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Baking & Desserts
- General
 The Happy Baker
Erin Bolger
You can take the girl out of southwestern Ontario, turn her into a make-up artist, stomp on her heart, and still she will be able to bake. Not only will she bake, she will laugh while doing it. In between the goodies - oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, hello dolly squares, banana cream pie - Bolger shares her stories of dating hell, familiar to any female over the age of 12. Her humour helps all of us to gain some perspective. Everyone who attended Central Huron Secondary School show some solidarity and buy this book! Softcover, 160 pp. $28.95.
The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook
Tarek Malouf
The popular New York bakery — it has the Gwyneth Paltrow seal of approval — presents a collection of the classic stars of the sweet kitchen. Cupcakes, blondies, brownies, carrot cake, and pumpkin pie are some of the goodies no home should ever be without. With a recipe per page with an accompanying colour photo, the layout is almost as yummy as the recipes. Hardcover, 144 pp. $37.95.
Baking and Pastry: Mastering the Art and Craft by The Culinary Institute of America
Learn from the best. The Culinary Institute of America brings us their latest resource for baking and pastry. From breads to cake decorating this book will bring out the professional in all of us. Hardcover, 932 pp. $84.00.
Pastry in Europe: 2009
Travel through Europe in ways you never thought possible. Learn about fresh young faces and reintroduce yourself to the masters of European pastry. Take a peak at everything from the avante garde to classic Dutch candies. Hardcover, 255 pp. $64.95.
Just Desserts and Other Baked Treats
Daniel Tay
Paris-trained but based in Singapore, pastry chef Daniel Tay walks a fine line between appealing to other pastry chefs and home bakers to whom many of his fruit desserts are accessible. His version of the French classic, caneles looks particularly good. Colour photos. Hardcover, 143 pp. $40.95.
Pastry
Michel Roux
Classic French pastries both savory and sweet by acclaimed chef Michel Roux, this time aimed towards the home-cook. Tremendous colour photographs help to illustrate, in detail, proper technique as well as showing off Roux’s beautiful creations. This collection of recipes, from puff to short-crust to staples such as mayonnaise and creme anglaise are sure to be the new standby for those looking to explore the world of French pastry. Hardcover, 304 pp. $24.95.
Bake
Rachel Allen
British TV personality Rachel Allen is here and she is baking up a storm. Her book is a pleasure to the eye as well as the stomach. From baklava to oatcakes, it is clear that Allen's inspirations come from all over the world. Thankfully, for us, Allen doesn't stick to just the sweets and includes savory baked goods. The recipes are easy to follow and this book is perfect for the advanced as well as the beginner baker. Hardcover, 287 pp. $54.95.
Natura
Albert Adria
As his brother Ferran does with the rest of the meal, Albert Adria pushes the dessert envelope about as far as it will go creating dishes such as muscovado sugar “wool” with Tennessee whiskey cask wood flavoured ice cream, caramelized vanilla banana, hazelnut dacquoise and coffee gelatin. The accompanying DVD features the techniques from which he creates his wondrous works. The presentation is, of course, awe-inspiring. Hardcover, 151 pp, $149.95.
Muffin Mania - just re-released!
Cathy Prange & Joan Pauli
Muffin Mania was one of the first books we carried when we opened the store in 1983 - hand delivered by the authors. It quickly topped our bestseller list where it resided for almost two decades! In the years it was out of print we had streams of calls from people searching for replacements for their tattered and stained originals, or copies for offspring leaving home. We are overjoyed to have the new generation of the Prange/Pauli family bring Muffin Mania to the next generation of bakers! Spiral bound, 71 pp. $16.95.
Complete Canadian Living Baking Book
Elizabeth Baird & CL Test Kitchen
Tried, tested and true. The holy trinity when it comes to baking and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen delivers again. Hardcover, 352 pp. $34.95.
Desserts: Mollie Katzen's Recipes
Mollie Katzen
Mollie Katzen of Moosewood fame returns with the quaint coil bound, easel backed book on desserts. Fun is the operative word for this book. When the very first recipe is Moosewood Fudge Brownies need we say more! Coil-bound, 120 pp. $19.95.
