Baking: From My Home to Yours

`Baking From my home to yours' by leading professional baking writer, Dorie Greenspan, fits very comfortably into that niche defined by one of her earliest, and most successful, books, `Baking With Julia'. Another major recent book in this category is `A Baker's Tour' by noted baking author and teacher, Nick Malgieri. In fact, Greenspan cites Malgieri, and collaborator Pierre Herme, as her primary inspirations and sources when she has a difficult question on baking. This sub-genre is very personal in that it reflects the recipes that happen to have meant a lot to the authors over the years. It also covers a broad range of recipes, hitting virtually every major type of baking, including pastry (pies, tarts, shells), cookies (drop, roll, sheet), cakes, yeast breads, and quick breads (muffins, biscuits, scones, fruit and vegetable breads) and cooked sweets (puddings, flans, custards). In spite of this wide coverage, there is no concerted effort to touch every little corner of baking lore or professional genre. This sets it apart from `Baking With Julia' which made a point of bringing in experts in literally every baking discipline, including some of the more esoteric topics such as artisinal (natural yeast) bread baking and wedding cakes. It also sets it apart from the excellent books done by both baking teachers (Malgieri, Flo Braker, Rose Levy Beranbaum) and leading restaurant pastry chefs (`The Sweet Life' by Chanterelle pastry chef, Kate Zuckerman and `The Secrets of Baking' by Spago pastry chef, Sherry Yard) which delve deep into the whys and wherefores of baking techniques. One sure sign that this book has no intention of being `politically correct' with its organization is the fact that cheesecake (100% American cream cheese recipes here, thank you) recipes are grouped with cakes, rather than with custard pies. And, since this is how most people think about cheesecake, this is just fine in a book aiming at the experienced home baker who doesn't have the `baking nerd' gene inhabiting people such as Alton Brown and Shirley Corriher. This is also not an elementary cooking manual. For that, we now have the superb `Martha Stewart's Baking Manual', a true amateur's introduction to all the basic equipment and techniques. That doesn't mean you need to be an experienced amateur to work with this book, but it helps. Like `Baking With Julia' before it, all of Miss Dorie's recipes are painstakingly thorough and well written, so you really don't need the sidebars on basic techniques which Greenspan does provide. Unlike other books such as Maida Heatter's (quick genuflection here) big books on cakes, this is not an encyclopedic collection. There is no flourless Hungarian nut cake; no crepes, pancakes, or waffles; no Tarte Tatin; and no gingerbread cookies or houses. On the other hand, there are plenty of major standards such as buttermilk biscuits, blueberry muffins, cheesecakes, scones, banana bread, chocolate cake, apple pie, and lemon meringue pie. Looking at two of the most basic recipes in the book, buttermilk biscuits and pastry dough (pate frisee), I find Ms. Greenspan is a bit different from my usual recipes, but entirely on the side of the angels in her insisting on butter and cold, cold, cold technique. She even calls for more butter than I'm used to in my Susan Purdy standard. And, like Martha Stewart's authors, she does not add in a lot of extras such as egg, vinegar, or baking soda into the pastry dough. While I use the extras, I really like the emphasis on simple ingredients and skillful technique. If this book were nothing but a collection of superior recipes, it would be worth the somewhat higher than average list price of $40, but Madame Greenspan brings a charm to her writing that is strongly reminiscent of her distinguished colleague of years gone by, Julia Child. The superior writing may be enough added value, but Miss Dorie also adds really useful tips to each recipe, which I immediately put to use in a task I have in hand now. I need to bake some things for a post-Sunday service Fellowship at my church, and I was planning to make muffins, but muse Dorie accurately points out that practically all muffin (and biscuit and scone) baked goods are best when eaten the day they are baked! On the other hand, sweetbreads made with virtually the same ingredients as muffins are much more robust, until they are sliced. The perfect example of this is a comparison of buttermilk biscuits and Irish soda bread. Biscuits mutate into hockey pucks around 8 hours out of the oven, while uncut soda bread, especially if it includes raisins or other moist fruit, will comfortably hold its interest for a day or more. Slightly less useful, but not common in other books is Miss Dorie's serving suggestions, which make each entry a perfect starting point from which to build an afternoon tea or dessert menu. There is also a sidebar on many of the recipes labeled `Playing Around' that identifies methods for tweaking the recipes, to make them a bit different the next time you bake them. Some of these variations may show little difference in the end product, such as the difference between biscuits based on baking powder and biscuits based on buttermilk and baking soda. But, if you happen to be a buttermilk and baking soda traditionalist, its good to know some options (as when your megamart is out of buttermilk). If you are an inveterate cookbook collector, this one is a keeper, good for both baking and reading. If you are just starting out, this is probably even better than `Baking With Julia' as a collection of really useful recipes. Highly recommended for its excellent recipes of standards.

