Room for Dessert: 110 Recipes for Cakes, Custards, Souffles, Tarts, Pies, Cobblers, Sorbets, Sherbets, Ice Creams, Cookies, Candies, and

This is David Lebovitz' first of two books on desserts. The second is devoted entirely to desserts made with fruits. This volume is more general, including recipes for just about every different type of dessert you may think of. The collection is weighted in favor of recipes which would work well in a restaurant, so the number of recipes typical to the home are less common than you may find in a more general book on dessert baking. That is not to say this is a poor book. In fact, I am happy I reviewed Lebovitz' more recent book first, so I was able to appreciate the virtues of this book which were missing from the second volume.Lebovitz' introductory chapter on `Essentials' is divided into three sections, each an extremely useful tool to the home baker. First, is a discussion of equipment, which seems to me to be one of the best around for baking tools. The ingredients section is similarly useful, although I wish the author, who is so careful to be precise about other items would avoid the descriptions of `bittersweet' or `semisweet' for chocolate and use, instead the percent cocoa grades as used by Vahlrona, a brand which Lebovitz endorses. The third section of essentials on Fruits is the star of this part of the book. The author not only gives the best season and the best properties and uses for a large number of fruits, he also supplies an extremely useful picture of each and every fruit, although the picture for coconuts is a bit puzzling. There must be varieties of coconut I have never seen in the very untropical northeast.Lebovitz must be especially fond of fruits, as this general book has a very large portion of its pages devoted to fruit, with a wealth of interesting information on various varieties. I was especially surprised to learn that the grapefruit is a human invention developed by crossing the pomelo with the orange. Who know. Lebovitz is true to the traditions of current and former Chez Panisse writers such as Alice Waters and Jeremiah Tower in that he is especially careful to note the variety names of various fruits and sometimes, like both Alice and Jeremiah, go so far as to specify the botanical species names. This is all very good, except that few markets distinguish types of fruits beyond apples and pears. I have never, ever seen any peaches labeled Carnival, Suncrest, Elegant Lady, Elberta, Flamecrest, or Cal Red. More importantly, I have never seen persimmons distinguished by variety, even though persimmon variety is much more important to the way it is used than with most types of peaches. But all of this is not a reflection on the book, only on the author's access to better than average greengrocers. Bottom line is that the pages on fruits in this book are worth the price of admission.The various types of desserts discussed, each in their own chapter, are:CakesCustards and SoufflesFruit DessertsSorbets, Sherbets, Ice Creams, and GeleesCookies and CandiesLiqueurs and PreservesAs noted above, the author is positively in lo

This cookbook certainly gets 5 stars. My requirement for a cookbook is that the recipes should be doable by mortals and that there should be at least one recipe in the book worth keeping. This cookbook meets both requirements. I have tried only the passion fruit poundcake and the ginger cake. They get rave reviews because they are perfect recipes and easy to do. I came to the ginger cake with reluctance simply because I don't care much for either ginger or molasses in anything and am not into pepper as an ingredient in cakes. Since the author says that this recipe is the favorite of many people, I took the chance and, boy, am I glad I did. In this recipe what you get is a beautifull deep brown, moist cake with great texture and subtle flavors. Mr. Lebovitz suggests fresh peaches to accompany this cake. A glass of cold milk goes well with it too.In addition to 110 dessert recipes, many of them beautifully photographed, Mr. Levobitz has a chapter called "Essentials" in which he discusses equipment, ingredients and fruits. In his introduction he gives his philosophy of dessert-making, that they be simple and that less is often more. In this instance I would say less is just right.If you like to cook unusual desserts, you will love this cookbook.

Beware when reading this book, it will cause anyone who is even slightly interested in cooking, to think that they could quit their day job and become a pastry chef. I have become completely inspired to bake. I have tried about six recipies from the book, and a few from a class I took at Draeger's in San Mateo given by Mr. Lebovitz. Everything has turned out perfect. My friends at work can't wait to see what I am going to bring in next for them to taste. If you want to taste some great desserts, not to mention impress your friends, then this book is for you. The chapter on Essentials, I found particularly helpful. Most of the items that he mentions in the book can be found at Draeger's. (Three stores in the Bay Area).

Heaven can wait, until I make every dessert in David Lebovitz's "Room for Dessert" - a visual feast with great content. This is a small cookbook compared to some, but a perfect and practical size with 110 incredible desserts. I have tried approx. 14 of the desserts so far ALL with excellent results. This book has inspired me to make desserts when before I would stop with the entrée and buy the dessert (IF I could find a 'decent' dessert to buy).....now it's in my own kitchen! If I can do this you can too.David's comments and hints are very helpful. He sounds like a nice guy too with 'human' commentary that the average to advanced cook can relate to. The source guide in the back is useful for quality chocolate, spices etc. and don't skip the front where David explains a bit of his `philosophy' relating to baking. I am very pleased!

I have finally found a dessert cookbook that meets all the criteria I look for in making a dessert - simple to make, flavorful ingredients, beautiful presentation and of course delicious to eat. I love the creativity and simplicity of the desserts in this book. David Lebovitz is a dessert maker after my own heart. He combines wonderful, fresh, flavorful ingredients with creativity and produces unique, delicious desserts that are works of art! This has become my all time favorite dessert cookbook. I highly recommend this book.