Book Review: 'Cranberry Valentine' by Wendy & Harry Devlin

✰✰✰ Mr. Whiskers has never received a single Valentine. Maggie is concerned, but Grandmother doesn't have time to talk about it. A few days later, Mr. Whiskers is aghast to discover someone has sent him a Valentine. Who could have done that? In a strange coincidence, a lady in a green coat is asking around town about Mr. Whiskers. What could she want? Now Mr. Whiskers concerned. Armed with a heart-shaped box of chocolates, Mr. Whiskers makes his way to Maggie's house where he's pleasantly surprised.

The Bottom Line: As with Cranberry Thanksgiving, this book comes with a recipe. While we previously enjoyed the Secret Cranberry Bread, this recipe for Cranberry Upside-Down Cake, seemed a bit off. I prepared it according to the directions. It's pretty easy, but since I didn't have walnuts, I substituted pecans. For the yellow cake mix I chose a box of Betty Crocker's Super Moist Butter Recipe Yellow cake mix. It took about 30 - 40" to prepare and another 50" to bake. After waiting 10" I flipped it. [Note: Kids will definitely need help with this.] It turned out of the pan onto the tray nicely; however, there was a layer of sugar stuck to the bottom of the pan. As the cake cooled, the sugar crystallized on top. Boo. 

As a seasoned baker, I was disappointed. If I were to make this recipe again (which I probably won't), I would definitely reduce the amount of sugar from 2½ cups to 1 - 1½ cups. Additionally, I would mix the cranberries with the sugars before adding to the pan and pre-melt the butter. Alternately, it might be best to skip the layer of butter and the sugars and simply fold in about 2 cups of fresh cranberries and ½ cup of nuts directly into the batter; then bake as directed. 

Ah, live & learn. This recipe is VERY sweet, best when served with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping (I used Cool Whip.) 

A slice of Cranberry Upside-Down Cake.

In sum, this Cranberryport tale was a little bit dated and somewhat disjointed in the storytelling. Still charming, however, the story had nothing to do with the featured recipe.

Details: Cranberry Valentine written & illustrated by Wendy & Harry Devlin. Picture book published by Four Winds Press in 1986. 31 p. ISBN: 0-02-729200-2 

Book Review: 'Cranberry Thanksgiving' by Wende & Harry Devlin

✰✰✰✰½ Thanksgiving on the cranberry bog farm is Grandmother's favorite. Each year she encourages Maggie to invite someone to dinner who is lonely or poor. Grandmother herself has invited Mr. Horace, who uses a gold cane, smells of lavender, and is all alone. Maggie chooses to invite her friend, Mr. Whiskers. Grandmother is less than thrilled as she suspects that Mr. Whiskers is after her secret cranberry bread recipe. Nevertheless, Maggie is hopeful Grandmother will change her mind. When there is a scuffle in the dining room followed by both guests exiting quickly, it looks like Grandmother was right. Or was she? Things are not always as they appear, and Maggie knows the truth. Just when it looks like the recipe is gone for good, Grandmother is in for a surprise.

The Bottom Line: This book originally became popular in 1971, and now it's back. The illustrations in watercolor and ink have classic appeal. This delightful tale reminds readers what is truly important at Thanksgiving: family and friends. 

And as a bonus, the secret recipe for Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread is included on the back cover. I took the time to make this treat and found it to be yummy, but tart. Additionally, it's beautiful with crimson cranberries and golden raisins in every slice. While I prepared the recipe according to directions, I decided to use mini loaf pans instead and reduced the baking time to 40 - 42". 

Grandma's Famous Cranberry Bread

Both the book and the recipe are highly recommended for kids in grade school. Try making the delicious recipe by asking an adult to help. It's worth the effort and will become a new Thanksgiving tradition.

Details: Cranberry Thanksgiving written & illustrated by Wende & Harry Devlin. Picture book published by Purple House Press in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 9781930900639   

Book Review: 'Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies'

✰✰✰✰ The holidays roll around just once a year. There's so little time to try out complicated and time-consuming recipes. That's where the Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies cookbook comes in handy. Featuring easy-to-read recipes with full-page, full-color photos, this cookbook is perfect for your baking needs. The book begins with "Cookie Success Secrets" and "Bar and Brownie Success Secrets," which include choosing the proper equipment, storage tips, and choosing ingredients. Each recipe includes nutrition information, preparation time, start to finish time, and the number of cookies or bars each recipe makes. The numbered step-by-step instructions are clear and concise. There is also information on "Cookies as Gifts," a "Metric Conversion Guide," and an Index. Yummy recipes to check out include "Mini Whoopie Pies," "Linzer Cookies," "Chocolate Chip Reindeer Cookies," "Strawberry Cheesecake Bars," "Striped Peppermint Cookies," and Bourbon-Spiked Brownie Truffle Balls." Even if you don't bake throughout the year, there's something for everyone in this cookbook.

