Customer Reviews

The Smart Baking Cookbook: Muffins, Cookies, Biscuits, and Breads (Newmarket Jane Kinderlehrer Smart Food Series)

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

 

 

I've never done this-write a review. But someone gave this book only 2 stars, and that really bothers me. The author's other baking books, now almost impossible to find, were very highly rated, and rightly, and this one is the best of them all-and comprehensive.
Oh, yes, there are a few ingredients you'll need to buy at a health food store. BUT, well worth the trip.
Bake up a batch of her wonderful muffins, and watch your kids devour them as mine did. I made a batch of the apple pecan, by choice, to start my family off on a cross-country trip-they are special.
The cookies are unbelievable. The baked goods too.
There are many ideas for substitutions, and many ideas for those special needs-like diabetes, coronary artery disease, allergies (the wheat-free, egg-free, sugar-free, low-fat, etc.) AND everything not only tastes good, but also is good for you, loaded with nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits, vegetables....
Easy to follow instructions, flawless recipes. Delicious results, for those of us who don't eat white bread. For those who do, expand your horizons.
Really, this book is a stand out in health-oriented baking-I should know, I've bought them all. I can promise you two things: one, you will not like every recipe, some you won't even try; and two, you will love most of the recipes and find yourself making them again and again.

This is a great book. You'll find a variety of good recipes for healthy muffins. You don't need butter or refined sugars to make a good tasty muffin, and the recipes in this book prove that. I don't agree about the reviewer who says that the recipes are not easy or the items obscure. Certainly they are not the very common ones. I have a large Tupperware in the fridge with the different ingredients the recipes call for, and that's it, I have always the supplies at hand. Then you just mix the ingredients and voila! I recommend a health food store to buy the ingredients you need, one that sells bulk. You'll find there most of the things you need. And certainly the muffins will be still ok if you mix one ingredient or substitute it, not big deal. I highly recommend this book.
This is an update of my previous review: now that I have a young toddler, I like this book even more. There are plenty of ideas for healthy muffins that she eats without sugar or refined flours, and with extra veggies! that's perfect! A lot of recipes also tolerate substitutions very well when I'm lacking some ingredients. I cannot say it enough, those are the most amazing muffins ever!

This book is one of the best out there in helping create healthy (and still very tasty) baking. The instructions are clear and the results are top-notch. Of course, when you are going to bake nutrient-packed muffins or cookies, a trip to the healthful store might be required (duh!), since sadly, at most regular supermarkets, you can only find sugar, sugar and more sugar. Bottom line, if you want to bake yummy treats and keep it healthy at the same time ... this is the book.

I've only made one recipe from this book, Coffee Cake Muffins. Sounded delicious, but there was absolutely NO flavor and batter was too thick. I added 1/4 cup milk just to give it some moisture. It was like eating cardboard. I would definitely add more honey and maybe some raw sugar to the recipe. I may try one more recipe but recommend adding in more sweetness. I do like all the healthy ingredients they use but if my kids and husband won't eat them, it doesn't do us any good.

Jane Kinderlehrer has a lot of creative ideas for muffin recipes, but many key ingredients are obscure (lecithin granules) or take extra time to prepare (a special concoction of seeds & granola). Many healthy items are used as additives, put into many of the recipes, rather than with an eye toward creating a uniquely delicious item. I guess if you're looking for how to sneak in lots of nutrients when you bake, this book might be helpful.