BakeWise
Shirley O. Corriher
It's finally been published! This much anticipated book, written by the author of CookWise ($35), covers all aspects of baking, its chemistry, the whys and hows to lead you to successful baking. Over 200 recipes are included. For those who have CookWise as your go to book, and those who don't, don't wait to discover this new treasure. Hardcover, 532pp, $47.00.
Baking for All Occasions
Flo Braker
One of our favourite baking writers, remember Simple Art of Perfect Baking? Braker imparts knowledge in a gentle manner, never preaching. With chapters such as Hearth and Home All Day Long, or Baking for a Rainy Day and recipes such as Red Velvet Cake Roll, or Lemon-Scented Pull-Apart Coffee Cake what's not to love! Hardcover, 396 pp. $45.50.
Crème Brulée
Dominique and Cindy Duby
This creative duo from Vancouver, authors of Wild Sweets ($35), and Wild Sweets Chocolate ($45) take the classic dish and elevate it to new unexpected heights. Soft cover, 128pp. $19.95.
The Ice Cream Bible
Marilyn and Tanya Linton
The ultimate summer time treat. This Canadian book provide useful information on equipment, ice cream makers and ingredients as well as loads of recipes. From the book..."Top Licks in 2001 in the USA were vanilla, chocolate, Neapolitan, butter pecan and chocolate chip."
Softcover, 272 pp, $27.95.
Indulge
Claire Clark
The pastry chef of California’s celebrated French Laundry restaurant, Claire Clark is as much a perfectionist as chef Thomas Keller. However, where Keller’s creativity takes flight, Clark’s equally beautiful presentation is built on a certain earthbound homeiness with frequent references to her English heritage. In amongst the orange and grand marnier soufflé glace and passionfruit and mango terrine with exotic fruits, one finds Bakewell tart, Eccles cake, triffle. Word to the wise: Clark uses weight measure rather than volume for dry ingredients. Her generosity with advice makes this book accessible to home bakers, not just professionals. Colour photos. Hardcover, 238 pp, $45.00.
Sharing Sweet Secrets: Gluten & Wheat Free
Pamela Moriarty
Here are gluten-free desserts that look tempting even to those who do not have a gluten problem. Even better, many of these desserts, particularly the fruit-based dishes, do not require hard-to-find ingredients. Other recipes call for commercial gluten-free flour, rice flour. Softcover, 168 pp, $19.95.
A Passion for Baking
Marcy Goldman
Just the recipe titles should be enough to make you salivate: Strawberries and Cream Cookies, Caramel-Chocolate Cookie-Stuffed Sour Cream Deluxe Cake. . . .Marcy Goldman, pastry chef, food writer, and doyenne of the invaluable web resource betterbaking.com presents tempting recipes to treat family and friends. Those who quail at making pastry can rest assured, as step-by-step instructions and photos for pie crust and other recipes make the process clear. Hardcover, 320 pp, $34.95.
Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey
Jill O'Connor
If you have a serious sweet-tooth, first buy this gorgeous book, then stock up on napkins...you'll be needing them. It is quirky, hilarious and does not ever suggest 'low-fat' anything (sigh of relief...) With recipe titles such as "Ooh! Brown sugar! and Almond Pound Cake" and "White Trash Panini" it'll be sure to summon a chuckle or two. Trust me...you want this book. Hardcover, 167 pp. $24.95.
Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen
Gina De Palma
Gina De Palma, pastry chef at Babbo in New York city, brings both classic Italian desserts and favourites from the restaurant to cooks interested in life beyond tiramisu. She gives some background on what constitutes Italian sweets, baking tips, and also anecdotes and history about special desserts and festivals. Colour photographs.
Desserts by the Yard
Sherry Yard
Executive pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck Worldwide sounds daunting, but Yard manages to create desserts that range from the spectacular, Marshmallow Bonsai Tree, to the wonderfully simple, Black-and-White Cookies. Hardcover, 400 pp. $44.95.
Sweet Diversions
Yann Duytsche
From hotel management school in northern France to Valrhona’s technical director in southern Europe, Yann Duytsche has moved from pinnacle to pinnacle in the world of avant-garde pastry. Along the way, he has worked in Roger Verge’s kitchen, and with Joan Baixas, Oriol Balaguer, and Fréderic Bau. Duytsche’s creations take flight from traditional bases - eg. linzer, speculoos, or white cake - which may transform into a sweet/savory club sandwich or gravity defying geometric shape. Colour photos. Hardcover, 415 pp. $160.00.