There is no other word for this work of art for all the "little" people of the baking world who don't have restaurant-grade kitchens yet want to bake as if they do!! Dorie Greenspan is my brand new baking buddy!! The way that she speaks to you as you're reading the recipe introduction, you feel as if she's right in the kitchen with you, right next to you, just talking and spending the time showing you a fabulous recipe that will make you feel like a baking diva (or divo)!! I think that it's the secret to her incredible success and since she's written over nine books, you got to figure that she knows what she's doing. I first learned of Dorie specifically when she worked with Julia Child in making "Baking with Julia"; probably my favorite Julia book. The character of her writing is that of someone who has come to know and love the kitchen as much as yourself. She seems to gravitate to baking and make it as much a love of art as it is a love of creating. No wonder that you feel so comfortable attempting these desserts since Dorie makes them so accessible without feeling the need for intense training or bizarre ingredients. The book itself is a grand adventure, as is its size; big and sturdy and printed just right with smooth pages holding glossy photographs and temptng treats of what will be; they are large and detailed so you know what to expect. Her book is broken into: Introduction Breakfast Treats A Cache of Cookies Cakes of All Kinds (this was by far the BEST chapter; these are awesome with the "Celebration Cakes" called Devils Food White-out, Perfect Party Cake, Big Carrot Cake, Cocoa Buttermilk Birthday Cake, Black and White Chocolate Cake, Tirmisu Cake, Berry Surprise, Chestnut Cake, Amaretti Torte, Chocolate Armagnac Cake, Ice Cream Torte, Peppermint Cream Puff Ring, Coconut Roasated Pineapple Dacquoise, etc) Pies and Tarts Spoon Desserts Indispensables (basic recipes) A Dessert Makers Glossary of Ingredients, Tools, and Techniques I would love to print every recipe in this book but the index alone is over 17 pages of luscious and decadent desserts!! So for an example, I give you "The Perfect Party Cake" on page 250. Holy cow!! Wow!! More adjectives please!! It turned out EXACTLY as she promised and when you are first hit with the visual impact of this cake, you realize how important the right photography style is to any cookbook author. To feel that something that gorgeous can come from your kitchen and to actually be able to make it, does wonders for your zeal for baking. Every luscious layer of fluffy white cake that is followed by a delicate, thin layer of raspberry filling followed by fluffy frosting, you see it begin to take shape and height. You wonder if it really will be as good as it looks. But as you get to the end of the layers and you put on that last layer of frosting, then cover it in snow-flaked fresh coconut, you realize that you are one awesome baker and Dorie will be your new best baking buddy too!! It was a hit for its beauty and taste because when you cut into that first piece and see it in its red and white party glory.....wow!! Yes, I know............it's just a recipe but is Michelangelo's "David" just a piece of clay to art lovers? Baking makes you want to please the eyes as well as the palate and if you want to do it right, you want to learn from those who are the masters. Dorie is just that, but without all the pretensions and fanfare. She just loves to bake and this book is the epitome of her passion. Dorie, Julia will always be the Queen Mother of the kitchen, but your pedestal is right by hers!! Thanks!!

