"Baking is an adventure, a pleasure and a form of alchemy," states Christopher Kimball in the introduction to Milk Street Bakes, an exquisitely presented collection of 200 thoroughly tested sweet and savory recipes. Easy step-by-step directions, baking tips, and practical techniques--along with luscious-looking photographs--serve to engage the senses. Traditional recipes such as breads, pizzas, and muffins; cakes, pies, and cookies; and everything in between become so much more with infusions of surprising flavor profiles and unexpected ingredient combinations.
All bases are covered: black pepper gives a kick to Triple Ginger Scones with Chocolate Chunks. Butter enriches the flavor of Coconut Milk-Flour Tortillas. Hot honey unites tangy and sweet in the Pizza with Pepperoni and Mozzarella recipe. A zingy lemon glaze caps off a French Almond-Rum Cake. Sesame seed paste adds show-stopping depth to Tahini Swirl Brownies. And spice-infused honey is the centerpiece in Kimball's Polish Gingerbread Cookies--he recommends a dark one to contrast with the nuttiness of the rye flour. This wide array of innovative recipes will captivate home bakers, inspiring them to master these transformative creations, with delicious results. --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines