I love a good baking book. Even when I’m not planning to bake anything, there’s something enjoyable about turning the pages and deciding what I might make if I had a free afternoon.

Michelle Lu’s Cozy Baking Life certainly gives you plenty to choose from. It includes cakes, cookies, breads, puddings, and drinks, along with charming ideas inspired by café culture. Whether you’re in the mood for something familiar or want to try a different flavour or shape, there’s enough here to keep an enthusiastic baker busy.

And that, for me, is where this book earns its place. It’s a wealth of recipes, with some useful tips along the way. I like a cookbook that helps you understand what you’re doing, rather than just telling you to follow the instructions and hope for the best.

My disappointment was with the presentation. It isn’t as pretty as some baking books, which wouldn’t matter much on its own, but I found the changing fonts and type sizes made the pages harder to read than they needed to be. When you’re baking, you want to glance at the recipe and find your place quickly, especially when you’ve got flour on your hands or setting the oven temperature.

I know book design is a matter of taste, and someone else might love the playful look. I just prefer a clear, consistent layout that lets the recipes do the talking. Beautiful photographs are lovely, but being able to read the method without hunting around the page matters more to me.

Would I recommend it? Yes, particularly to someone who really loves baking and wants fresh ideas to try. Just don’t expect a beautifully laid-out coffee-table cookbook. The recipes and helpful advice are the reason to buy this one, even if I wish the design had been a little simpler.