Recipes Blog

Recipe for S'mores Bars from Cake & Loaf Gatherings by Nickey Miller and Josie Rudderham

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This cookbook is overflowing with sweet things to bake, and a few savory ones too. I started with this gooey, yummy s’mores bars recipe, then the black and white coffee cake. Next on my list: a fresh vegetable pizza, peach custard pie, walnut snowball cookies, gingersnaps, and tiramisu jars. Sweet.

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Penguin, an imprint of Penguin Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher.

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Recipe for Lemon Cake from Sweet Little Cakes from Mrs. Zabar’s Bakeshop: Perfect Desserts for Sharing by me, Tracey Zabar

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Although I often find myself baking desserts for dozens of people, such as my family or our local FDNY friends, sometimes you just want a little treat. I spent a year scaling down some of my favorite cake recipes. I hope they will become yours, too. Try the Every-Day Chocolate Cake, Cranberry Orange Cake, Cheesecake with Cherry Sauce, Chocolate Chip Madeleines, or my favorite, babkas, with four different fillings. Then go back in the kitchen to make an adorable Gumdrop Cake, Pear Cake, or a small batch of Cupcakes. Happy baking!

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Sweet Little Cakes from Mrs. Zabar's Bakeshop: Perfect Desserts for Sharing by Tracey Zabar (Rizzoli).

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Recipe for scones from Deliciously Vintage Baking & Desserts by Victoria Glass, photographs by Isobel Wield

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This sweet little book has wonderful desserts for you to bake. Start with these simple scones, and then try the Louise cake, filled with jam and topped with a thick cloud of coconut meringue. There is a sticky toffee pudding; something described as “bamboozlingly delicious” (banoffee pie); and snickerdoodles. The photographs are lovely and the treats yummy.

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Deliciously Vintage Baking & Desserts: 60 Nostalgic Recipes that Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again by Victoria Glass, Ryland Peters & Small. Photographs by Isobel Wield © Ryland Peters & Small, 2014, 2023

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Recipe for Raspberry Squares from Summer Fruit Pastries

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Start with these sweet raspberry squares from this perfectly lovely baking cookbook. Then, move on to summer fruit jam tarts. Next on my list: tarte au citron and a lovely cherry pie.

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Summer Fruit Pastries: 60 Bright and Fresh Recipes for Tartlets, Eclairs, Roulades, Pies and More, Ryland Peters & Small 2023. Recipe by Bronte Aurell. Photograph by Peter Cassidy (c) Ryland Peter & Small

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Recipe for Lemon Blueberry Bars from Anna Olson's Baking Wisdom by Anna Olson

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This baking cookbook is lovely and filled with instructional photos. It was a hard decision—what to make first? Lemon Blueberry Bars won. And it is indeed a winner. Next on my list: savory onion, herb & parmesan upside-down cake; a sweet creamsicle cake; and cranberry lollipops. And an adorable pink lemonade Eton mess. And chocolate pudding. And then, learning to make banofee crème brûlée. Sugar heaven.

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Excerpted with permission from Anna Olson’s Baking Wisdom: The Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Make You a Better Baker (with 150+ Recipes) by Anna Olson Copyright © 2023 Olson Food Concepts Inc. Photography by Janis Nicolay. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

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Recipe for Sugar Cream Pie from Iowa from 50 Pies, 50 States by Stacey Mei Yan Fong, photographs by Alanna Hale, illustrations by Shelby Warwood

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This book is full of wonderful pie recipes and stories. Travel around the country in your own kitchen. Start baking this sweet, creamy pie. Next on my list: Heirloom tomato and cheese pie with herbed crust from Arkansas; sour cream and raisin pie from Iowa; shoofly pie from Pennsylvania; and Maine’s blueberry pie with Moxie. Yes, the soda pop (or as we call it in New England, tonic).

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Recipe excerpted with permission from 50 Pies, 50 States (Voracious/Little Brown)

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Recipe for Double-Chocolate Banana Bread from Everyday Bread (America's Test Kitchen)

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Torn between baking a banana bread and chocolate cake? Fret no more. This combination of two beloved desserts is a winner. Next on my list: Manchego and chorizo muffins; pesto pizza; and rye bread.

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Everyday Bread (America's Test Kitchen)

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Recipe for Tosca Cake from Norwegian Baking Through the Seasons by Nevada Berg

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This book shows you lots of enticing baked goods from Norway. Try the yummy Tosca Cake, which is actually Swedish. The recipe directs you to use a clever technique, where you bake it for 20 minutes, pour the glaze on top of the hot cake, and bake some more. Next on my list: pretzels, horns with herby pea pesto, and another cake, called the world’s best!

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Norwegian Baking Through the Seasons by Nevada Berg (Prestel)

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Recipe for Pine Nut Macaroons from Small Plates by America's Test Kitchen

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Try baking these simple, delicious macaroons for Passover or any time. Then, dive into the book for inspiration. I am always looking for small side and main dishes for dinner. This cookbook is filled with them. Next on my list: sweet potato hummus; peach caprese salad; lamb rib chops with mint-rosemary relish; and chocolate cream pie in a jar.

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Small Plates by America's Test Kitchen

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Recipe for Little Tender Cake from Giuseppe's Italian Bakes by Giuseppe Dell'Anno

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

I had so much fun reading this lovely cookbook. There are recipes for pistachio cookies, coffee panna cotta, and cheese bread. But first, I started with this cake that is dotted with chocolate truffles. Next on my list: a lovely fruit tart and two cookies: baci (kisses) and brutti ma buoni (ugly but good). Adoro questa torta!

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Recipe excerpted with permission from Giuseppe's Italian Bakes by Giuseppe Dell'Anno, photography by Issy Croker, published by Quadrille

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