Review: Different, Desirable, Definitely Doable
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 3, 2014
This e-cookbook, hailed by the only review at this time as "one of the best cookie recipe books I've seen," made me anxious to purchase and make it mine. I'm glad that I did. Although not comprehensive in number of recipes offered, in terms of variety and right-to-the-point, as a cookbook collector, reader, and baker, it's one of the best that I've seen, too. This, however, is one of those cookbooks that's good news or not-so-good news, depending upon what is expected and what the cook or baker wants because it's a bare-bones: Just the recipes, ma'am. For the experienced baker or for those who are not looking for an afternoon conversation via author narrative, then the 23 drop cookies, 21 cookie bars, and 5 basic but versatile frostings is just what your seasoned kitchen witch ordered. For those who are less experienced, or who want, need, or just simply like a more extensive narrative, then you might feel frustrated or disappointed. What shows in the "Look Inside" feature is exactly what you get and how it looks in the actual cookbook so take a look before you purchase. There are no photos, no handy hints, no basic baking instructions. The short statement at the beginning of each recipe is all that you get from the author then it's on to the show: here's what you need and how much, here's how you do it. From the layout, content, and approach, and for my needs with this particular cookbook (except for pictures -- who doesn't like pictures?), I greatly appreciate not having to scroll through lengthy narratives when all that I'm after is the recipe. I also greatly appreciate not having to swipe through bakers' dozens of ads, links, and promotional goods and services. That alone rates this e-cookbook five stars.But the five stars also describes the recipes. Each is basic yet quick, interesting at the very least if not downright appealing, and right-now doable depending on what you have on hand. Variety rates high as Winlet goes beyond the basic drop chocolate chip cookie that gets spread into a 9 x 12 pan to make it a cookie bar (Classic Chocolate Chip Bars) and offers up such things as Apricot Butter Cookies, Brownie Drop Cookies, Fresh Fig Bars, Cinnamon Pear Streusel Bars and, for the everything's-better-with-bacon crowd, Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookies. She also does not try to be hip or trendy in an effort to appeal to every single possible eating necessity, choice, or lifestyle. If you have food allergies, intolerances, type 2, or a committed lifestyle such as vegan, paleo, low carb, and others, then this is not the cookie book for you. There are no suggestions or substitutes for refined flours or sugars, nary a no-fat/low-fat/reduced-fat/fat-free, and dairy is prevalent. The only quarrel I have is one that I have with most e-cookbooks, a critical inclusion that today's cooks and bakers have come to expect and do deserve: Nutritional panel breakdown. Even though I can pretty much guess that 2-3C of AP flour mixing with 1-1/2C of white or combined sugars isn't something for which I'll thank myself in the morning, I really do want to know approximate calories, carbs, and sugars ahead of time.Bottom line: If conventional baking and taste is what you're after and you'd like a cookbook with variety, then these 93 pages are worth it. If you've never before seen an e-cookbook that delivers what it promises without.any.ads -- in other words, if you've been searching for the 9th, 10th, or 11th wonder of the world -- then get this on your phone, tablet, and computer. For free (thank you!) as I found it today (and, as Winlet states on her Facebook page, watch for frequent freebies), definitely; for 99-cents, go for it; for $2.99-$3.99 consistent with many Kindle cookbooks, sure. The straightforward organization is there; few to no typos; clickable TOC; clarity in instructions; good spacing for readability; and, most of all, lots of potentially new betchya-can't-eat-just-one cookies and cookie bars. A delightful find and definite keeper.