Book Description
Hannah Swensen and her bakery, The Cookie Jar, bask in the glow of Hollywood glamour when Main Street becomes a movie set. And although tensions simmer as the cameras roll, no one expects the action to turn deadly...until it's too late...
There's no such thing as privacy in Lake Eden, but Hannah never thought things would go this far. Everyone has been telling her what to do ever since she got not one but two marriage proposals. Movie mania soon shoves Hannah's marriage dilemma into the background and even gives her cat a shot at stardom. The Cookie Jar serves as snack central with Main Street rented out for the week. She stirs lots of fresh gossip, whipping up treats for cast and crew, including demanding director Dean Lawrence's favorite--cherry cheesecake.
Everything's on schedule until Dean demonstrates a suicide scene with a prop gun that turns out to be all too real. As filming continues, Hannah sifts through the clues, hoping against hope that the person responsible for Dean's death is half-baked enough to have made a mistake. When it happens, Hannah intends be there--ready to rewrite a killer's lethal script with the kind of quirky ending that can only happen in Lake Eden...
Download Description
Hannah Swensen and her bakery, The Cookie Jar, bask in the glow of Hollywood glamour when Main Street becomes a movie set. And although tensions simmer as the cameras roll, no one expects the action to turn deadly...until it's too late...There's no such thing as privacy in Lake Eden, but Hannah never thought things would go this far. Everyone has been telling her what to do ever since she got not one but two marriage proposals. The votes are evenly divided between Detective Mike Kingston and town dentist Norman Rhodes.
Customer Reviews:
delish-iously entertaining!.......2007-05-18
Well structured, likeable characters, fast paced story with bonus recipes that are "wonderful". A great read to share with a friend.
An okay entry in a struggling series.......2007-04-10
I have read all of the Hannah series, and the last three novels have begun to strain my patience. I find both Andrea and Tracey increasingly annoying, and am frustrated by the so-called love triangle between Hannah, Norman and Mike. There needs to be some resolution of the proposals and Hannah's relationship with both Norman and Mike. No person would have a "ready to marry you" relationship with two people at the same time.
This story moved slow, only picking up pace 2/3 of the way into the book after the murder occurred. This, in my opinion, occurred too late in the story and the last third, the part with Hannah investigating, seemed rushed and almost an afterthought. This is what I usually read this type of book for, the mystery.
While I will give the author another try in her next book, there may need to be some major shake ups for me to continue with this series that continues to struggle.
Cookies can be deadly..........2007-03-26
Ok, first of all I have to confess that I'm a fan of this series. I love the recipes, the characters and most of all the setting. Since I live in South Texas, I love to read about how people live in cold climates. In this seventh Hannah Swensen mystery, a movie crew in search of a quaint Minnesota location comes to Lake Eden to film a movie. The citizens of Lake Eden are thrilled and so is Hannah, since she is asked to cater for the crew. The filming goes smoothly until the director, who is a womanizer, seems to accidentally shoots himself with a prop gun. Turns out there were real bullets in the gun, so was his death really an accident? Hannah thinks NOT, and she's right. Someone switched the unloaded prop gun and left a real one in its place. Eventually Hannah solves the case, but we're treated to some great batches of Double Flake Cookies and Angel Kisses first. Readers may find that they like me are tired of Hannah's love life. She can't seem to choose between Norman and Mike, and it's getting old. However, that shouldn't prevent anyone from picking up this entertaining book. It's a good idea to start the series at the beginning, first because of the fabulous recipes in each book, and secondly, because the citizens of Lake Eden are worth getting to know.
Okay If You Can Suspend Contact with Reality.......2007-03-04
I love cozy mysteries, and I'm used to having to overlook a lot of inconsistencies with real life to enjoy them. At least there is a decent plot to this story, unlike the Sugar Cookie Murder. But the idea that two successful, likeable men are competing for Hannah and are patiently waiting while she tries to decide between them strains even the best imagination. If someone doesn't love me enough to say "yes" when I propose, that is the end of our romantic relationship. Hannah's incredibly precocious neice is almost too good to believe, and I guess I really don't believe her. And the director of the movie waits this late to cast the big role that Tracy gets??? Right... My favorite character is Moishe; having had many nice cats, I find him to be a character who is totally true to real life. This will probably be my last Fluke mystery. Having read the entire series, I find it hard to say good-bye, but I just can't see continuing with these unbelieveable plots.
