The Bake Sale Cookbook

In this refreshingly low-key collection, Sampson (The $50 Dinner Party; Recipes from the Night Kitchen) matches more than 100 ""quintessentially American"" goodies to that most familiar of fund-raisers. Tempting cookies and bars vie with coffeecakes, quick breads, muffins, pies, turnovers and cakes of all kinds. Sampson found her inspiration in many places. Jam Thumbprint Cookies were adapted from Joy of Cooking. The recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies ""varies ever so slightly from the recipe"" on the Quaker Oats box. There are also selections from friends and many have been reworked from recipe ""treasure boxes"" passed on by a friend's mother, herself a professional fund-raiser baker. Selections range from the ultra kid-friendly Peanut Butter and Jelly Drops and Rice Krispies treats to such adult pleasers as Hazelnut Shortbread and Greek Cognac Cookies. The standouts, however are the coffecakes. Some are scented with cardamom; others are enriched with prunes and sour cream or walnuts and rum. The recipe format can be annoying, as instructions are given in lengthy paragraphs rather than manageable steps, and for some reason, Sampson uses kosher salt in all her recipes. Also, the selections here are no more geared to bake sales than those found in any standard pastry book; certainly they aren't any easier or faster to make. Many demand lengthy preparation and clean up. On the other hand, the results are likely to be crowd pleasers, which is the crucial ingredient for any successful bake table, not to mention any brunch or dinner party. (May)