Brown Sugar: Soul Food Desserts from Family and Friends (Hardcover)

by Joyce White (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this follow-up to Soul Food, White turns her attention from main courses to dessert. The recipes, gathered from all over the country, conjure up the homespun style of African-American cuisine sprinkled with a healthy dose of brown sugar. The titular ingredient is a common thread throughout- in the effortless Banana Cake and in the simple, successful Rum Raisin Oatmeal Cookies, one of several easy drop cookies. Both are examples of White's unassuming style, which features step-by-step instructions for everything from a simple cookie to a showy layer cake topped with frosting. In sidebars and notes, White provides information on techniques like canning and ingredients. Also included are piecrust, puddings and custards, along with the traditional Buttermilk Biscuits, homemade candies, ice cream and some refreshing fruit desserts. The book successfully combines reminiscences and stories with tradition and culture reflected in heritage recipes.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Journalist and food writer White is the author of Soul Food, a collection of recipes contributed by members of African American churches across the country. The dessert recipes here are more personal, having been collected from her extended family and wide circle of friends, and although many of them are down-home favorites, they are generally somewhat more sophisticated than the "community cookbook" selections in her first book. Among the delectable offerings are Caramel Cake, Brown Sugar Cookies, Cocoa Cream Pie, Burnt Sugar Ice Cream, and Fresh Fig and Plum Compote. Every recipe has a story, and White also includes several brief essays on essential techniques, culinary traditions, and other topics. Highly recommended for its lively, engaging style and mouthwatering recipes.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; 1st edition (January 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0066209730
• ISBN-13: 978-0066209739
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #167,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Learning so much", July 19, 2003

By	Johnell Derrick (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is fantastic! I truly enjoyed the stories leading into each recipe. It made me feel as if it let me into a warm and personal side of Joyce White's life. This made reading these recipes interesting and fun.

I've always had a problem with picking out fresh fruit. However, Brown Sugar takes the guesswork out of it. I was so enlighten with the details on how to select the freshest fruits. With the knowledge I've gained, I ventured into preparing a scrumptious dessert for friends. My choice was the "Fresh Berry Compote". It was a hit and the instructions were so easy to follow.

Brown Sugar is a wonderful soul food dessert book that I really enjoyed.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY DELICIOUS!, May 11, 2003

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

BROWN SUGAR: SOUL FOOD DESSERTS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS is a cookbook filled with mouth-watering, delicious treats. There are seven chapters in the book devoted to various sweet reasures including, cakes, cookies, pies, puddings, candies, ice cream, and fruit desserts. Inserted before each recipe is a homey vignette describing a personal experience of the author or contributor.

The recipes are easy to follow, and Ms. White provides common sense advice throughout the book on obtaining maximum results from the recipes. Even the novice baker will be able to follow the instructions and end up with winning results. BROWN SUGAR is a "must-have" cookbook for discerning and freshman bakers alike.

Reviewed by Diane Marbury (HonestD)
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Bliss, January 29, 2005

By	Martha Hennington (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Food for the soul" is an excellent way to describe the wonderfully soothing experience a person feels after eating any one of the treats from Joyce White's cookbook "Brown Sugar." Right now, just thinking about the "sweet potatoe pie" brings a smile to my face and that "chocolate cheesecake" makes my mouth water. ummmmmm, "Brown Sugar."