5 comments about My Sweet Vegan: passionate about dessert.

1. Got this as a gift for my hubby's birthday as I am a regular reader of Bittersweet. This book is a beautiful addition to our vegan cookbook collection. So far we have enjoyed chai "cheese"cake and green tea freezer pops, with caramel macchiato "cheese"cake and green tea tiramisu next on the list! Looking forward to trying more recipes, the photos on each page are so delicious looking!



2. I had the chance to review Hannah's book and I loved it! It's full of beautiful photos and recipes that will appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike. Can't wait for Hannah's next book!



3. This product was received promptly and in great condition. It made a wonderful gift.



4. THis book has a lot of recipes for goodies especially for fancy ocassions. Very good pictures and directions. Lots of new ideas.



5. Most of the recipes were subpar or out of the ordinary. I recommend this book only if you are an adventurous person. I understand that it is written by an eighteen year old. I only kept the book because she is in college and I used the money as a donation, otherwise, I would have returned the book. Of course, there a few recipes I will try. They seemed to be worthy of my time to create.
   
   Save time and money by ordering The Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, what a wonderful book. This book is the best vegan book I have ever bought or read. Colleen's book is well worth the investment!

5 comments about Betty Crocker's Cooky Book.

1. Betty Crocker's Cooky Book is wonderful. It is an exact replica of the same book I grew up on, making cookies with my mom at Christmas time. The recipes are great, and the pictures are all "vintage," reminiscent of the 60's. Some recipes are tried and true--absolutely wonderful and have been passed around at cookie exchanges for decades. The new one might have more updated pictures and a few new recipes, but this one from back when my mom was a new wife is a keepsake that you can share with your own kids when cookie baking time rolls around again in December.



2. I have baked cookies from the recipes in this book for over 40 years and have given as gifts to friends and relatives at least 25 copies. The cookie recipes are classic and will tempt every cookie eater.



3. I bought Betty Crocker Cooky Book for my daughters recently. My mother first used this book in the 1960s and I got a copy to use with my children. Now they are grown and will use the cook book for making all kinds of cookies with their children. It's a must have for anyone who likes to bake (and eat!) cookies.
   
   Ginny



4. This book is full of precious memories for me. I can not remember a Christmas or occasion that my mother didn't pull this Cooky book out and flip threw it with me looking for the perfect cookies to bake. I'd spend days in the kitchen with my mother baking the most wonderful smelling and tasting cookies in the world to me. I'm now 33 and still flip threw this book finding cookies to bake for all occasions with my mother and friends. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants easy to make great cookies and great memories with family.



5. Betty Crocker's Cooky Book is one of my favorite books. I purchased my original copy in 1967 and have used it for YEARS. All the receipes bring back memories of Christmas holiday baking with all the "children" who were a part of our lives for 40 years. Thank you for letting me find another copy of this book.

5 comments about The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook: Old-Fashioned Recipes From New York's Sweetest Bakery.

1. This cookbook has some wonderfully basic recipes that will be at the top of your list when looking for something really good to bake. My daughter has this and had baked the white birthday cake out of it for my granddaughter's birthday. It was so moist and really excellent. We use it for all birthday celebrations now. One doesn't feel special if any other cake is presented! The recipes are not difficult but the results taste like you have slaved for hours. This is a sure winner and I guarantee it will make you look great in the eyes of those you cook for.



2. this is a good cook book if you are looking for basic recipes. i bought this book because i love the famous magnolia cupcakes and i love the way they look. there are no cupcakes in this book and there are no photos. also, some people have commented on the lovely design of the book's pages. actually the pages are poorly designed. they look like faux granny, pretend to look old country bakery style, but actually turned out to look like someone was trying too hard while lacking typography and design skills.



3. VERY basic recipes in this one. I was expecting more based on Magnolia's reputation. Disappointing...



4. I have baked several cakes out of this book and they are delicious. The Traditional Vanilla Birthday cake is my favourite - turns out perfectly every time.



5. Bought this book for my sister, a competitive baker, winner of hundreds of ribbons, and an all-around great cook. She is very fussy about recipes and ingredients -- no margarine, no artificial flavors, only pure extracts, etc. I thoroughly read the recipes before I purchase any cookbook for her. She loves this book and has tried many of the recipes. They are wonderful. Not your standard baking recipes. It would be wonderful to visit the bakery and try the goodies first hand.

No comments about Sylvia Weinstock's Sensational Cakes.

5 comments about 125 Best Cupcake Recipes.

1. I love this book, each recipe has frosting suggestions underneath & a sidebar that contains tips and variations. I've baked over half the recipes in the book, whether it's pumpkin, banana, very vanilla chocolate chip, mango coconut, pineapple or chocolate all the cupcakes are quick, easy and delicious.