Too sweet..........2007-03-03
Joanne Fluke's "Cherry cheesecake Murder" is really sickeningly sweet, even for for those with a taste for 'cozy' mysteries, such as I. Even the recipes interspersed throughout go heavy on the sugar and the endorsements for Ghiradelli Chocolates and Hershey Kisses. Then there are all the 'beau's' who are hugging Hannah throughout, though she plays coy and only 'tingles' at their touch. You get the message....and the mystery plot itself is only secondary to the rest of this airy, spun-sugar concoction.
Book Description
Easy-to-follow preparation instructions with lavish photo illustrations let you make every one of your cheesecakes a visual feast. From casual get-togethers to more formal affairs, this updated, sophisticated approach to the classic indulgence guarantees rave reviews at every kind of party. New edition will include yogurt recipes.
Customer Reviews:
Bev Huckaba.......2007-08-27
This is a nice addition to my recipe collection. Mary Crownover has done a nice job on this book. She certainly knows everything there is to know about cheesecakes.
Average customer rating:
- great book for cheesecake lovers
- 50 Best Cheesecakes
- Disappointing
- Only Cheesecake Cookbook You'll Ever Need
- Reserving final judgement
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The 50 Best Cheesecakes in the World: The Winning Recipes from the Nationwide "Love that Cheesecake" Contest
Larry Zisman , and
Honey Zisman
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
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125 Best Cheesecake Recipes
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Cheesecake Extraordinaire : More than 100 Sumptuous Recipes for the Ultimate Dessert
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Joy of Cheesecake, The (Barron's Educational Series)
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The Ultimate Cheesecake Cookbook
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Norpro Mini Cheesecake Pan
ASIN: 0312092393 |
Book Description
If you're passionate about cheesecake, you'll love the gourmet and classic recipes assembled in this tempting book. Featured are the winning recipes from the Nationwide "Love That Cheesecake" Contest-50 of the richest, sweetest, creamiest, most delectable cheesecakes imaginable.Organized by pan size, the recipes include: key-lime cheesecake, marzipan-raspberry cheesecake, chocolate-malt cheesecake, hazelnut-heaven cheesecake, white-Christmas cheesecake, pumpkin party cheesecake, Black Forest cheesecake, tri-colored Italian cheesecake, southern sweet-potato cheesecake. Also included are irresistible cheesecake recipes from the Plaza Hotel, the Williamsburg Inn, the Hotel Hershey, and other renowned kitchens across the country.Complete with helpful hints for preparing the perfect cheesecake, along with a generous dollop of cheesecake trivia, this sublime little cookbook is sure to delight everyone who loves sinking a fork into a fresh piece of cheesecake.
Customer Reviews:
great book for cheesecake lovers.......2007-06-04
i love that book! First of all, the recipes are great, i tried one of the recipes this weekend and result was wonderful. I got some requests from my friends for more cheesecakes in the future gatherings!
And also it is very practical in size, you can put it in your bag and go to the supermarket for shopping, or put it on the kitchen counter without reserving too much space.
And I saw there are a couple of egg-free recipes, which i have not tried yet (but i will soon). That gives some options for egg-allergics, or to the lacto-vegetarians..
50 Best Cheesecakes.......2007-01-15
I did not like the fact that I had no pictures, the printing was small, selections of cheesecakes were not that great.
Disappointing.......2006-12-28
Like all the other reviews say, there are no pictures in this book. It is a tiny little book. The recipes all look like they'd be ok, but I guess I am more into plain old cheesecake than with the exotic flavors of the recipes in this book. If you are looking for a lot of with cheescake recipes with LOTS (and I mean LOTS) of different flavors, this is book for you!
Only Cheesecake Cookbook You'll Ever Need.......2006-07-10
This is the first cheesecake cookbook I bought. I found it easy to substitute other ingredients to change the flavor of a given cheescake. My friends think I'm a cheesecake guru and beg me to bring a cheesecake to parties and get togethers. They even offer to purchase the ingredients. I love this book and can't imagine making a cheesecake without it! It easy to make a great cheesecake when the recipes are so easy to follow.
