COOKIES: 1,001 Mouthwatering Recipes from Around the World

This hulking volume impresses with its breadth—home bakers could make a different cookie every weekend for 19 years and never repeat a recipe—but that range does come at a price. All kinds of cookies are represented: drop cookies, rolled cookies, brownies, icebox cookies, tea cakes, macaroons and more, with a strong showing of European favorites, and there are umpteen variations on standards (e.g., 12 versions of madeleines, small spongelike cookies baked in shell-shaped molds, and 27 orange-based cookies). However, small print and a lack of introductory notes to most recipes will deter some readers. Without a header, how are readers to know what Bran Cookies might taste like? Brandy Butter Shortbread's introduction says it's "A wonderfully rich Christmas treat," yet the following two recipes—Almond Shortbread with Blackberry Topping and Chocolate Chip Shortbread—offer no explanations on when bakers might opt for them instead, or what they might pair these desserts with. The copious photos are inspiring; the cookies—especially the Smiling Face Cookies and Cookie Hands—look homemade and attainable by most bakers (each recipe has a level of difficulty, and most are fairly easy). Helpful sidebars show progressive photos of the steps involved in such processes as making biscotti and rolling sugar cookies. This vast confection catalogue will motivate serious bakers. Casual cookie-makers, however, might be overwhelmed. (Nov.)