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30th out of 108 books
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120 voters
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BabyCakes: Vegan, Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York's Most Talked-About Bakery
by
Erin McKenna
Forget everything
you’ve heard about
health-conscious baking.
Simply, BabyCakes is your key to an enlightened, indulgent, sweets-filled future. This is important news not only for parents whose children have allergies, for vegans, and for others who struggle with food sensitivities, but also for all you sugar-loving traditionalists. The recipes in these pages prove that th...more
you’ve heard about
health-conscious baking.
Simply, BabyCakes is your key to an enlightened, indulgent, sweets-filled future. This is important news not only for parents whose children have allergies, for vegans, and for others who struggle with food sensitivities, but also for all you sugar-loving traditionalists. The recipes in these pages prove that th...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
October 27th 2010
by Clarkson Potter
(first published April 28th 2009)
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Baby Cakes: Vegan, (Mostly) Gluten Free ... - Erin McKenna
I've done a couple of these recipes, really excellent. Like for instance her cookies and cup-cakes. For gluten-free vegan this is pretty good -- but look out -- something like a third of the recipes call for spelt flour, which has gluten. I wish McKenna would give two versions for these recipes. She says spelt flour is special -- perhaps it is if you can eat gluten. If you are buying this book because you think it's gluten-free, be ...more
I've done a couple of these recipes, really excellent. Like for instance her cookies and cup-cakes. For gluten-free vegan this is pretty good -- but look out -- something like a third of the recipes call for spelt flour, which has gluten. I wish McKenna would give two versions for these recipes. She says spelt flour is special -- perhaps it is if you can eat gluten. If you are buying this book because you think it's gluten-free, be ...more
This cookbook is ahmazing!It shares recipes from the revered Brooklyn bakery, BabyCakes. I made the chocolate chip cookie sandwiches and they tasted just like *real* chocolate chip cookies. A lot of times with gluten-free foods the comparisons are "as good as" or "better than". The BabyCakes recipes taste "the same as" the baked goods you love. You can't tell the difference! And they are waay healthier - instead of bleached flour, white sugar, eggs and butter, they ...more
My husband said the double-chocolate chip cookies were the best sugar-free cookies he's tasted-and I've made many recently. The ingredients are pricey, but as we're not vegans, I'm okay replacing the coconut oil with butter or corn oil. I also swapped the cane juice for agave syrup. I had to tinker with the recipe to get it to work in higher altitude than the NYC bakery where the product originated though. But I'm used to doing that. My kids all gobbled up the cookies, and that was after eating ...more
I love the innovation and cleverness of these recipes. I have a friend who must only eat gluten-free and want to give this book to her. I found all of the ingredients at Whole Foods & also on Amazon. Some of the ingredients are expensive. I have only tried a couple of the recipes and enjoyed them. I gave a lower rating because I tried the frosting recipe twice and it has not turned out right either time. I may change my rating once I try more of the recipes, and if I am able to get the frost...more
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I have tried four recipes so far from this cookbook...cornbread, banana bread, lemon-poppy teacakes, and choc chip cookies. I have found the coconut oil to be divine (if a bit expensive). As an alternate to the agave, some folks might want to try making a 'simple syrup' out of the cane juice crystals and substitute with that. I was a little disappointed with the number of spelt recipes as well (seems to be a common complaint from us gluten-free babes). I find my oven requires longer cooking ...more
As a new gluten/dairy/peanut-free eater, I sadly laid my rolling pin to rest a few months ago. Baking didn't seem to have much appeal for me if I couldn't sample my creations! Gluten-free baking is expensive, time-consuming, and finicky. (And even if I was lucky to come across a GF recipe, it would most likely contain a dairy or a recipe for buttercream frosting.) Vegan to the core, this book solves the problem.
**About half of the recipes DID contain spelt flour, which DOES conta...more
**About half of the recipes DID contain spelt flour, which DOES conta...more
What beautiful photos. I just made the carrot cake cupcakes. To die for. I have also had the very vanilla cake, the frosting, and the brownie bites from this cookbook.
If you are used to canned frosting or butter based frosting, the flavor is fresher and lighter, and takes some getting adjusted to. I can't wait to try more recipes and the chocolate frosting too.
Another thing I like is the celebrity quotes from her favorite celeb clients.
She lists places where...more
If you are used to canned frosting or butter based frosting, the flavor is fresher and lighter, and takes some getting adjusted to. I can't wait to try more recipes and the chocolate frosting too.
Another thing I like is the celebrity quotes from her favorite celeb clients.
She lists places where...more
This is one of the many reasons I curse not living in NYC. I love Ohio, but if we want to eat this yummy goodness, we have to make it ourselves. Bummer.
Vegan is always a bit scary for me, but the author was able to diffuse a lot of my fears. Plus, though the ingredients aren't things I currently have in the house, I think I can get them at Raisin Rack down the street.
Recipes I want to try: Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Zucchini Muffins, Strawberry Shortcake
Recipe I'm to...more
Vegan is always a bit scary for me, but the author was able to diffuse a lot of my fears. Plus, though the ingredients aren't things I currently have in the house, I think I can get them at Raisin Rack down the street.
