The Universe Explained with a Cookie: What Baking Cookies Can Teach Us About Quantum Mechanics, Cosmology, Evolution, Chaos, Complexity, and More

by Geoffrey Engelstein, Michael Korfhage (illustrator)

Did you know that the number of atoms in a cookie is about the same number of stars in the universe?
Geoff Engelstein tackles the big questions of the universe and how it works using the sweet and simple chocolate cookie as guide. By exploring what goes into the cookie—the ingredients and the steps—we learn about how everything works, from the tiny world of subatomic particles to galactic clusters.

Topics
The Big Bang Explained with Chocolate Chips
Quantum Mechanics Explained with Milk and Cookies
Chaos Explained with Vanilla
And more!

Filled with fascinating facts and laugh-out-loud moments, it's a richly visual and deeply fascinating scientific exploration of the world. And cookies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical but this books does a great job of making difficult science concepts relatable and understandable. By using analogies from the baking of chocolate chip cookies and other cookie related concepts, as well as some humor, Engelstein has produced explanations for quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and more!
One of my students read it and we both stated how clearly the ideas were presented and therefore how much more understandable it all was after reading this book. Recommend!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and creative take on science and understanding everything in/around us. The book makes dense and complex concepts more "digestable" by relating them to baking, and I certainly learned a lot from it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more chocolate chip cookie universes in my life.

[Ginny Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating explanation of our complex world using basic ingredients that we all use and understand: those found in cookies. An engaging read.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful breakdown of science concepts....I was just up for reading for entertainment than education (why it took me 3 months to read)

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to teach kids about the universe. it was a fun read.