Rating: 
Summary: The Best Part of the Meal...Dessert
Review: I really like desserts, and since I like desserts so much I'm fussy and don't want to waste the effort making them and the calories eating them if they aren't good. This book covers the classics in every category - cakes, cookies, puddings, custards, pies, pastries, frozen desserts - so no matter what you're in the mood for you should be able to find something in here. I've had the book for several years and have never had anything fail. The directions are clear and well laid out, although I wouldn't have minded more pictures. Some of my favorites are the White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie, Edna Lewis's Sunday Night Cake, Omaha Caramel Bread Pudding, Boston Cream Pie, and Baked Custard-Style Rice Pudding.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the ingredients or effort!
Review: I took this book out from the library because of the reviews given. I made the 1-2-3-4 cake to use up some buttermilk I had. I looked on the back of the box of cake flour and saw this same recipe. The author changed from milk to buttermilk, and added baking soda besides the baking powder in the recipe. My cake overflowed all over my oven even though I followed instructions of using 3, 8-in. pans. The cake stuck to the pans, torn in clumps, I was able to piece it together because I am an expierienced baker. I never had this problem before and I bake from scratch quite a bit. It was tasteless, and my husband only ate half a piece and left the rest. The last cake I made, he ate 2 pieces because he couldn't help himself, it was so good. I returned the book to the library the next day. THIS IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY to buy the book. There are too many really good books with great recipes to waste your time with this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed but ready to keep trying.
Review: I want to go on record that Sax's apple pancake is so good it is worth the price of the book. He has many interesting recipes that you may have seen elsewhere, but his are better, clearer and in general more accessible. The woman who complained that his 1,2,3,4 cake was the same as her recipe obviously doesn't know that the 1,2,3,4 cake is a standard recipe. It is in my Joy as well as many other cook books. Sax doesn't claim to have invented the cake. He has tried to find really tasty and interesting recipes for people combined in one book. I made the pumpkin creme brulee for my husband who had craved something like this for a long time and he loved it. Where else would you find a recipe like this?
Rating:
Summary: Some wonderful versions of recipes that you thought you knew
Review: I want to go on record that Sax's apple pancake is so good it is worth the price of the book. He has many interesting recipes that you may have seen elsewhere, but his are better, clearer and in general more accessible. The woman who complained that his 1,2,3,4 cake was the same as her recipe obviously doesn't know that the 1,2,3,4 cake is a standard recipe. It is in my Joy as well as many other cook books. Sax doesn't claim to have invented the cake. He has tried to find really tasty and interesting recipes for people combined in one book. I made the pumpkin creme brulee for my husband who had craved something like this for a long time and he loved it. Where else would you find a recipe like this?
Rating:
Summary: The best dessert recipies!
Review: I've owned this book for about 3 years and have made many recipes. I have yet to be disappointed. All have been wonderful. The best carrot cake I've ever had. Wonderful Boston Cream Pie--better than my family's favorite bakery! This book is my favorite dessert cookbook! Interesting background information given on the recipes.
Rating:
Summary: The Dessert Lover's Bible
Review: If I had only one book on desserts, this would be it. It is a joy to read, interesting, informative and precise. The recipes are spectacular and quite doable in an ordinary kitchen. The World's Best Lemon Tart is sensational and the best I've had. In fact, everything I've tried is terrific and I'm looking forward to trying more. I wrote this review because I wanted to share something wonderful with as many people as possible. If you're a dessert lover, this book is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed but ready to keep trying.
Review: None of the recipes I've tried in the book are worth repeating. The 'Custardy Prune Pudding' was hard and rubbery. The 'Lemon Pudding Cake' was insubstantial as foam in the mouth. And, the "Peanut Butter Pie with Fudge Topping' was okay but the fudge failed to set up well for presentation. Nonetheless, I will keep trying because while the overall product failed to live up to my expectations, the recipes I attempted all had at least one good thing going for them. The prunes soaked in rum for the prune pudding were terrific. The lemon flavor of the pudding cake was brighter than any other lemon dessert I've tried. And, the graham cracker crust on the peanut butter pie is a definite keeper. Lastly, the book gives good entertainment value simply as reading material. Sax writes well, presents interesting information and the photo are stunning.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed but ready to keep trying.
Review: None of the recipes I've tried in the book are worth repeating. The 'Custardy Prune Pudding' was hard and rubbery. The 'Lemon Pudding Cake' was insubstantial as foam in the mouth. And, the "Peanut Butter Pie with Fudge Topping' was okay but the fudge failed to set up well for presentation. Nonetheless, I will keep trying because while the overall product failed to live up to my expectations, the recipes I attempted all had at least one good thing going for them. The prunes soaked in rum for the prune pudding were terrific. The lemon flavor of the pudding cake was brighter than any other lemon dessert I've tried. And, the graham cracker crust on the peanut butter pie is a definite keeper. Lastly, the book gives good entertainment value simply as reading material. Sax writes well, presents interesting information and the photo are stunning.
Rating:
Summary: One of only a few cookbooks that I could not live without
Review: One of only a few cookbooks that I use over and over again due to the sheer number of useable recipes. When you are looking for recipes for crisps, or rice puddings, or other casual desserts, you will turn to this cookbook. This cookbook is the one that I have given to my sisters and I was thrilled when it was finally reprinted.
Rating:
Summary: One of only a few cookbooks that I could not live without
Review: One of only a few cookbooks that I use over and over again due to the sheer number of useable recipes. When you are looking for recipes for crisps, or rice puddings, or other casual desserts, you will turn to this cookbook. This cookbook is the one that I have given to my sisters and I was thrilled when it was finally reprinted.
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