Recipes I want to try: Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Zucchini Muffins, Strawberry Shortcake
Recipe I'm to...more
I happened to see that there were recipes for gluten-free cupcakes in a cooking magazine and grabbed it. The recipes look wonderful, but the vanilla one isn't there, so I figured I HAD to get hold of the book (UK edition - nothing more frustrating than reading recipes made from ingredients you can't get).
Haven't rated a cookbook before, and not sure about this one. I've only made two things from the book, one of the cupcake recipes (with frosting) and banana bread. The cupcakes w...more
Haven't rated a cookbook before, and not sure about this one. I've only made two things from the book, one of the cupcake recipes (with frosting) and banana bread. The cupcakes w...more
Ah, baking. How I loathe you but want to love you. You allude me, you push my buttons and stretch out my patience. I do not dare make a mistake with you, for you will not forgive. I cannot imagine any deviation or alteration to your exacting recipes. You are a cruel mistress.
It's difficult to bake, let alone bake gluten-free and vegan. There are some ready-made mixes, but really, if you're going to do it, you might as well go all out, right? It's a matter of pride... and taste. While...more
It's difficult to bake, let alone bake gluten-free and vegan. There are some ready-made mixes, but really, if you're going to do it, you might as well go all out, right? It's a matter of pride... and taste. While...more
Lisa Vegan
rated it
Recommends it for:
vegans and those with allergies/food sensitivities who enjoy baked goods & coconut
This book is so hard for me to rate.
I really loathe coconut and the recipes in here are full of coconut oil, flour, milk, etc., especially coconut oil. (I can tolerate a bit of coconut milk in Thai dishes, but otherwise avoid it like the plague. I don’t like the taste and I think it’s less healthy than other alternatives. Unfortunately, coconut is being touted as healthy by many vegan sources (maybe they’re right?) and seems to in an “in” ingredient in vegan cooking and baking. Lucki...more
I really loathe coconut and the recipes in here are full of coconut oil, flour, milk, etc., especially coconut oil. (I can tolerate a bit of coconut milk in Thai dishes, but otherwise avoid it like the plague. I don’t like the taste and I think it’s less healthy than other alternatives. Unfortunately, coconut is being touted as healthy by many vegan sources (maybe they’re right?) and seems to in an “in” ingredient in vegan cooking and baking. Lucki...more
I have made nearly every recipe in this book... ten times over. Almost everything has been a first-try success. The Blueberry Muffins are THE BEST blueberry muffins my family has ever had. I have no troubles getting anyone in my family (comprised of a picky kindergartner, two teenagers and a husband with celiac and multiple food allergies)to eat anything I make from this book.
This is a must-have for anyone who misses the joy of baking and eating baked goods because of food sensitivities.
This is a must-have for anyone who misses the joy of baking and eating baked goods because of food sensitivities.
I'm not trying to be ungrateful here, but McKenna didn't go out of her way to make sure gluten-free eaters could enjoy the whole book. A few simple recipe modification notes would allow all the GF people out there to eat her biscuits, pies, and scone recipes (and get your money's worth out of the book.)
I never thought I'd see the day when I felt like I could make a better teacake than babycakes NYC (but I do). I will certainly give the frosting a whirl (and eat it on everything.)
I never thought I'd see the day when I felt like I could make a better teacake than babycakes NYC (but I do). I will certainly give the frosting a whirl (and eat it on everything.)
It's pretty hard to rate this before I've actually had a chance to try out any of the recipes, but I really appreciated the variety of recipes, the instruction, the really lovely layout (even on my Kindle Fire, the pictures looked just plain edible and insanely tasty), and the accessibility of just about all of the ingredients. I'm not a vegan, but I love the idea of making desserts that aren't loaded with white sugar.
The treats in this book look and sound great. I am a little horrified at the thought of making frosting from coconut oil. I thought it is a tropical oil and therefore harmful. I like to read a few recipes each night slowly and ponder what they are like. I have made a mix of gluten free brownies-very good and lighter than w/regular all purpose flour. Also made a pancake mix and they puff up and were a very acceptable substitute. So I'm looking forward to experimenting from scratch using rice ...more
The book is laid out well and has a lovely set of photographs. I bought it because I am newly allergic to eggs and dairy, but I don't have any gluten issues. Not all the recipes are gluten-free.
The vegan chocolate cupcakes are the best cupcakes I've ever had (or made) and I highly recommend the book for that reason. When I've served them without revealing they're vegan, people rave about them.
The vegan chocolate cupcakes are the best cupcakes I've ever had (or made) and I highly recommend the book for that reason. When I've served them without revealing they're vegan, people rave about them.
Super yummy goodies! I am having a bit of a time finding the ingredients, but there are resources listed in the book, just being a bit lazy.
Favorites:
* Chocolate Shortbread Scones w/Caramelized Bananas
* Red Velvet Cupcakes
* Apple Pie
* Agave Lemonade
Beautiful pictures and clear precise instructions = fantastic cooking with nearly no sugar and all completely VEGAN!!!
