Modern Classics Book 2: Cookies, Biscuits & Slices, Small Cakes, Cakes, Desserts, Hot Puddings, Pies & Tarts

If you want to impress people with delicious treats that look complex yet are easy to make, this book is for you. Donna Hay's books are full of great ideas that are broken up into easy to make items that taste so good. As the title suggests, this book focuses on all the good stuff; desserts, cookies and cakes etc. My favourite recipes (and the ones that I've made successfully so far) in here are Melting Moments, Triple Chocolate Semifreddo, Moist Chocolate Cake and the Simple Lemon Cake. Everything turned out OK for me (which is rare) and I credit that to her easy to follow instruction (the motivating pictures) and all the helpful hints. In the back of the book there is a Glossary, Before You Start, A Perfect Finish - all mini chapters to give you extra information and helpful tips. She is on a par to Rachael Ray. Both make great ideas and help you discover that we all can be good cooks. I really enjoy this book and hope you get to try some of the great recipes in here too because each one is easy and incredibly good.

I am American, but having lived in Sydney for over six years & married an Australian, it was such bliss to have been given this book as a 'bon voyage' gift! I can now make Anzac biscuits, caramel slice & pavlova with confidence. It's great too that the measurements have been 'converted' to American standards. In any case, it is the one book that I always reference when having to make any type of dessert. I love the photography, the instructions & suggestions at the bottom of the recipes (ie. to make a cake lemon instead of vanilla, etc.). I'm also a big Donna Hay fan too -- shame the magazine isn't available in the US.

I purchased this book because of the simple and delicious looking photos, and for the authentic British/Aussie recipes that I have grown up with. I researched Donna Hay and have found her to be as interesting and creative as our own Ms. Stewart, but find Ms. Hay's approach more subtle and simple. Thank you Donna Hay! I wish your magazine was available in the U.S. One day eh?This makes a great coffee table book if you're not into baking and cooking. Or give as a gift to your chef wanna be friends.

I just got this for my birthday, and I couldn't be happier. The book is well laid out; the recipes are easy to follow and there is a photograph for every recipe. Just reading through the book makes you hungry. So far I have made two desserts out of here in the last month, both of which received rave reviews. Previous experience with the Donna Hay cookbooks has shown me that here recipes are well constructed and tested. I can't wait to try more recipes from here.