Customer Reviews

The Bake Sale Cookbook: Quintessential American Desserts

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had bought Sally Sampson's "The $50 Dinner Party", and was so impressed at how easy and accessible the recipes were. I had given 7 dinner parties by the time her "bake sale" cook book came out, and although I'd never baked so much as one cookie, I decided to try it. I was most successful with her brownies. They were very easy to make, and delicious. I've tried several other recipes and they were also delicious. I intend to try ever one in the book, at the risk of putting on a pound or two. I intend to launch into a big baking attack for Christmas, and I know I'll be a big success. I saw Sally Sampson on Bryant Gumbel's show and could not get over how efficient and adorable she was.

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.

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 just picked up Sally Sampson's BAKESALE COOKBOOK and have been baking goodies for my family ever since. I especially like Amy Bodiker's Lemon Bars and Ben's Favorite Molasses Sugar Cookies. And all of the recipes are easy and quick to prepare, which is an essential for me, since I have four children!

I have had this book for a year and have been baking my way through it. I have yet to make a single thing that has not been delicious. My particular favorites are: Coconut Crackle Cookies, Chocolate Coconut Bars, Sour Cream Poppy Seed Cake, Banana Cake, Verdi's Double Lemon Cake with Fresh Lemon Glaze ("the best lemon cake I've ever had," said a guest at a bridal shower), Dain Fritz's Grandmother's Carrot Cake and Coconut Cake with Coconut Syrup. I have given this book to at least half a dozen people, all of whom have loved it. It is a delight to use this cookbook--the recipes are clearly written and well laid out, the instructions are thorough and helpful, and the results are fabulous. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

With a 7-year old daughter (a Girl Scout, of course!), a 4-year old son in community pre-school, and a teacher husband, bake sales are a way of life for me! This book has been a real lifesaver. The recipes are easy to follow and the kids love them. I took the author's advice and baked extras ahead of time; now when my son suddenly remembers the bake sale at school the next day I am prepared. I enjoyed this book so much, I bought a copy for every one in my canasta group!

Sally Sampson has compiled an excellent selection of recipes that you want to bake, and actually work - a combination that's hard to come by.

The Banana bread is absolutely the best I've ever made, and I highly recommend the Lemon Glazed Pecan and Coconut Squares.
Some other delicious sounding recipes include; Fresh Ginger Gingerbread, Classic Butter Cake, and Three Layer Mint Brownies.

Ms. Sampson has included helful hints about where not to overbeat, how recipes were developed and option add ins or variations to some of the basic recipes.

What is missing is storage information with each recipe - how long it will keep- fridge, freezer or room temp and even pacakging for selling at bakesales would have been nice since that is THE premise of the book. Still it's a keeper and all the recipes I've tried have been successful!

This book is great! You will never run out of a new recipe to take to a bake sale. There are many brownie, bar and drop cookie recipes that are sure to be best sellers at your bake sale. The recipes are easy to follow so even the novice baker can get good results. Don't think the recipes are just for a bake sale, your family and friends will enjoy them.