The Art of the Cookie: Baking Up Inspiration by the Dozen

by Shelly Kaldunski

The Art of the Cookie offers delicious cookie recipes and innovative decorating ideas for a cookie exchange. This book differs from others on the market in its focus on the art of decorating cookies, rather than the technique of baking them. Recipes are selected for their visual appeal as much as for their flavor.

A beautifully crafted cookie is a work of art and beloved by all. Still-warm cookies fresh from the oven are irresistibly enticing but decorating the treats doubles the fun. Whether it's a cookie exchange, holiday gathering, or Mother's Day tea, decorated cookies are a sweet and memorable addition to any special occasion.

The Art of Cookie presents over 40 delectable recipes and inspiring decorating ideas. With a focus on transforming a simple cookie into a masterpiece, each recipe promises both exceptional flavor and visual appeal. The cookie recipes are divided into two main chapters. The first offers favorite and versatile roll-and-cut dough recipes, such as brown sugar cookies and gingerbread, followed by clever, yet simple ideas for decorating vibrant vanilla-sugar flowers; alphabet shapes flooded with icing and sprinkled with colorful sugars; and petits fours stacked to resemble a miniature wedding cake. The second chapter includes classics with a modern twist, such as sparkly macarons; wreath-shaped sugar cookies baked with lemon and thyme and decorated with icing ornaments; and striped cookies that taste and look like peppermint sticks. Recipes for various fillings to use with many of the cookies round out the collection.

Packed with gorgeous colorful photographs, this book has all the encouragement and know-how you'll need to create artful cookies that look as if they were purchased from a pastry shop.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

More for the decorator than the baker, this lovely book shows how to take a few basic recipes and turn them into gorgeous masterpieces. Definitely a great start for someone who wants to try cookie decorating.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I purchased this book, I thought it would teach me about the subtle fusion of craft and science which inheres in producing great cookies. Instead, Kaldunski's book is focused on the art of presenting beautiful cookies, especially by decorating them. In fairness, she does offer a good number of excellent cookie recipes: Neapolitans, meringue spirals, pistachio sables, lemon-thyme wreaths, apricot-pistachio biscotti, and dried-cherry shortbread. The text concludes with some useful recipes for icings, glazes and fillings which may be used at will. I just expected something else.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly about decorating, though it has some good base recipes. I wish there were more recipes in this book instead of different ways to decorate. There are also a few items that need special tools that most people won't have and won't purchase just for one cookie recipe. This is definitely holiday-themed and would be a good cookie for cookie-swap starters or a hostess gift.

[Tara Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book is light on actual recipes, what it does offer is well worth your time. This book showcases several simple recipes that with slight variations offer stunning works of cookie art. In particular the Lemon Window Panes (pg 26) not only are tasty, but look beautiful. The Ceramic Tile Cookies (pg 33) are also gorgeous and perfect for a fancy tea party.

[Maddu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. The recipes are easy to follow, and the results are lovely. A great book for when you need a change in holiday (or anytime, really) cookies or are feeling creative. :)

[Volker · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved making those cookies

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

yummy photos. recipes sounded a bit more time-consuming than I have time for.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good recipes to try. Some will be a bit time consuming, but they look they will be worth it. There are also some good ideas for presentation and decorating.