Taste Test Notes: There were so many tempting recipes, but I decided to try to make the "Red Velvet Rich-and-Creamy Cookies." The ingredients were super easy to locate at my local grocery store. That's always a plus. Once I had everything gathered, I found that this recipe was very easy to make. While my cookies weren't quite as red as those in the photo, they were very tasty. These cookies aren't big, so you can easily enjoy two or three with your afternoon tea and not feel too guilty.

Here are all the ingredients needed to make this simple recipe!

Here are the finished cookies (without nuts).

Nana's Baking Tip: If you don't like chopped nuts, just omit them and decorate with red sugar crystals instead. Also, these would be a festive treat for Valentine's Day as well.

The Bottom Line: This cookbook will appeal to bakers of all levels. There are recipes for drop cookies, shaped cookies, filled cookies, bars, brownies, and cookie cut-outs. These cookies come in all flavors too like chocolate, raspberry, and peppermint. You can also find a variety of gluten-free recipes. The cookbook is easy to use and the layout is attractive. Baking projects that are fun for kids are indicated, and the inclusion of "Tinsel Time Tips" for festive touches make the book interesting. All in all this cookbook is highly recommended; however, it would have been even better if the editors had included a skill level for each recipe.

Details: Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies by Betty Crocker. Paperback published by Betty Crocker in 2013. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-544-16664-6

Cookbook Review: 'Betty Crocker Halloween Cookbook'

✰✰✰✰½ At last there is an easy cookbook with kid-friendly recipes dedicated to my favorite holiday of the year...Halloween! I've been searching for quite some time to find a cookbook featuring spooky treats to make for the little goblins in my neighborhood. Finally, I have found what I've been looking for.

Tucked inside the Betty Crocker Halloween Cookbook are seasonal recipes for cooks of all skill levels. After a brief introduction on planning a Halloween party, the book is divided into four sections. Choose from appetizers and drinks; main dishes; cupcakes and cakes; and cookies and other frightfully fun treats. Additionally, there's even a small section for "giftable goodies." Tempting treats to make include: Mummy Toes, Spider Bites, Serpent Subs, Creepy Crawler Cupcakes, Munchable Mice, and more.

Each recipe features a full-color photograph to show you what the finished product should look like. Both the ingredients and the instructions are listed in an easily readable format. Plus, each recipe includes nutritional information. Finally, the cookbook includes "terrifying tips," a metric conversion guide, recipe testing information, and an index. These recipes are so appealing and fun, you'll want to try them all.

Taste Test Notes: The nearly 100 recipes were so tempting that I had a difficult time picking just one to try. My first choice was the Graveyard Bones with Dip on page 36. Unfortunately, my local grocery store did not carry the Pillsbury refrigerated breadsticks, nor did it offer a substitute. Therefore, I moved on to my second choice:  Spooky Spiderweb Pizza on page 78. Once I had gathered all my ingredients, it was a cinch to put it all together. This would be a fantastic recipe to make with kids in the kitchen. They get to work with their hands and enjoy a yummy treat when finished. Surprisingly, the most difficult part of this recipe was getting the pizza dough to fit my round pizza pan. After prebaking the crust, the rest was simple layering. The result was a tasty treat that was completed in 45 minutes.

Spooky Spiderweb Pizza before baking

Nana's Cooking Tips: 1.) You can easily change the toppings to suit your family's tastes. 2.) When it comes time to drizzle the Alfredo sauce on top, be sure to cut the tip of the plastic bag sparingly. You can always go back and cut off a little more.

The Bottom Line: Kids of all ages and adults who are kids at heart will simply adore the delightfully spooky snacks and dishes served up in this Betty Crocker cookbook. The directions are easy so kids can join in the fun by picking out recipes and helping to prepare them. I enjoyed browsing through this cookbook so much that I wanted to give it five stars. However, I did experience some difficulty locating ingredients; thus, the final rating is 4.5 stars. This is a highly recommended purchase for both library and home cookbook collections. Aspiring chefs of all skill levels will find something fun and spooky to whip up for Halloween.

