What do you think?
Rate this book
Chocolate: A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection
With gigantic vats of churning chocolate, desserts like their famous chocolate pizza, and 12 varieties of hot chocolate served in custom mugs, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man has turned their line of hip, colorful themed restaurants into an international sensation.. Chocolate: A Love Story is a vibrant new cookbook that includes 65 original recipes narrated in the quirky, captivating voice of Max Brenner, the restaurant's visionary founder and "bald man." Bold original illustrations inspired by Art Deco poster graphics, full-color photographs, easy-to-follow, delicious recipes, and a serving of Max's unique vision for spreading "chocolate culture" around the world make this book a must for every chocolate lover.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 2009
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 30, 2010
I am in love with Chocolate: A Love Story! The Bohemian French Toast is amazing; I have made it almost twice a week since I received the book from my husband at Christmas. Needless to say, he has benefited. His favorites so far were the Intimate Scones. They were so very buttery, crumbly, and subtle, nothing like the overly sugary ones you'll find at Starbucks or the like. I've also enjoyed the dark, dense Highly Philosophical Brownies which are even better after a day in the fridge as the recipe suggests. The Contentious Chocolate Cookies are great for a traditional cookie with a twist of cinnamon; Mr. Brenner's argument for making them whenever the mood strikes will get no argument from me. I'm looking forward to trying the Belgian Street Waffles, Parisian New Life Chocolate Dream Cake, and the Anonymous White Chocolate Cosmos.
I also find Yonatan Factor's illustrations to be quite beautiful and fun. They encourage you not to take yourself too seriously when baking. Do not be turned off by the lack of actual photographs of the finished desserts. The recipes are written in such a straightforward manner that you will easily find your way to a charmingly-sweet end result.
I also find Yonatan Factor's illustrations to be quite beautiful and fun. They encourage you not to take yourself too seriously when baking. Do not be turned off by the lack of actual photographs of the finished desserts. The recipes are written in such a straightforward manner that you will easily find your way to a charmingly-sweet end result.
December 10, 2009
This was an amazing chocolate dessert, that was more gratifying than I could ever imagine. It was very hearty too, and it made several portions. I thought it was fun to make, and I am eager to cook more chocolate delights from this wonderful book.
All you chocolate lovers out there, get a copy and see what I mean... yummy!!!
All you chocolate lovers out there, get a copy and see what I mean... yummy!!!
April 26, 2019
This book is an ode to a love of chocolate and art. The recipes are clear and understandable. The food taste great (I made two cakes that were an instant hit). My kids have poured over the pictures and the titles with delight and laughter. I just wish there was a picture of the actual product.
November 11, 2009
This is a large hardcover cookbook with 65 recipes, not all of them strictly dessert recipes, but all involving chocolate in some way. And like most chef inspired cookbooks there are some recipes that you can use for every day indulgence, and some that require more effort that you might want to save for special occasions.
I loved looking through this book and decided that before I could write a review I needed to test out a recipe. There were so many that sounded yummilicious that I had a hard time deciding. Here are some of my favorite recipes:
* Veg-out chocolate cornflake TV wraps with lazy Brazil nuts and coconut sofa dipping sauces
* Parisian new life chocolate dream cake sprinkled in white powder sugar point of view
* Politically correct Sacher torte with a loyal good taste
* My lost childhood chocolate birthday cake sprinkled with shiny colorful candy tears
* A philosophical highly concentrated fudge brownie made of 70 percent dark chocolate thoughts
* A high school bonfire chocolate melting heart cake with a soft marshmallow first memory hidden inside
* Bad boy chocolate pizza with hazelnut spread, pure melted chocolate chips, and passionately roasted marshmallows
After much debate between I decided on the Highly concentrated fudge. For me there could be no better judge of the book than this recipe.
The brownies were relatively easy to make. It only took about 15-20 min to mix, about 30 min to bake, and the ingredients were not expensive. There were a couple of small drawbacks. First, it made a HUGE pan of brownies (13x18 pan) and second it recommended that you refrigerate the brownies overnight before eating to have them at their fudgiest best. I have to say they were better after being refrigerated, and a more chocolatey brownie you would be hard to find. I loved it, but friends who were not as much a chocoholic as I am thought they were too much. I say, just cut a smaller piece :)
I loved reading the recipes as well as the journal like musings accompanying some of these recipes. They were at times lyrical, insightful, poetic, frank and sometimes even sad. Let me give you an example:
"Night. Candles. Lots of warm yellow candles reflecting and shimmering in a shiny sauce poured over sweet desserts. Colorful alcohol served with incandescent straws, as on a tropical island. It is crowded. Everyone is handsome as movie stars in the dim light that flickers over their faces, hiding a magical intimacy behind twinkling eyes. A voluptuous smell whispers secrets that intoxicate the people. Peter Pan flies about among the guests. Adults revert to being children. The grand soiree of sweets releases inside us, as always, the most beautiful feelings." p. 76 from the recipe Forever young white chocolate custard perfumed with lemongrass and mixed with falling-in-love sweet wine lychees
This is a cookbook that I enjoyed reading if that makes any sense. I loved the commentary that went along with the recipes, and took almost as much pleasure reading the recipes as I did consuming these confections. It has a nice variety of desserts, soups, drinks, shakes and so much more. I only wish that it would have contained more pictures, rather than the artwork. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a chocoholic, or loves to cook. I think it would be a great hostess gift, or a gift to yourself. This is a book that I think I will end up keeping for a long time.
