Review: American Holidays: German Baking for the Holidays At Its Best
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 27, 2012
...I watched my German wife baked with love and care over the past 32 years. She'd spend a good 2 days solid baking and giving them away to others to brighten their winter day. And I've come to the realization that when I got stationed in Germany, I realized what I didn't know or missed the boat about good cooking and baking. I was missing the big picture.And this book does not miss the big picture and rather warmly embraces the art of German Baking in truly simplistic way.The book sent me through a journey back to Bavaria and the re-visiting the quaint but awesome Bakeries filled with the unsurpassed art of presentation. You can scan and choose the specific baked items with care. Do stop by at the "Lebkuchen" or Honey Cookies and try your hand at 2 dozen of the best tasting cookies in 20 minutes. Don't venture far from another favorite of mine:  German Apple Cake, apples prepared like no other.  Lastly, don't forget a cup of hot coffee to complete your German traditional treat.My wife could easily commercialize her baking but she prefers not to. The reward comes from giving and this "pay it forward' act endures over the year.Really good German baking does have many great ingredients but it has as its main ingredients--- love and care that keeps repeating itself.Stephanie over-delivers in this book of some 32 delicious and captivating recipes.I'll give this book a well-deserved "5 star" for not only the subject matter but for the experience of rekindling good memories.