Klivans, the no-nonsense author of, among others, 125 Cookies to Bake, Nibble and Savor, expertly provides recipes that will be easy for the most novice baker to follow but will also appeal to more experienced readers. Klivans has attempted to foresee and forestall any mistakes that could be made in following these recipes. In a recipe for Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Brownies, for example, she patiently explains how using chocolate chips rather than chopped milk chocolate will alter the results, and also mentions that they're cut smaller than might be expected because of their unusual richness. Background information on basic utensils and ingredients is very complete, and the recipes are extremely clear. In fact, if this book has one flaw, it's that Klivans occasionally provides so much information in the name of clarity that some recipes become quite lengthy. Each chapter is based around a technique: "Putting the Frosting with the Cake" includes Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake and Cranberry Eggnog Cake with Bourbon Butter Frosting. Savory dishes are included as well: Deep Dish Wild Mushroom Pie and Roasted Tomato, Basil and Parmesan Pie appear alongside Sticky Walnut Pie. Klivans understands that beginners may want to make more sophisticated treats than the traditional chocolate chip cookies (although Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies do appear), so she offers Tiramisù Ice Cream Loaf and Almond Crunch and Chocolate Confetti Chiffon Cake. 8 pages of color photos not seen by PW. (Sept.)
Forecast:With Klivans's already significant following, and this book's adaptability to a wide range of skill levels, strong sales are likely.