I loved looking through this book and decided that before I could write a review I needed to test out a recipe. There were so many that sounded yummilicious that I had a hard time deciding. Here are some of my favorite recipes:
* Veg-out chocolate cornflake TV wraps with lazy Brazil nuts and coconut sofa dipping sauces
* Parisian new life chocolate dream cake sprinkled in white powder sugar point of view
* Politically correct Sacher torte with a loyal good taste
* My lost childhood chocolate birthday cake sprinkled with shiny colorful candy tears
* A philosophical highly concentrated fudge brownie made of 70 percent dark chocolate thoughts
* A high school bonfire chocolate melting heart cake with a soft marshmallow first memory hidden inside
* Bad boy chocolate pizza with hazelnut spread, pure melted chocolate chips, and passionately roasted marshmallows
After much debate between I decided on the Highly concentrated fudge. For me there could be no better judge of the book than this recipe.
The brownies were relatively easy to make. It only took about 15-20 min to mix, about 30 min to bake, and the ingredients were not expensive. There were a couple of small drawbacks. First, it made a HUGE pan of brownies (13x18 pan) and second it recommended that you refrigerate the brownies overnight before eating to have them at their fudgiest best. I have to say they were better after being refrigerated, and a more chocolatey brownie you would be hard to find. I loved it, but friends who were not as much a chocoholic as I am thought they were too much. I say, just cut a smaller piece :)
I loved reading the recipes as well as the journal like musings accompanying some of these recipes. They were at times lyrical, insightful, poetic, frank and sometimes even sad. Let me give you an example:
"Night. Candles. Lots of warm yellow candles reflecting and shimmering in a shiny sauce poured over sweet desserts. Colorful alcohol served with incandescent straws, as on a tropical island. It is crowded. Everyone is handsome as movie stars in the dim light that flickers over their faces, hiding a magical intimacy behind twinkling eyes. A voluptuous smell whispers secrets that intoxicate the people. Peter Pan flies about among the guests. Adults revert to being children. The grand soiree of sweets releases inside us, as always, the most beautiful feelings." p. 76 from the recipe Forever young white chocolate custard perfumed with lemongrass and mixed with falling-in-love sweet wine lychees
This is a cookbook that I enjoyed reading if that makes any sense. I loved the commentary that went along with the recipes, and took almost as much pleasure reading the recipes as I did consuming these confections. It has a nice variety of desserts, soups, drinks, shakes and so much more. I only wish that it would have contained more pictures, rather than the artwork. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a chocoholic, or loves to cook. I think it would be a great hostess gift, or a gift to yourself. This is a book that I think I will end up keeping for a long time.
October 26, 2009
"On the one hand, it is the most romantic gift; on the other hand, a commodity that is traded in the bourse. It is sold like precious jewelry that is picked carefully from a crystal glass, but also is an addictive snack in every corner kiosk. It is tasted like a fine wine and licked straight from the bowl...These diverse aspects of chocolate and of life are the inspiration for our book."
- Chocolate A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection by Max Brenner
This upcoming holiday season and just in time for Halloween celebrations, Max Brenner (the Bald Man) and artist Yontan Factor have come up with Chocolate A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection. Large and eye-catching, the book looks like pop art. I was dying to know what recipes Max Brenner selected for this homage to chocolate and I know you must equally curious.
Here are just some of the creations described in the book:
Dependable banana cupcakes, Bohemian French toast chocolate sandwiches, Intimate Hungarian crepes (they have figs), Control freak chocolate spread, Plain Jane sweet chocolate rolls, Intimate scones, Nostalgic dark chocolate cheese crumb cake, Handsome tiramisu, My very own honey pie manifest, Mon cheri cherry pie, A therapeutic chocolate pot pie, A philosophical highly concentrated fudge brownie (if you're going to make brownies - why not a Max Brenner brownie?!), Enticing sugar churros, Max and Mortiz profiteroles, Forever young white chocolate custard, A mannered white chocolate creme brulee, Banana split, Tacky double chocolate fondue, Once-upon-a-time small almond cookies, Contentious chocolate chip cookies, Wannabe French hot chocolate, Shanti white chocolate chai image, Innocent meringue kisses, and Such a beautiful chocolate souffle.
