bake

The Buttercup Bake Shop Cookbook: More Than 80 Recipes for Irresistible, Old-Fashioned Treats
$26.00
I confess the cover of this book hooked me before I even picked it up, because I am a cake junkie. As a child, I loved going to birthday parties, not for the games, not so I could visit with my friends, and certainly not so I could give presents. No, my friends. From the moment I walked in the front door, it was the cake that received my undivided attention. The same goes for weddings, and I truly believe Thanksgiving would be a better holiday if pumpkin CAKE were served.

But not all cakes are created equal. Bakery cakes are made to LOOK good, and often don't live up to their potential. The two things I care most about in a cake are texture and flavor. The same goes for frosting, and the cake has to be frosted in the correct ratio, so it is complemented by the frosting but not overwhelmed by it. So -- though I bought this book because of its tempting cover, I would have donated it to my local library if the recipes hadn't lived up to my expectations.

Instead, I use it several times a month. Jennifer Appel is obviously a cake-aholic, just like me. She perfected the recipes she loved, and made them understandable for the home baker. If you read her directions and her advice all the way through and stick pretty closely to the recipes, you'll be able to bake yummy treats. The Buttercup Golden Layer Cake is so good, if you make it as cupcakes you can eat them without frosting. I am hooked.

Like most home bakers, I reside in the realm somewhere between novice and expert. Let's face it, expert bakers already have their own recipes, it's the rest of us that need a little (or a lot of) help. Jennifer Appel wrote these recipes so non-experts could follow them. This one is a keeper.

Pyrex 12 Piece Bake, Serve And Store Set
$34.99
Pyrex 12 piece bake, serve and store set includes 2-each 1.9 cup storage dish, 4.8 cup storage dish with glass and red plastic covers

Silicone Solutions 10-pc. Bake and Serve Set - Red
$49.99
These baking wares are great and work as advertised. My only "problem" is that some of the items such as the muffin "tin" (only 6 cakes instead of 12) and the ramekins (only 2) make it impractical for normal use. But the round cake and loaf vessels are great and everything cooks well and comes out cleanly.

Bake (Australian Womens Weekly H/B)
$51.76