20 Ways to Become a Better Cook

Dorie Greenspan's Baking Chez Moi ($40) is the book for you if you're looking to bake the way an effortlessly cool French woman does. That's because Greenspan — a legendary cookbook author and part-time Parisian — sourced many of these homey dessert recipes from her French friends and neighbors. Simple cakes, tarts, cookies, and confections rule here, rather than, as Greenspan puts it, "fussy, time-consuming desserts most of us associate with French pastry," though a few more-involved favorites are included as well.

Recipes we can't wait to try:

• Plain and simple almond cake
• Smoothest, silkiest, creamiest, tartest lime tart
• Nutella buttons
• Lavender galettes (crisp lavender and orange cookies)
• Apple speculoos crumble
• Tea and honey pot de crème
• Chocolate-covered toffee break-ups