A Passion for Baking

This book is an inspiration! Easy, delightful reading puts it head and shoulders above all other baking books.

"A Passion for Baking" is the latest book from master baker Marcy Goldman and is a treat in every sense of the word. With a tempting collection of over 200 recipes that range from muffins & cookies to pizza & savory breads, I had a hard time knowing where to start. Should I begin with the Toronto Blueberry Buns or the Vanilla-Apple-Cranberry Muffins? The French Country Bread or the Cinnamon Toast Bread? As with her previous books, Marcy's instructions are conversational and easy to follow, with helpful kitchen tips written in the sidebar. In addition to learning how to make some truly scrumptious treats you'll also learn, for instance, about different methods of making rye bread, what baker's caramel is, and when to slash your dough for a perfect loaf of bread. Chapters are prefaced by useful explanatory sections, which explain things like the various methods of cooking pizza (oven, pizza oven, cast-iron skillet, pizza pans) or how to bake muffins that truly puff. Most recipes are accompanied by eye-catching photos, which is always a plus, but what really sold me on this book was the inclusion of unique, creative recipes such as Hot Buttered Popcorn Bread, Sticky Cashmere Muffins and Cinn-a-Bun Cheesecake. I own many, many baking books so I appreciate it when authors make an effort to surpass the ye baking standbys by creating recipes that make you think, "Hmmm, I wonder what that tastes like? Let's find out!" Chapters include: An introduction; Baking Secrets; Loaves, Large & Small; Rolls, Baby Breads & Buns; Pizza & Other Flatbreads; Scones & Biscuits; The Muffin Shoppe; The Cookie Jar; The Biscotti Bakery; Bars & Squares; Quick Breads & Coffee Cakes; Pies, Tarts & Pastries; Sweet Yeast Baking; Cake Creations; Say Cheesecake; Holiday Baking; Grainy Goodness; and Baker in a Hurry.

I have been baking for 30 years and in the last 5 years have relied heavily on internet sites for new recipes. I have approximately 50 cookbooks, of which at least 10 are devoted to baking. This book answered more questions for me in one reading than all the others put together! Always had a problem with baked good burning on the bottom and not done in the middle. This answsered it. Plus, I love that I have not seen these recipes or versions of them in every other book. Can't wait to get her other book!

I have been looking for a recipe for Doughnuts w/o yeast that taste good and don't need to be fried. Goldman did it! Her French Cruller Doughnuts were a huge hit with friends and family. I made it even easier and instead of using a pastry bag, i used an ice cream scoop. This recipe is worth the book alone. The other recipes are unique enough so that your not board but not so exotic that you're overwhelmed. Recipes like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake, Cheesecake Truffle Bombs are examples of just that.

I have Marcy Goldman's two previous books and I can only say she gets better with each effort. This one is truly magnificent- filled to the rooftops with glorious photos that you want to devour themselves! But the recipes? This is a totally awesome, instant classic baking book. Each recipe features that trademark Goldman creative baking style she showcases at her site (www.BetterBaking.com) and yet each one as easy as pie. This is NOT your average baking book (it also lies flat on the counter- Yea!) but it certainly is for all levels of bakers. Where else could you find grainy/healthy/decadent/holiday (she has one definitive recipe for each holiday) and even a quick baking chapter. This book is worth its weight in gold for the biscotti and cheesecake chapters alone. I know- I have already mailed out by-request biscotti from coast to coast and made her Chocolate Eruption Cheesecake, not once, but twice. Wherever I go- I am, thanks to this book, the most-requested guest. Recipes are worth every extra mile around the running track! Marcy- you've outdone yourself this time!

When you open the pages of this book you will see incredible photos and the information that is included will make you feel as though Marcy is alongside you helping you with your baking. The pages open flat so it is so easy to follow recipes while the book is open to the page you want. Every chapter has recipes that I have perfected for friends and family and every chapter offers up detailed instruction and an array of fabulous baked goods. The chocolate sticks are in my oven right now.