Book Review: The Sweet Melissa Baking Book

Melissa Murphy, from the Sweet Melissa Patisserie in Brooklyn has put out a cook book: The Sweet Melissa Baking Book. I've never been to her pastry shop (I can't bring myself to say patisserie, like a little sissy) but have heard good things and wanted to check the book out.

This is a serious baking book, folks. It’s doesn’t have a bunch of Betty Crocker, Holly Hobbie oven recipes. And that’s a good thing.

Reader: But, Butter Lover, aren’t you only capable of making Holly Hobbie-type recipes? You're not very bright.

Butter Lover: True. However, the wife is the dessert maker in our house. She loves the book and has been baking up a mess of goodies with it. So far: Brooklyn Brownout Cake, Sweet Almond Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Mascarpone Frosting; Spiced Pumpkin Cookie Cakes; and Black Bottom Brownies (brownies topped with cheesecake).

Most of the stuff has been great. But, to be honest, the lemon curd didn't seem to go well with the almond cake. Both were good, by themselves. Together, not so much. Maybe Sweet Melissa does it better.

My only real complaint is that there are only a few pictures. As in, out of 60 recipes (let's say), there are maybe 10 pictures. I want a picture for every recipe, damn it.

It's a good book. A serious baking book, and a great addition to your cooking library.