Favorites:
* Chocolate Shortbread Scones w/Caramelized Bananas
* Red Velvet Cupcakes
* Apple Pie
* Agave Lemonade
Beautiful pictures and clear precise instructions = fantastic cooking with nearly no sugar and all completely VEGAN!!!
Current favorite cookbook. Adorable package. Great recipes.
Try the chocolate chip cookies first. Delish!
I now have about 17 different types of flours because of this book. So much fun to bake with new ingredients, healthy ingredients (or should I say healthier ;-)
You do not need to be a Vegan or Gluten Intolerant to enjoy baking from this book. I am neither and I love it.
Try the chocolate chip cookies first. Delish!
I now have about 17 different types of flours because of this book. So much fun to bake with new ingredients, healthy ingredients (or should I say healthier ;-)
You do not need to be a Vegan or Gluten Intolerant to enjoy baking from this book. I am neither and I love it.
The most expensive baking project I have ever undertaken. Making the vanilla vegan cupcakes and frosting set me back $65.00 at Whole Foods and now I have extra Fava Bean flour and Xathan gum in my cupboards. Whatever is a girl supposed to do with extra Xanthan gum? Despite the expense, I was surprised at how moist and sweet the little cakes turned out. The frosting, while a little on the drippy side, was not too sweet and very coconut-y. All of my friends were impressed with the effort and appre...more
I was enjoying the recipes in this book enough to buy it. It's actually really refreshing to not bake with eggs or regular milk or giant cups of sugar - the things in these recipes are actually good for you (or at least not as harmful as other stuff). What I've tried so far has been good - as in "This isn't healthy food masquerading as yummy treats; these are actually yummy treats." It's nice to eat this stuff and not feel like crap afterward.
My only complaints are some of ...more
My only complaints are some of ...more
Love this book. The recipes have ingredients that are easily accessible and actually sound like I would want to eat them afterward...especially if the pictures are any indication. I plan on trying a couple this weekend. There is a zucchini muffin recipe for those times in the summer that you cant find enough recipes for the crazy amounts of zucchini you grow.
The photography in this book is really nice. The celebrity reviews/endorsements are strange and seem to make the book try too hard. The allergen-free reference isn't quite exact, if you're gluten intolerant then a lot of recipes aren't for you.
However, I did click around the BabycakesNYC website and came across an email address they created specifically for cookbook questions. I got a prompt response about subbing out the Spelt flour along with suggestions for other kinds of oil...more
However, I did click around the BabycakesNYC website and came across an email address they created specifically for cookbook questions. I got a prompt response about subbing out the Spelt flour along with suggestions for other kinds of oil...more
I learned too late that the banana quantity for the banana bread was double what it should be. I get a feeling that the recipes haven't been tested in home kitchens, considering some of the problems I've been reading about on the web.
I've liked what I've made, but I've gotten tastier vegan treats from the Veganomicon ladies with less exotic ingredients.
I've liked what I've made, but I've gotten tastier vegan treats from the Veganomicon ladies with less exotic ingredients.
Too many ingredients! With the world being so fast paced, I don't have much time to shop for all the necessary ingredients that each of these recipes require. I wish that I did because as described, the recipes sound great. However, this book is for the serious baker. Perhaps if you want to open a shop. I'm sure the authors have a bakery!
Disappointing. Expensive ingredients had to be thrown away because they just didn't taste good.
I'm more mad at Gwyneth Paltrow, who spoke so highly of Erin McKenna and her sexy cupcakes. I should have known that Gwyneth would never make cupcakes, even vegan gluten-free ones, because there's no way any home cook could make these dry tasteless cakes palatable, no matter how much frosting you put on.
Cooking times are off, poor descriptions, I'm really upset. I also hard it...more
I'm more mad at Gwyneth Paltrow, who spoke so highly of Erin McKenna and her sexy cupcakes. I should have known that Gwyneth would never make cupcakes, even vegan gluten-free ones, because there's no way any home cook could make these dry tasteless cakes palatable, no matter how much frosting you put on.
Cooking times are off, poor descriptions, I'm really upset. I also hard it...more
beautiful fun book in terms of design and layout but the recipes i tried were terribly sub-par. ex. the red velvet cupcake was so overwhelmingly saturated with coconut oil that it was hard to eat. these recipes surely cannot be the ones the bakery uses to sell their popular baked goods.
The recipes are so delicious! Sadly, sometimes the ingredients are somewhat difficult to find - I live in Toronto and still need to seek out a specialty store - but, I guess that's what you sign up for when you make the choice to live a vegan lifestyle.
So I love the idea of this allergy free world of pastries, but the introduction to the book makes it seem so intimidating. Lots of specialty (expensive) ingredients and strict caveats. I may not get around to using this book until I retire.
Donna
is currently reading it
Still looking for some rice milk powder so that I can try the icing. As someone who has to eat wheat free, the recipes look very tempting, though I am a little concerned about the amount agave syrup used as now some tout it as a bad sugar...
Great photos that made me want to try everything. I was surprised how many of the recipes I did want to try, though I'm not sure how many would work out for me ingredient price-wise. But it is a good alternative for gluten-free and diabetic persons as most of the recipes do not involve wheat/related items or sugar.
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