Reserving final judgement.......2006-06-07
Tiny book, no pictures, I mean absolutely no pictures. I'm very picture oriented when it comes to cookbooks. But I'm reserving final judgement til I try the recipes. But seriously no pictures at all, so disappointed.
Book Description
The possibilities for cheesecake creativity are as rich as your imagination. By varying ingredients, proportions, and baking times, you can produce a cheesecake that is heavy or light, moist or dry, cakelike or smooth. This book contains chapters on ingredients and techniques to aid you in your improvisation.
Customer Reviews:
good ideas.......2007-03-21
Not quite what I thought I was getting. Could use more pictures, it always helps to see what you are making. I was expecting more unique ideas for cheesecakes. It is more a collection of classic and basic recipes. It does have some good tips and ideas for different type of crusts.
Joy of Cheesecake.......2007-01-25
I received this book as a gift almost 20 years ago. Now I purchased the book for my daughter. Although I still read and try other cheesecake recipes I find that I end up resorting to old faithful. This book will never let you down.
great book.......2007-01-10
i love this book, have made a few cheesecakes from the book, very good.
A lot of information .......2006-06-09
I like this because it doesn't leave a lot to the imagination. Its packed full of information, tips, tricks and measurement conversions. Great for a first start!
The best........2005-10-12
I bought this books soon after it came out as I lived in the city the author had his coffee shop in. As his shop was a destination, just for the cheesecake, it was a no brainer to buy the book. I spent several months working my way through all the baked and baked-flavored cheesecakes and can attest to the quality of all the recipes. My favorite recipe is 'The Heavy One' followed by the pumpkin cheesecake.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you have something like a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer to beat the cream cheese with. Buy it, you won't be sorry.
Customer Reviews:
Think Out of the Box.......2006-04-22
Much to my surprise these recipes come out way better than the cake mixes in a box. And even more surprising, the recipes were simple. These are hard to screw up. The cake comes out moist. The cheesecake recipes are of both no-bake and bake varieties. A must have.
Williams-Sonoma Rules.......2002-06-07
This book doesn't only have good recipes, but also give the reader very useful tricks. The results are totally delicious.
You've Gotta Have This Book If You LOVE Cheesecakes!.......2002-03-29
Creating mouth-watering cheesecakes are a breeze when you follow the simple recipes in this book! Instructions are concise and precise, and when followed produce results bound to wow any crowd. I highly recommend this book!!!
Wonderful.......2002-01-26
I have tried many of the recipes baked by a co-worker and liked every bake good she made from this book ,that i had to get the book for myself.The recipes are easy to follow and many of the items in the recipes are items we are able to purchase at any grocery store ( thats the best part!).If you like simple homemade you have to purchase this book!
A real treasure!!!.......2001-07-15
I've just begun to delve into this cookbook and I already love it. At my fourth of July BBQ, the Lemon Cheesecake was a huge hit!! Made the Poppyseed Almond Cake for Mom on Mother's Day and that went over great too - very tasty for such a simple recipe! At work, they flipped over the Warm Pear Cake with Walnut Caramel Topping! Can't wait to make more!
Product Description
Is there anyone who doesn't relish the creamy delight of cheesecake? Most of us think that delicious cheesecake is only available in a restaurant or our favorite bakery. However, what if some of your concerns, such as it's too much work, too difficult and it requires too many ingredients, could be dispelled?.
The 125 Best Cheesecake Recipes contains dozens of delectable cheesecake recipes, each more luscious than the last. Explore delightful recipes from the Flavoured and Vanilla, Fruit or Nut chapters. Also featured is a wonderful variety of no-bake cheesecakes along with an inventive selection of savoury cheesecake recipes. There is also a wide array of chocolate-inspired creations. With wonderful recipes and important tips and techniques needed to bake a perfect cheesecake, 125 Best Cheesecake Recipes will appeal to novice and experienced bakers alike.
192 pages, softcover.
