Customer Reviews

Stars Desserts

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have nearly 100 cookbooks, mostly pastry and dessert-oriented. This is one of the very best. I've used it so many times that the pages are falling off of the spine. It's also a staple for wedding and housewarming gifts. While some of the recipes aren't for beginners, most are easy for anyone who knows their way around a kitchen. They are occasionally time-consuming (e.g., the Stareos), but, based on the compliments that I get for everything that comes from the book, the effort is well-worth it in the end. The Orange-Almond Cake is my favorite, and friends ask me to make it all the time. I'm going home tonight to make the meringues. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone. (Note-I like this one much more than her follow-up book.)

Nothing flashy, but solidly delicious and simple, well-grounded in american and French flavors and technique. I'm a professional pastry chef and use this book regularly for components, ideas, fall-back-on recipes. I have never been disappointed. I think the flavors combinations are perfect and make sense--nothing esoteric or to avante garde for company. The gingerbread recipe is among the best I've tasted, as is the banana bread. I don't use these recipes exclusively, but they are always safe and scrumptious. There may be a few gaps in the method/instruction, and sometimes the yields are larger than I expect (esp the banana bread), but on the whole I can follow the recipes to the letter and get great results.

I am a caterer and personal chef and have used this cookbook for years. Most of the recipes are superb. Favorites include the gingerbread squares with warm apples and sabayon and the espresso shortbread. I have also made the cinnamon rolls several times and have had excellent results. My copy has been used so often that the pages are falling out of the book!!

This book is solid selection of what one might term "standard, gourmet" desserts. Nothing too flashy or creative, but real, good standard gourmet pastry, sorbets, crepes, cheescake, etc.

I have found this particularly good on its sorbets, and one of my favorites, "Rasberry Pistacio Crepes.

I bought this book and have tried many of its recipes and I must say it is a book well designed and the recipes are all kitchen tested. I have dinner guests raving about the desserts I made and the one that is mostly requested is the Drunken Chocolate Cake! I am so pleased with the book that I bought 4-Stars dessert and I am eagerly waiting for the next one to be written by Ms. Luchetti.

I have had this book since it first came out and nearly all the recipes have come out with great sucess. I have received raving complements as well as requests for the recipes and, as a result, this book has been given to many people as gifts. I must state though the task at making most of these recipes, on the other hand, is usually very time consuming and difficult. This book is not for the beginning baker as there is little help in the "how" or "why" of doing things. As an experienced baker, I have been able to master the recipes to much sucess. The Tuscan Cake is to die for.

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. I consistently have made the cookies in the cookbook for Christmas and get rave reviews from family and friends. The ginger cookies are an all time favorite. The biscotti are one of my favorites. I have made the Tuscan Cream Cake for parties and that has always been a big hit. I have a couple hundred cookbooks but this is one book I consistently go back to time and again. I'd highly recommend it.

I have tasted many of these desserts at Stars but found that recreating them at home was frustrating. Many recipes are overladen with butter and often produce too much or too little material for the pan or dish specified. I suspect little time was spent testing these recipes. If you have the inclination and time to do the testing yourself, many of the recipes are worth the effort.

This book has the world's best recipe for Lemon Squares. Most lemon squares are not tart enough - and not very "lemony". This recipe bursts with lemon flavor and it makes your mouth pucker! Also, it's a large recipe - enough for a crowd or family gathering. Gingerbread and Drunken Chocolate Cake are also excellent.

I am a caterer and personal chef and have used this cookbook for years. Most of the recipes are superb. Favorites include the gingerbread squares with warm apples and sabayon and the espresso shortbread. I have also made the cinnamon rolls several times and have had excellent results. My copy has been used so often that the pages are falling out of the book!!