The Flour Pot Cookie Book: Creating Edible Works of Art

The mother-and-daughter owners of the Flour Pot, a popular Philadelphia cookie design company, make the art of cookie decoration accessible with a short introduction, brief tips and straightforward photographs of cookies as they should appear when complete. Some projects, such as the Sail Boat and the Party Hats, require freehand work, but for the most part, dexterity with a cookie cutter is the only key skill needed. The Stars and Balloons are especially simple and doable. The designs are more cute than sophisticated, the prose is spotty and the cookies become repetitive (the book features only one dough recipe, and all projects are covered in fondant—a thick, creamy white sugar paste), but this volume is friendly and nonintimidating even for kitchen novices. With cookies divided by occasion (wedding-related, baby-related, "At the Beach," "Seasonal Delights"), it's a handy resource for home bakers who might need to whip up something impressive and colorful without a great time investment. (May)