The Vanilla Bean Baking Book

October 3, 2016
Kieffer, of the Vanilla Bean blog, presents 100 dessert recipes for new and experienced bakers and cooks. In addition to vanilla, a variety of other flavors—maple, lemon, ginger,chocolate—are featured in pastry, pies, cookies, cakes, ice cream, and other sweets. Basic recipes include blueberry muffins, banana bread, brownies, and Straight-Up Apple Pie. The “wow” factor comes from the visually stunning cardamom braided knots, an inventive burnt honey buttercream cake with chocolate, an elegant cherry rhubarb crisp with white wine, and chocolate ganache cupcakes with basil buttercream. Vegans can indulge in the chocolate cake and dairy-free chocolate frosting. For making ice cream there is a “No-Churn” chapter that utilizes the decades-old technique of folding whipped cream into condensed milk and freezing. Vanilla and chocolate claros start the chapter before the author moves onto recipes for olive oil with vanilla bean ice cream; rosemary ice cream with chocolate lava cakes; and a s’mores ice cream cake. First-person headnotes bring the reader into Kiefer’s family and baking history, and step-by-step photos illustrate skills such as how to lattice. Stunning full-page photos round out this solid collection.

September 15, 2016

Not to be confused with vanilla-centric collections such as Shauna Sever's Pure Vanilla, this all-purpose baking book from award-winning blogger Kieffer (thevanillabeanblog.com) features traditional desserts and baked goods. Tasteful, no-frills photographs accompany reliable recipes for chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin-olive oil bread, cherry-rhubarb crisp with white wine, and other homey treats. Additionally, there are unique chapters for no-churn ice creams and homemade staples (e.g., creme fraiche, coffee syrup). Kieffer has drawn inspiration from well-known chefs and publications, such as Nigella Lawson and Cook's Illustrated, and she gives credit where it's due. VERDICT Familiar and timeless without being superfluous, this highly recommended, well-executed baking book will thrill home bakers who like to keep things simple.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.