Book Review - Bake, Make, and Learn to Cook: Fun and Healthy Recipes for Young Cooks

About the Book
Gather your frying pan, mixing bowls, and rolling pin—it’s time to cook! David Atherton, 2019 winner of The Great British Baking Show, walks readers through delicious and delightful recipes such as banana bear pancakes, tasty tacos, and mega-chocolatey cake. From tomato soup (served in a teapot!) to brownies made with sweet potatoes, David Atherton offers a kid-friendly collection of recipes that feels at once timeless and modern. Accompanied by warm illustrations from Rachel Stubbs that capture the joys of cooking together, Bake, Make, and Learn to Cook features sweet and savory recipes for any time of day, a list of needed equipment, a glossary of cooking terms, and some important tips. Don your apron and grab your favorite little sous-chef—this will be a first cookbook to cherish.

 

My Take on the Book
This was a great book to help your young cooks to have some great ideas about the next item on the menu. What was great was that the recipes were easy to follow, but also that the book has a wide array of things to make which will both challenge your cook and provide variety to your tastebuds. The book is full of fun illustrations too, which makes to book better. All-in-all this book will help your young cook to get more confident in their own cooking abilities and your bellies will be full from all of the amazing food that they will make for you!

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Book Review - Bread

About the Book
Every baker knows the unadulterated joy of pulling a loaf of freshly baked bread from the oven. Very little competes with the smell of bakingbread in the air or the mouthwatering taste of a freshly buttered slice. But it can be elusive to the home-baker and often more trouble than it’s worth. That’s all about to change.

The new book, BREAD [Jacqui Small LLP,October 2014, $40.00 US], by global baker Dan Brettschneider is packed with tip after flawless tip for baking perfect bread every time. With more than 60 recipes for rustic, healthy, savory, sweet and festive breads from around the globe Brettschneider guides readers through the process of bread-making. Inside readers will find:

• Walnut Crown Bread
• Onion Fougasse
• Cheese, Bacon and Onion Pavés
• Hand-dropped Sultana and Raspberry Scones
• Dresden Christmas Stollen
• Panforte
• Apple & Custard Brioche Tarts
• Cinnamon Doughnut Balls

In addition Brettschneider explains the 11 basic ‘know-how' steps in making and baking breads, from mixing or kneading dough by hand to fermenting and shaping dough, and to proofing, decorating, baking and cooling the finished product.

BREAD an invaluable guide to baking successful, good-quality breads and mastering all the delicious recipes featured, from panettone and focaccia to cider loaf and rye bread.


About the Author
Dean Brettschneider is a global-based professional baker and patissier with an international following. Award-winning author of ten best-selling cookbooks, Dean is the founder and co-owner of Global Baker branded artisan bakeries in Shanghai and Auckland, as well as Baker & Cook a global bakery chain with its flagship store in Singapore. He recently worked with British Celebrity chef Rick Stein, teaching a special baking skills course in Cornwall. Dean is also a consultant for major supermarket chains in the UK. www.globalbaker.com



My Take on the Book
If you enjoy making bread or want to begin to bake breads, scones, buns,bagels,tarts, etc.,then I believe Dean Brettschneider's BREAD book is certainly a book you should consider using.

This book is so complete . The introduction talks about having passion for making bread. Once you read through this book you will undoubtedly notice his passion.

The reader will enjoy learning the history of bread, different flours to use in bread making, techniques, and more. There are detailed photographs to assist the reader in knowing how to knead or how to shape a certain loaf. 

I found the instructions to be clear and easy to follow. The ingredients were listed in metric and U.S. measurement. Some of the many choices for baking include savory breads, sourdough bread, sweet breads and buns, healthy breads, scones, garlic breads, and much more. 

One of the recipes I chose to bake was the hand dropped sultana and raspberry scones. The scone recipe was easy to prepare and the end product was light and delicious. I had friends and family taste them and it was unanimous to make them again. 

Enjoy using this book and savoring each bite of the delicious breads you bake.

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Book Review - 300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes

About the Book
The step-by-step candy bible for home candy-makers.