George Geary CCP has taught cheesecake techniques in more than 72 cooking schools across North America. A regular contributing editor to several magazines and newsletters, he has also been the pastry chef and production manager for the Wait Disney Corporation and the Marriott Corporation.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing Book!!.......2007-08-05
We have made at least 15 different recipes from this book and they have all turned out incredibly well. People are always excited if I'm bringing a cheeseceake and we've developed a reputation for being fantastic cheesecake makers. Yet, I cannot take the credit. This book provided me with all the recipes. Our favourites are the pina colada, key lime and peppermint chocolate. Yet I can think of at least 3 more I loved. This book is fantastic and completely worth it.
Good Book...The various recipes look very interesting........2007-07-27
I had been looking for a book to purchase to try baking cheesecakes at home. From the other reviews, I chose this book. I am very excited about trying some of the recipes.
This book is a MUST HAVE!!.......2007-07-16
A Friend told me about this book, and how every recipe was a winner. I am glad I listened! Every recipe I have made is delicious and easy to make. I will be giving these cakes out for Christmas gifts this year. I highly reccomend investing in the cheesecake pans he suggest. They produce a much better cheesecake than a springform pan! I ordered the pans from Amazon when I ordered this book, just search cheesecake pans.
Love It!.......2006-12-04
I have tried many recipes from this book, including a no bake choclate mocha chunk that is wonderful. There are lots of different ideas on crusts and many different types. It is a must have if you like cheesecake.
perfect cheesecake book!!!.......2006-11-02
My husband and I own our own business, and a lot of times we'll have meetings at our house. I am now known as the cheesecake wonder. I have made a number of cheesecakes from this book, and they have all turned out great!!! everyone ALWAYS loves them. I end up making two, one for the meeting, and one for my husband!! He gives great tips, and he usually has a topping for the cheesecake, especially good if you get cracks. I am in love with this book!
Average customer rating:
- The queen of men's magazine art
- Would have given 6 stars if possible
- Prime first collection from the Anais Nin of painting
- Energy and sensuality
- Every page a masterpiece
|
Let Them Eat Cheesecake: The Art Of Olivia Volume I
Olivia De Berardinis
Manufacturer: Ozone Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0929643062 |
Book Description
You've seen her art in the pages of Playboy and in dozens of other publications, on calendars, book covers, limited edition prints, greeting cards, and movie posters. Now, for the first time, Olivia's work has been compiled into one deluxe book. Included are over 100 drawings and paintings, many previously unpublished, spanning the past fifteen years.
Customer Reviews:
The queen of men's magazine art.......2007-09-26
Who better to draw women than a woman? Olivia De Barardinis is the undisputed queen of cheesecake art, that wonderful if ill-defined blend of sensuality, sexuality, humor, and glamor.
Although her style covers a wide range, each illustration depicts a lone model. Based on Olivia's notes at the end of the book, it sounds as if each woman's presence is just too big to share a page with any other. Each time Olivia paints, she captures something unique to the model, so two models might confuse the directness of the image. Other visual elements appear in her work often enough to form a recognizable ensemble: happily erotic poses, improbably high heels, and lingerie ranging from antique to futuristic fanatasy. Various of the paintings here show other influences, including Bettie Page, Klimt, Marilyn Monroe, Erte, and generations of other sensualists.
Olivia uses the last few pages to add notes describing the paintings. The text identifies each one by title (if any), year, medium, and usually the name of the model. In many cases, Olivia says a bit more about the woman depicted, the inspiration for the image, or something else to help the reader enjoy the picture - as if help were needed. Then, the last two pages let her talk about the creative process in each of her media, including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and her trademark oil. I recommend this to anyone fascinated by Olivia's voluptuous, vivacious vamps and vixens.
-- wiredweird
Would have given 6 stars if possible.......2003-12-08
For any female who has ever been embarassed by the pictures of the other publications that are not so tasteful in showing a nude female this is a book to check out. I myself grew up with a feeling of nakedness is not beautiful and felt that way until I was about 18. When one day someone showed Olivia pictures to me and opened my mind allowing me to see the real beauty of the female form. It is beyond words and as a young woman it allowed me to feel better about myself. As a reminder to myself of the beauty she brings out in a woman I have small tattoo of Heatseeker just below my waist.
Prime first collection from the Anais Nin of painting.......2003-08-01
Cheesecake, n. Slang. photographs featuring a view of an attractive woman's legs and body.
