Customer Reviews

Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cookie Swap contains over 50 cookie recipes and is organized into eight themed parties which feature five or more different cookie varieties. The book contains sumptuous photographs of each cookie and each party. The reader is treated to a visual feast of all the cookies in the group, imaginatively arranged for optimal impact. The photographs and layouts are top rate and any magazine would be delighted to feature them.

Party planning and design are the main emphasis in the book. That is not to say there aren't some good cookie recipes in the book because there are, but 50 plus recipes are not very many and some of them are quite basic with ingredients identical of recipes I've used for years although the names given to the recipes are more imaginative - like the Butter Horn cookies I make are called Sugar Between the Sheets in this book.

Fondant is used to decorate a number of the cookies, and the taste of fondant simply isn't very good. Unlike a cake enrobed in fondant which has a crumb coat of delicious butter cream frosting under the fondant, there really isn't anywhere to go with a cookie. Either you eat the fondant or the cookie is for display not consumption.

Additionally, detailed directions for decorating each cookie are not always provided. On the cover of the book, in the upper left-hand corner is a cute owl cookie. I paged through looking for the cookie. I finally found a photograph of a small display tree with cookies hanging from the branches. On the tree was a tiny picture of the owl cookie which although so prominently featured on the cover appeared as an afterthought within the confines of the book. The accompanying text referred the reader to a gingerbread recipe somewhere in the book and the appliqué technique instructions in another area. More ease of use would have been appreciated. I prefer not to turn to two or more different areas in a cookbook to make a cookie recipe.

The ink used for the recipes is pale aqua. I have good vision yet that color is difficult to read, particularly when the book is laid on a countertop and viewed from a standing position. I suspect the ink color is chosen to deter people from photocopying the recipes, but that protection should not come at the expense of the actual purchaser of the book. While the book was on the kitchen counter, in an effort to read the recipes, I had to repeatedly lean down to get closer to the page, and at one point grabbed a magnifying glass to make out the fractions. I grew impatient with the whole process - the publisher made it difficult to actually use the book. The index was done in a smaller font size than the recipes but since black ink was used, it was easier to read.

The hard work in creating this book is obvious, and the cookies are beautifully decorated. I'd recommend the book if the buyer is searching for a cookie swap party planning book, but not if cookie recipes are the main area of interest.

I was looking for a book on decorating sugar cookies. Based on the cover, this is what I expected. This book had recipes for lots of different types of cookies. The photos were beautiful and the cookies looked yummy, but this book didn't fit my particular needs. It would be a good book if you wanted many recipes for different types of cookies.

This is the second time I've reviewed this book. The other review was either omitted or lost in the ether. At any rate, this cookbook reminds me of a restaurant that had the most wonderful location, overlooking a river. But as was stated by a restaurant critic, you can't eat a view!

Upon reading the absolutely glowing reviews of this book I immediately purchased it locally as it was not then available through Amazon. It IS a beautiful book. As several have noted, it looks great on a coffee table or in a bookholder decorating your kitchen. But I've never seen such a collection of truly unappealing recipes with strange ingredients. Further the details as to decorating the cookies so that they look good enough to swap or sell at your church's bake sale are MIA. Perhaps the writer anticipates a very experienced cookie decorator to be reading the book. I wasn't even tempted to try the recipes and found the book a new happy home.

I had to wonder if the other reviewers are friends or fans of the writer. The reviews were so over the top raves that I wondered if they were inspired by something other than actual appreciation for the content of the book.

Again if you want a pretty book for your coffee table or if you like cookies that "aren't sweet" (huh...if you want a cracker make a cracker) or if you like wierd ingredients this is the book for you. If you're looking for something that will have your cookie swap friends begging for your recipes...maybe look somewhere else.

I have bought other less expensive books and really was not happy in the overall book to begin with and then disappointed in the content; but as they say you get what you paid for.

I must say that this book was worth every penny. If you love to bake for your family or friends and enjoy all the oooohhhss and ahhhs when you present them with your creations, this is the book for you.

I have loved every page of this book and that is not something I say all that often. I am a true believer that anything can be made better. I will be waiting for the next book to see what they can o to top this one. I know I will be using this book for many many years

This is a great book for those interested in baking and cookie/treat gift giving. There are recipes for everything from wedding to halloweens; with creative decorating ideas and skills. Not necessarily a beginner cookie book, but if you are willing to learn and open up your creativity you are going to enjoy this book!!

the book is great. it provides many extra tips and advice, fantastic design and gift ideas for any season or party.
the recipes are tasty, and having the resources pages on where to get specific food supplies is a great idea and very helpful in finding what you want, and what is on offer.
i will be using this book many times over

Length:: 3:54 Mins

I found this book absolutely fantastic. The instructions were easy to follow and the recipes turned out very delicious and beautiful. I will be using this book often!

This is by far, one of my favourite books. The ideas are amazing. The basic cookie recipe is also a huge favourite. Great book to have. Detailed instruction and clear easy reading.

I wish the book had more decorative cookies but all the recipes are reasonable and tasty. Many good ideas to expand a cookie decorators abilities.