Over the years, Dorie Greenspan has shared all kinds of recipes that have become family favorites. Dorie writes clear, easy-to-follow recipes leading to delicious creations every time. Now, Dorie’s compiled many of her baking delights in a beautiful and comprehensive new book, her 9th, Baking: From My Home to Yours. It’s a James Beard Book Award Winner, presented by Green and Black’s Organic Chocolate. The book includes breakfast sweets, cookies, cakes of all kinds, pies and tarts, spoon desserts, and base recipes that every baker should have in their repertoire. It spans the gamut from kid-friendly treats to more sophisticated fare. Dorie writes in a friendly, familiar style, and coaches the baker through helpful tips written in the margins - she’s right there with you. No need to feel intimidated. I recommend this book for any home baker, beginner, intermediate, or advanced. I’d put it as a top idea for a shower gift, or for that matter, as a gift for anyone, like me, who loves playing in the kitchen. It could easily become your lifelong go-to resource for baking.

I actually bought this book for myself on a whim a few months ago because I read a glowing review about it. Since I've received it, it has become my favorite book for making desserts. I've tried about 10 of the recipes so far and with the exception of one, they have all been fantastic. I've tried the Chocolate Chunkers, Brownie Buttons, Applesauce Spice Bars, Caramel Brownie Cake, Florida Pie and a few others. All were delicious and easy to make. That is one of the great things about this book - the author actually explains every detail. The only recipe I had problems with was the Black and White Banana Loaf and it was a total disaster for me (I'm sure it was something I did!). My only quibble about the book is that it is unweildly and hard to keep open. It won't stay open if you are in the habit of following a recipe in the book as you make it. Therefore, you can have to find a weight to hold the pages down. And, as someone else mentioned, not all recipes have photos. That is important to me! Still, I love this book and I know that I'll be using it for years to come.

I picked up this book a few weeks ago, because "Baking with Julia" is an absolute favorite cookbook of mine. The book is chatty and enjoyable to read through, but the proof is always if the recipes WORK. I made two recipes from it for the first time for Thanksgiving. The pecan pie is hands down the BEST pecan pie I have ever had, let alone made. What caught my attention is the description in that the pie is not as sweet as most pecan pies - which is a plus for me, since that's the one thing I dislike about pecan pies - the propensity to be super sweet. The undertones of espresso are fabulous. Next time I make it, I would probably omit the bittersweet chocolate just to get more of a "pure" pecan pie taste, but the espresso definately stays. I also made the chocolate armagnac cake, but substituted Scotch and raisins for the armagnac and prunes (just because that's what I had on hand). Again, fabulous. Most nearly-flourless cakes fall in my experience - this did not. It was fudgy and dense - and you definately get more than the 8 servings out of it. A small sliver of a rich dessert is more appealing to me than a large serving, so this fit the bill. I will be trying this recipe with some of my other favorite paired-with-chocolate liquors, like Cointreau, Chambord, Kahlua, Amaretto... I should note that I almost always make recipes to spec the first time, and after that I start playing with flavors - changing up liquors, nuts, extracts, spices, etc. The two recipes I tried would be very workable to make changes it seems without unbalancing the chemistry of the recipes. With the upcoming holiday season, I do a lot of baking - this book will be getting a workout!

I am a beginner baker, and the first recipe I tried in the book was the blueberry pie, as blueberries are in season. I was shocked and surprised to find that it actually tasted great! The sweet pie crust recipe was excellent, and the filling was very simple. The second recipe I tried was the corny corn muffins which were excellent with fresh sweet corn cut from the cob. It was easy and moist and delicious. The third recipe I tried was the french fresh strawberry tart, but in this instance the instructions for pressing the curst into the tart pan were a little obscure. For the fourth recipe, I was feeling confident as my previous three ventures were so successful, and tried the black and white cake for my friend's birthday dinner. It was a two day venture, and while the end product was okay, the cake itself was a little dry, which I am going to assume was my own fault. She has really given me confidence in baking, which is a joyous revelation! Her tips for every recipe were just little jewels as well. This was an excellent book, and I cannot wait to try more!

