The Village Baker's Wife is thought by many to be one of the best baking books of its year. If you bake, this book can help you hone your skills to professional levels. If you love dessert, reading the lavish recipes will make you salivate. Whatever your local bakery charges will seem worthwhile once you see how the best baked goods are made--brimming with fresh butter and eggs, the finest chocolate, and fresh fruit. Photos and drawings are used excellently in this volume. Crammed with information, each page is accessible thanks to intelligent design. Most recipes begin with a list of "Baker's Basics to Review." Take the time to do this; it will increase the likelihood of outstanding results and minimize scrambling for needed information at critical moments. Raspberry Walnut Brownies, Downtowners (a sticky bun), Lemon Lust Bars and Banana-Coconut Cake are treats you can make with The Village Baker's Wife. If you like, tackle their devastating Chocolate Mousse Cake and elegantly European, marzipan-enrobed Princess Cake. Professional caterers should not miss this book.--Dana Jacobi |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
2 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 misleadingOct 31, 2008
seller is still using picture of original book. They are selling the newly printed version from ten speedpress. They are selling over printed cover price.It is not the original book which is out of print. I wanted the original book. I kept book since they gave a credit back for difference in cover price. This book is widely available in the new version. I was mis led on what I was buying and am surprised they have not changed photo for book face.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
I see why Gayle's is famous!!Sep 05, 2004
The intro to the book states "an entire pastry shop between two covers", and that is the best way to sum up the book. Thank you Gayle for sharing a well written treasure trove of baking information. One of the best laid out formats, easy to understand delicious recipes, with cross references for each particular recipe. Good illustrations. Not for a beginner, but for myself, a novice, who has only attemped puff pastry one other time, I had excellent results following her instructions. This book is worth it's weight in gold.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
DEE-LISH-US!!!Jul 23, 2003
What a find! This book has some great recipes. It really caters to folks that know their way around the kitchen and have some knowledge of baking, even though the directions are very well written and each recipe has a refer to page to remind you of a technique that was explained early on in the book. I've never been to Gayle's but I certainly won't pass it up if I'm ever in the area. Everything I have made, with the exception of the croissants, have been phenominal (the croissants were way too buttery and greasy - this was probably due to my handling of the dough rather than the recipe though). The pastries are to die for even though they took some time to make - no one believed I made them, they looked too perfect - exactly like the photo! The chocolate mousse cake is sinfully delicious and the key lime pie is the BEST I have ever had. Needless to say I have added a few pounds from all the experimenting in the kitchen. The ingredients are easy to find, the recipes are the ones you'd want from a traditional bakery (danishes, pastries, cakes, cookies, pies). What a gold mind this book has been, I feel like Gayle's has 'revealed' all their secrets. I keep reaching for this book when I want to try a sweet treat.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
My all-time favorite cookbook for special occasionsSep 12, 2002
This cookbook is, by far, the most influential book in my life of baking! I bought it shortly before my wedding a couple of years ago, and I was able to use several recipes for wedding events! For instance, I made the poppyseed cake with raspberry cream icing for my bridesmaids' luncheon, complete with the traditional "cake charms" for the perfect pink cake! I was asked by four people for the recipe, and in fact, I made it again when I gave a good friend her bridal luncheon last June! For my wedding reception, one of my own contributions to the reception table was the lavender shortbread. A truly interesting myriad of flavors, of course, but it got rave reviews! ("What in the world is IN these cookies?") Five stars!
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Great book for all levels of experience --Dec 07, 2000
I love Gayle's in Capitola -- all the pastries taste exactly like those from your fondest childhood memories. In the past few months I've made several cakes from Gayle Ortiz' cookbook, and each one tastes just like Gayle's! Even somewhat complicated recipes are broken down into manageable components with easy-to-follow, detailed instructions. I have an embarrassment of cookbooks and baking manuals from four generations of avid bakers, and Gayle's combines the best qualities of all of them. As evidenced by another reviewer's comments, the inherent subjectivity of baking renders no cookbook foolproof. (I've made the pastry cream according to the directions several times, with no problems.) However, this cookbook is nearly foolproof -- my self-proclaimed "not-a-baker" boyfriend & his three children made the carrot cake for my birthday with no assistance, and it was wonderful -- just like Gayle's! (The one error I've found is that recipe's baking time seemed to be incorrect -- 30 minutes instead of the 50-60 mine needed to bake).
|
based on 16 reviews
