Review: NO WAY WILL THIS GET 5 STARS
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 12 5, 2013
The first recipe in this book calls for a pouch of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix.UNBELIEVABLE!!So I started turning pages, or whatever you call it when you have a kindle.Every recipe doesn't call for a pouch of B. C. Cookie mix, but you'd be surprised how many do. To me, that doesn't make these true, from scratch , cookie recipes.Maybe, as my now deceased sister-in-law Kathy used to say when asked if she made something  from scratch, you can answer that you scratched when you made any of these recipes.You see, these cookie contests require the people who enter to use a product made by Betty Crocker in their recipes. These inventive people could use a cake mix or a cookie mix, but, to me, the most inventive folks just specify that they've used Gold Medal flour. You'll find several Gold Medal recipes in this book, too.In my opinion, when 'Betty' markets her cookbook of recipe winners, she's really hoping to sell more of the ingredients that her contest winners used. But let's be real honest: many of us prefer Duncan Hines cake mix to B. C. cake mix; and if you can get it locally, don't most of you think King Arthur flour runs rings around Gold Medal?That leaves only the pouches of cookie mix. I haven't looked at the different brands of cookie mix pouches available in the grocery store because I prefer to make my own, from scratch. Betcha Betty has some healthy competition there, too.There's no way I can substitute my cookies for hers because I don't know the exchange rate.But let me confess, I do have a hardback copy of a Pillsbury bakeoff--fantastic book. I don't know the specific rules for the bakeoff, but everything isn't made from Grands biscuits and crescent rolls.(Precious few recipes mention Pillsbury products.)Maybe Betty should change her rules and just ask for good family recipes, then highlight those winners as part of a good meal on her TV commercials.I'll be trying the recipes in this book that call for Gold Medal flour, though I may not be using her flour. A recipe is only as good as the things you put into it. For best results, use the best ingredients.Have a wonderful Christmas.