Easy Sweet Treats from Your Library

Are you baffled by baking? Suffering from cookie confusion? Or just think you cannot bake at all?

Let the Library come to your rescue. We have lots of great baking books perfect for the novice baker.

For those who are hesitant to bake anything from scratch, give The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Bryn https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2919106~S50 a try! Each recipe starts with a boxed cake mix which is then transformed into a simply delicious dessert. Recipes include layer cakes, sheet cakes, bundt cakes, bars, and even cookies! The cake mix does a lot of the work for you, and Bryn’s instructions make things clear and easy. Some of my tried and true favorites are “Honey Bun Cake” and Susan’s Lemon Cake (which can easily be changed to lime or another fruit flavor). This is a “go-to” cookbook for simple and tasty desserts. For more Cake Mix Doctor check out The Cake Mix Doctor Returns https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4187133~S50 and Cupcakes from the Cake Mix Doctor https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3668513~S50

Chocoholics take note!  Brownie Mix Bliss by Camilla Saulsbury https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3684961~S50 take your favorite chocolate classic (might I suggest Dunkin Hines Chewy Fudge?) treat and turns it into all kinds of other scrumptious goodies. Make your own designer brownies with a host of delicious add ins or try making bars with a brownie base! When done correctly, brownie mix can even be transformed into cookies like “Chocolate Snickerdoodles”.

Cake Mix Cookies by Camilla Saulsbury https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3757940~S50 focuses on the humble boxed cake mix. While the Cake Mix Doctor focuses on multiple options, this title focuses solely on cookies. Cookie come together and bake quickly, so cookie monsters of all ages will be able to enjoy them sooner as opposed to later!

You may have seen them around town, those bags of deliciously crispy, buttery Tate’s Cookies. Well, Tate’s is pulling back the oven door and sharing some famous recipes. Kathleen Tate’s Tate’s Bake Shop Cookbook https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3685554~S50  reveals the secret behind those chocolate chip cookie masterpieces. The book offers more than just great cookie recipes. There is a fantastic recipe for a Cranberry Crumb Cake. The recipes range from simple to more challenging creations and everything in between.

For those looking for a cookbook full of nice basics that includes not only sweet treats, but savory ones as well, try  Mom’s Big Book of Baking by Lauren Chattman https://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3149718~S50 The recipes rightly start with breakfast options including pancakes, muffins, and scones, and then move onto more traditional dessert options. Each chapter starts with a nice introduction with explanations and suggestions.