Details: Betty Crocker Halloween Cookbook by Betty Crocker. Paperback published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2012. 208 p. ISBN: 978-1-118-38894-5

Cookbook Review: 'Sweet Christmas' by Sharon Bowers

✰✰✰✰½ If visions of peppermints, fudge, gingersnaps, rum balls, sugared pecans, and pralines have been dancing in your head, then check out this holiday cookbook to make your dreams come true. With recipes for Homemade Ribbon Candy, British Christmas Cake, and Salted Caramel Sauce, cookbook author Sharon Bowers has come up with a holiday winner. She also includes recipes for a few savory treats like Hot Spinach Dip and Spicy Cheddar Coins.

Sweet Christmas includes an introduction with notes on ingredients to clarify some items like which size eggs to use or what kind of flour is best. There are also notes on equipment and storage suggestions. The recipes are grouped into eight sections including a chapter for making ornaments and decorations (some edible, some not), and a chapter with ideas for making edible homemade gifts to give at the holidays. Each recipe features an introduction, and the ingredients are listed in a different color from the main text. Finally, this cookbook includes at Conversion Guide and a Recipe Index at the end.

Taste Test Notes: It was a challenge choosing a recipe to attempt for this review as there are so many I'd like to try. However, the recipe that really caught my eye was for Chocolate-Covered Cherries (p. 30), which are one of my favorite candies. I had never even thought of attempting to make these at home, but the recipe made it look so easy. Additionally, I happened to have all the ingredients in my pantry. While the recipes in this cookbook do not include prep times, I wasn't sure how much time I needed for this attempt. However, these looked so yummy I decided to give it a try anyway; I just made sure to give myself enough time to finish.

The directions were very easy to follow. The only thing that I did differently was to store these beauties in the refrigerator as I made them in July. I noticed after dipping the cherries in the melted chocolate that the chocolate would not set due to the warm room temperature. Thus, in the fridge they went. Here are some photos of my cooking adventure:

Here are the cherries wrapped in fondant and waiting
to be popped into the freezer for 30"

The finished Chocolate-Covered Cherries waiting to be sampled.

This is what they look like on the inside. Yum!

All in all I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this recipe was fantastically easy to prepare. Just be careful not to burn your fingers when dipping the fondant covered cherries in the melted chocolate. I was able to complete this project from start to clean-up in just two hours. Finally, the best part was eating these luscious cherries; these are far better than the store bought kind. I think it's the fondant that makes them so special. These are absolutely decadent. P.S. These would make a great homemade gift for the holidays.

The Bottom Line: This holiday cookbook featuring candies and sweets is highly recommended for foodies and chefs of all levels of expertise. This cookbook is also recommended for public libraries and personal cookbook collections. There is a wide variety of treats to choose from including vintage sweets like Christmas Divinity and Peppermint Bark. There are also cookies and cakes and some savory treats as well. This cookbook features beautiful food photography by David Bowers, so even if you don't cook or bake, you'll have a great time looking at the photos. I will definitely be buying a copy to include in my own cookbook collection. My only (tiny) complaint is the rather small print.

Details: Sweet Christmas: Homemade Peppermints, Sugar Cake, Chocolate-Almond Toffee, Eggnog Fudge, and Other Sweet Treats and Decorations by Sharon Bowers. Hardcover published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang in 2012. 176 p. ISBN: 978-1-61769-000-6

Cookbook Review: 'Christmas Baking' by Mia Öhrn

✰✰✰ Magical treats are always a memorable part of the holiday season. Pastry chef and food writer, Mia Öhrn, has put together a fun cookbook with delicious sweets including candies, cookies, cakes, breads, and other desserts. Just opening the cover of this book is a feast for the eyes with Ulrika Pousette's stunning food photography and holiday imagery. Readers can choose from traditional treats like Nougat, Christmas Pudding, and Fruit Cake. Additionally, aspiring pastry chefs will want to check out the recipes for Marzipan Figures, Lingonberry Toffee, Glögg Cheesecake, and Saffron Buns "Lucia Cats." There's also a recipe and instructions for baking, assembling, and decorating a Gingerbread House. Gingerbread stencils and a recipe index are located at the end of the book.

Taste Test Notes: For this portion of my review, I decided to attempt baking the Candy Cane Cookies featured on page 46. These look yummy, and I love both chocolate and peppermint. However, this recipe turned out to be a big challenge from the very beginning due to the measurements. This might not have been a problem if I had used the metric measurements; however, I did not.

