Sweet Miniatures: The Art of Making Bite-Size Desserts

by Flo Braker, Michael Lamotte (Photographer)

Award-winning author and acclaimed baking expert Flo Braker knows the best things come in small packages. Now this acclaimed author is back with a revised and expanded edition of her beloved Sweet Miniatures. Winner of the IACP Single-Subject Cookbook Award, Sweet Miniatures offers rich, all-new color photography, a whimsically appealing design, and step-by-step instructions for making all kinds of delectable desserts scaled down to an irresistible one-bite size. Miniature chewy Panforte di Siena, crispy Florentine Squares, and tangy Shreveshire Tarts will whisk family and friends away on an exciting mouthwatering journey. Little sweet somethingsCandied Almond Clusters, Golden Caramels, and Toffee Butter Crunchmake a thoughtful gift during the holidays. From cheerful Chocolate Hedgehogs to a set of Midas Cups for adding that golden touch to a festive soiree, Sweet Miniatures has all the right ingredients for creating the perfect bite-size morsel to suit any occasion.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

Reviews

[Catherine Woodman]

Compared to the first edition of this book, the second edition adds alot of great new photos, but not alot of changes otherwise, and there are a few problem recipes that could have been addressed--overall, these recipes work well, and look very pretty. I have made dozens of these at a time for big parties, and they really arrange nicely--some of my favorites are:s'more squares, sweet cheese puffs, lemon laced gingersnaps, harelquins, and the polka dot cakes are absolutely delicious but the white chocolate ganache does not work at all, and even modifying the recipe did not make it look like the picture--we ended up using bittersweet chocolate ganache and dotting with white chocolate drops--the almond cake is delicious and moist and flavorful, and definitely worth the fuss. One recipe that Jake made us make that totally failed were the buttercream hedgehogs. Don't even try. It is a good cookbook which you do not have to be an expert to cook from.

[Jenny D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for beginners, as the instructions are very detailed and specific, but I think that's the reason I love it. I am usually a very lazy baker and so I think the fact that someone spent time creating all these wonderful little treats is amazing. I generally only pull this cookbook out at the holidays, but everything I make gets rave reviews. The biberli cookie recipe is amazing, as is the lebkuchen.

[Rebecca Huston]

If I need to put together something really flashy, I'll try some of these, but they are so nit-picky and fussy that I only will do them for special occansions. On the other hand, you're sure to get compliments. Lots of good advice and instruction, but not for beginners.

For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_46849...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the recipes are a bit fussy but there are a few that alone are worth the price of the book.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can get onboard for fussy recipes - in fact I prefer to bake something elegant, even elaborate for gatherings. That being said, my library must have an older print since there were no pictures to speak of, only outlined diagrams which was disappointing as I I can determine if a recipe is likely to be enjoyable for me based on the ingredients but when selecting a recipe for entertaining, the visual representation of the food is also very important to me.
I was also disappointed in the quantities each recipe made. 4 and 8 dozen of things, while this would be great if catering an event, there are not many opportunity in normal hosting or gatherings to make that much quantity, even for bite sized food - and without photographs it didn’t feel worth my while to half the larger recipes - let alone in a standard kitchen, like many, I only have one mini tart tray and baking 8 dozen of any although likely delightful recipes, would take 4 rounds in the oven.

Sadly I returned this book to the library before its due date, however I would be interested in pondering the newer editions that have more pictures based on other reviews here.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite dessert cookbooks, it tells in detail everything including how to store your work and make it last longer.