Allyson Reedy

I am always up for a baking challenge, that is for sure. That is why I know that once I have my kitchen back (oh let the remodel go smoothly and quickly. Any and all positive thoughts will be most appreciated.) I will be baking up a storm. There are many recipes in the fun compilation that I know I will want to try – some are complex, others seem more on the easy side but I have had recipes fool me in the past.

The book offers the standard baking chapters: cookies, cakes, pies, etc., and show more two I just adore – things you eat with your hands and foods you probably shouldn’t eat with your hands. I suspect you can glean what is in the “not” chapter.
There are a myriad of recipes from some of the most renown pastry chefs such as Madeleines from Daniel Boulud (I have baked Madeleines – several flavors in fact: lavender, double vanilla, chocolate chip, and vanilla and chocolate), they are a delightful cookie/cake and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
You will also find recipes for cookies and cream macarons (I have made macarons, but not cookie and cream which sound delightful), and what are probably at the top of my favorites list – funfetti cookies. So many delicious cookies in fact. Several intrigue….
Then there are the cakes. Mmmmm, cake. From a classic pound cake to a birthday layer cake you will find whatever you might want. I am most interested to try the Yum Yum Banana Coffee Cake with Cheesecake Filling Chocolate Streusel. That recipe along would have had me buying this cookbook! (I have made pound cake and a birthday layer cake.)
Then we move on to pies and tarts. So many delicious recipes here too – I am sure you are getting my point by now. From apple pie (you know I have made apple pie) to strawberry hand tarts (yup, here) you are provided the recipes from pastry chefs to help you create a delicious result. I think my first from this category will be the chocolate caramel tart. Doesn’t that sound amazing?
Then the book moves on the two fun chapters; things you eat with your hands and things you shouldn’t eat with your hands. I suspect they are easy to parse but some examples. I am sure you will be able to figure where each belongs. Croissants (yes, I have made croissants. They are challenging but well worth the effort.) Brownies, lemon bars, scones – all the lunchbox goodies.
The last chapter is the not with your hands chapter and it includes things like creme brulee – which I have never made! Chocolate souffle (yes, this I have done but minus the vanilla sauce.), rhubarb cheesecake – which sounds amazing and may be what I start with from the book as I adore cheesecake.

So, do I sound like I enjoyed reading through this cookbook? I did. There are many recipes I am looking forward to trying when I have my new kitchen. I love to bake and a challenging recipe is always welcome now and again. There are others inside that I have made but I think I will make many of those that I have not.
There’s a s’mores layer cake that may follow quickly behind the rhubarb cheesecake….
The images are mouthwateringly beautiful and the directions seem to be complete and easy to follow. Of course this I cannot completely judge until I try a recipe or two. I will link back to this review when I do but this is a fun cookbook judging from first sight. show less

If you have a sweet tooth, THIS is your cookbook! Gorgeous pictures, recipes that sound amazing, and don't seem complicated to re-create. It mostly lists types of cakes, brownies, pies and cookies. The photos make it a great coffee table book. This book has a very unique and rich flavor theme. Highly recommend!