Dorie Greenspan

I've heard of Dorie Greenspan for a few years now, but this was my first time reading one of her books (thanks to a borrow through Prime Reading). I now understand the buzz around her cooking. She presents 300 French recipes in this book--recipes that often look intimidating--but does so with a gentle, calming manner. Her voice truly comes across on every page--these recipes are not mere recitations of ingredients and do this and that. I loved that most also featured little "good ideas" on show more modifications, too. The asides on French culture, like how to handle oneself in a cheese shop, were incredibly fun.

She also understands her audience. The book is from the vantage point of someone who has lived, grocery shopped, and cooked in France, but she knows her audience is American, and suggests necessary recipe changes for ingredients that are accessible and affordable.

Usually when I read a cookbook, I find maybe a couple recipes I want to try; that's a big reason why I buy few cookbooks these days. Why waste the space? However, I found a bunch of recipes of interest in Around My French Table, and already tried one! This is a book I would actually like to have in print--plus, I'm now keenly interested in finding more of her cookbooks, too. show less

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

Dorie Greenspan is a treasure to the world. I've adored several of her cookbooks, not simply for the recipes, but for her voice. Some cookbooks exude arrogance. Dorie's books feel like an aunt taking you by the hand and casually talking you through a recipe without any strict edicts involved. Most every recipe includes variations of ingredients and/or techniques so that individual bakers can make the recipe their own.

As the title says, show more this cookbook is all about baking, and there's a wide spectrum involved. There are basic chocolate chip cookies and pie crust recipes, as well as those for more complex éclairs and layer cakes and pies. There's even a section of savory baking recipes that, in a suitably French-influenced way, seem to revolve around cheese. Readers of Dorie's other cookbooks will see new takes on old favorites, too, like her cheese puffs and her famous World Peace Cookies.

The two criticisms I have of the book are on a more technical level. (I did read a galley so some information such as gram amounts were incomplete, but the formatting itself is set.) First of all, I wish every recipe had a picture. The photography that is included is stunning--I wanted more! I want to know what the final versions should look like! Also, some of basic building block kinds of recipes, like the pie and tart crusts, were all the way in the back, and I wish they were actually within the relevant section for easier reference.

Overall, though, this book is a winner. I'm sure it will be a bestseller and a book that many people wear out with use. show less

Well. I think I can say Dorie Greenspan is my new favorite cookbook author. Most cookbooks, I'm lucky if I can find a couple recipes of interest. In her cookbooks, I find bunches. I just recently borrowed her Around My French Table through Amazon Prime, and loved it so much I went out and bought a hardcover. You better believe I jumped on the chance to read this cookbook for free through Prime, too--and I found even more recipes of interest. Not only are her recipes appealing, but her tone show more is utterly approachable and friendly. I'll continue to seek out her books and try her recipes. show less

Dorie’s Anytime Cakes has a fun mix of pretty simple, yet widely varied cakes. I’ve long been a fan of Dorie Greenspan’s cookie cookbooks, and love that this is similar to those. I can personally attest that the coffee chocolate chunk and the chocolate bundts are both delicious. The coffee one was slightly dry but that may have been operator error (I need to learn to read directions rather than just glancing at them.)
Most of these are recipes that can be dressed up or down, depending show more on if you just want to have a simple, quick cake or if you want to make it fancier for a party. The sweet stories of how the cake came about, and the calm voice telling you that it is okay if it looks broken just keep mixing, are enjoyable and really helpful.
I was pleased to see that I could make many of the cakes without having to make a special trip to the store, and the ingredients are listed by both weight in grams and the usual cups, etc. So much easier to weigh things, and I find that I avoid cookbooks that don’t include this.
My only negative is the photos. I’m unsure if they look strangely stylized just because this was an advanced copy or if that is the look that they are trying to achieve. The upside is that there is a photo of each cake which is always helpful.
I plan to purchase this when it is published and continue to enjoy all the yumminess!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow/Harvest for the eARC. show less