With hundreds of recipes for mouthwatering candies, chocolates, pralines, crèmes, fudges, toffee, holiday treats and no-bake cookies, this candy cookbook covers the traditional to the exotic.

Complete with easy-to-follow instructions and 75 step-by-step photos, this is a treasure trove of information and inspiring recipes. Although many are intimidated at the thought of making candies at home, Jane Sharrock shows how to master a few basic principles that every candy maker should know. She makes it easy to produce delicious goodies in the home kitchen.

Heirloom Candies
Old-Fashioned Cooked Candies, Brittles, Toffees, Old-Fashioned Hard Candies, Caramels, Clusters, Patties and Pralines, Divinities, Nougats and Similar Candies, Old-Fashioned Candy Rolls

Make Mine Fudge
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudges, Marshmallow and Marshmallow-Crème Chocolate Fudges, Other Chocolate Fudges, Penuches

Designer Delights
Balls and Shaped Candies, Chocolate-Coated Candies, Fondants

Farmhouse Favorites
Candied and Spiced Nuts, Popcorn Candies, Fruit Candies

Short and Sweet
Simple Barks, Speedy Candy Rolls, Candies in Short Order

With its Candy Cooking Guide, charts, candy glossary and problems/solution section, this terrific new cookbook answers virtually every question or concern a home chef may have, truly creating the go-to candy bible.

My Take on the Book
If you have a sweet tooth this book will make your mouth water. The book definitely made me want to get into my kitchen to make some candy that I could bring into my staff at work. I was impressed with the variety of different types of candy that were included, but also how easy to follow the different recipes were. There were definitely some recipes that were easier than others, and for me, this weekend I am planning on making my second recipe which will be one of the Brittle recipes, though I have yet to pick which one. So get into the kitchen and make some candy with your family, this book will encourage and motivate you!


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Book Review - Orwashers Artisan Bread: 100 Years of Techniques and Recipes

About the Book
Orwasher's Bakery, located in New York’s Upper East Side, is one of last vestiges of the thriving German, Czech and Hungarian immigrant population that lived in the neighborhood at the start of the 20th century. Established in 1916 under the name A. Orwasher Handmade Bread Inc., Orwasher’s was purchased in 2007 by Keith Cohen and is considered one of the top ten bakeries in America.

ARTISAN BREAD by Keith Cohen [Race Point Publishing, April 2014, $30.00 US/$33.00 CAN] features the time-honored techniques used to make Orwasher’s most famous breads – including their new line of wine and beer breads. Inside home bakers will find:

• The history of Orwasher’s Bakery and the story of how they survived 100-years to become one of the most beloved bakeries in the country
• Cherished recipes from Orwasher's famous Bakery, adapted specifically to facilitate home baking
• Techniques for making bread from artisan starters
• An entire chapter on artisan wine and beer breads with step-by-step instructions for making them at home.

Looking to take the bakery’s offerings up a notch In 2009, Cohen collaborated with Channing Daughters Vineyard in Long Island to create a line of artisan wine breads called Oven Artisans. Using wine grape starters and a baking technique that dates back to Ancient Egypt, the special flavor of these breads is created when natural yeast from fermenting grapes permeates the air and lends itself to the leavening process. Cohen premiered his beer bread in 2010—a chewy, dark-hued creation with a nutty, robust flavor that is created by mixing Sixpoint Craft Ale’s Otis Stout into the dough. These breads are some of the most popular items available at the baker’s counter today alongside the more traditional breads that the shop is known for.

Trading on a century of experience and incorporating newer, “unusual” ingredients to create new flavors and textures, ARTISAN BREAD is the perfect baking companion for foodies and cooking enthusiasts who are eager to re-capture the lost tradition of handmade breads.


My Take on the Book
Keith Cohen is the owner of Orwashers Bakery. He is a professional/master baker.The table of contents gives the reader a history of bread making, information about the starters, levains, begas, recipes for wine and beer breads, troubleshooting and more.

Read the introduction as it will give you knowledge into Keith's insight into baking, his philosophy and purpose.You will wish you could visit his bakery immediately.

The reader is given so many tips and reading about the tools you will need in detail will assist you in making the best bread in your home.