2. I got this book a week ago and have already made 4 recipes. The first one was the banana cupcakes, which were deliciously moist and the texture of the cupcakes just made them melt in my mouth. I also tried the Kahlua cupcakes and shared with a friend who now wants me to make them everyweek. Again the result was very moist and melt in your mouth cupcakes. The other two were kids cupcakes, and of course my daughter and her friends gave them an A+. I recommend this book, the instructions are easy to follow as 1,2,3 and the results are great.



3. My first cupcake recipe book and I LOVE it. The recipes are easy to follow and my chocolate cupcakes turned out to be exceedingly delicious.
   The only thing missing for me personally are pictures. I love to see a picture of EACH cupcake described in the book - I think here are only 10 in total.
   Still - a MUST have for any cupcake addict



4. I PURCHASED THIS BOOK FRM AMAZON LAST WEEK.I GAVE 4 STAR AS THERE ARE ONLY VERY FEW COLORFUL PAGES IN THE BOOK.THE RECIPE ARE EASY BUT IT WOULD BE MORE APPEALING WITH MORE PHOTOS OF THE DELICIOUS N YUMMY CUPCAKES AS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK.I WOULD RATHER SPEND MY MONEY ON ANOTHER BOOK CALLED "HELLO CUPCAKES".MORE GORGEOUS N INVITING N DELICIOUSLY DONE CUPCAKES.EVEN MY 5YRS WANTS TO MAKE ALL OF IT.



5. This is a well organized book that focuses on quality recipes and not on decorating. I made the Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Frosting. The recipe was a bit unusual, no eggs and 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar. It was also very easy to make, no mixer required, just a whisk. I took them to a party and they were a hit. The cupcakes were very moist and the frosting was thick and not too sweet. The author added a note that these are best eaten the same day, but I keep one in the refrigerator and ate it the next day and I think it was actually better. I'm looking forward to making more cupcakes from this book.

5 comments about Southern Cakes: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations.

1. My son bought me this book for Mother's Day. I love it. I love the background stories behind the recipes. I made the Cream Cheese Pound Cake this past weekend. Everyone loved it!



2. This book has been a blessing to me it has given me lots of new recipes for me me to try and share with my family.



3. this book is really great it explains in simple terms ,, the only down side is that some of the cakes are complexed and ..I was looking for "literatly southern cakes" like pound cakes etc . But over all the book is great.



4. Very good recipes, or at least they seem to be. I didn't get a chance to try any yet.



5. Nancie McDermott's Southern Cakes gathers some of the South's most well-known delights: pristine fluffy coconut cakes, deliciously oozy jelly cakes, red velvet cake, pineapple upside-down cake, Mississippi mud, all the way to that towering confection, Lady Baltimore cake, rich with raisins, figs, pecans and brandy. Along the way, she shares plenty of stories of the origins of the various recipes, many from family and friends or from various regional cookbooks.
   
   There are numerous variations on pound cakes (classic, chocolate, marble molasses, brown sugar, cream cheese, blue ribbon, bourbon, sweet potato) that are easy to whip together; these are perfect for impromptu afternoon teas or to give as gifts. There are light and fluffy coffee cakes, oatmeal cake, and date-nut cake. I also loved the addition of "ethnic" baking recipes such as a Russian Jewish babka (yeast bread), a tres leches cake (a traditional Hispanic favorite that blends milk, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk), a Rosh Hashanah honey cake and a Passover torte that are perhaps not as quickly associated with Southern desserts.
   
   Also included are heirloom and antique recipes such as a tomato soup cake, Ozark pudding, and a cake recipe dating from 1898. I loved some of the more offbeat creations such as chocolate mayonnaise cake, pumpkin-raisin cake, a "Japanese" fruitcake, and the divine fig cake and pear bread.
   
   Finally, a chapter on icings rounds out the cakes, with recipes for seven-minute frosting, cream cheese, browned butter, chocolate fudge, classic boiled, and never-fail chocolate icings, a caramel glaze, and an easy lemon curd (which is super-expensive if you buy it at a specialty store).
   
   The ingredients are ones that you probably already have in your pantry (except for the Southern staple of self-rising flour, perhaps), and the instructions are very easy to follow (they're broken down by paragraph, with the first line of each printed in an easy-to-read red and a less-easy to read light blue). The text runs on the small side, which might be harder to read for older readers. In the back are a bibliography, a selection of sources online, and a conversion chart.
   
   This is a nice addition to your baking library if you love to whip up frosted layer cakes or you're looking for some lighter ideas perfect for brunch or tea (the pound cakes and coffee cakes). It's easy to use, and Nancie lists many intriguing Southern cookbooks if you're interested in learning more about the cuisine of a particular region.

5 comments about Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook.

