ebuehi’s I’ll Bring Dessert is a stunning addition to every baker’s cookbook collection. Divided into clear chapters, Ebuehi ensures there’s a dessert for everyone no matter their preference – fruity, chocolately, creamy or nutty.

Best for: lovers of Italy

Between the pages of rustic Sardinian recipes, Wild Figs and Fennel showcases stunning scenic photography of life on this island in the Mediterranean Sea. Taking readers on a delicious journey, Clark’s third cookbook is a celebration of Italy and seasonal, local cooking.

Wild Figs and Fennel will be published 02/05/2024.