The book is full of photographs which will assist you as you proceed through the steps in preparing your bread . One of my favorites is the Challah bread photographs which show how to braid the bread.

You will be inspired to bake bread. So many choices and the directions are explicit.

Enjoy and buon appetito!


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Book Review - Ms. American Pie

About the Book
Author and baker Beth M. Howard knows pies but she’s not your typical pie maker. Since taking up the rolling pin she’s made pies at California's Malibu Kitchen for celebrities including Barbra Streisand (lemon meringue), Dick Van Dyke (strawberry rhubarb), and Steven Spielberg (coconut cream). She loaded 240 pies into an RV and drove them from Iowa to Newtown, CT. in December 2012–knowing full-well the healing power of pie. She currently calls the famous American Gothic house in Eldon, Iowa home and runs the hugely popular Pitchfork Pie Stand out of its parlor every summer. Beth M. Howard is far from your typical pie maker so understandably her new book is far from your typical cookbook.

With full-color photos throughout, MS. AMERICAN PIE [Race Point Publishing, April 2014, $28.00 US/$30.00 CAN] features 80 of Beth's coveted pie recipes along with some of her own true tales of taking her pies from coast to gleaming coast and the lessons she learned along the way. Inside readers will find recipe after mouthwatering pie recipe in chapters such as:

• Pies to Question Authority
• Pies to Heal
• Pies to Seduce
• Pies to Keep an Open Mind
• Pies to Compete in the Iowa State Fair

In addition Beth shares her philosophy of pie ideology–pie builds confidence, pie builds community, pie connects people–and so on. She shares her pie principles­ including the irrefutable truth: if you can get past your fear of pie dough you can get past bigger, scarier fears. And she busts pie myths – turns out you don’t need to refrigerate your crust before rolling it and using your hands to mix the dough will not make it tough.

Readers will soon discover that MS. AMERICAN PIE is so much more than a cookbook, it’s a reminder that through it all there is happiness around every corner and if you’re looking for that extra nudge to move forward, that springboard to launch you to the next level – it’s always best to start with pie.


My Take on the Book
This was a great book that will make your mouth water. The book is filled with amazing pies that will make you want to start baking. There were a ton of pies that I would have never thought of. One of the ones that I was really intrigued by was the Avocado pie. I tried to make this and it actually was really good and had a taste that was similar to a Key Lime pie. CThere were so many others that I was completely in awe of and ones that I know that I will be making soon for my family and friends, especially with Easter coming up. This is an amazing book that you will want for your own family!


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Book Review - Big Book of Kids' Birthday Cakes

About the Book
To give kids the perfect treat for their special day, look no further than this fun, fabulous collection! Inside you'll find both much-loved and exciting new recipes that include everything from cupcakes and popcakes to animal cakes, adventure cakes, and the famous “Train Cake.” Even though each artful creation will elicit oohs and aahs, they're all really easy to prepare. Some even begin with mixes, so it's simple to bake the happiest birthday ever!


My Take on the Book
Do you love to bake , make cakes, and cupcakes? Do you like to prepare your own birthday cakes for your family and friends? If you do , you must check out this book.

The photos and step by step directions will assist you into creating cakes you may have only imagined you could bake. The specific ingredients to make each cake are listed on each page.

Some examples of cakes are: animal shapes, vehicles, game cakes, and more. There was even a chocolate chip cookie ice cream cake. It looked delicious!

In the back of the book you will find a huge reference area of cake recipes, frosting recipes, pans and equipment, and how to cut shapes using photographs. The authors included a chart of American measurements and the metric measurements appropriate to the ingredients listed.

I feel this book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to create cakes and cupcakes.



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Book Review - Josey Baker Bread

About the Book
This is the first true entry-level bread-baking cookbook, from Josey Baker (that's his real name!), a former science teacher turned San Francisco baking sensation. Josey Baker Bread combines step-by-step lessons with more than 100 photographs, offering easy-to-follow guidance for aspiring bakers. Recipes start with the basic formula for making bread— requiring little more than flour, water, time, and a pan—and build in depth and detail as the user progresses to more complex loaves, including Josey's cult favorite Dark Mountain Rye. With chapters dedicated to pizza, pocketbreads, and treats, Josey's playful, encouraging tone makes for a fun read full of great advice for bakers of all levels.

