Williams-Sonoma Collection: Dessert

Williams Sonoma: nostalgic and elegant (oh, yes, and the recipes are wonderful)Content:In a time of microwave cooking and instant pots, it was really nice to find this gem of a book, a book that transported me back to the bygone days of my youth (as my granny used to say, “Yes, I was born in the age of the Pharaohs” ) and to my grandmother’s elaborate dinner parties and elegant meals where the dining room was lit with candles and decorated with flowers , where the utensils were laid out in perfect order, where the napkins were folded into flower shapes…you get the idea.Okay, okay, okay…so I don’t actually entertain the way my grandmother did very often (where would I get the time or the money-people, lavish entertaining isn’t cheap!!!), I reserve that type of formal elegance and fine dining for special occasions and holidays, but it is really heart-warming to have a book that shows me exactly how to prepare special dishes for special occasions, how the set the table, how to serve my guest, and how to be a great hostess in general.And the recipes…oh, the recipes!!! Every recipe I tried turned out perfectly delicious. I am salivating right now while typing this review! I even went as far as to emulate the food presentation in the pictures (with the platters and decors I already owned, of course).I thought the recipes were rather well written, were not overly complicated, and did not require the reader to have extensive cooking experience cooking (although some cooking experience does make the recipes more accessible). With that being said, I do think that the absolute novice cook may struggle with some of the recipes in WS CB. (By novice, I mean a newbie to the kitchen who does not know what the difference between roasting braising is or know how to steam, boil, or blanch). For the absolute novice cook, I recommend the ATK series.Ingredients:Granted, some of the ingredients are not always present in a home pantry, but they are easily procured from most local grocers, butchers, and organic markets (Walmart even has a reasonable collection of the ingredients necessary for the realization of the recipes in this book).Presentation:Every recipe has a picture! Normally, that would not matter to me as I have over a hundred “picture-less” cookbooks, but for a “vintage cookbook” (from the 80s-early 00s) such as this, pictures are rather important as they show images of recipes with which we may no longer be familiar; to me, an image of a final product, especially if the last time I saw said product was when my grandmother made it in the 80s, is essential. The pictures themselves are breathtaking works of art, elegant, romantic (yes, romantic), and inspiring!The book itself is easy to handle (not too heavy, bulky, or big, but also not too small) and easy to read. The paper is thick and glossy. The font is dark enough and large enough to read, but I do use reading glasses (I am of an age where I simply cannot read ANYTHING without reading glasses. I have to have 16 point font on my computer to read without glasses). Simply put, the book is elegantly compiled and presented.Repetition:Yes, some of the recipes may be found in other editions of WS CBs, but to me that is of no concern as I am collecting ALL the WS CBs published in the 80s and 90s (well, anything prior to 2010 really).Delivery: arrived three days earlier than anticipated.Price: bought the used edition; copy cost me less than $5; pretty good deal!Condition: although I purchased the used edition, I got a copy in excellent condition.Conclusion:It is a product from WS. What is not to like? Is this cookbook worth the money? Should you buy it? For me, the answer to both questions is a resounding, unequivocal YES! As with all WS CBs, this is a beautiful book with elegant and tasty recipes, with lovely photographs of each described dish, and with side ideas and suggestions for improvement.Recommendation:Highly recommend! I cannot recommend this book enough even if I tired! I love it.Note:1. If you found this review helpful in some way, please click the helpful button. Thank you.2. If you want to read more reviews submitted by this reviewer, please follow. Thank you.

Excellent book. I don't have much baking experience, but I find this book to be easy to read; instructions are clear and easy to understand. There is something for everyone--from rather simple recipes all the way to elaborate.  If I make just a few of these recipes, it will be well worth the money I paid for the book. There is a beautiful picture for each recipe--which I like (1) for inspiration and (2) to know what my end product will (that is, should :-) ) look like.  I highly recommend this book.

This book is as good as all the Williams-Sonoma books I own. They all look delicious, and those that I've made, have turned out well and taste so good. I've made the Mango Sorbet, Flourless Chocolate Torte, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Frozen Citrus Mousse and the Raspberry Tart. There are still so many I want to make, and I'm definately going to get around to them because all the others have been hits, and people have asked me for the recipes. The book itself is beautifuly presented and I love the pictures and all the little helpful hints that are on most pages. There is lots to learn about cooking in here. Buy this and have fun with it. Just don't make stuff too often or your waistline will go up in size. These things are too yum to resist.

Bought as gift for sister. Nice array of desserts, from simple to elevated. Hard to find a good cookbook with nice pics. Fast shipping.

Of course, that's a joke, but I do love this book. It offers the kinds of desserts usually found in top restaurants, and gives you all the instructions to make them taste wonderful and look exactly as they are in the pictures. It's hard to beat that! It's expensive for its size, but it has beautiful illustrations and you can get it used through Amazon, which is what I did, at great savings.

Love Williams Sonoma and I love baking! Desserts are my specialty. Williams Sonoma provides great quality products and great quality recipes.

This book really has a great variety of desserts. Some easy, some that you have to practice. But yummy, yummy to my tummy!!! Just the pictures make your mouth water!!!

I love Williams - Sonoma cookbooks. They have standards in them, which is great when you are looking to cook something the family knows and loves. they also have more innovative ideas, which is great for when you have the time to experiment.Great value at the price, beautifully presented, luscious photos, hints and tips to help you achieve success.

I ordered a used book yet it's in very good condition .... almost brand new.It has a lot of lovely recipes ... with a section of simple desserts which almost any one can make ... and a section of chocolate desserts that need a little more expertise ... I would say 120 pages of really good recipes at an unbelievable price. For those of you who still believe in thumbing through a cookbook while you rush around from countertop to oven go for it ...

Livre de recettes haut de gamme...

表紙のチョコレートタルトから始まってチーズケーキやパイなどうっとりするようなSWEETSが満載です。日本のケーキとはまた違う材料を使っていたり、デコレーションが素敵だったり...ため息が漏れてしまいます。写真が大きいのでインテリアとしてお部屋に飾ってもすごく映えます。でも飾るだけじゃもったいない！もちろんレシピは英語ですが辞書を片手に読んでみると...結構分かるんです！わたしは表紙のチョコレートタルトを作ってみました。それはもう...絶品ですよ！もちろん見ているだけでも、とても幸せになれる本です。写真の美しさは息をのむほどです。素晴らしく、そして美しい至福の甘～い時を過ごせますよ。

WILLIAM SONOMAのスイーツブックは何冊かありますが、どの本も同じレシピは載っていないのではないでしょうか？英語で載っていますが、単位もグラム表示もされているので比較的に作りやすいと思います。しかし、日本のレシピ本みたいに細かく手順の写真が載ってないの所は初心者には難しく思えるかもしれません。しかし、眺めるだけでもとても楽しいし、日本人のレシピには無いような意外な組み合わせのスイーツも載っていて読む価値ありだと思います。日本のレシピ本に飽きた方にはオススメです。

Nice book with classic cake recipes. A picture for each recipe is illustrated and this is a plus !Is it not important to know what the end product looks like ? I recommend this book !