Luscious Chocolate Desserts (Hardcover)

~ (Author), William Meppem (photographer) (Photographer) "There are chocolate cakes and then there are all other cakes..." (more)
Key Phrases: nib nougatine, heatproof bowl set, ounces bittersweet, Toll House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There’s no shortage of chocolate cookbooks out there, but this volume stands out for its user-friendly nature and the sheer deliciousness of its recipes. Longbotham (Luscious Lemon Desserts), a former food editor at Gourmet, clearly knows her material: she provides a concise history of chocolate, a description of the journey from cacao pod to hot cocoa, and a brief glossary explaining the myriad different forms chocolate can take. She even includes a short discussion on the health benefits of chocolate consumption, which should come as a relief to anyone tempted by fat and calorie-laden recipes like Killer Chocolate Cheesecake or Luscious Chocolate Custard Ice Cream. Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes have become a restaurant cliché, but made at home, they regain both their originality and their integrity. And Luscious Chocolate Layer Cake, a birthday classic, is rich, gooey and satisfyingly all-American. Some of the best recipes are the ones that mix fruit with chocolate; Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread on Toast with Nectarines is like Nutella to the nth power, the nectarines a perfect foil for the chocolate spread, and Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies with Dried Cherries and Pistachios are wonderfully crunchy and chewy at the same time. The dried cherries provide a terrific sweet-tart kick. The diversity of the recipes, along with the photographs of all these heartbreakingly gorgeous desserts, make this the perfect cookbook for any chocolate fanatic—those who love to eat chocolate and those who just love to read about it.
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Review

There's no shortage of chocolate cookbooks out there, but this volume stands out for its user-friendly nature and the sheer deliciousness of its recipes. Longbotham (Luscious Lemon Desserts), a former food editor at Gourmet, clearly knows her material: she provides a concise history of chocolate, a description of the journey from cacao pod to hot cocoa, and a brief glossary explaining the myriad different forms chocolate can take. She even includes a short discussion on the health benefits of chocolate consumption, which should come as a relief to anyone tempted by fat and calorie-laden recipes like Killer Chocolate Cheesecake or Luscious Chocolate Custard Ice Cream. Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes have become a restaurant cliche, but made at home, they regain both their originality and their integrity. And Luscious Chocolate Layer Cake, a birthday classic, is rich, gooey and satisfyingly all-American. Some of the best recipes are the ones that mix fruit with chocolate; Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread on Toast with Nectarines is like Nutella to the nth power, the nectarines a perfect foil for the chocolate spread, and Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies with Dried Cherries and Pistachios are wonderfully crunchy and chewy at the same time. The dried cherries provide a terrific sweet-tart kick. The diversity of the recipes, along with the photographs of all these heartbreakingly gorgeous desserts, make this the perfect cookbook for any chocolate fanatic those who love to eat chocolate and those who just love to read about it. -Publishers Weekly

Whoever said single-subject cookbooks were tiresome? I think it was me, but that was before Lori Longbotham's homage to chocolatey treats crossed my path.

I practically fell face first, mouth wide open into the gorgeous color photographs by William Meppem. His glossy pics of chocolate souffle cake, chocolate panna cotta and chocolate ice cream sundaes with nib nougatine made me want to try every one of Longbotham's 65-plus recipes.

The recipes themselves are just as inviting. All are plotted out in a straightforward manner and rely on easy-to-find ingredients. Nothing daunts, not even the restauranty Ultimate Chocolate Marquise.

Longbotham also provides a short discourse on the history of chocolate, a glossary, a section on chocolate's connection to good health and a primer on tasting chocolate. -San Diego Union Tribune

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811835162
• ISBN-13: 978-0811835169
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #344,301 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just Another Chocolate Book, December 12, 2004

By	Barbara Nell Howe "Chef Instructor" (Hartford, Connecticut) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a delight to recieve Lori's latest book. Again she brings her passion and special brand of humor to this enduring favorite.Luscious Chocolate Desserts is a fascinating read filled with well developed and reliable recipes, intriguing historical facts and clear, simple tips for handling this fickle
culinary treasure.Once more, Lori informs, amuses, inspires and educates with her unique perspective and impressive knowledge.
A perfect gift for my chef-pals and my friends who still struggle to make a decent cup of cocoa.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential baking cookbook, November 16, 2004

By	J. Montgomery (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a terrific cookbook, even for people like me who are not trained bakers. I have succeeded in making three recipes already--they work great. Have a long way to go to try a lot of other really inviting recipes. Her book also serves as a great reference for anything chocolate.

I was quite impressed with the fact that Ms. Lonbotham pays an historical homage to Chocolate Decadence (page 42) as being a seminal contribution to chocolate lovers worldwide. Living in Berkeley at the time, I well remember what a sensatation it caused.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HEAVENLY LUSCIOUS RECIPES, August 5, 2005

By	T. Katata "chocoholic" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a die-hard chocoholic, and love desserts, you will love this book! The recipes are wonderful and the pictures make your mouth water.Lori Longbotham has done it again and has another winning cookbook.