My Take on the Book
Yes, Josey's last name is Baker and yes he wrote a very detailed cookbook/instruction book about bread baking. The chapters include: an introduction to bread making, sour dough bread, seeds and cheese breads, whole wheat breads, rye,l spelt and kamut breads,l pizza, pocket breads, and sweet breads. There are many beautiful photos of the finished products and the steps along the way to producing the items.

This is not your typical bread cookbook. Josey Baker is serious about having a conversation with the reader. He gives you insight and encouragement along the way.

Josey takes the time to talk you through each step. It is like having him in your kitchen with you as you are baking. He includes tips, charts for making more than one loaf of the same kind of bread, and American and metric measurements.

If you are serious about learning how to bake breads, scones, cookies, pizza, and pocket breads, then I believe you will find this book a very valuable resource.



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LouAna Coconut Oil Gives Food a New Twist

It's officially holiday crunch-time, so I'm sure that you are compiling your recipes and grocery lists full of your family's favorite dishes. With that in mind I gave LouAna Pure Coconut Oil a try in some holiday recipes this season to try it out for myself.

Coconut oil is popping up everywhere these days — Food & Wine even posted an article about it last week. LouAna Coconut Oil contains zero trans-fat and no cholesterol and is easy to swap in instead of butter in all your holiday recipes . To help you make the switch, LouAna has created signature recipes for wintertime favorites featuring its Pure Coconut Oil, such as Classic Pecan Pie with Pecan Nut Crust, Rustic Cranberry-Apple Cobbler, and Whole Wheat Buttermilk Biscuits.

While coconut oil is wonderful oil for baking because of its high smoke point, it's also great for sautéing veggies, or even for swirling into your morning oatmeal.

My Take on the Oil
I tried using this first in some cookies I was making, and I have to say that the nice aroma as well as the light flavor that this added to the cookies themselves was great. On top of this I loved that it had no trans fat or cholesterol which is always something that I am looking for. I also tried this while making popcorn in my Amish popcorn popper that we have. The oil gave the popcorn a lightly sweet taste and I felt after using this that I really did not need to add additional butter in any sense. So far I am very impressed with using this and with the amount of oil you get in a container, I know that I will be using this for some time as well and am looking forward to it!


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Holiday Cookie Party Ideas from Reynolds

It’s always a fun challenge to keep kids entertained during the holidays (you can only build so many snowmen, right?). Flex their creativity at any age and celebrate the festive season with a holiday cookie decorating party. Invite your child’s friends and parents over to decorate cookies and experiment with fun frosting colors and decorations. While kids are engrossed in baking activities, moms and dads can enjoy a glass of wine or a holiday cocktail (or two!) – With Reynolds Parchment Paper and a few tricks, your cookie party will be memorable, mess-free and delicious.

Use Reynolds Parchment Paper to:

• Make a few pastry bags, perfect for more intricate frosting decorations
• Line cookie sheets for non-stick baking
• Ensure that cookies bake evenly and release from the paper easily
• Minimize mess - just toss the paper when you’re done!
• Cover the counter or table space so all mixing, measuring, and decorating are stress-free!

Some additional tips and tricks for the perfect cookie party:

• Offer up more than the usual sprinkles and frosting. Try topping with sugar strips for a tasty bow or edible glitter for a sparkly finish.
• Put edible add-ons in separate tins and jars
• Don’t forget the drinks: Cocktails or wine for parents and eggnog or milk for the kids!

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Book Review - The 250 Best Cookie Recipes

About the Book
Who doesn't remember the wonderful, warm aroma coming from the kitchen as Mom was baking cookies?

With 250 recipes to choose from, you'll find an extraordinary range of cookies for every occasion and for everyone from young to old in this complete cookbook. Looking for the perfect accompaniment to your next cappuccino? Chocolate Walnut and Chocolate Nut Coffee Biscotti fit the bill perfectly! And with cookie swaps becoming so popular, choosing just one recipe will be really tough. Whether you choose The Ultimate Sugar Cookie, Chocolate 'n' Vanilla Spirals or Butterscotch Pecan Cookies -- all are sure crowd pleasers.

