Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable [Paperback]

Anita Chu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

At last, a field guide to baking and identifying virtually every cookie imaginable, from Snickerdoodles to Pfeffernusse!
 
Field Guide to Cookies is the definitive guide to cookies from around the world, with more than 100 recipes and variations on such tried-and-true classics as gingersnaps, whoopie pies, and pinwheels as well as traditional international favorites like pizzelles, baklava, and alfajores.
 
This delectable guide introduces readers to the best techniques for creating drop, bar, molded, rolled, and sandwich variations. Every cookie is photographed in glorious full color, with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare, bake, and store your creations. Entries include fascinating historical background, helpful baking notes, and serving suggestions for each delicious variety.
 
Whether you’re a baking novice or veteran pastry chef, mouthwatering home-baked confections are just minutes away with Field Guide to Cookies!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anita Chu is a graduate of Tante Marie’s Professional Pastry program and a former baker for Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe. She channels her love of baking, writing, and photography on her award-winning Web site, Dessert First.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books; Min edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594742839
• ISBN-13: 978-1594742835
• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 1 x 6.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snap Out of Your Baking Rut, October 2, 2008

By 

Erin E. Nichols "Blogger at ErinCooks.com" (Cambridge, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable (Paperback)

It may only be October, but I believe I've found the perfect stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season. The pocket sized cookbook A Field Guide to Cookies by Anita Chu promises to assist you in learning how to identify and bake virtually every cookie imaginable. She isn't kidding either. The author offers up recipes in all the major cookie categories including drop, bar, molded, and rolled.

Each recipe is neatly outlined with a general description of the treat, the historical background, serving suggestions, helpful baking notes, and even storage tips. Best of all, located in the center of the book are color images of every recipe. This is especially helpful due to the number of recipes inside that I've never heard of before. Have you ever made a Financier? How about a Speculass or a Congo Bar? Sometimes I find it hard to break out of my chocolate chip cookie comfort zone, but I sincerely believe this cookbook will nudge any home cook out of the baking rut you may be experiencing.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Cute, but..., April 7, 2010

By 

Stephany Benbow (Oakland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable (Paperback)

I hate giving this cute book a bad review, but it has failed me many times. I love that it has pictures of each cookie, and all manner of facts about cookies, but the recipes are not good. I have made maybe five or six cookies from here now, and only one (anzac biscuits) was worth eating. I have been a professional baker for eight years now so it's not like I can't follow a recipe. I think they might not have been tested enough really. It's a shame, but I've given up on this book. Too many sub-par cookies due to it's pages means it is going in the back of cookbook cabinet. I'll keep it around for the fun trivia, but I don't plan to bake anything from it again.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific cookie book, September 22, 2008

By 

Nancy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable (Paperback)

I love the size and shape of this book.
There are so many cookies, some I have never heard of and I'm a pastry chef! And there is a beautiful color photo of each cookie.
This is an outstanding reference guide to cookies.