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6th out of 9 books
—
13 voters
Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe
Every day 1,500 Bostonians can't resist buying sweet, simple treats such as Homemade Pop-Tarts, from an alumna of Harvard with a degree in economics. From Brioche au Chocolat and Lemon Raspberry Cake to perfect croissants, Flour Bakery-owner Joanne Chang's repertoire of baked goods is deep and satisfying. While at Harvard she discovered that nothing made her happier than b...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
October 20th 2010
by Chronicle Books
(first published September 29th 2010)
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I won this one from Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms. The book is autographed by the author, she wrote: "Make life sweeter... eat dessert First! Joanne Chang"
I only have one complaint about this book the print is a little small in the ingredients listing. It's also a bit light there and in the directions. The information included with each recipe is in much bigger and darker print. the instructions are bigger type but still a bit light and hard on older eyes.
The book begins with a few in depth in...more
I only have one complaint about this book the print is a little small in the ingredients listing. It's also a bit light there and in the directions. The information included with each recipe is in much bigger and darker print. the instructions are bigger type but still a bit light and hard on older eyes.
The book begins with a few in depth in...more
This is a beautiful cookbook with recipes that are sure to delight! Take note that this is not for beginners. You need time, patience, and all the right ingredients and kitchen tools to make the desserts come to light. The first recipe I tackled was for Lemon Lust Bars. 16 lemons later I had perfectly tart, painterly yellow goodness. Includes beautiful illustrations and fun little paragraphs that introduce each recipe. The cookbook opens with helpful sections titled "Techniques", "Equipment", "I...more
I purchased this baking book on my Kindle. That way I would be able to take it with me on my iPad wherever I go. I love this book. The peanut butter cookies are what my son in college asks for whenever he is at home (or at school hoping for a care package). They are wonderful. My neighbor who is retired Navy says they taste just like the ones served on the ship. High praise.
I prefer baking books that list the ingredients by weight. This way I am sure to prepare the recipe exactly as intended. E...more
I prefer baking books that list the ingredients by weight. This way I am sure to prepare the recipe exactly as intended. E...more
I have never loved a cookbook the way I love Flour. Joanne Chang created a masterpiece here. The recipes are accessible and easy to follow; all the ingredients can be found in a typical grocery store and very few require specialized pans or kitchen equipment. The book itself is gorgeous; no messy dust jacket that traps flour and sugar (my cookbook pet peeve), well-made binding, gorgeous paper (hi my name is Colleen and I'm a publishing nerd...) Best of all, Chang includes personal stories for ea...more
I just got this cookbook a couple days ago and have tried two different recipes. Both came out fantastic, I made the New Old Fashioned Coffee Cake and the Chocolate Cupcakes with Crispy Magic Frosting. My only issue which was why I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars is that the time was way off on both recipes. The cake needed less than an hour, but the recipe calls for an hour and 10 minutes. The cupcake recipe specifies 30 minutes, and sounded too long for cupcakes so I left them in for 22. But rea...more
I judge a book on baking not only for the recipes but also for sheer practicality. In other words, are there recipes that can be made with ingredients that I have in the house, that aren't too impossible to find if I need to do some shopping, are a bit of a challenge and are worth making again. In these regards, this book is really a winner. I've made the croissants, the pains aux raisins, the brioche, the hazelnut cookies but the real winner in the book is the tiramisu which everyone loves. Rea...more
Flour Bakery is my favorite bakery anywhere, and I pounced on this book as soon as it came out. In addition to including recipes for several of my favorite treats, the book is very clearly written and with many useful tips. Of the recipes I've made, the Chunky Lolas, Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookies, Apple Snacking Spice Cake, Heart Healthy Dried Fruit Scones, and Lemon Ginger Scones were tip-top favorites, but several recipes have not been made yet for logistical reasons - not that I'm not lo...more
Flipped through the whole book and tried out by first recipe, the homemade oreoes. The oreoes came out very well, if almost too large and extravagant (even for me!). I have read that her baking times are off and I would agree that it's worth it to check early and often- don't rely on Chang's guestimates.
Many of the recipes here are fussy at first glance, which makes me yearn for the upcoming smittenkitchen book. Until then, however, many of these 'cute' takes on traditional snacks and cakes will...more
Many of the recipes here are fussy at first glance, which makes me yearn for the upcoming smittenkitchen book. Until then, however, many of these 'cute' takes on traditional snacks and cakes will...more
The pictures are stunning, and the recipes sound delicious. I would love to try many of these treats if I were ever to visit Boston. However, I found the book to be rather impractical. The print is small and the recipes are long. I would not feel comfortable recommending this book to the home baker (unless they had plenty of counter space and free time.) I won't shy away from a complicated recipe, but many of the recipes in this book seemed to go overboard. One example would be a lemon raspberry...more
I received this cookbook as a birthday present. (Thanks MaryAnn!!!!)
I had only heard of this chef because she was on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Her winning sticky sticky buns will definitely be on my list of things to try.
The author is local and two of the recipes were featured in The Boston Globe this fall. (http://tinyurl.com/2a4dc79)
I made the chocolate cupcakes with crispy magic frosting. They were just OK. The cupcakes were WAY overbaked at the recommended 30 minutes. The swiss meringue fro...more
I had only heard of this chef because she was on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Her winning sticky sticky buns will definitely be on my list of things to try.