Cute title, which is a take on the phrase Marie Antoinette plagiarized from a Polish princess. Hugh Hefner's description of artist Olivia de Berardinis as the Anais Nin of contemporary fantasy graphic art, or as being for the 1990's what Alberto Vargas was to the 1940's and 1960's is highly apropos. After all, Nin championed for female rights to fantasy, and the drawings of Olivia have the same aim.
Her drawings, most of them tasteful but erotically-charged nudes, might as well be characters in fantasy novels, such as zebra-women, women with plumed wings, and mermaids. Vanity, yes, the one famous for her liaison with Prince, is drawn with cat years and tail using gouache. The zebra-lady, whose skin has stripes like a zebra and who sports a main running from her forehead all the way down, is also a highlight. Her capture of Bella Schol's unique but subtle sneer in her gouache and pencil drawing "Whiplash" is another.
Olivia's uses oil prepared with gesso (gypsum prepared with glue) and gouache, the latter being opaque watercolours prepared with gum, as well as watercolours, acrylics, and pastels, often using more than one medium per drawing. The way she paints bare skin, be it pale, light brown, with shading that makes it so real is what attracted me to her drawings, as is the glossy finish she uses on some of her acrylics, which in her words, make them come alive.
Included in the intro is a letter Alberto Vargas wrote to Olivia dated 14 June 1979. The appendix is a plethora of useful background information, as it lists each painting, the title, year made, dimensions, and the medium used, the model where applicable, and sometimes, comments by Olivia or her husband Joel Beren. In the case of the cover drawing, it's titled "Devil's Food", dimensions 40"x30", watercolor, gouache on board, with Rhonda Ridley-Scott being the model. Olivia says she was inspired by Milton Greene's photos of Marilyn, "with a nod to the Cheshire cat."
Among the models used are Vanity, Marilyn Monroe-lookalike Rhonda Ridley Scott, Pamela Anderson, and Bella Schol. She also does likenesses of Bettie Page and Josephine Baker, based on photographs. But the real Page probably never had a full-bodied black panther chasing a mouse tattooed down her back (Cat And Mouse).
The commentary by Olivia in the back shows her to be a very creative and self-assured woman who uses her paintings to reflect the mood she's trying to elicit, be it something with a lighter touch or something aggressively splashed. The main thing is that the women of her paintings are those "in control of their own sexuality, who choose their partners, and choose to be dominant or submissive, and not be admonished for their decisions." This goes back to the Anais Nin comparison. I have my friend Erick Vaneckhoutte in Farmington to thank me for introducing me to Olivia.
Energy and sensuality.......2002-05-14
OliviaDe Berardinis Fantasy Art is pure energy brought up to the eyes of the viewer,movement and action in each one of her strokes, with superb technique and unique imagination,Every picture a masterpiece,Olivia captures all of our fantasies about women by A collection of beautiful, breathtaking photographs
"Let them eat cheesecake"a book for the art fans and pinup.
Every page a masterpiece.......1999-09-01
Those who appreciate the female form will marvel at the excellence of the paintings by Olivia. She captures the female form in breath taking images from a simple nude to futuristic clothing. I just hope she comes out with a third edition real soon.
Book Description
Baking quite possibly the best cheesecakes in the universe, Junior's Restaurant is a legend in its own right. Located in downtown Brooklyn, Times Square and Grand Central Station in New York, this home away from home has been wooing New Yorkers since it first opened its doors on Election Day, 1950. And now, finally, they are willing to offer up the recipes that have had Brooklynites double-parking on Flatbush Avenue for generations. Included are 50 recipes for Junior's New York-style cheesecakes (all cream cheese, no sour cream, thank you, on a sponge cake crust), from the cheesecake that started it all (Junior's Original New York Cheesecake), to flavor twists like Banana Fudge, Rocky Road, and Pumpkin Mousse, to little cheesecakes meant just for one (called Little Fellas), to Junior's newest creation, Skyscraper Cheesecakes (think alternating layers of cheesecake and layer cake) in flavors like Boston Cream Pie, Lemon Coconut, and Carrot Cake. It's a cheesecake lover's delight!
