Crazy for Cookies, Brownies, and Bars

by Dorothy Kern

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Crazy for Cookies, Brownies, and Bars is a well curated and fun dessert cookbook with recipes developed by Dorothy Kern. Due out 1st Feb 2022 from Quarto on their Harvard Common Press imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The layout is appealing and unfussy - both easy to understand and accessible. The introduction includes a simple pantry list along with a good basic equipment list for stocking a working home kitchen. The recipes are arranged by category: cookie jar cookies, brownies, blondies & bars, cookie cakes & skillet bakes, crazy (exotic) cookies, sandwich and stuffed cookies, no bake, and even some pet approved cookies. I didn't feel any of them were unachievable in my very basic home kitchen and all the recipes we tried were delicious. Nearly all the recipes do contain some combination of butter, eggs, and milk, so they're not vegan as written and will take some experimentation to make them so.

Ingredient measurements are supplied in American measurements with standard (metric) in parentheses (yayyy!). Nutritional information not included, and it's probably a good thing - a lot of these recipes are decadent and so delicious. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in sidebars with the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made with easily sourced ingredients. Many are very simple, none of them are overly complex. The book does include an index.

The photography is clear and abundant; almost all of the recipes are illustrated, and the photographs which are included are crisp and well done. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate.

This is a large collection of recipes and even allowing for the fact that some of them are similar to others in the same category, this will keep cookie fans going for ages. These range from simple "everyday" recipes to fancier desserts for social gatherings, parties, and special occasions. We tried several dishes and all of them were tasty and well written.

We're definitely going to try more of these. Well written book, tasty treats.

Four and a half stars. This is a solid recipe book which will be used. Many of these recipes are destined to become family favorites and regulars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.