Sweet Chic
Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occassion
By Rachel Schifter Thebault
Published by Ballantine Books
- Sweet Chic - Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion
Before I post the Publisher's Introduction, I'd like to comment on this cookbook. I am not a baker. I get it, and I can do it, I just prefer the savory side of the kitchen, always have. In my mind and in the mind of many, baking is time consuming and is best left to a professional. Some baking/dessert cookbooks that I have in my collection read like a science project and that is a turn off to many people.
Rachel Schifter Thebault has taken the fear out of baking by providing easy to understand, fool proof recipes for the basics and the classics and then takes them "Over the Top" by dressing them up or accessorizing them. I like the fact that the same base recipe can be made in portions to fit any venue, something for the kids at the baseball park, Sunday Brunch or an intimate late night soiree. A lot of the recipes can be "Do Ahead" which can save time for the busy homemaker. The recipes are ordered by degree of difficulty in the book, but nothing seemed overwhelming to this reader.
The pictures in this book make you want to run to the kitchen, get to work and call all of your friends over to see what you have created. Rachel Schifter Thebault makes Strawberry Shortcake elegant, turns Ice Cream Sandwiches into eye candy, and shows you how to make a Cranberry Almond Bark worth standing in line for! This is a dessert cookbook I understand and will use.
DESSERT DRESSED TO THE NINES
Today's baker faces a great challenge: With little time and a limited repertoire, she often needs to whip up a delicious dessert that's dressed to impress. Rachel Schifter Thebault, founder and head confectioner of Tribeca Treats in New York City, knows all about making a sweet statement. Combining a confectioner's expertise with fashion sense, she shares a scrumptious cache of popular dessert recipes that can be accessorized to fit any occasion.
What's more, transforming a basic dessert into a masterpiece brimming with personality and flair can be easy, quick, and fun. In the same way you'd plan an outfit, Sweet Chic pieces together a Devil's Food Cake -- the little black dress of delights -- with such irresistible accessories as Caramel Buttercream (think knee-high boots) for ultimate decadence, turns Vanilla Cookies (the crisp oxford shirt) into Strawberry “Shortcakes” ideal for casual or dressy occasions, and blends brownies (the cashmere sweater of confectionery) with a swirl of mint for a showstopping number.
Gorgeous and appetizing color photos throughout reveal how a change of icing here and a substitute topping there can take a simple dessert from Sunday brunch to a date-night treat. Mix and match more than seventy recipes for cookies, cakes, and confections, including Peanut Butter and Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Brownie Sundae Parfait, Mini S'mores Cupcakes, Wasabi-Black Sesame Truffles, and so much more.
Whether you're a novice baker hoping to master the basics or an experienced one looking to add a little versatility to your existing creations, Sweet Chic is a clever and practical guide for memorable desserts, a one-sweet-fits-all way to make a tantalizing impression.
Author Bio
Rachel Schifter Thebault, author of Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion, is the founder of Tribeca Treats, and spent seven years as an investment banker before transforming her side hobby of making truffles for friends into a full-time career in confections. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, she opened Tribeca Treats in 2007. The bakery has won honors from American Express OPEN and entrepreneur organizations, and is a pillar of the Tribeca community. A sought-after speaker and panelist, she has also taught cooking and baking to children. She currently lives in Tribeca (and travels the globe) with her husband and their two daughters.