Savory Baking from the Mediterranean
Anissa Helou
Here is proof that there is more to Mediterranean baking than pizza, focaccia, and pita. Helou has certainly included those recipes but you will also find the more unusual qurban, the communion bread of the Eastern Orthodox church, Neapolitan macaroni pie made in a special mould, and Cretan spinach crescents. The instructions are in a simple numbered format. Bibliography for those who want to learn more. Black and white photos. Hardcover, 339 pp. $37.95.
The Complete Baking Cookbook: 350 Recipes from Cookies and Cakes to Muffins and Pies
George Geary
As the titles says, this book is filled with many recipes for classic home baked goods such as delectable Quadruple Chocolate Chip Cookies and Monkey Bread. There are treats for any time of day, from breakfast pastries to dinner party desserts. Colour photographs and useful tips and techniques make this book ideal for beginning and experienced bakers alike. Softcover, 447 pp. $29.95.
The Perfect Scoop
David Lebovitz
Sorbets, granitas, ice creams and so much more from this former pastry chef at Chez Panisse. Now based in Paris, this is his fourth dessert book. A vastly under served area of desserts, when it comes to cookbooks, yet all things chilly are as popular as ever. Interesting chapters titled 'vessels' as well as 'mix-ins' and of course an excellent section on basics, round an extremely useful book. Hardcover, 246 pp. $31.50.
Italian Baking Secrets
Father Giuseppe Orsini
So much more than a cookbook, Father Orsini weaves a tale about the emergence of grain cultivation, the origins of bread, and the role of baking in Italy before one even comes to the wonderfully authentic recipes. Along with a variety of Italian breads there is a selection of biscotti and other sweets as well as cakes (torte) and tarts (crostate). This really is a lovely book for any baker. Hardcover, 272 pp. $31.95.
Classic Stars Desserts
Emily Luchetti
Anyone who missed Stars Desserts and Four-Star Desserts the first time around should run to pick up a copy of this compilation of Luchetti’s 150 favorite recipes. Then, indulge in a pan of the best lemon squares ever. By contemporary pastry chef standards, Luchetti’s desserts now seem quite restrained but her taste combinations always make sense. We are so happy to have these recipes available again that we hesitate to complain that they have not used all the photos of which we were so fond or that the paper is not the best quality. But does it really matter when the recipes are so fine? Hardcover, 312 pp. $38.95.
Cooking Light Dessert
Cooking Light magazine
62 essential recipes to eat smart, be fit and live well. These desserts are worth the splurge. From rich, fluffy Banana Pudding(page 26) to Irish Bread Pudding with Caramel-Whiskey Sauce (page 128), even the most sinfully good desserts can be deceptively light. All’s well that ends well. Hardcover, 144 pp. $23.95.
21st C: The New Generation in Pastry
Oriol, Isaac, and Abraham Balaguer are three of the new generation of Spanish pastry chefs making their mark not just in their homeland but also around the world. This is the English edition of Siglio 21, which arrived last year. Colour photos. Hardcover, 248 pp, $95.00.
The Essential Baker
Carole Bloom
This is a fine collection of recipes organized by main ingredient: dark milk chocolate ganache and hazelnut tart, dried cherry and almond scones, key lime squares or sesame seed biscotti, sandbagged at every turn by bad design. Ingredients and procedures are divided into sections so that you cannot perceive the whole ingredient list at a glance. Much flipping is required as recipes spread over more than one page. The type is tiny and pale There is solid information backing up the recipes and chocolate tasting charts. Bakers who persist will find camouflaged pleasures within this book. Colour photos. Hardcover, 645 pp, $47.99.
Panna Cotta
Camilla V. Saulsbury
A specialty of Piedmont, panna cotta combines the unctuous pleasure of custard with the jiggly joys of gelatin. There are classic and contemporary dessert versions vanilla bean, coffee –and contemporary inventions like chai and cherries jubilee. For an unusual first course , try a savory panna cotta: queso fresco with chimichurrim & cherry tomatoes or cauliflower with white truffle oil. Black and white photos, small print. Hardcover, 141 pp. $21.95.
