AUTHOR: Heather Bertinetti
STARTED: April 29, 2017
FINISHED: April 29, 2017
PAGES: 208
GENRE: Cookbook
FIRST SENTENCE: I think it's very rare to actually grow up to be what you always said you wanted to be when you were a kid.
SUMMARY: [From BN] Looking to impress your friends and family with decadent desserts but afraid you lack the skills to pull it off? Are you reaching for that packaged cake mix and can of frosting instead of whipping something up from scratch? Fear no longer— we’ve got the fix for you. Heather Bertinetti, a talented pastry chef with years of experience in Manhattan’s top eateries, is sharing her insider tips for how to make restaurant-worthy desserts right in your very own kitchen. Bake It, Don't Fake It! is filled with recipes perfect for the home cook, such as Bourbon- Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Daiquiri Truffles, Red Velvet Macarons, and PB&J Whoopie Pies. Once you learn the whys and why nots of baking, you’ll be able to get creative and give all of your favorite treats a special touch. As an added bonus, you’ll find Heather’s “Chef It Up!” tips throughout the book, where Heather reveals her tricks for giving homemade desserts the wow presentation factor. All of the equipment you’ll need is probably already in your kitchen and all of the ingredients are readily available in your local supermarket, so it’s time to get baking!
THOUGHTS: I should first point out that the author of this book is The Husband's cousin. Familial ties aside, this is a great cookbook. First, it does exactly what it sets out to do. The recipes are written for a novice baker so they are easy to follow and understand. Jargon is well-defined and special equipment is noted up front. Second, it includes well-formatted and helpful tips that I have not seen in a cookbook before. Third, the option to "Chef It Up" will keep experienced bakers happy and can offer a chance for new bakers to grow their skills. Fourth, this book is the perfect crash course in pastry. I love that it includes essential recipes and offers spin-offs to show you how baking works through variation and experimentation. Lastly, all of the recipes look tasty and seem achievable - even for a novice in the kitchen.
RATING: 8/10 [Terrific]
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