Rating: 
Summary: My favorite cookie book
Review: As others have said, this is my favorite and most-used cookie book (for all year round). In fact, I signed up to be a reviewer just for this book. I always like to know the reasons behind why a recipe works and why you need to use certain ingredients, and the author always explains these things. Add to that the great pictures, storage information (very important if you bake ahead of your event), and personal stories, and that's why this book is such a pleasure to use. Everything I've tried has come out the way I expected it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointing Follow-Up to Berenbaum's Bibles
Review: As professional reviews of Rose Levy Berenbaum's other books promised, I would not bake cakes or pies without her "Bibles." And so with great anticipation I read Rose's Christmas Cookies. While it is a lovely book, with useful photos and some delicious recipes, it lacks the scope, variety and scientific insight into baking that I expected. The recipes seem to fall into only a few rather boring categories: several recipes for shortbreads, plain butter-type cookies, and meringues. While each recipe does include "smart cookie" tips, there is really no insight into the technique of baking cookies, no excellent tips that make the recipes fool-proof. Other than the opening section of "mantlepiece cookies," the book lacks innovative ideas for creative cookie interpretations. With Berenbaum's other cookbooks, I could barely wait to get into the kitchen and try her beautiful and delicious creations. I found the Christmas Cookie book a little boring. I am confident that I will use this cookbook, if not to the extent of some others, and am sure that the basic recipes will be excellent.
Rating:
Summary: A Word from the Author
Review: Dear Reader, Thank you for the universal praise of this book of my heart! And thank you for your comment about the book binding problem--one that breaks my heart. My only consolation is to say that it is easier to work with recipes that are loose as you can put them up on the wall with a special clip and also that you can have the book rebound with a stitched binding. It is beautiful enough to warrant it. I also give you my word that my next book, which will be a comprehensive bread book, will be with a publisher who is willing to put in the contract that the book will have a stitched binding! This is a rare thing in the American publishing industry these days because it is expensive, but in my opinion, a book that is going to be laid flat and used again and again in the kitchen and not just read once in bed requires and deserves it! Needless to say, do not xrox from it as that further encourages the glued binding to snap.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST cookie book for all year long!
Review: I agree with the other comments -- I love this book. It is the one book I reach for all year long when I want to make cookies that will impress. Rose Levy Beranbaum is my favorite cookbook author, and I have never gone wrong with any of her recipies. I am sad to say, however, that my book is also in about a dozen pieces, and has been taped back together as well as possible. Even so, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The pictures are wonderful, as are the easy to follow recipies.
Rating:
Summary: a Christmas staple in my house
Review: I bought this book the first year it was published and have made it a part of my holiday celebration every year since. I've tried at least half of the recipes in the book and each one has been a success (including the Mexican Wedding Cakes which another reviewer had trouble with...)
Berenbaum gives the reader several options for measuring the ingredients (ex., some people like to measure flour in a measuring cup, others prefer to weigh it on a scale) and options for mixing the dough (ie., mixer or food processor). Read through a few recipes and you'll quickly see how she organizes the process and how you can choose your preferred method. Lots of beautiful, color photos show how each cookie should look.If nothing else, buy the book for the very best rugulah recipe you'll ever find!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I feel compelled to dissent from the glowing comments I've read here. I've tried 5 recipes, only one of which I'd make again (Bernachon's Biarritz); the other four varieties went into the trash. I bake extensively and have many cookie books, and to be fair, find most of them hit or miss, but this book is one of the most mediocre I've encountered both in range of recipes and results. The binding is doing fine, though.
Rating:
Summary: Cookies
Review: I found this book disappointing compared to the Cake Bible. I have worked extensively with both books and the Cake Bible's recipies are far more sound. I am a huge fan of Beranbaum's work but the cookies just don't taste nearly as good as the cakes do.
Rating:
Summary: The Only Christmas cookie book you will ever need!
Review: I have had this book for years and I use it every year. It is such a beautiful book to just sit with and read. The pictures are gorgeous. The writing is warm and friendly and the recipes are laid out in a very clear fashion. My favorite is the Mahogony Toffee which I have made every year for the last 10 years or so (oddly enough--it is a candy not a cookie!). I also have made the stained glass butter cookies for several years. Rose's recipe for Peanut Butter thumbprint cookies is about the best you will ever find. This is the first time I have ever bothered to write a review for Amazon. This book is such a good investment! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The first book I reach for each Christmas baking season.
Review: I have made over half of the recipes in this book and every one is excellent. The directions are clear and concise and easily followed by even the novice cook. Pictures of each cookie make it clear how they should appear and give you interesting decorating tips. I particularly appreciated the storage and freshness keeping information. Tips on shipping cookies is also included. For the experienced baker the gingerbread cathederal challange awaits. If you want to win friends and gain a reputation as a prize baker, this is the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Delicious cookies; frustrating book
Review: I have tried at least 8 of the recipes in this book and they all tasted great. I give them as presents, and people always ask for them again. But I get annoyed each time I pick up the book because of its shoddy construction. I treat all books carefully. However, within less than 1 year of purchase, whole chunks of pages were falling out of this book. The book is in about 10 pieces - delicious cookies, but I wouldn't spend money on the book again.
|
