Sweet Gratitude: Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life [Hardcover]

Judith C. Sutton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2005

More than seventy delectable and foolproof recipes for home-baked sweets meant for giving—to anyone for any occasion.

Nothing says thank you more simply—or more generously—than the gift of something freshly baked from the oven. With Sweet Gratitude, Judith Sutton inspires readers to head to the kitchen instead of the mall anytime they are moved to acknowledge the important people or events in their lives or to express feelings of gratitude and caring.

So whether it’s the postman who gets a fistful of Brown Sugar Shortbreads (easily made in minutes) as thanks for delivering bundles of vacation mail or the plumber who gets a Two-Ginger Gingerbread for making a New Year’s Eve house call, there’s something here for anyone and any occasion. Take the billowy white Coconut Layer Cake to a favorite godchild’s wedding shower or bring over a batch of decorated cupcakes to a busy mom when it’s her turn to provide the classroom treats. At exam cram time, a box of caramel-topped cookies or fudgy brownies can encourage a late-night studier, while Really Chocolate Chocolate Pudding is just the thing when only comfort food will do.

Featured alongside scores of cookies, brownies and bars, cakes, creamy tarts, mousses, and a candy or two are notes about ingredients and techniques; tips for keeping, storing, and even packing and shipping treats; as well as creative suggestions for variations, garnishing and serving, and freezing and making ahead. Fifty colorful and whimsical watercolors make the book itself a beautiful and practical gift—even to oneself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One day, Sutton (Champagne & Caviar & Other Delicacies; Truffles: Ultimate Luxury) made a gift to the veterinary staff who always took such good care of her elderly cat. Her Caramel-Topped Turtle Brownies caused such "pandemonium" that she was compelled to write this book. Sutton's message is likable: "sweeten your bonds with the important people in your life." She delivers classic comfort-sweets like Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies, Coconut Layer Cake, Two-Ginger Gingerbread (which uses ground and crystallized ginger) and the Best Hot Fudge Sauce. More sophisticated dessert lovers can try Chocolate Espresso Sandwich Cookies, Sweet Baby Lemon Scones, Ganache-Filled Brown Sugar Bars or Mocha Silk Pie. All the recipes are on the easy side, and Sutton claims, "Many of these recipes, such as the five-minute Brown Sugar Shortbread or the Spicy English Gingersnaps, are simple enough for even the most inexperienced baker." All the treats can be made at least partially in advance, and Sutton adds helpful notes on preparation, storage and shipping. Adorable, candy-colored illustrations are frosting on the cake. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Judith Sutton, a cookbook editor and former pastry chef, began to bring along a "cookie of the week" whenever she visited the vet for treatment of her cat's illness. From this simple grateful act, a friendship and many of the memorable recipes in Sweet Gratitude grew. In addition to her cookbook work for Artisan and other major publishers, Judith is the co-author of Truffles: Ultimate Luxury and Everyday Pleasure, as well as a frequent contributor to Chocolatier, Food & Wine, Fine Cooking, and Gourmet. She lives in New York City with her new cat, Roxy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Artisan (April 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579652611
• ISBN-13: 978-1579652616
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,288,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING! Don't miss this one!, May 19, 2005

By 

Mark Twain "Gillian" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sweet Gratitude: Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life (Hardcover)

I have ordered every gifts from the kitchen book I ever heard of, but was usually deeply disappointed. IMHO, only five are worth owning - and this is definitely one of them. Each recipe is preceded by a brief description of why it is special - and all are, indeed, special, often containing secret ingredients, such as pepper in ginger cookies. There are even wonderful slice and bake cookies. The recipes are awesome; don't miss this incredible book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Recipes, Ever! A Perfect Gift, April 21, 2005

By 

Margaret A. Davis "Annie" (Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Gratitude: Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life (Hardcover)

Sutton is known for reliable, delicious, clear recipes. That should be enough to recommend it, but this wonderful book is so much more. Each recipe really makes for a memorable, tasty treat as special thank-you for a teacher, friend, or hostess. No kidding; when I took some cookies to a party of food-snobs, people went nuts over these delights! The beautifully written accompanying text and delightful illustrations raise this work above all others in its class: the book itself makes for a perfect Thank-You for the really important people in your life. This book makes you happy, and anyone who bakes will treasure it always. When is volume II?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baking up a storm, June 26, 2005

By 

C. Jones (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sweet Gratitude: Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life (Hardcover)

Usually when I use a cookbook, I prepare a recipe and return the book to the shelf. Sweet Gratitude has been on my kitchen counter for weeks as I try to keep up with end-of-the-year school parties, summer picnics, baseball practice, and the list goes on. Every recipe I've tried has been excellent--Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies for my husband's office party, Peanut Butter Cookies with Crunch for a PTA meeting, Cupcakes for Busy Moms for my son's t-ball team, Lemon Mousse and Brown Sugar Shortbread for a dinner party, and Little Lemon Loaves for my daughter's school picnic. If it sounds like I'm exaggerating, I'm not! When you bake from this book you give the thank you and you get an even bigger one back.