S'mores
Lisa Adams
Who doesn't love s'mores? This humble campfire treat, long a staple of childhood summers, is here elevated into the truly spectacular dessert it can be. With plenty of imagination Adams has created over 50 versions of the classic s'mores by adding ingredients like popcorn and fruit, swapping graham crackers for cookies, brownies, and even a croissant, and using different chocolates. Her suggestion that any of these could possibly be just as good without a roasted marshmallow seems doubtful though! Hardcover, 128 pp. $21.95.
175 Fruit Desserts
Edited by Ann Kay
From the simplicity of pineapple flambé, to the intensity of minted raspberry bavarois, fruit-based dessert make a refreshing and colourful—and sometimes low-cal—finale to any meal. Along with the recipes there are techniques for preparing and plating. Colour photos. Softcover, 96 pp. $18.99.
The
Sweet Spot
Pichet Ong
A veteran of both Chez Panisse and Jean-Georges, Pichet Ong, now chef/owner
of New York’s P*Ong, is a master of desserts with an Asian twist. Some
dishes offer an Asian riff on American classics: coconut cream pie with toasted
jasmine rice crust and banana cream pie with a hit of ginger. Lest you think
it is all fusion all the time, behold the sentimental classics like Chinese almond
cookies, fortune cookies, and “pocky” sticks. Colour photos. Hardcover,
292 pp. $37.95.
150 Years of Magic
Eagle Brand
There is hardly a North American baker who hasn't at some point used sweetened condensed milk for making treats, and Eagle Brand was and is one of the most popular brands. Now, with 150 years of experience in their test kitchens behind them, the company has put out a commemorative cookbook. The first recipes is, of course, for Hello Dolly squares. Here they are renamed magic cookie bars and are accompanied by several different variations. Colour photos. Softcover, 128 pp. $12.95.
Ices
Sunil Vijayakar
Subtitled Sorbets, Granitas, Sherberts, and More, and the emphasis should be on more. More mouthwatering, hot weather relief in creative homemade popsicles, frozen souffles, and molded treats. The ices come in a variety of innovative flavours like spicy plum sherbert and green tea and mint granita. Instructions are for both ice cream makers and those working by hand. Colour photos. Hardcover, 64 pp. $16.95.
Savory Sweets
Amy Felder
An associate instructor at Johnson & Wales, Amy Felder has produced a textbook guide to an art which has become synonymous with Dominique and Cindy Dube - the transformation of savory ingredients into desserts. The focus is on the ingredients, techniques, and flavour pairings which will produce a wow on the plate. A few colour photos of plated desserts. Softcover, 253 pp. $45.99.
Best of the Pillsbury Bake-off Desserts
Pillsbury
The Pillsbury Bake-Off has been around for more than half a century, and it is still going strong. First place now nets the winner a million dollars. Here you will find a wide variety of prizewinners from years gone by, although the recipes skew to winners from the past few years and, for some reason, the 70's. The desserts all tend to feature packaged products, though Pillsbury brand isn't specified. If you insist on homemade you can always use your favourite recipes to replace the bought items, because these desserts are quite creative. Colour photos. Softcover, 158 pp. $21.99.
Children's Party Cakes & Cookies
Edited by Martha Day
There are simple instructions for theme cakes to fulfill almost any child’s fantasy: treasure chest, lion, train, spider, fairy castle… There is also a selection of muffins, rolls, and cookies that will appeal to both children and adults. Colour photos. Softcover, 96 pp. $18.99.
Short & Sweet
Melanie Barnard
There is no excuse for serving store-bought desserts anymore. In under 30 minutes you can whip up raspberries in chantilly cream, warm mocha truffle cakes, or country apple tart. With Barnard’s list of basic ingredients on hand - eg. almond paste, graham cracker crumbs, dried fruit - you need never be caught with nothing for dessert. Colour photos. Softcover, 238 pp. $19.95.
Sweet
Cuisine
Francisco Marfull Piquer, Editor
Originally published in Spain as Cocina Dulce, this book surveys
Europeís top pastry chefs. Abraham and Isaac Balaguer, Frederic Bau, Jordi
Roca, and Yann Duytsche are among the creators of a spectacular selection of
desserts, mostly fruit-based, that include Strawberry Soup with Rasberry Ice
Cream; Lemon, Banana, and Balsamic Vinegar; and Layered Pineapple with Chocolate.
Hardcover, 214 pp. $85.00.