And of course no holiday occasion or gift basket would be complete without Hanukkah Sugar Cookies, Cherry Valentine Cookies, Thanksgiving Pumpkin Spice Cookies or Holiday Cranberry Cookies.

The recipes are broken down into easy to find and follow sections: Drop Cookies, Hand-Shaped Cookies, Sliced Cookies, Biscotti, Sandwich Cookies, No-Bake Cookies, and Holiday cookies.

Helpful baking tips are featured throughout the book as are ingredient methods (for example the correct way to melt chocolate), storage methods and even a cookie troubleshooting section. If you love to bake (and eat!) cookies, this is an absolute must-have for your kitchen.

About the Author
Esther Brody has developed thousands of baking recipes over the years and has written several bestselling baking books including The 250 Best Muffin Recipes, 500 Best Muffin Recipes, 1500 Best Bars, Cookies, Muffins, Cakes and More and 250 Best Cobblers, Custards, Cupcakes, Bread Puddings and More.


My Take on the Book
Another amazing cookbook from this author. Being a father to small girls you can bet they love cookies and this cookbook delivers. With 250 recipes you will be kept on your toes for some time with this. What was nice though is that the cookbook was easy to understand and the cookies were easy enough to make. Our favorite so far are the crispy caramel haystacks, but I have already been earmarking pages for other ones that look delicious too. There is a little bit of everything for any cookie lover in this book. As in another book from this author that I reviewed, i would have liked to have had more images, but what you get is still great! If you love making cookies you will love this cookbook!


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Book Review - The 250 Best Brownies, Bars and Squares

About the Book
The ultimate collection of easy and sumptuous desserts!

For sweet satisfaction and easy preparation, there's nothing like a plate full of brownies, bars or squares fresh from the oven. In the world of baking, these are the ultimate comfort foods, evoking wonderful memories.

Best of all, brownies, bars and squares are so easy to make. For many recipes, you simply mix up the dough in one bowl, put it into a square or oblong pan, bake, slice and enjoy! That's why they're so ideal for busy families.

Bestselling author Esther Brody brings back all that homemade goodness in this outstanding collection of fully tested recipes. For a snack or after-dinner treat, try Caramel Double Nut Squares or Favorite Glazed Lemon Raspberry Bars. Capture the taste of summer with Rhubarb Crisp Squares or enjoy the classic sweetness of Old-Fashioned Butter Tart Bars. And there's no better way to enjoy that afternoon cup of coffee or tea than with Banana Cream Walnut Squares, Orange Nut Oatmeal Bars or Raisin-Nut Coffee Cake Bars.

Brownie lovers will find plenty of ways to indulge their passion, including Classic Chocolate Nut Brownies, Coconut Macaroon Brownies, and the blissfully decadent Chocolate Fudge Cake Brownies. There's even a chapter devoted only to no-bake bars and squares -- absolutely perfect for those warm summer months when just the thought of turning on the oven seems impossible or for those particularly time-crunched times. Chocolate Peppermint Bars, Ice Cream Peanut Krispies, Coconut Date Refrigerator Squares or Raspberry Patch Shortcake are the perfect solution.

You'll discover many familiar recipes, as well as new recipes that are sure to create warm memories for your family and friends. Whether you're a novice or a long-time baker, once you start experimenting and see the outstanding results, you'll be inspired to make baking a part of your everyday life.

About the Author
Esther Brody has developed thousands of baking recipes over the years and has written several bestselling baking books including The 250 Best Muffin Recipes, 500 Best Muffin Recipes, 1500 Best Bars, Cookies, Muffins, Cakes and More and 250 Best Cobblers, Custards, Cupcakes, Bread Puddings and More.



My Take on the Book
This was an amazing book full of great recipes that will make your sweet tooth sing! The author has done a great job at bringing together a huge number of great recipes that are easy to follow and to prepare. So far my family favorite are the Carrot Pumpkin Bars, but there are so many to try and I know that I will find many more before I am through. The only thing that I wish was that the cookbook had more pictures of the items within the book itself. Other than that I was very pleased with everything I have found thus far and encourage all of you to take this home to your house to start making some great desserts too!