I bought this book because I wanted to get into baking again (after 4-5 years of hiatus) and everytime I google searched cakes, hundreds of blog posts would come up each saying how that particular one is the best recipe ever. So I decided to purchase a book to first limit my choices and second to learn some techniques of home baking. This is a marvelous read first off, and even if you don't bake, reading it alone is an education in itself. Dorie is an engaging writer and I love how recipes come with possible modifications or alternative methods (I do not yet own a stand mixer and my cakes have turned out fine). And then the recipes themselves...foolproof! I baked 5 things so far (far Breton, french yoghurt cake, lots of ways banana cake, classic brownies, Florida pie) and loved all of them and so did the other people who ate them. The cakes are not show stoppers but they look classy yet humble and taste delicious. In general I didn't have to go out of my way for the ingredients. Highly recommend. i have bought cookbooks before but I have not pored over them or pursued recipes with such enthusiasm as I have done with Dorie's book.

My daughter first borrowed this book from the local library and using it she and my wife made some great desserts, for the next two weeks! My personal favorite is the pound cake that turned out golden brown and delicious each of the four times it was tried. After returning the book she tried several other books from other authors but with no particularly good result. The books looked good, the pictures were nice, the credentials of the authors were excellent but the results in our home were poor. I bought Mrs. Greenspan's book on Amazon for my wife for her birthday and when she opened it the whole family rejoiced to know that good baking times had returned! I think Mrs. Greenspan has the gifts of exquisite taste, great recipies and very clear writing style and this book demonstrates all three very well.

Finally managed to get this and what a beautiful book it is. An absolute classic. This one stays permanently on my shelf. For bakers of all levels and interests, this book had an exhaustive range of recipes and amazing tips and is packed with information .

Compré este libro por su precio y por recomendación de un compañero de trabajo, y sin ninguna duda fue una compra excelente. La cantidad de recetas que contiene es enorme, y además da variaciones sobre las mismas, como por ejemplo sobre una misma receta básica de helado te dice como convertirlo en helado de canela, por poner un ejemplo. El nivel de detalle con que describe las recetas es estupendo; las fotos que están, en gran cantidad, son excelentes y además da información sobre como conservar las recetas, si se pueden preparar cosas días antes, si se pueden congelar antes de cocinar o después, da consejos sobre que ingredientes utilizar... Vamos que está lleno de información utilísima. El libro es grande, pesado, el papel es de calidad y es de tapa dura. Una edición muy cuidada. Si estás dudando en comprarlo, no lo hagas, cómpralo de inmediato, no te arrepentirás, bueno, te arrepentirás de haber estado dudando.

Ich backe mit grosser Freude seit ueber 30 Jahren, und dieses ist mein liebstes Backbuch. Ich habe es mir vor Jahren gekauft, als ich im Internet ueber Rezepte von Dorie Greenspan gestolpert bin. Jedes Rezept, das ich daraus gebacken habe, war hervorragend: der Banana Cream Pie, der weihnachtliche Schokoladenkuchen mit frischem Ingwer, der Double Sugar Bundt, der Blueberry Crumb Cake und die Double Chocolate Muffins - um nur einige zu nennen. Ich bin noch lange nicht durch (es sind wirklich sehr viele Rezepte von Cookies ueber Muffins bis Ruehrteig, Torten und Tarts), und freue mich auf viele weitere erfreuliche Ergebnisse. Das Beste an dem Buch ist, dass die Anleitungen wirklich sehr verstaendlich, in logischer Reihenfolge und genau beschrieben sind. Ganz einfach nachzubacken. Und am Anfang jeden Kapitels erklaert Dorie Prinzipien, die man beachten sollte, z.B. was ist wichtig, um einen wirklich guten Ruehrkuchen (Pound Cake) zu machen. Ich habe viel, viel gelernt zum Herstellen von Kuchen, und die Ergebnisse zeigen es. Ein wunderbares Buch!

Best baking book ever, great recipes, they turn into delicious cakes, tarts and cookies, I love the way the author explains the recipes, she really wants you to have the best result

Bought if for my spouse and she absolutely loves this cookbook. In Dorie she trusts!