Customer Reviews:
Beware. This book does not contain authentic Junior's cheesecake recipes.......2007-10-07
There are only 5 recipes that claim to be Junior's in the entire book. They are: Junior's sponge cake crust; Junior's shortbread crust; Junior's cinnamon crumb topping; Junior's signature strawberry sauce and Junior's cheese cake tart. If you don't want to know how to make these recipes find another book. They don't give up the real recipes that you would assume you would get. I am terribly disappointed and do not recommend this book to anyone. You will not learn how to make Junior's cheesecake here.
Recipes are not authentic Junior's.......2007-10-07
I pre-ordered this book and was very excited to receive it in the mail today. I quickly flipped to the recipes for my two favorite cheesecakes (the Devil's Food and Lemon Coconut) which I've had many, many times, not only at Juniors in Brooklyn and Grand Central, but also from their website. THESE RECIPES ARE NOT THOSE OF THE REAL CHEESECAKES!!! For example, the real lemon coconut is frosted with buttercream. So why does the book frost this cake with whipped cream?! Just one of many inconsistencies. Shame on you Junior's for touting this book as yours, but keeping the recipes to yourself! Poor form!
Book Description
Who can resist the rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth bliss of cheesecake? Cheesecake Extraordinaire presents 121 recipes for this indulgent yet easy-to-make treat. From luscious Chocolate Toffee Cheesecake to lighter-than-air Creamy Lemon Cheesecake, each recipe is sure to please even the most discriminating dessert lover.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book.......2007-10-04
This book offers a wide variety of cheesecakes. I have done about 10 and they are all good. Excellent... a must buy for even beginners!
Used these for my wedding!.......2007-08-04
This is the best book! For my wedding I decided to make my own cheesecakes, I picked 5 different ones, and made a total of 30 cheesecakes! They were such a hit. All of them turned out perfectly (except when I made stupid mistakes, like forgetting to turn off the oven, etc.) and I am now known by friends, family, and out church as "The Cheesecake Lady". In fact my church is having a fundraiser play and they have asked me to make a chesecake to auction off at each performance. When I asked what else they will be auctioning, I was told nothing. That my cheesecakes are so "famous" that's all they are going to have to auction off, and that people are already excited about them. I say all this not to brag, because believe me I don't deserve the praise, it is this cookbook that does. Follow the tips at the beginning, and you'll make beautiful and yummy chesecakes everytime.
Suspicious about review process.......2006-12-07
I did not wish to rate this book with a star but had to enter something... Can someone tell me why the reviews for this book are identical to the reviews for a different cheesecake cook book "I Love Cheesecake"?
I was just reading the reviews for the other book and then planned to compare to the reviews for this book and they're exactly the same reviews???
makes me wonder why I should even bother with reading any of the reviews on this site...and if I should buy any of the books since I cannot tell which one is a good book.
The delicious treat of homemade cheesecake.......2006-12-03
"Cheesecake Extraordinaire" starts off with ingredient notes, equipment, and more; I highly recommend reading the "cheesecake basics" if you aren't familiar with cheesecake-baking. The process is simple, but there are certain steps and aspects to it that are important, and it's the lack of those that so often leads people to think cheesecakes are difficult to make.
The cheesecakes are split into a handful of chapters: beverage-based (most, but not all, of these are based on alcoholic drinks and have a decent amount of alcohol in them), candy and cookie, caramel, chocolate, coconut, custard and spice, fruit, mint, nut, peanut butter, vanilla, and "guilt-free" (i.e., recipes using sugar substitute). Don't get too excited here--most of the recipes are in the first and last chapters, beverage-based and reduced-sugar. For some folks that might be wonderful, but I found it rather limiting. I can't stand the taste of sugar substitutes, and I usually make cheesecake to share with certain friends, some of whom really don't like the taste of alcohol. That severely limits the number of useful recipes in this cookbook for me. It's a personal thing, though--if you'd like those recipes, then those chapters will be more useful to you.
The cheesecakes we've made have certainly tasted absolutely delicious. There's a recipe for individual vanilla cheesecakes that's to-die-for, and a caramel pecan cheesecake that has a delightfully natural and somewhat subtle caramel flavor based primarily in brown sugar. Not a single cheesecake has disappointed.
That said, we have at times left off the frostings or toppings suggested by the book. One wonderful cheesecake recipe included a recipe for frosting that was entirely shortening-based--and I cannot STAND shortening-based frostings. They're just plain nasty. Often a cheesecake would be just as good or better without the suggested toppings; at other times the toppings work quite well (such as for the caramel pecan cheesecake, which is good either way).
