Joy the Baker Cookbook

January 16, 2012
Caterer and blogger-turned-author, Wilson of joythebaker.com, takes her easygoing, fun tone to book pages where she shares 100 inspiring and unconventional recipes. Chapter titles, including “I need a hug or a brownie. Maybe both,” “Oh happy day!” and “I think I just ate chocolate for dinner,” set readers up for this collection that pushes culinary and dietary boundaries with dishes like coffee bacon (ground coffee with chili powder, brown sugar and molasses piled on bacon slices and baked) and bacon black pepper waffles (black pepper–rubbed bacon baked inside buttermilk waffles). The author’s goal to “turn favorite desserts into acceptable breakfast dining” is evident in her carrot pancakes. The healthy avocado does get a starring roll in dishes including avocado pound cake and vegan chocolate avocado cupcakes, and additional vegan options—such as vegan pumpkin pecan bread—have their place. Wilson’s free spirit and celebration of the single life comes through in one-serving dishes such as the Single Girl Melty Chocolate Cake, and Single Lady Pancakes. Helpful prelim information on everything from how to soften butter in a hurry to determining the size of eggs removes any intimidation factor new bakers may feel in this refreshing and inspiring collection.

December 1, 2011
Wilson's debut cookbook carries the same exuberant, humorous tone as her popular blog, coupled with beautiful photographs of her one-of-a-kind recipes. As a celebration of butter and sugar, this cookbook is not for the faint of stomach or high of cholesterol. Recipes feature peanut butter and bacon cookies, avocado fries, strawberry cookie dough ice cream and coffee bacon. Displaying easy-to-follow recipes, Wilson believes that "(b)aking isn't about high-tech gizmos. It's about stepping into your kitchen with a monster sweet tooth and coaxing something beautiful out of the oven." With an upbeat, quirky tone, the author comes across as the perfect friend with whom to spend an afternoon baking cookies. But with quirkiness comes occasional disorganization, and the chapter contents seem a bit random at times. Wilson also includes important extra information about the recipes, including how long they will keep, what texture to strive for and when to let imperfections pass. In a chapter of kitchen tips, the author provides advice about whether you really need to sift that flour, what size eggs to use and why, and how to get the most out of fruit zest. Wilson offers surprising but delicious combinations: parmesan seaweed popcorn, peanut butter and jam milkshakes, vegan chocolate avocado cupcakes, chocolate black pepper goat cheese truffles, and sweet potato chocolate chip cookies. You have to love a cookbook that features an incredible one-person chocolate lava cake that is easy to make and dubbed the "single girl melty chocolate cake." A joyful, entertaining cookbook.

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