The author didn't mention how fine to crush the candy. I used the finely crushed candy in the dough part, and the coarsely crushed pieces to sprinkle on top of the cookies immediately after baking. I had trouble with the candy cane pieces sticking together due to humidity. As mentioned in the text, these cookies do spread out quite a bit; therefore, I only placed four cookies on a baking sheet.

Candy Cane Cookies hot out of the oven

Overall, this was a difficult project for me, and I've been baking for a long time. This was a rather messy project, and I probably would not recommend having kids help. It ended up being a lot of work for a limited number of cookies. The result was 15 tasty cookies that are not too sweet and not too extraordinary. The cookies were chewy and best eaten soon after being removed from the oven. They turned brittle the following day even when stored properly. It took 90 minutes from start to finish including prep time and cleanup.

The Bottom Line: The beautiful food photography featured in this book is absolutely magical; nonetheless, actually recreating the items featured on the pages is another story. The recipes look deceptively easy; however, I don't have baking equipment to accommodate the metric system. While the author included measurements for people using the English System of Measurement, it's difficult to measure out 3/5 of a cup of brown sugar, for example. Also, the recipes should include information about preparation time. While this is not an essential purchase, armchair cooks may want to purchase a copy to enjoy the fabulous food photography and Swedish holiday images.

Details: Christmas Baking: Fun and Delicious Holiday Treats by Mia Öhrn. Hardcover published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2012. 96 p. ISBN: 978-1-61608-822-4

Cookbook Review: 'Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook'

✰✰✰✰ The season of autumn features all of my favorite holidays including Thanksgiving, a time to celebrate family, friends, and food. With Thanksgiving being just around the corner, now is the time to start planning.

For tried and true recipes, I often turn to Betty Crocker cookbooks. Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook includes just about everything you ever wanted to know about cooking the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. The book begins with a Q&A section, where the editors at Betty Crocker have answered questions that readers most frequently ask.

Recipes begin with a chapter about turkey, of course. There is also a chapter devoted just to gravies, sauces and stuffing which is helpful for the novice cook. Those with more experience looking to supplement their usual fare will want to take a look at the chapters dedicated to side dishes, breads, soups, salads, and desserts. The editors have also included additional main dishes like Baked Ham with Zesty Cranberry Sauce, Roast Goose with Apple Stuffing, and Roasted-Vegetable Lasagna. Most of the ingredients are easily found at your local grocery store. I also appreciated the helpful tips for substitutions, do-aheads, and special touches. Finally, recipes include nutritional information, and there is an index at the end.

Taste Test Notes: I was looking for something that I could serve on Thanksgiving morning for breakfast. I found this quick and easy recipe for Surprise Pumpkin Muffins and decided to give it a try. I had everything I needed in my pantry, except for one ingredient. Therefore, while the recipe calls for chopped nuts, I substituted mini chocolate chips instead. Here's the result:

Surprise Pumpkin Muffins are quick and easy to bake.

The muffins were a perfect treat to serve with scrambled eggs and sausage for a quick holiday breakfast. Yum! You can even bake these a day or two early and freeze them. Just take them out of the freezer 15 minutes before serving. Nana's Baking Tip: If using paper liners like I did, let the muffins cool 15 - 20 minutes before removing them. Otherwise, the liners will stick.

The Bottom Line: Preparing a Thanksgiving feast doesn't have to be stressful. Whether you are cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time or the thirtieth, you'll find something helpful in this book. The numbered, step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and the tips are helpful. Also, be sure to take a look at the count down menus including the Super-Simple Menu or My First Thanksgiving Dinner. The addition of full-color photographs and the use of black ink rather than maroon would have made this a 5 star book. Highly recommended for both beginning and experienced cooks. Even experienced cooks will find something to add to their holiday table.

Details: Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook: All You Need to Cook a Foolproof Dinner by the Betty Crocker editors. Paperback published by Betty Crocker (an imprint of Wiley) in 2003. 192 p. ISBN: 0-7645-2574-3

Cookbook Review: Gifts of Good Taste: The Creative Kitchen

✰✰✰✰½ Gifts from the heart are welcome any time of the year. This latest volume in the Gifts of Good Taste series features 100+ recipes for all gift giving occasions including the holidays.

There's something for everyone with recipes for homemade candies, holiday treats, and snacks. The cookie recipes feature all sorts of fun shapes like fish lures, watermelon slices, and ice cream cones. Bakers will also enjoy the variety of bread recipes for quick breads, muffins, biscuits, and yeast breads. And don't forget the beverages; there's plenty for coffee and tea lovers to enjoy.