I wouldn't call this the ultimate cheesecake cookbook, but I'd certainly call it a very good one. Personally I'd like to see more non-alcoholic and non-sugar-free recipes, and fewer unnecessary toppings (or a higher quality of topping recipes overall). However, depending on your particular tastes in food, your mileage may vary! If you love high-alcohol cheesecakes and don't have a problem with shortening-based icings and such, this may be the perfect cheesecake cookbook for you.
No more failed cheesecakes..........2006-05-01
I heartily agree with the past reviewers. I've owned this book for only a week and I've made 2 cheesecakes from it - Eggnog and a chocolate one. Both were topped simply with piped whipped cream and they were just simply divine, both to look at and especially, to eat!
For years, I baked cheesecakes with a water bath and I would still get cracks or the cakes would sometimes come out with soggy crusts (even with the bottom wrapped in heavy-duty foil). I finally said goodbye to cheesecake baking as it had been hit-or-miss. Then I chanced upon this book. No more of those darned water baths; very easy prep and great end results.
The only adjustment I made with the recipes is to bake my cheesecake for approx. 20-30 minutes longer than the usual 1 hr. and 10 min. (Even with my oven accurate according to an oven thermometer, not all ovens behave alike.)
Many of the recipes use liqueur for flavoring (which I like), so stock up on the Schnapps, Kahlua, Framboise, or whatever may be your favorite. Can't wait for this weekend so I can go at it again!
Amazon.com
If your ultimate cheesecake is rich and creamy, heavy with cream cheese, and best eaten in slivers, look no further. Joey Reynolds, syndicated talk-show host, and Myra Chanin, cookbook author and food writer, have teamed up to deliver the mother lode of cheesecake recipes. Although there are dozens and dozens of recipes in this book, they are all variations of two basic ones--baked and nonbaked.
With flavors as interesting as Cranberry Mint Cheesecake, Apricot Streusel Cheesecake, White Cassis Cheesecake, and Honey Fig Cheesecake, you'll use this book as much for ideas as you will for the recipes. Reynolds and Chanin love flavorings and extracts, and they begin by recommending their favorite producers and then use almost every flavor made by them. With the "Bonus" Magic Formula Which Will Allow You to Experiment and Concoct Your Own Personally Flavored Baked Cheesecake, you can add any of the flavors they haven't already, and you'll never have to make the same flavor twice. Reynolds and Chanin are imaginative and are sure to get your creative juices flowing with decadences such as Southern Peach Cheesecake, made with peach extract and preserves, coconut flakes, and chopped pecans, and crowd-pleasers such as Jamoca Cheesecake, made with instant espresso, coffee-flavored liqueur, chocolate, and walnuts. These are not the flat-topped, custardlike cheesecakes that belong on fine-dining dessert carts, but rather the rich, dense, lightly browned New York-style cheesecakes that gave the dessert its American-icon status. Don't worry about the cracks, Reynolds and Chanin reassure us--the baked sour-cream topping is the perfect foil. With 23 tips to encourage us, such as Think Positive, Use Plastic-Wrap Mittens to Press Down the Crumb-Crust Mix Around the Pan, and Never Bake Cheesecakes at the Last Minute, novice bakers should feel confident and will be amused by the authors' lighthearted tones.
The second master recipe is The Magic Formula Which Will Allow You to Experiment and Concoct Your Own Personally Flavored Nonbaked Cheesecake. It comes at the end of a chapter of recipes for nonbaked cheesecakes such as Holiday Ginger Pumpkin Cheesecake, Banana-Split Cheesecake, and Caramel Nut Cheesecake. These nonbaked cheesecakes call for sweetened condensed milk and an acidic fruit juice, which makes them to set up the way Key Lime Pie is set. They also contain a "fruit protector" (ascorbic acid and corn sugar) called Fruit Fresh.
