May 29, 2023
Head, who goes by the Instagram handle Fitwaffle, follows up Fitwaffle’s Baking it Easy with a satisfying collection designed to make baking “fun, accessible, and fuss-free.” No fancy equipment is needed; each of these recipes, whether salted caramel poke cake, classic cinnamon rolls, or cookies and cream shortbread, are made in an eight-inch square pan. Busy home bakers will be intrigued by dozens of recipes that use only five ingredients, including cherry slab pie, speculoos cheesecake bars, and peanut brittle. Those on a time crunch will also appreciate treats that employ store-bought ingredients to reduce prep time: cookies and cream–stuffed brownies call for Oreos; gingerbread cookie bars are topped with store-bought mini gingerbread men; and the apple puff tart’s crust is made of purchased pastry dough. Bakers of all levels will be able to follow Head’s straightforward instructions and practical advice. (Wrapping a slightly cooled cake in plastic wrap will help lock in moisture if frosting it the day after baking, for example.) This tasty volume will satisfy any sweet tooth pinched for time. Agents: Eve White and Ludi Cinelli, Eve White Literary.
June 10, 2024
Fitwaffle cofounder and social media star Head (Fitwaffle's Baking It Easy) is back with another cookbook that capitalizes on her desire to demonstrate how stress-free and enjoyable baking can be. Broken down into chapters such as brownies, cakes, and no-bake treats, the book's 100 recipes are designed to be baked in a single pan and are all relayed in easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. With choices including traditional sweets, such as lemon drizzle cake, as well as modern riffs on classics, such as chocolate-chip cookie magic bars (which substitutes crushed chocolate-chip cookies for the traditional graham crackers), this book definitely delivers on the author's mission of "making baking fun, accessible, and fuss-free." While an occasional recipe (such as the one for cherry slab pie, which utilizes ready-made pie dough and canned cherry pie filling) might leave readers scratching their heads as to what the author is bringing to the culinary realm, most of the other recipes are worth taking a spin around the kitchen. VERDICT Newly minted cooks will find this a straightforward and encouraging entry point to the world of baking.--John Charles
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