Additionally, this book features cute gift presentation ideas like candy boxes, bottle bags, and ribbon roses. Patterns for crafts are included, and most require only basic skills. A recipe index is included as well.

The Bottom Line: Bakers looking for gift giving ideas will welcome this newest addition to the Gifts of Good Taste series by Leisure Arts. The Creative Kitchen features recipes and crafts that are quick and simple to make featuring ingredients and materials that are readily available. Bright, full color photos are included for each recipe and craft. Both bakers and crafters of all skill levels will find a bounty of ideas in this volume. Recommended for all.

Details: Gifts of Good Taste: The Creative Kitchen by Leisure Arts. Paperback published by Leisure Arts, Inc in 2011. 160 p. ISBN: 978-1-60900-124-7

Cookbook Review: Beyond Delicious: The Ghost Whisperer's Cookbook by Mary Ann Winkowski

✰✰✰½ How often have you ever yearned for Grandma Sue's lost recipe for meatloaf or Aunt Julie's misplaced recipe for sugar cookies? Perhaps your dearly departed loved one bequeathed her recipes to your sister, but the copies she gave you were "changed" and just didn't turn out right. For those of us who have ever searched in vain for a lost recipe, this book is for you.

Just in time for Halloween, Mary Ann Winkowski, the ghost whisperer herself, brings us Beyond Delicious, a book that is a collection of both recipes and ghost stories. Mary Ann is frequently called in to deal with troublesome earthbound spirits, and interestingly enough these ghosts sometimes share recipes before crossing over. This is a collection of just such recipes and the ghost stories related to each.

The Bottom Line: Beyond Delicious is an interesting collection of ghost stories and recipes. It is both informative and fun to read. Not only did I find several fun recipes to try, but I learned about earthbound spirits as well. The recipes themselves are unique including several ethnic dishes and older recipes. Many of the recipes require some previous cooking or baking knowledge as directions received from spirits can be a bit vague. Also, there were several typos here and there. Overall, this is a unique book that will entice both cooks and readers interested in stories from the beyond.

Details: Beyond Delicious: The Ghost Whisperer's Cookbook: More than 100 recipes from the Dearly Departed by Mary Ann Winkowski and David Powers. Paperback published by Clerisy Press in 2011. 300 p. ISBN: 978-1-57860-499-9 Note: I received a complimentary copy from Clerisy Press in exchange for a review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.

Book Review: Dress Your Gingerbread by Joanna Farrow

✰✰✰✰ Gingerbread cookies are a scrumptious Christmas holiday treat, but with Joanna Farrow's book, Dress Your Gingerbread: Bake Them! Dress Them! Eat Them!, you can enjoy them any time of the year. Farrow begins with a simple recipe that makes four cookies. The instructional chapters include step-by-step instructions with photos to illustrate the techniques. Each different cookie features ingredients, directions, and equipment needed to create it; plus, each has a large full-color photograph you can refer to.

The Bottom Line: Have fun with gingerbread any time of the year by choosing different costumes to dress your cookies in. This book is chock full of ideas for cookies the little ones will love to eat. Choose from insects, animals, fairy tale creatures, and traditional holiday themes (I'm partial to the cute dinosaur myself). Also, the book includes templates and a source list. My only suggestion is that the information on Useful Equipment should have been placed first so that bakers can gather all the necessary tools. Enthusiastically recommended for bakers with moderate to advanced experience because fondant can be tricky.

Details: Dress Your Gingerbread: Bake Them! Dress Them! Eat Them! by Joanna Farrow. Paperback published by Spruce in 2010. 128 p. ISBN: 978-1-84601-369-0

Cookbook Review: Whoopie Pies by Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell

✰✰✰✰ Watch out cupcakes, here come the whoopie pies. If you've never had one before, you're in for a real taste treat. Whoopie pies are soft, cake-like cookies sandwiched together with filling. These treats are set to be the next delectable craze in dessert fashion; no utensils required.

The Introduction gets you started with all the basic information for making and storing whoopie pies. It also includes fun facts and a handy list of which flavored cakes and fillings to mix and match. There are even a few vegan and gluten free options so everyone can join in the fun. However, one drawback to the Introduction is the use of white print on chocolate brown paper which can be difficult for some to read.

The main part of the book is divided into two recipe sections: one for cakes and one for fillings. Recipes are written in paragraph format and are easy to follow. The book also includes the following: Ingredients & Sources, an Index, and a Table of Equivalents. Most of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocer; however, a few may require a bit more searching. The photos by Antonis Achilleos are colorful and charming; I only wish more had been included.