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Book Review - Sassy Cookies: Sweet, Spicy, and Savory Treats with Swagger

About the Book
Unusual, edgy cookie recipes are presented here, with chapters covering chocolate, bar, nutty/fruity, herby/cheesy, and delicate but feisty sensations. Readers can wow their taste buds with cardamom-ginger bars, apricot-cherry shortbread, saffron-pistachio lace cookies, and 37 other varieties. Sections on storing, freezing, gift packing, and shipping these treasures are included.

My Take on the Book
If you love to prepare cookies, enjoy eating cookies, and are always on the "look out" for new cookie recipes, this just may be the cookie cookbook for you. Luane Kohnke has written a cookie cookbook that certainly piqued my interest starting with the title. Luane's cookbook is divided onto various sections: Chocolate, Spice, and Everything Nice, Nutty Fruity Bars, and Herby, Cheesy Savories are just a few.

I was eager to prepare several from different categories. One I chose was LEMON YOGURT SQUARES. There are two steps in the process of putting together this bar cookie recipe. First a crust is made and baked which includes hazelnuts and then the filling is prepared using an electric mixer. The filling used whole fat Greek yogurt, lemon juice and zest with eggs, sugar and a little flour. Once it is baked and cooled we tasted it. It is creamy, light and similar to a cheesecake. It was delicious.

Another recipe I chose was in the savory section. This one was called BLUE CHEESE AND CRANBERRY COOKIES. The combination intrigued me. Along with flour and cornstarch, the recipe called for blue cheese, dried cranberries and pecans. You make the dough and once you roll it into a log , you refrigerate it for a least two hours or over night. The baked cookie was similar to a shortbread cookie. The blue cheese was not dominant in the flavor, and the dried fruit and nuts were a nice complement. Again a delicious cookie.

My family enjoyed both of these recipes.

Luane's recipes include the use of goat cheese, crystallized ginger, cayenne pepper, and other ingredients you may not have used in cookie recipes before. I encourage you to take a look at her book. It definitely will take you on a new adventure in baking and your family and friends will ask you for the recipes.

Buon Appetito!


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Book Review - 300 Best Casserole Recipes

About the Book
Friendly, soothing and convenient to make, casseroles are perfect for busy lifestyles.

Home life is especially challenging when a negative economy combines with intense time pressures. Casseroles offer relief by delivering great comfort foods with convenient prep times. These dishes are perfect for busy home cooks looking for great make-ahead dishes for a quick and easy weeknight meal or when entertaining during the weekend. Households on the go can prepare and freeze single or full servings, ready to accommodate everyone's schedule.

Most of the recipes in 300 Best Casserole Recipes feature ingredients that are already in pantries, cupboards or freezers. There are entire chapters devoted to breakfast and brunch casseroles, vegetarian and gluten-free options, classic chicken dishes and even desserts. Some of these tasty dishes are:

• Smoked gouda mac and cheese
• Ratatouille casserole
• Beef pot pie
• Black bean enchilada casserole
• Southwestern shepherd's pie
• Crab strata
• Bacon and leek quiche
• Twice baked potato casserole
• Corn spoon bread
• Stuffed spareribs
• No-pasta lasagna
• Paella with sausage
• Bread pudding with whiskey sauce
• Caramel rocky road bars
• Pecan pie brownies

Many of the recipes also include alternatives and tips to help make them lighter and healthier.



My Take on the Book
I grew up on different casseroles. Lately, I have not had the opportunity to have many casseroles, but this book will change all of that. As a parent of two I am always looking for ways to make our lives easier, especially when it comes to dinner and I know that casseroles will change that. These casseroles are so varied, and there are so many to choose from. I am particularly looking forward to the Reuben Casserole for one, but there are so many more that look amazing.

On top of the variety I loved that the recipes were filled with healthy ingredients and the book also gave a ton of tips and ideas regarding preparing and freezing what you make.

