Author(s): Jennie Schacht, Mary Cech
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 2005-09-15
Pages: 180
Review: I really like this dessert cookbook. Both Mary Cech and Jennie Schacht are knowledgeable and provide some great information with their recipes and wine recommendations.

On page 108, the Chocolate Currant Tartlets were to die for. The Banyuls and Port wine recommendations were spot on. I served the Apple Citrus Custard Tart for New Years without the wine and the dessert itself was wonderful. The recipes are just awesome…but

…the design is lame. All the print is virtually the same color, the titles, the recipes, the wine recommendations, the lines, and it’s almost the same font and size. The page just runs together. The em dash page layout and design by Chronicle Books was a poor choice here.

The “Making The Match” wine insets should have been blocked with a different color and font so they stood out as a true side note rather than looking like part of the recipe. The pages jump from single layout to double layout and then back again and it’s very hard to tell if you’re suppose to read down or across because it’s both.

Also, the pictures are all semi-blurry. They are not crystal clear photographs. I don’t know if it was suppose to an artistic statement but it’s an artistic blunder. I really dislike the off-centered blurry pictures. The book would have been so much better with sharp pics of the desserts as well as the glasses of wine.

The book is excellent, there are no issues with the desserts or wine pairings. It’s the actual design that is really the downfall of this book. I hope the authors find a new publisher and remake this cookbook to be a 10, it’s now a 7 because of the amateurish appearance.

Regardless, this would be a great book to give as a gift with a bottle of Late Harvest Riesling or a Doisy-Vedrines Sauternes. This is another winning cookbook from Chronicle Books. The authors provide very interesting, digestible information on wines and then offer a variety of dessert recipes with wine pairing suggestions. Nearly every recipe is accompanied by a full page, color photo. The recipes are inventive but do not require overly expensive or exotic ingredients or equipment.

I really liked the organization of the recipes by flavor which reminded me of Baking by Flavor (Lisa Yokelson) and Pure Dessert (Alice Medrich). Recipe chapters include Stone Fruits; Berries; Citrus; Apple & Pear; Tropical Fruits; Dried Fruits; Cream; Caramel, Honey & Spice; Nuts; Chocolate; and Finishing Touches (sauces and garnishes).

This book along with a bottle of dessert wine would be a wonderful hostage gift. And buy another copy for yourself. You won’t regret it!This is a notch up from the usual Chronicle Book publication! I say this because I often find that this publisher puts out cookbooks that are all “beautiful pictures” and very little information. It is clear that the authors worked really hard to deliver good information and content and tips - this book isn’t just a vehicle for the photographs. There is lots to read and absorb for each recipe, and the recipes themselves look extremely do-able in one’s own humble kitchen. I bought a copy after glancing through it in the bookstore because I know this is definitely a book that I can use (and not just leave around looking pretty). I would say, though, that it functions really well on its own as a dessert cookbook - I’m less interested in the wine pairings - which would interest only those who are sticklers for such things!A marriage made in heaven: that of wine and desserts. What a wonderful idea!! The bringing together of two of the world’s best offerings (wine and dessert) is a decadent inspiration that Ms Cech and Ms Schacht bring to perfect fruition with mouth watering recipes and superb wine suggestions to accompany them. The book is very friendly even for a novice like me in the art of wine appreciation, and it gives easy to follow recipes. I am up to the challenge of indulging my craving for sweets and wine! I plan to send a book to all my friends and family to create a network where all the recipes will be cooked or baked and later shared and combined with the wine suggestions to improve our palates, delight our spirits while giving us the perfect excuse to get together. I have tested a few of the recipes, and the results have not disappointed. I recommend this book greatly and think at the very least it makes a perfect gift. Worth it for the Chocolate Souffle Roulade alone! But there are 54 other recipes too.

The other reviews already have told you all the logical, rational things you need to know. Now for emotion: fabulous recipes and pairing advice that takes the mystery out of what to do with those little bottles of sweet wine that your friends have taken to bringing as hostess gifts. And it’s a really gorgous book besides–the photo of the Raspberry Baked Alaska on page 55 looks for all the world like Marilyn Monroe took the bite and left lipstick all over the meringue. My Christmas shopping is done.
Price: $24.95   Buy This Book