Swedish Cakes and Cookies [Hardcover]

Melody Favish (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2008

A full-color guide to delectable Swedish cakes and cookies—3.4 million copies sold in Sweden, a copy for every Swedish family!

Swedish Cakes and Cookies has become a modern classic since it was first published in 1945. Modernized and improved over the years, today's full-color edition, with beautiful photographs of each recipe, contains nearly 300 recipes. Some, such as Berry Muffins, Coconut Macaroons, Linzer Torte, and Jelly Doughnuts, may be familiar, while others, such as German Lemon Cake, Almond Meringues, Truffle Tarts, and Toffee Crunch Torte, are deliciously unique. Gluten-free, egg-free, and sugar-free recipes ensure that this book is accessible to all dessert lovers. Beginners and experts will be reminded that baking is both easy and enjoyable when they read the practical advice and step-by-step instructions in each section. Swedish Cakes and Cookies is an essential resource for any home baker, and for anyone who loves to meet with friends for coffee and cake. 300 color illustrations

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Originally published in 1945, this cookbook has sold over 3.4 million copies in Sweden, according to the publisher, and is now available in the U.S. for the first time. In a country that celebrates most special occasions with a coffee klatch that includes seven different kinds of cookies, this guide has served as a culinary bible. With more than 300 recipes — many of which have been culled from bake-off contest winners—the book is divided into categories like Sweet Breads, Rolls, Rusks and Cakes. Among the popular treats are the buttery wreath and pretzel-shaped cookies familiar to collectors of cookie tins; several variations on Danish pastry; puffy, raisin-studded saffron buns eaten around Christmas time; and Prinsesstärta, an elaborate sponge, preserves, marzipan and cream confection typically found at the coffee klatch. Also included are several gluten-free, egg-free and sugar-free sweets. Though the recipes themselves are short on direction, tips for using the proper equipment and ingredients, and strategies for achieving the desired look and textures, are interspersed throughout. As many American readers have tried Swedish cuisine only at their local Ikea store, this cookbook provides a window to a celebratory culture and its many intriguing flavors. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Originally published in 1945 as the outcome of a baking contest held right after the end of World War II, this book has been revised almost every decade, supplemented by new contest winners and updated with instructions for using new appliances (for instance, convection ovens); and now it makes its English-language debut. In nine chapters are presented its offerings, many of which will be familiar to U.S. bakers, such as spice muffins, thumbprint cookies, and jelly donuts. Directions are straightforward, headed by yield and appropriate temperatures, with ingredients and steps outlined; color photographs appear in groups as illustrations throughout the text. Best are the introductions to each chapter, giving bakers the right tips to ensure the best results; use cold dough, for instance, for Danish pastry. Are there truly Swedish-only sweets? Try fashioning a variety of braids and wreaths, rosettes, and gingerbreads, among others. --Barbara Jacobs

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (June 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602392625
• ISBN-13: 978-1602392625
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Baking > Cakes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great little / big book, February 21, 2009

By 

glouise (Upstate New York United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swedish Cakes and Cookies (Hardcover)

A compact book with a nice selection of recipes and a huge number of them for such a small book. Each recipe comes with a colored picture. Some recipes have a small description but with the colored pictures, for many an introduction is not necessary and they don't bother. Nicely laid out with metric and imperial measurements (no conversions or translation needed). I can believe this book has been around for 63 years. It is not pretentious or trendy but packs a lot in a small space and may become what I consider a standby book. One of the ones you reach for and always seem to find something that will work. Also a big plus, most of the ingredients are easy to come by.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and diverse., February 21, 2009

By 

Bumblebug "Busy Bee" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swedish Cakes and Cookies (Hardcover)

I found this book at a library and since I am a pastry student, I was thinking it would have a few interesting things in it.

I underestimated how good this book would be. There are so many recipes and a lot of pictures to illustrate what the recipe will look like when completed. And maybe even just to make you salivate.

There is a picture for nearly every recipe. The pictures are medium size and no frills, but I don't mind because this is such a great reference for any devoted baker.

I intend to make some of these items for my portfolio.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Swedish treat book, January 29, 2011

By 

jennibean - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swedish Cakes and Cookies (Hardcover)

My family is swedish, and my grandmother has alzheimer's disease. Most of her receipes are in her head or with my mom or aunts. So I decided to try out this book. The first thing I tried was "Grandmothers Saffran buns" They turned out perfectly (maybe even better than my mom's - don't tell her I said that). Then I tried the lace cookies, just like grandmas! The recipes are very easy to follow and there are great tips on making dough and other things.

I love it!!