This book will give you a ton of ideas that you will help you to make some very creative meals for the whole family. You can truly tell that the author loves what she is doing and what she is sharing, and with all that you see and read you are drawn in and and are definitely motivated to start transforming your own family's eating habits!


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Book Review - 750 Best Muffin Recipes

About the Book

The definitive collection of nutritious, imaginative and delicious muffin recipes.

750 Best Muffin Recipes offers a tremendous number of recipes that deliver a wide array of flavors and options for any home chef.

Expert baker Camilla Saulsbury goes well beyond just variations of blueberry and bran muffins. There are nine chapters of innovative recipes:

• Muffin classics
• Good morning muffins
• Decadent coffeehouse muffins
• Lunch and supper muffins
• Farmer's market muffins
• Global muffins
• Superfood muffins
• Gluten-free muffins
• Vegan muffins

All the recipes are fresh and enticing -- clearly as much fun to make as they are to serve or eat. Here is just a sampling:

• Pumpkin-spice
• Mocha
• Stone-ground cornmeal
• Lemon-lime yogurt
• Whole wheat applesauce
• Sweet potato marmalade
• Maple bacon
• Cheese grits
• Peanut butter chocolate chunk
• Antipasto
• Pumpernickel
• Scallion, cranberry and horseradish
• Wine country grape
• Vidallia onion
• Maple-dried blueberry spelt
• Collard greens and garlic

Home cooks will find a wealth of useful baking tips and techniques with clear instructions and simple steps for every recipe. This is the kind of cookbook that both beginners and experienced bakers will use endlessly.



My Take on the Book
This was an amazing book with every kind of muffin that you could ever imagine. I was amazed to find muffins that I knew to ones that I thought were very obscure. My family has already made a strawberry and vanilla muffin which was very good. The crazy thing about this is that you could make one new muffin a day for over two years with this book (talk abut crazy).

I have to say that the recipes were easy to follow and I loved the images that were included as they gave you a good picture of what to expect your muffin to look like.

The best part of this book is how vast the recipes are and how different the muffins were in comparison to ones I have seen or tried before.

So pick up this book today and surprise the people in your family, your work or wherever you spend your time with great, homemade treats - you and they will thank you in the end!


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Book Review - Complete Cake Mix Magic: 300 Easy Desserts Good as Homemade

About the Book
Anyone who bakes from scratch knows that baking cakes can be time-consuming and it can produce disappointing results. A cake mix is the perfect shortcut solution, because beginning with the best always gets you off to a great start. All you need to add is the rich and flavorful ingredients, such as eggs, sour cream, butter, chocolate or fruit -- the distinctive "homemade" taste no bakery cake can match.

This tempting selection of cake recipes will carry you through every occasion and you'll discover how to easily transform a basic cake mix into a mouthwatering dessert. The more than 300 recipes provide results that really do taste homemade -- in less than half the time it would take to bake from scratch.

Choose from more than 300 delectable recipes, including:

• Single Layer Cakes
• Multi-Layer Cakes
• Tube and Bundt Cakes
• Angel Food Cakes
• Cheesecakes
• Coffee Cakes
• Loaves and Muffins
• Cookies
• Bars and Squares
• Special-Occasion Desserts

Along with wonderful recipes, you'll find tips and techniques for perfect cake baking every time -- and a wealth of baking knowledge. Complete Cake Mix Magic includes practical equipment information making it perfect for beginner bakers and a great refresher for the experienced. Simple recipes, basic ingredients and no experience required -- you'll find all the elements necessary for outstanding results.

My Take on the Book
What was amazing with this cookbook was the array of desserts that the author shares with you and all you need to start is a cake mix and she takes you from there. I have tried out a number of the recipes and let me tell you, they are easy to make thanks to the step-by-step directions that the author provides and you can gauge your success through the amazing color images that are provided within the cookbook for some of the recipes. What would have made the book even stronger in my opinion was images for all of the recipes! Overall though, I was impressed and amazed at the number of recipes that were provided and the fact that all you needed to start was a cake mix (who would have thought).

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Airbake Baking Sheets are Amazing for any Baker!

