New England Desserts: Classic and Creative Recipes for All Seasons

by Tammy Donroe Inman

Homemade cakes, cookies, candies, pies, crisps, cobblers, crumbles, and ice cream—year round!

Since the very first taste of maple syrup, New Englanders have pined for something sweet. The region’s native plants (corn, squash, pumpkins), orchard fruits, fresh dairy products, even the early ice industry, have all been used over the past four centuries to create culinary inspirations for our developing nation.



From the mountains of Maine to the farms of Vermont to the beachside villages of Cape Cod, New England has earned a reputation for fantastic desserts. What started out as necessary, high-calorie sustenance has become an exercise in pleasure and a celebration of the seasons.



Indeed, it’s not officially summer in New England until shortcake is soaked in sweet strawberries and cream. Soon blueberries, cherries, peaches, blackberries, and plums make an appearance, begging for crisp, nutty toppings, buttery crusts, and a melting pool of vanilla ice cream. New Englanders know how to sweeten the pot by bringing out the best in local ingredients. The result of this vibrant seasonal calendar is a rich repertoire of flavors ripe for celebration and reinvention.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2022

About the author

Tammy Donroe Inman is the author of NEW ENGLAND DESSERTS: Classic and Creative Recipes for All Seasons, which was just released by Globe Pequot. Her previous cookbook, WINTERSWEET: Seasonal Desserts to Warm the Home, was praised by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The Boston Globe. She also wrote TWITTERATI CRYPTOGRAMS: 350 Snarky Ciphers for Social Media Junkies, which contains hilarious coded word puzzles featuring comedians Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, and Rob Delaney, as well as writers for top TV shows like Family Guy and Late Night With Seth Meyers. She lives outside Boston with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Betsy Ellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are loads of reviews here telling you how delicious and well-written the recipes are but I wanted to write a review saying how I keep coming back to this as a go-to gift idea. Even for friends who aspire to bake more than they actually bake, this is a great book. Not lying - I had it on my nightstand for a week or two as a bedtime read just to take in all the interesting food history and drool-worthy photos (Apple-cider donuts dancing through my dreams :) I am also a little more aspirational than skilled as a baker but the recipes I've tried so far were easy to follow and came out delicious enough to put them into my rotation of things I make for parties. This is a fantastic book. Can't say enough good things about it!

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recipes

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

True confession? In general, I don't like baking ... but I really enjoy baking from Inman's recipes, which I find both friendly in tone and easy to follow. What I especially love about this book, though, is all the history behind the sweet foods we New Englanders crave. Tammy's a narrative historian, equally dedicated to well-researched history and engaging storytelling. The book is a perfect gift for people like me, just as likely to sit down and read start to finish as to dive in looking for their next baking project.

[Marika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Whether I’m having friends over, baking for my 5 year old, or looking for something to give as a hostess gift, there’s something for everyone. The recipes are easy to follow and I haven’t been disappointed by one yet. Also makes for a nice gift for the bakers in your life. Highly recommend!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a baker! I didn’t used to be, but this book on New England desserts has made me one. My favorites are Blueberry Lemon cake and the Banana Nut muffins. Rave reviews from family & friends. Thank you for the delicious recipes that even I can bake!

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ice cream flavors in last chapter

[AmyHutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recipes are easy to follow and delicious when made. I really liked the seasonal and local NE aspects of the recipes. The pictures are beautiful, too!

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many good recipes! The classic apple pie was delicious, and the apple cider vinegar trick to the crust was yum!