The Bottom Line: This cookbook features both sweet and savory recipes to create the whoopie pies of your dreams. Just mix and match your favorite cakes and fillings, and the treats will be gobbled up in no time. Enthusiastically recommended for everyone looking for a new taste treat in baking. Bakers of any skill level can try these recipes although those with more experience will have better results. I've got my eye on The Happy Pilgrim and Root Beer Float whoopie pies. Additionally, the Classic Chocolate whoopie pie with matcha (green tea) butter cream filling sounds dreamy. Also, recommended for all public libraries as it fills a niche in the baking section.

Details: Whoopie Pies: Dozens of Mix'em, Match 'em, Eat 'em Up Recipes by Sarah Billinglsey and Amy Treadwell. Hardcover published by Chronicle Books in 2010. 120 p. ISBN: 978-0-8118-7454-0

Book Review: Victoria 500 Christmas Ideas: Celebrate the Season in Splendor by Kimberly Meisner

✰✰✰ Every page of this festive book includes a gorgeous full-color photo of the ideas being highlighted. You'll find suggestions for sparkly ornaments as well as decorations inspired by nature. There are ideas for decorating the inside the home as well as the outside. Additionally, there are tips for decorating with trees, candles, and flowers as well as table top suggestions and party favors for hosting the perfect dinner party.

Besides the introduction and the detailed index, this book is divided into five sections: Home for Christmas; All the Trimmings: Festive Gatherings; Traditions and Crafts; and The Christmas Pantry. While there are no extensive projects included, there are a few "mini" projects that are simple enough for anyone to do. On the other hand, the book includes an assortment of holiday recipes for both sweet and savory treats; these recipes do require some previous baking experience.

The Bottom Line: With over 500 colorful photographs that correspond to the tips, this guide to Christmas decorating ideas is sure to elevate your holiday spirit and bring sparkle to your home. There are plenty of traditional ideas, and it's so much fun leaf through the pages. Just pick your favorite examples and replicate in your own home. Recommended for anyone interested in examples of holiday decorating. It's a useful book that will look great on your coffee table.

Details: Victoria 500 Christmas Ideas: Celebrate the Season in Splendor by Kimberly Meisner. Hardcover edition published by hearst Books in 2009. 480 pages. ISBN: 978-1-58816-766-8

Cookbook Review: Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen by Georgeanne Brennan

✰✰✰✰½ July is a great time to plan ahead for your Christmas gift giving. If you are thinking of trying something new this year, Georgeanne Brennan's book, Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen, is just what you need to get things started. How about whipping up a recipe of Plum-Vanilla Preserves? Or a batches of Chocolate Shortbread and Chewy Ginger-Molasses Cookies? There's also Savory Palmiers, Kugelhopf, and Sugar and Spice Pecans. All would make excellent gifts to give to your special someone.

This book is chock full of easy-to-follow recipes that are sure to delight even the grumpiest Scrooge on your holiday gift giving list. The book is divided into the following chapters: Introduction; Cookies; Cakes, Bars & Breads; Candies & Confections; Savory Treats; Preserved Delights; and an Index. Many of the recipes have full color photos. Plus, the book includes tips for how to present and package your homemade goodies.

The Bottom Line: While this cookbook assumes some previous baking experience, there are recipes for bakers of all levels. Recommended with enthusiasm for everyone.

Details: Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen by Georgeanne Brennan. Published by Oxmoor House in 2009. Hardcover edition; 111 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8487-3295-0

Book Review: Country Living Merry & Bright

✰✰✰✰✰ Looking for fresh ideas and tips to help you create that perfect holiday atmosphere can be daunting unless you have the right book. Country Living Merry & Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas is packed with full-color photos that correspond to craft project ideas, seasonal decorating tips, and festive recipes. The ideas included in this paperback will add holiday sparkle to your home, but won't break the bank.

You can get an early start to your holiday planning by perusing topics for decorating, entertaining, tabletop decorating, crafting, and baking. The directions for the craft ideas are easy to follow with supplies readily obtained from your local hobby and craft store. Even the craft challenged will be pleased with the selection. Similarly, the book's recipes use simple ingredients found in even modest pantries. With the step-by-step directions, even beginning bakers will turn out professional tasting holiday treats.

The Bottom Line: With over 300 ideas, there's something for everyone. Even if you don't have time to decorate or bake, this book is great fun to leaf through the pages and enjoy the festive photos. This book will appeal to all levels of bakers and craft enthusiasts. Highly recommended for everyone looking for new and classic holiday ideas.