The final section of the book is "Other People's Cheesecakes," and it serves to remind us that even if you already have our own favorite cheesecake recipes and techniques, you can never have too many. --Leora Y. Bloom
Book Description
To taste the Ultimate Cheesecake is to love it! Imagine the creamiest, dreamiest, yummiest cheesecake you've ever tasted. Now imagine having it all for yourself whenever you want it! The Ultimate Cheesecake Cookbook makes homemade cheesecake so incredibly easy and fun, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more perfect dessert for every occasion. Famed radio personality Joey Reynolds and the queen of cheesecakes herself, Myra "Mother Wonderful" Chanin have created light-hearted and simple-to-follow recipe instructions for dozens of delicious cheesecakes--some fancy enough for your most formal dinner parties, some so easy they're practically instant. Just a few of the luscious varieties in the book include: Butter Nut, Apricot Almond, Strawberry Rhubarb, Chocolate Mint, Jamocha and Ginger Pear. Learn no-bake cheesecakes for those hot summer days, cheesecake muffins and cookies, and the key to creating your own custom cheesecake flavors. Plus, Joey and Myra reveal the secrets to perfect cheesecake every time!AUTHORBIO: A South Buffalo, New York native, Joey Reynolds is one of the most beloved and longest-running radio personalities in America. His nationally syndicated talk show broadcasts from WOR Radio 710 AM in New York City. He was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of his role as a significant rock DJ and for his accomplishments in radio, television, and music. The Joey Reynolds cheesecake sells now in Florida and New York. Joey Reynolds has two daughters. 00 Known to cheesecake lovers and cookbook readers alike as "Mother Wonderful," Myra Chanin is the author ofMother Wonderful's Chicken Soup, Mother Wonderful's Cheesecakes and Other Goodies, Jewish Penicillin : Mother Wonderful's Profusely Illustrated Guide to the Proper Preparation of Chicken Soup and The Secret Life of Mother Wonderful. Chanin also reviews restaurants and writes about food and life for several Philadelphia publications, is the culinary commentator for Artbeat, a syndicated magazine of the arts broadcast on over 140 NPR stations, and supplies instant gourmet tips on WCAU-TV's Sunday Morning News.
Customer Reviews:
Cheescake Rookie.......2003-05-20
I love to make desserts, especially cheesecake but before I bought this book I had only attempted 1. Now I can't stop making them. I thought the book provides good directions and has a lot of helpful hints on the right and wrong of cheescake making. The only negative is that there are only so many recipes and those are limited. But on the flip side I think this book provides a good foundation for branching out to try your own recipes.
Only for those who know how to bake.......2001-10-24
I listen to Joey Reynolds radio show out of Fresno (we live in the Sierras up north) and have heard him talk about cheescakse for months. And my family likes cheesecake, especially tofu and other lower fat types. Like Reviewer Lori Baltazar from Manila, Philippines it is surprising that a cook book lacks photos of what an item might at least look like.
Thus this isn't a cheesecake cookbook that I would recommend for anyone other than a cook who knows their way around a kitchen and has some major self confidence and has made cheescakes from other recipes from other books.
A good buy, but definitely far from being the ULTIMATE.......2001-06-21
I had high hopes when I bought this cookbook simply because it bills itself as THE ultimate cheesecake cookbook. Heck, I bought it without even browsing through it! It's easy enough to read: directions on how to make a perfect cheesecake, pointers to remember, etc. There are also sections for baked, non-baked and other people's favorite cheesecakes. The book's drawback is that it has NO PICTURES - not one (save for the one on the cover). For a cookbook especially, pictures are what urge and inspire the reader to try the recipe. Secondly, the recipes for the no-bake cheesecakes are (almost) the same as the baked ones. No fair! Do buy this book if you're just starting to make cheesecakes -the book will be a good guide. But if you're familiar with making cheesecakes, this book will only bore you with its lack of variety.
Books:
- Chicken Soup for the Mother & Daughter Soul: Stories to Warm the Heart and Honor the Relationship
- Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor
- Cook Right 4 Your Type: The Practical Kitchen Companion to Eat Right 4 Your Type
- Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove, from Cocaine to Foie Gras
- Cooking from Quilt Country : Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens
- Cooking from Quilt Country : Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens
- Cooking with the Bible: Biblical Food, Feasts, and Lore
- Damon Lee Fowler's New Southern Kitchen: Traditional Flavors for Contemporary Cooks
- Dishes from the Wild Horse Desert: Norteño Cooking of South Texas
- Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste
Books Index
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