I started making a shopping list while reading this, for both ingredients and equipment. I may attempt croissants yet...

I received this cookbook as a birthday present. (Thanks MaryAnn!!!!)

I had only heard of this chef because she was on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Her winning sticky sticky buns will definitely be on my list of things to try.

The author is local and two of the recipes were featured in The Boston Globe this fall. (http://tinyurl.com/2a4dc79)

I made the chocolate cupcakes with crispy magic frosting. They were just OK. The cupcakes were WAY overbaked at the recommended 30 minutes. The swiss meringue frosting was light, creamy and very fun to make but I didn't find it to be crispy nor magic.

My mother made the roasted pear cranberry crostata with frangipane for a football Sunday dinner. Oh my word. This was absolutely amazing. A definite 5 star "keeper". Totally my kind of dessert.

My co-workers will be psyched as I try all these recipes in the book. I'm especially excited to try all of the scones, rosemary shortbread, "new" tiramisu, chunky lola cookies, almond macaroons, boozy rum cake...That should keep me busy for a while!!

Updated to add: the cheddar scallion scones were terrific - just as good as at Flour. The other recipes I've tried haven't had good luck with. I'll try the cookies next and hope for better results.

My go to cookbook for all baking needs. I love Chang's take on classic favorites from childhood that are remade for today's ingredients!

Possibly my favorite baking book (and now I really want the sequel: Flour, Too). The Focaccia recipe is on point, the Country Bread is AWESOME and a staple now at our house, and the Carrot Cake is the best I've ever tasted. If you like to bake, you need this book in your life.

Dying to try the sticky buns that beat Bobby Flay on Throwdown!

Flour Spectacular recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery and Cafe Joanne Chang
This book sounded like something I wanted to try. The tips are the beginning are priceless and exactly what I needed to hear about as I am contemplating making my own pumpkin pies for the holidays this year.
Problem is I have to keep the crust low sodium and low fat but just hearing the tips of blind baking and tempering a mixture are so most helpful. Creaming and putting eggs in, never knew there was a chemical reaction taking place before you mix them together.
Lots of different topics to keep you busy in the kitchen for months.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

I would do anything for Joanne Chang

Great read!

Delightful little stories about the pastries, and even has some surprise bread recipes!

I enjoyed how it covered everything from layer cakes to muffins to breads in a very approachable way.

It looks amazing, and I can't wait to try some of the recipes out. My only issue is that I wish there would have been more pictures of the recipes in the book. I don't always feel that I need it in a cookbook, but when it is baked goods, I do.

If you are new to baking and want 1 cookbook that covers the bases, this would be a good choice. It includes the staples (brownies, chocolate chip cookies, basic cakes), breakfast worthy (muffins, loafs and scones) and delectable desserts (the chocolate pudding looked fantastic as well as some of those layered cakes!). The instructions are detailed and the ingredient list is manageable and practical for almost every recipe. Each recipe includes the background for the idea and gave me a real appreciation for the author.