Details: Country Living Merry & Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas by The Editors of Country Living. Paperback published by Hearst Books in 2009. 223 p. ISBN: 978-1-58816-782-8

Cookbook Review: Pillsbury Easy as Pie

✰✰✰✰½ Hurray for pie any time of the year! Whether you are looking for a sweet treat or a savory pie that serves as a main dish, this book is for you. The rewards will be plentiful when you follow the Pillsbury pie formula which is so easy to remember: "140 simple recipes + 1 readymade pie crust = sweet success".

Pies come in lots of different sizes and the Pillsbury editors were clever to include recipes for 8" or 9" pies, 4" or 10" tarts, and mini-tarts. The recipes are divided by type: Chapter 1 - Fruit and Berry Harvest, Chapter 2 - Creamy and Chilled Favorites, Chapter 3 - Holiday Pies and Tarts, and Chapter 4 - Savory Pies and Quiches.

There is also a short introduction which covers basics like how to handle pie crusts and freezing pies. Additionally, "Pie Tips" are plentiful and provide handy "trivia" information such as freezing rhubarb, substituting walnuts for pecans, and peeling peaches. Finally, this book comes in an easy to use spiral-bound hardcover which lies flat and includes a handy Metric Conversion Guide and an Index.

Recipes that caught my eye include Amaretto Peach Tart, Black-Bottom Banana Cream Pie, Pear-Cranberry Pie with Eggnog Sauce, and Chicken Enchilada Quiche. Some of the best Bake-off recipes are included as well.

The Bottom Line: Each recipe in this cookbook has clearly written directions and ingredient lists; the lists are divided in sections for the crust, filling, toppings, layers, and sauces. Most of the recipes include beautiful, full-color photos; however, it would have been great if a photo were included for each recipe. Highly recommended for beginning bakers just learning and accomplished bakers looking to save a little time. Bakers looking for more great recipes should check out the Pillsbury website.

Details: Pillsbury Easy as Pie by the Pillsbury Editors. Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc. in 2010. Hardcover edition, spiral-bound. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-470-48553-8

Book Review: Apple Turnover Murder

✰✰✰✰ Amateur sleuth Hannah Swensen is back having solved over a dozen mysteries. This time the town of Lake Eden is pulling together for a big charity gala featuring a talent show. The mayor's wife, Stephanie Bascomb, is counting on The Cookie Jar to provide goodies for the big event. Hannah's business partner, Lisa, comes up with a great plan to donate profits to the charity drive by selling apple turnovers.

Meanwhile, the whole town is buzzing with excitement about the talent show featuring Lake Eden's hottest acts. However, when Hannah's old flame, Professor Bradford Ramsey, turns up dead during intermission with one of Hannah's apple turnovers nearby, things start to heat up. It turns out that Professor Ramsey wasn't the most popular person in town having broken the hearts of many naive co-eds and romanced many married women as well. But who could have been spurned enough to want the professor dead? It's up to Hannah to get to the bottom of it before she herself becomes a victim of the killer running loose in Lake Eden.

The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a fun mystery to read at the beach this summer, pick up Apple Turnover Murder. Lake Eden's usual cast of characters keeps things cozy. This mystery is a quick read and perhaps a bit predictable. However, the Hanna Swensen mysteries are always good clean fun. As a bonus, there are over 20 recipes, including a unique recipe for Watermelon Cookies which I can't wait to try. Highly enjoyable reading for everyone who enjoys mysteries.

Details: Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke. Hardcover published by Kensington Books in 2010. 304 p. ISBN: 978-7582-3489-6 NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books in exchange for a review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers Program at LibraryThing.

Cookbook Review: The Golden Book of Baking by Carla Bardi

✰✰✰✰½ Whatever your delight, you'll find it here in The Golden Book of Baking: Over 300 Great Recipes. Filled with hundreds of scrumptious treats, you'll find recipes for classic sweets as well as something new. There's even a chapter on savory baking.

Recipes are organized into chapters by topic: Cookies, Bars, and Brownies, Small Cakes; Butter Cakes; Layer Cakes; Pies and Tarts; Pastries; Yeast Cakes; and Savories. There's also a detailed Index. Recipes that caught my eye include: Lemon Cheesecake Squares, Double Chocolate Pound Cake, Pineapple Upside-down Cake, Pecan Tartlets, Apple Crumble Kuchen, Spinach Quiche, Goat Cheese Parcels, & more.

