The Bake Sale Cookbook: Quintessential American Desserts

I bought this book on ... based on reviews. I've baked recipes out of all sections of the book but pies. The recipes have all turned out as represented, with no failures so far. My greatest pleasure with using this book is that these are indeed quintessential American desserts, as stated on the cover. I get a kick out of some of the newer dessert books claiming to be American classics, but turn out to be made with whatever ingredient combinations happen to be in the current cooking magazines! Nothing exotic here, and the only expensive items will be the nuts and possibly some spices not already on hand. I consider this important in bake sale items, because I try to hold my cost per item down to a reasonable level. I did read the one 'one-star' review from someone in Philly who stated these aren't really bake sale items and regretted lack of bake sale guidance. Well, I've been baking for bake sales for many years now, for friends with various organizations, and I really have never seen a trend. If I'm asked to bake, I just ask for a general idea of what they'd like to sell (i.e. cake, cookies, etc.) and then go on my own. In fact, I just finished baking 3 cakes on a Halloween theme for a bake sale today. So, I really don't see the point. . . Anyway, these are treats that can be enjoyed by everyone, not just for bake sales. A great book for the less-experienced baker and also a good gift idea!

A totally fun book to read! I've marked page after page of cookies and bars and cakes I just HAVE to make -- and I am not a baker -- but this book just makes you want to get in the kitchen and start flouring pans! Plus a lot of recipes can be done with your kids. Your school bake sale will be a gourmet feast.

I am a single father with two teenage children. When they come to visit me it is great to have something unexpected and sinful. Prior to THE Bakesale Cookbook, I found the task of baking to be daunting. The recipes in Sampson's book are very do-able, even for a amateur like myself. And most importantly, my kids think I am a whiz! I give it five stars.

Bakesale is not only filled with wonderful, accessible, easy to make recipes, it is fun to read. Sampson has taken recipes from friends, relatives and friends of friends and turned them into just the kind of desserts I like to make. So far I have made Aunt Suzy's Chocolate chip gooey bars, engagement brownies, strawberry rhubarb pie and sour cream poppy seed cake. They were as promised, excellent. She also does not use any hard to get ingredients: every thing i made was made primarily from ingredients i already had and those things i was missing were easy to find. Like her previous book The Fifty Dollar Dinner Party, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and will buy more to give as gifts.