 Another Cup of Sugar
Anna Olson
Pastry chef extrodinaire. Host of the popular Food Network Canada show, Sugar,
Anna delivers a new book that will satisfy the sweet tooth and then some. Each
chapter is focused around a them ingredient eg. brown sugar. Get the butter,
flour and sugar to the ready! Softcover 272 pp. $24.95.
Sweet
Life: Desserts from Chanterelle
Kate Zuckerman
This book is more about the talented Zuckerman than the venerable Chanterelle,
and rightly so. Voted one of the ten best pastry chefs in America in 2005 by Pastry
Art & Design magazine. From tarts to cakes to candies to souffles,
only three of the ten chapters to whet your appetite. Hardcover, 223 pp. $46.00.
Bars & Squares:
More than 200 recipes
Jill Snider
Just when you thought you didn’t need another brownie or square recipe!
Here’s a new collection of recipes both old favourites (Raspberry-Almond
Holiday Bars) and new twists. Time to get out the 9 by 13 pan again! Softcover,
256 pp. $27.95.
Tartine
Elisabeth Prueitt & Chad Robertson
San Francisco's beloved neighbourhood bakery and cafe has produced
a book that has caught the attention of the most discerning of professional
bakers who have given the book positive reviews. The lemon buttermilk pudding
cake is on our list of recipes to try! Hardcover, 223 pp. $44.00.
New
York Times Dessert Book
Edited by Florence Fabricant
Hard to believe this is the first time the NY Times has done
a major book on desserts. It features recipes from Times staffers, such as Marion
Burros' Plum Torte to name chefs/cooks, such as Nigella Lawson, Francois Payard.
Hardcover, 567 pp. $39.95.
Heirloom
Baking
Marilynn Brass
You have got to trust authors who can claim 95 years of baking experience between
them—especially when it appears they have been using your mother’s
handwritten recipes for fluffy white cake, marshmallow brownies, custard rice
pudding… Features photos of vintage cookbooks and kitchen gadgets. Bonus:
a pocket on the inside back cover to hold r recipe clippings. Hardcover, 300
pp. $45.00.
How to be a Domestic Goddess
Nigella Lawson
Woman-about-the-arts and confirmed coobook addict Jane Marsland has given her
stamp of approval to Nigella Lawson's Domestic Goddess based on the banana
loaf.Since, like us, her previous gold standard for same was James Beard's recipe
(the one without the nuts) in Beard on Bread ($21), we respect her opinion.
Like the late Richard Sax, Lawson writes with the voice of a good friend offering
suggestions rather than rules which must be followed because she knows best.
Colour photos. Hardcover, $35.00.
Alain
Ducasse's Grand Livre de Cuisine Desserts and Pastries
Robert Frederic
Superstar Chef Alain Ducasse weighs in with another tome,
now desserts & pastries
take centre stage. Inspiring for the experienced home cook, or the professional
chef. This beautifully illustrated edition, in English for the first time, should
be in every pasty chefs library. Ducasse's instructions for preparation, construction
and presentation are meticulous. Hardcover, 567 pp. $275.00.
Luscious Berry Desserts
Lori Longbotham
A berry lovers dream book. Crammed full of colorful delectable ideas for
luscious berries to cook all year round using fresh fruits or frozen.
Great tips of selecting, storing fresh berries too. Hardcover, 167
pp. $24.95.
Granita Magic
Nadia Roden
Fifty-five tasty granitas that are perfect for all occasions. Each recipe has
a sidebar full of hints for serving each classic Italian ice. Please try the
Ruby Grapefruit and Campari Granita on page 58. Hardcover, 120 pp. $24.00.
A Passion for Ice Cream
Emily Luchetti
Who knew there were so many delectable things to do with frozen cream and
eggs. 95 ideas for scrumptious all natural ice cream, sherbert, gelato,
granitas, sorbet, and much more. Hardcover, 223 pp. $46.00.
Baking
from My Home to Yours
Dorie Greenspan
Well-known for her behind the sceneís work (author of Baking
with Julia, $59.95, translator of Pierre Herme), Dorie Greenspan
is a master baker in her own right. The memories and tips that accompany
these recipes, some dramatic, some simple, reveal a generosity of spirit
to match her ability. Hardcover, 514 pp, $53.95.
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