1. Hi, I purchased this book since it was selling as new, but when I received it, it was a damaged product. Even though I didn't get what I expected, I send the book back and I got my money back. He was very responsive and very communicative and quickly in returning my money. My only disappointment was that I ended up with no book.



2. Martha has got it goin' on. this book is beautiful, great pictures and recipes. i am pretty sure i put on a couple of pounds just by looking at the pictures :)
   
   i have tried a couple of recipes and loved them. prep your ingrediants beforehand, so you don't have to worry about having enough vanilla or eggs (i speak from experience :\ )
   
   this book is worth purchasing just to add to your collection of timeless cookbooks. it has techniques and advice that will help anyone reach a better understanding of baking.



3. I love this book. As someone who hasn't been baking too long, this has helped me a lot. I normally don't get too hung up on pictures in cookbooks. Yes, they're nice if they're there, but I can live without them. In this case, they are extremely helpful because there are so many different desserts in this book that I had never even heard of before! Luckily every single recipe in this book has a beautiful photo. I also like the sections about baking equiptment. Those sections helped me tremendously when I registered for my wedding. I knew all the pans and gadgets I was missing and was able to ask for them all. Some of the chapters are a little more intimidating (at least to me who doesn't have a lot of baking experience) like the breads and pastries, but I can see that the recipes are written so clearly that with some patience and re-reading, anyone can master this stuff!
   
   So far I've tried several of the cookie recipes. My personal favorites were the gingerbread cookies (they come out PERFECT), and the oatmeal raisin, which are without a doubt the most delicious oatmeal raisin cookies I have ever eaten in my entire life. I also made the ricotta cheesecake last year at Thanksgiving as an alternative dessert and it was moist, fluffy, and divine with a very subtle lemon flavor. The only recipe I had some trouble with was the brownies. Mine came out rather dry, but it may have been the oven I was using because I made them at someone else's house. Perhaps their oven was hotter than mine, or maybe the chocolate I used had too high a cocoa content. But I'm looking forward to trying them again.
   
   I initially picked up this book because I wanted to learn to bake. Had I known better I probably would have started a little more slowly with something more demonstrative. I don't think this is necessarily the ultimate handbook on baking since the instructions are pretty brief, but I admit they are helpful, and I think I'm a much better baker now because of this book. All over it's just a beautiful book and the recipes inside are sure to impress.



4. Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook The book itself was obviously in excellent condition hence the five stars, when it left the seller but sadly, due to inadequate packaging two of the corners had been exposed and badly damaged in the post. The book was also received quicker than I anticipated.



5. Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook will become a favorite go-to resource for everything baked. The illustrations and technique instructions are very helpful. I wouldn't say this is a book for the beginning baker as some of the terminology and descriptions assume some baking knowledge; but for someone who is already comfortable in the kitchen this is a wonderful guide to every category of baking. I like how beyond the basics of each technique or recipe she takes it a bit further with a twist on the traditional - the semi-sweet chocolate coating layer on the crust of the coconut cream pie, for example. I think this is a great well-rounded addition to any cook's library!

5 comments about Sam the Cooking Guy: Just a Bunch of Recipes.

1. Sam the Cooking Guy and his magical recipes are simply addictive! I've never been one to "create" in the kitchen, but I find I'm inspired to try--and enjoy it! This book is funky, but moreover the recipes are not fussy. It's straight-up cooking with real life ingredients. And Sam, if you're reading this, you're welcome to dinner anytime!



2. The recipes looked interesting. But, I couldn't get past the crazy sort of layout, format, and general "look" of the book. Some font is black, some font is green, some font is small, some big, differnt styles, scrunched together. I found it so distracting and not reader friendly, I couldn't read it. I guess it's supposed to be cutting edge, fun, or modern. Not for me. Sorry.



3. I saw this cookbook on news one morning. The recipes he did sounded very tasty. I collect cookbooks and this was one I wanted to add my collection. It is a very good cookbook with excellent recipes. They are easy to make, with easy ingredients. So far I have made only a few of the recipes, all of them came out well and were very tasty. I will continue to use this book to cook and make my family happy with the tasty food.
   B.F.
   Oxnard, CA



4. This book is a blast! Great for pulling out when cooking with the kids, or need something quick to whip together for friends and football.
   
   The funny stories, jokes and other sidebars make it a fun read as well!



5. If you haven't seen Sam the Cooking guy, check your local listing and watch it!
   Sam cooks like you and me! He is a down to earth, funny, knowledgeable guy that enjoys to cook and makes it easy as pie. His book is filled with the recipes that he cooks on his shows and they are easy to follow and chances are you have the ingredients in your closet!
   I LOVE his White Bean Chicken Chili! It's really fast and delicious!
   I can't say enough about his book and him! Just get it and enjoy.
   Thanks Sam. You're the man!!