The author is local and two of the recipes were featured in The Boston Globe this fall. (http://tinyurl.com/2a4dc79)
I made the chocolate cupcakes with crispy magic frosting. They were just OK. The cupcakes were WAY overbaked at the recommended 30 minutes. The swiss meringue fro...more
Received this as an early holiday gift, and while I haven't made anything from it yet, I can hardly wait. The recipes all sound wonderful, and lots of modern twists on old classics. The recipes themselves read like Jill Homemaker wrote them, not some fancy-smancy baker. Starting with breakfast goodies, I'm looking forward to: mom's granola, new old fashioned coffeecake, lemon-ginger scones (my favorite thing to buy!), banana bread (can it be better than my current recipe?), brioche au chocolate,...more
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If you want to learn how to be a better baker, read this book. Joanne Chang found the balance of blending personal stories with detailed, precise direction that will improve your baking technique. And your friends and family will RAVE about your desserts! After making the quiche, banana bread, bran and morning glory muffins, and a chocolate chip cookie that I had to fight my husband for, Flour will be my go-to for sweets from here on out. Maybe it's time to renew that gym membership after all......more
Aug 22, 2011
Cecile
added it
Makes a plain old lunch of cottage cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers all spruced up and served on bread sound and taste like a fancy meal eaten in a bistro in France by "Ladies who Lunch". Yum. Plus who can resist looking at that cover (turns out the bread bowl liner is not really edible--not that I would know that from cooking it, Dorie Greenspan points it out in one of her narratives.
More than just a cookbook, she tells a story behind many of the recipes.
More than just a cookbook, she tells a story behind many of the recipes.
okay, let me just say this: FLOUR IS THE GREATEST BAKERY/CAFE EVER.
for all of you Boston residents who haven't experienced it yet: shame on you.
I recommend Sportello as well. yum yum.
I'm so excited about this cookbook- the sticky buns sound amazing, even though my braces might be at risk...whatever.
My stepdad Aaron, works literally RIGHT across the street from the one in the back bay, and he goes there...a lot. so tthis was his Easter present from moi. he's in food rapture right now...
for all of you Boston residents who haven't experienced it yet: shame on you.
I recommend Sportello as well. yum yum.
I'm so excited about this cookbook- the sticky buns sound amazing, even though my braces might be at risk...whatever.
My stepdad Aaron, works literally RIGHT across the street from the one in the back bay, and he goes there...a lot. so tthis was his Easter present from moi. he's in food rapture right now...
have been waiting for this book forever and it lived up to expectations. sadly my favorite treat from flour (brown sugar oat muffins) are not in the book (I'll have to start working on trying to recreate), there are a lot of amazing looking recipes that I'm excited to try as soon as possible.
This book is fantastic (also, it turns out that Joanne Chang has an adorable blogging voice). I borrowed it from a friend because I needed a quiche recipe for a brunch I was hosting. I am reluctant to return the book....
Harvard economist turned baker. An aspirational tale for me, actually. Not so much the Harvard bit but more the totally changing life directions in mid-stream bit. Her voice is friendly and honest, and the recipes look delightful. Can't wait to try them.
http://www.wilmlibrary.org/blogs/flou...
Fantastic front matter on techniques, equipment, ingredients, and tips, including "why" as well as "what." The ginger molasses cookies are spectacular; the croissants are intimidating.
Fantastic front matter on techniques, equipment, ingredients, and tips, including "why" as well as "what." The ginger molasses cookies are spectacular; the croissants are intimidating.
I'm trying my first recipe from the book, Flour's famous banana bread. It's it the oven now. If the taste of the batter (ok, I couldn't resist) is any indication, the bread is going to be amazing.
I've never seen a recipe for banana bread put together in such a way. Having looked it through, it seems like all the recipes in the book were very carefully considered and tested for the home baker.
Also, because of the beautiful photography and mouthwatering descriptions, even recipes that wouldn't n...more
I've never seen a recipe for banana bread put together in such a way. Having looked it through, it seems like all the recipes in the book were very carefully considered and tested for the home baker.
Also, because of the beautiful photography and mouthwatering descriptions, even recipes that wouldn't n...more
The hands-down best recipe for brioche I've seen. Although you do need a heavy-duty stand mixer to pull it off. Good heavens, thatsa lotta butter. Which you then dip and sugar and roasted pecans. (swoon)
This cookbook is great - the recipes I've tried are fantastic and I enjoy cookbooks with pictures. Appreciate that measurements are given in "traditional" version (tsp., cup, etc.) and by weight.
I love this cookbook - so far everything I've made is fantastic and tastes just like in the restaurant. They don't dumb the recipes down at all. It's packed too, there are a LOT of recipes in here.
I had the pleasure of meeting Joanne at a book signing. What an incredible woman! I adore the sticky buns, they are always a hit and the double apple pie is to die for!!!
One of my favorite cookbooks with recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery. =) Among my favorites are the homemade oreos, chocolate cupcakes, and nutella tart.
The home made pop tarts are fantastic....came out very well. I love Flour. The book is easy to follow also.
this book is so amazing! i am going to try some recipes this wknd... and the bakery is in boston! i want to go!
Love her recipes and I love her stories even more. I can't wait to visit her shop someday!
Best baking book I own. Everyone should get a copy of this book. You won't regret it.
I am a huge fan of Flour, a cafe not far from my office, and these recipes look delicious. This copy is from the library (and the page for Sticky Buns is a bit sticky) but I plan to buy my own copy soon. It does not include my favorite item, a lamb sandwich with chutney, so perhaps Joanne Chang is saving that for the sequel...
Banana bread recipe and macaroon recipe make it worth the purchase.
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Joanne Chang is the chef-owner of Flour Bakery in Boston. She has a degree in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard University and was a pastry chef at Payard Patisserie and Mistral. She lives in Boston. Christie Matheson is the author and co-author of several books, including Salty Sweets. She lives in San Francisco. Keller + Keller are Boston-based food and lifestyle photographers."
More about Joanne Chang...
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