This cookbook is fabulously illustrated with full color photos that will make your mouth water. Recipe directions are concise and clear; however, the steps are only separated by a dot. Numbered steps would have been a plus.

The Bottom Line: While this cookbook assumes previous baking know-how, everyone will want to pick it up, browse the recipes, and dream of sweet decadence. Highly recommended for bakers with intermediate to advanced skills. The only drawback to this book is that it does not lie flat while using it.

Details: The Golden Book of Baking: Over 300 Great Recipes by Carla Bardi. Published by Barron's in 2009. ISBN: 978-0-7641-6272-5

Cookbook Review: Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook

5/5 stars. 'Tis the season for holiday cookie exchanges, but what should you bring? The problem is finding a great tasting recipe that either makes dozens of cookies or is easily doubled. The Editors of Good Housekeeping have come to the rescue of busy bakers everywhere with their new book Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook: 60 large-batch recipes to bake and share.

The Editors begin with an introduction to hosting a cookie swap and a chapter on how to make the perfect cookies. This little cookbook offers a great selection of treats including bar cookies, drop cookies, rolled & cut-out cookies, and shaped & refrigerator cookies. Some of my favorites include: Cinnamon Spirals, Palmiers, and Ginger Biscotti.

Sure to please, this book comes in a spiral-bound, hardcover format that lies flat making it easy to read the recipes. It also includes an index and blank recipe cards so that bakers can share their favorite recipes.

The Bottom Line: The baker in your life is sure to love this easy to read cookbook. The recipes make a minimum of 84 cookies or bars. (Be sure to check out the recipe for Shortbread Bites which makes 320 cookies!) Highly recommended for bakers of all levels, and just in time for the holidays too.

Details: Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook: 60 large-batch recipes to bake and share by the Editors of Good Housekeeping. Published by Hearst Books in 2009. ISBN: 978-1-58816-757-6

If you like this one, try Good Housekeeping The Great Bake Sale Cookbook: 75 sure-fire fund-raising favorites by The Editors of Good Housekeeping. Published by Hearst Books in 2009. ISBN: 978-1-58816-787-3

Cookbook Review: The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book by C. Saulsbury

4.5/5 stars. Just in time for the holidays, this book is a must for those planning to participate in bake sales and holiday cookie exchanges. Camilla Saulsbury teaches readers the ins and outs of using cake mix, brownie mix, cereal, or premade refrigerated cookie dough to speed up traditional baking.

The recipes are easy to read and a cinch to make. The introductory chapter, Cookies 101, is great for novices just getting started in baking. All readers will have fun choosing from over 700 recipes for Drop Cookies, Fancy Cookies, Bar Cookies, Brownies, and No-Bake treats. The book includes information on frostings and fillings, also. Handy features include the Glossary, Equipment & Ingredient Sources, Metric Measure Conversions, and the Index.

The Bottom Line: This cookbook fits all levels of bakers including kids just learning to bake and experienced bakers looking for time saving tips. You'll find a cookie for any occasion. If you own Saulsbury's previous cookie books, you might choose to pass this one up. However, The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book is a great compilation of her previous titles and includes some color photos. Highly recommended for everyone who enjoys baking. More color photos would have been appreciated.

The Details: The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book: 745 Scrumptious Recipes That Start With Refrigerated Cookie Dough, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix, or Ready-To-Eat Cereal by Camilla V. Saulsbury, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-58182-701-9

Cookbook Review: Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies by M. Bryan

4.5/5 stars. Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant and Bakery in Staunton, Virginia is renowned for pie...all kinds of pie. In fact, Mildred Rowe was given the nickname "the Pie Lady" by her loyal fans. Her pies have become the stuff of legend, but now readers can attempt to bake these scrumptious treats in their own ovens with the help of this cookbook.

The book includes pie making tips and techniques as well as a whole chapter dedicated to crusts and toppings. With over 50 pie recipes, chances are that you'll find your favorite in this slim culinary treat. Beautiful full color photos highlight the pies; however, more photographs would have been splendid.

Recipes include the classics: Granny Smith Apple Pie, Fresh Peach Pie, Original Coconut Cream Pie, Classic Banana Cream Pie, and Shoofly Pie. Readers can also try something different: Butternut Squash Pie, Tar Heel Pie, German Chocolate Pie, Watermelon Pie, and Lemon Chess Pie. A full index is included.

The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for both novice and advanced bakers as well as cookbook aficionados.

Details: Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies by Mollie Cox Bryan, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-58008-980-7