5 comments about The 1200-Calorie-a-Day Menu Cookbook : Quick and Easy Recipes for Delicious Low-fat Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, and Desserts.

1. This book has excellent recipes for quick easy meals. There are no pictures but recipes are so easy you don't really need them. Also has great soup recipes. I highly recommend.



2. I love this cookbook. I've been using it for about a month and so far we've liked every recipe. Usually recipes in diet cookbooks are so boring. I like that you can pick any breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert and still get 1200 calories without thinking about it.



3. I like the format of this cookbook, but I haven't gotten to try any of the recipes. I'm looking for simple recipes to use what I have on hand at the moment. It's layout is very well thought out and it's easy to understand the nutritional data.



4. This book has a lot of great tasting recipes. My family and I prepared a couple of recipes so far, and it's great because it doesn't feel like you're on a diet. In addition, the great tasting food provides a great meal for others who don't know that they're getting a low calorie meal. I love the varied selection from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. The only drawback is that all the meals are prepared for a serving of four...a lot of leftovers if you're by yourself!



5. I guess it is my own fault for not investigating the actual recipes in the book, but I thought there would be standard "diet" food fare utilized in a 1,200 calorie a day format. Not so much. The book DOES deliver 1,200 calorie a day recipes it's just that none of them seem appetizing or practical. I perused it and quickly relegated it to my yard sale box of books. I mean how practical is "Wild Rice-Sausage Chowder and Fresh Tomato Slices"? There are 16 ingredients listed! Someone who can whip up a 16 ingredient dish doesn't need help putting together a 1,200 calorie day. Here is one that looks inviting..."Individual fruit platters with hot popovers" Oh wait, I don't want to whip up popovers! I wanted something to help me get OUT of the kitchen and grocery store. Sort of like a do-it-yourself Jenny Craig plan. If anyone knows of such a thing, please post it for me.

5 comments about More From Magnolia: Recipes from the World Famous Bakery and Allysa Torey's Home Kitchen.

1. This is well written book about old fashion dessert recipes, the hints and tips are great if you have just started baking.
   
   I gave it four stars just for the fact that it doesn't have pictures to go along with the recipes, it only has a few pictures in the center.
   
   So far i baked the following:
   
   -Vanilla cupcakes > they are wounderful
   -Chocolate cupcakes > light and yummy
   -Hello dolly bars > maybe it was me but i didn't like them at all
   -Blondies with white and dark chocolate and walnuts > really liked them
   -Peanut butter chocolate chip pecan cookies > great
   -Black bottom cupcakes > so and so
   -Apple cake with butterscotch cream cheese frosting > the best
   
   I also made the white chocolate buttercream frosting and it was nice but what i really liked was the dark chocolate buttercream icing specially on the the vanilla cupcakes.
   
   overall a really good book.



2. I have never been to the Magnolia bakery, though it sounds wonderful. The cookbook is very good, easy to follow and has many helpful tips. I like that many of the recipes are traditional and old fashioned......fewer expensive and unusual ingredients. Most of these are easy to make and fine to make with kids.
   Especially nice is the chocolate Buttercream and the seven-minute icing. The blueberry pie is quite good (we made six of them at Thanksgiving). The Devil's food cake was a little heavy and not very sweet, but the devil's food cupcakes were better.



3. I've tried the red velvet cake (made them into cupcakes to fill that craving) with the cream cheese frosting. These were fabulous! I keep the frosting in a bag in the refrigerator and eat them when I have the urge. (I keep the cupcakes in the freezer and defrost when the craving strikes.) They are very light and fluffy and were the best "from scratch" cake I've had.
   
   I just baked this morning the vanilla vanilla cupcakes with signature frosting and, after just moments ago tasting one, was disappointed. It turned out dense and with a strange subtle taste to them that I suspect was imparted by the self-rising flour. I've never used self-rising flour and was shocked to find salt among the many ingredients in the flour. The cupcakes just tasted a little funny, and even a tad salty despite my using less than the recipe called for (again, maybe the flour??). The frosting was a little sweet for me. Perhaps adding some cream instead of all milk would have mellowed it a tad. I usually make my frostings with some cream for consistency and taste.
   
   I read the cautionary reviews that these turn out great for baking novices and disappointing for those with lots of baking experience. I'm an avid baker, and so this was unfortunately a correct predictor in my case. I'll keep trying the others, but will continue to hunt for another recipe.



4. I loved almost every recipe in this book. Just what I was looking for, tasty "comfort food" desserts. Easy recipes and helpful hints. The photos looked good enough to eat! The preface was even well worth reading. It gave me a down home, flash back to my childhood. I highly recommend it.



5. 1 - the easy Blueberry pie recipe
   2 - the easy cupcakes recipes (duh)
   3 - the easy instructions/explanations