Sweet Stuff: Karen Barker's American Desserts

Synopsis

award-winning Pastry Chef Karen Barker Draws On Memories Of Her New York Childhood And Years Of Professional Baking Experience To Present A Collection Of More Than 160 Recipes For Classic American Desserts For The Home Cook, From Fruit Pies And Fritters To Cookies And Ice Creams.

publishers Weekly

an Award-winning Pastry Chef, Barker-coauthor (with Her Husband) Of Not Afraid Of Flavor, A Cookbook From Their Restaurant, Magnolia Grill, In Durham, N.c.-presents A Diverse And Balanced Selection Of Her Favorite American Desserts. She Enthusiastically Introduces Home Cooks To The Basics Of Pies, Fruit Desserts, Custards, Ice Cream, Cookies, Cakes, Waffles And Other Breakfastlike Desserts With Clear, Unintimidating Directions And Copious Suggestions For Variations. Every Recipe Includes A Personal Introduction, Succinct Directions, Elaborate Baker's Notes With Additional Hints And Advice, And Serving Suggestions That Sometimes Refer To Other Recipes In The Book. By Altering Just A Few Ingredients Or Adding An Unusual Spice, Barker Creates Out-of-the-ordinary Twists On Classics, Such As Apple Rhubarb Cardamom Crumb Pie, Buttermilk Vanilla Bean Custard Pie And Coffee Anise Creme Caramel, As Well As More Obscure Tastes Like Blackberry Slump With Sweet Potato Dumplings Or Peanut Butter Cheesecake. Full-page Photographs Illustrate The Dishes In Mouth-watering Detail. Although The Book Will Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth, Lovers Of Fruit Desserts Will Especially Appreciate The Abundance Of Recipes For Pies, Cobblers, Crumbles, Crunches, Crisps, Buckles, Grunts, Slumps And Betties, As Well As Barker's Tutorial On How To Tell The Difference Between Them. (apr. 19) Forecast: Although Barker's Restaurant Is In North Carolina And Her Book Is Being Published By A University Press, Sweet Stuff Could Have National Appeal. Barker Has Received Coverage In Major Magazines Like More, Bon Appetit And Fine Cooking, And The Publisher Plans A 20,000-copy First Printing And A National Media Campaign. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.