A Sweet Taste of History: More than 100 Elegant Dessert Recipes from America's Earliest Days

by Walter Staib, David McCullough (Foreword)

A Sweet Taste of History captures the grandeur of the sweet table—the grand finale course of an 18th century meal. Rather than serving something simple, hostesses arranged elaborate sweet tables, displays of ornate beauty and delicious edibles meant to leave guests with a lasting impression. A Sweet Taste of History will have the same effect, lingering in the minds of its readers and inspiring them to get in the kitchen.



This gorgeous cookbook blends American history with exquisite recipes, as well as tips on how to create your own sweet table. It features 100 scrumptious dessert recipes, including cakes, cobblers, pies, cookies, quick breads, and ice cream. It includes original recipes from first ladies well-known for entertaining, such as Martha Washington’s An Excellent Cake and Dolley Madison’s French Vanilla Ice Cream. Chef Staib also offers sources for unusual ingredients and step-by-step culinary techniques, updating some of the recipes for modern cooks. This wonderful keepsake will bring a bygone era in America to life and inspire readers who love to cook, entertain, and follow history.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, History, Food, Nonfiction, Food History, Food and Drink

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Koeeoaddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Additional star added: As I type I am eating the gingerbread I made from a recipe in this cookbook. It merits a star all by itself.

Note: I did double the ginger, as I always do. Mmmm, fiery, gingery gingerbread!

[Immacolata Codswallop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic cookbook full of beautiful pictures and delicious recipes for cakes, cookies, candies, custards, and many other sweet things, presented with very interesting facts about American history. A lovely book that I will definitely put to use this holiday season when making desserts for parties and get-togethers. A masterpiece!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. If you like decadent desserts, old-timey stories, and recipes, this one is for you!

[Mrs. Dunwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Very traditional recipes. Many reminded me of my childhood. Nothing too complicated and lots of interesting historical facts sprinkled throughout.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from winning a Goodreads giveaway last week. First off, I love history. It was my favorite subject when I was in school and it has carried over into adulthood. I love learning how people before me lived, hence my interest in this cookbook! I immediately dove into the book after getting it in the mail and I wasn't disappointed! Every recipe has historical references and roots in America's early days. There are MANY recipes that I will be trying, and pleasingly, do not look difficult and have ingredients that are not hard to find- and probably already have a lot of them in my kitchen! It is such an easy way to feel connected to the past. I highly recommend this book as I know I will get much use of it!

[Ava Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous collection of recipes/photos presented in an elegant format and peppered with extremely interesting tidbits of culinary history. Large glossy photos of every dish and thorough instructions for preparation and presentation. I am so very pleased with this volume, which is saying a great deal since I am extremely nit-picky when it comes to cookbooks, especially dessert/baking books.

[Minna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. I find the subject of food in history very compelling, and this cookbook/historical account did not disappoint. The pictures were beautiful and the research seems well done for the subject.

I did not read the book with the intent to glean new recipes but rather to learn about food and cooking in our nation's history, and from that standpoint, this book was a resounding success.

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway. I really enjoyed the history that was given with the reciepes. For the most part they are very simple to follow and the ingretiances easy to get. I have tried two of the recipes and was very happy with how both of them turned out. Over all it is a wonderful cookbook to have and to learn from.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads.com giveaways. This cookbook has great photographs and lots of interesting historical facts. I do wish when the author mentioned Native Americans that he would have given the name of the specific tribe instead of just stating "Native Americans.'

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time and difficulty ranges from short-and-pretty-easy to "omg-what-have-I-gotten-myself-into?!"

There's also a wide variety of food (and drink) to make. You're pretty much guaranteed to find something in here that you'll eat (or drink).

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful cookbook. The cookbook includes stunning photographs of the finished product of almost every recipe including. There is a brief introduction with history for every recipe. I see myself making many things from this cookbook in the years to come.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book combining American history and cooking. The pictures are fabulous and I can't wait to make everything in the book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cookbook like all of Chef Staib's books, My sister got this for her birthday at a local book signing. She picked the Pineapple loaf as her cake and it went together so easy.