About the Product
Are you baking cookies for someone special? What if I were to tell you there is such a thing as a NO-BURN GUARANTEE! T-fal’s AirBake bakeware features non-stick insulation—two heavyweight aluminum sheets surround a layer of air. The air reduces the temperature of the metal that comes in contact with the food which makes for even baking and browning! Available at www.t-falusa.com.

My Take on the Product
What I love about these pans is how evenly things bake on these pans. The pans work so well to make sure that the heat is evenly distributed. I have used too many baking sheets that simply burn the items that I am trying to bake but in trying out the pans that I was sent I was quite impressed as there was no burned cookies and with the non-stick surface, I was happy to find that we were able to take off the cookies that we baked without any sticking or any pre-spraying to assist with this. Overall, I would highly recommend these to anyone who enjoys baking!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Help OXO bake a difference with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded by two OXOnians (OXO employees), Gretchen and Larry Witt who were inspired by their son Liam's battle with pediatric cancer. All forms of pediatric cancer combined claim, the lives of more children in the United States than any other disease. They were shocked to learn that the main reason over 25% of kids diagnosed with cancer do not survive is because of a lack of effective therapies. And the reason for the lack of effective therapies was simple: lack of funding.

For two longtime OXOnians, it only seemed natural that their call-to-action was related to the kitchen and to food. And so, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was born to provide inspiration and support for individuals, communities and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer through the concept of local bake sales. Over the past four years, thousands of bake sales have been held, raising over $2.5 Million to fund pediatric cancer research.

With less than 70 employees, OXOnians regard each other as family. The news of Liam's diagnosis hit us hard and we were determined to help "bake a difference." Since the beginning, we have shown our support by baking cookies and holding bake sales. Through these efforts, OXOnians have helped raise over $150,000 to support Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

This year, we are thrilled to announce a formal partnership with this organization so close to our hearts. In 2011, on top of our personal efforts to support this worthy cause, OXO will donate up to $100,000 to Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

This is where you come in. Your readers look to you for advice and tips when it comes to food, trends and community involvement. Spreading the word about Cookies for Kids' Cancer will help us ensure that our mission to find a cure for pediatric cancer reaches as many people as possible. Encourage your readers to participate in any way they can, large or small, by hosting a bake sale, buying a "Good Cookie" Spatula, or sending a Virtual Cookie on Facebook. You can do all this and more at www.oxogoodcookies.com. For examples of how you can uniquely share the message, take a look at what two amazing bloggers we work with have already done: The Naptime Chef and Very Culinary.

If you’re able to spread the word with your readers, please let me know so we can share it with our online community. If you also have a creative way of how you’d like to get involved, please don’t hesitate in contacting me with any questions or ideas you may have.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review: Scandinavian Classic Baking

About the BookDistinguished by hints of cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel, these sweet yeast breads, berry-studded tarts, and nutty pastries offer the most memorable flavors of Scandinavian cuisine. Gorgeously photographed, the authentic recipes range from hearty and wholesome Scandinavian Rye Bread, Swedish Lucia Buns, and Mini Princess Cakes to the traditional and venturesome Danish Aebleskiver, Norwegian Fattigmann, and Sandbakkels.
The book, organized by type of dish, includes information about each of the countries that make up Scandinavia along with anecdotes and notes about traditions, holidays, and baking tips and tricks. Featuring photographs from around the region and information on where to find the equipment for specialty baking endeavors, this cookbook invites bakers of all levels to experience Northern Europe’s best coffee breads, cakes, cookies, and tarts.

My Take on the Book
As a Swedish American, I have to say that though I have this blood flowing through my veins, I never really grew up with this type of food in my home. Though this was the case, I was always interested in trying recipes, but I had yet to try them in the past. Thus, when I was asked to try out this recipe book, I knew that it was definitely one that I wanted to try for myself.

This book does a great job of sharing some of the delicacies that the Scandinavian countries are known for such as the pastries and other bakery items. I found the recipes to be easy to follow and not to intricate that I was messing up the ones that I tried. To this point I have tried only a couple of recipes and I have to say that they are thus far very succulent, and I know though that if I am not careful, I will be putting on some extra pounds from these extra baked goods.

So if you love pastry and baking, try some ethic baking and learn form the best!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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