I hope that I didn't ruin the surprise by naming the dishes. I figure that if you're interested in Chocolate A Love Story, you will check out the book for yourself.
Almost just as seductive as the food is the accompanying artwork. Each recipe is paired with an eye-catching 8 by 11 mini poster. The posters are gorgeous enough to frame.
If you'd like to learn more, visit Max Brenner's website at http://www.maxbrenner.com/home.aspx. Better yet - visit any one of the Max Brenner locations and sample the finished product!
A huge thank you to Anna and Hatchette Book Group for the review copy and for the opportunity to review Chocolate A Love Story!
- Chocolate A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection by Max Brenner
This upcoming holiday season and just in time for Halloween celebrations, Max Brenner (the Bald Man) and artist Yontan Factor have come up with Chocolate A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Dessert Recipes from Max Brenner's Private Collection. Large and eye-catching, the book looks like pop art. I was dying to know what recipes Max Brenner selected for this homage to chocolate and I know you must equally curious.
Here are just some of the creations described in the book:
Dependable banana cupcakes, Bohemian French toast chocolate sandwiches, Intimate Hungarian crepes (they have figs), Control freak chocolate spread, Plain Jane sweet chocolate rolls, Intimate scones, Nostalgic dark chocolate cheese crumb cake, Handsome tiramisu, My very own honey pie manifest, Mon cheri cherry pie, A therapeutic chocolate pot pie, A philosophical highly concentrated fudge brownie (if you're going to make brownies - why not a Max Brenner brownie?!), Enticing sugar churros, Max and Mortiz profiteroles, Forever young white chocolate custard, A mannered white chocolate creme brulee, Banana split, Tacky double chocolate fondue, Once-upon-a-time small almond cookies, Contentious chocolate chip cookies, Wannabe French hot chocolate, Shanti white chocolate chai image, Innocent meringue kisses, and Such a beautiful chocolate souffle.
I hope that I didn't ruin the surprise by naming the dishes. I figure that if you're interested in Chocolate A Love Story, you will check out the book for yourself.
Almost just as seductive as the food is the accompanying artwork. Each recipe is paired with an eye-catching 8 by 11 mini poster. The posters are gorgeous enough to frame.
If you'd like to learn more, visit Max Brenner's website at http://www.maxbrenner.com/home.aspx. Better yet - visit any one of the Max Brenner locations and sample the finished product!
A huge thank you to Anna and Hatchette Book Group for the review copy and for the opportunity to review Chocolate A Love Story!
November 7, 2009
Chocolate: A Love Story by Max Brenner is a chocolate-lovers paradise. The recipes included in this book are so different and decadent. How does “A philosophical highly concentrated fudge brownie” sound? Or “Lipstick banana chocolate cake bonbons”? My daughter and I made the bad boy chocolate pizza. If you think you know dessert pizza, think again. This one includes chocolate-hazelnut spread, semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and marshmallows which are the ultimate gooey roasted topping. This one was not for the faint of heart and is just the tip of the chocolate kiss when it comes to the chocolate paradise shared in this book.
Mr. Brenner has been in the chocolate biz for quite a while and is owner of Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man. He not only shares his recipes but also when and how his love for chocolate started. He also includes an introduction concerning the book’s illustrator, Yonatan. I would be amiss if I did not mention the pictures that accompany the recipes. There is a wonderful mixture of photography and art that is the perfect companion to the delectable concoctions.
Mr. Brenner has been in the chocolate biz for quite a while and is owner of Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man. He not only shares his recipes but also when and how his love for chocolate started. He also includes an introduction concerning the book’s illustrator, Yonatan. I would be amiss if I did not mention the pictures that accompany the recipes. There is a wonderful mixture of photography and art that is the perfect companion to the delectable concoctions.
December 8, 2009
Chocolate A Love Story by Max Brenner is a very different cookbook. There are no pictures of the finished recipes but there is fabulous artwork by Yonatan Factor. The book reminds me of the seventies and is very interesting. I did not know anything about Max Brenner when I received the book so I started by looking up Max Brenner who I learned is the owner of some pretty spectacular chocolate restaurants located around the world. Check out his menu! After learning more about Max I dove into the cookbook. There are some pretty spectacular recipes such as Heaven-on-earth cocoa tarte tatin, Meaningless sweet spaghetti, and a Philosophical highly concentrated fudge brownie. There are 65 chocolate dessert recipes in the book. While all these recipes sound delish, I think they are way out of my league. However I do have a brother who is a chef who I know will love these recipes. The cookbook is quite interesting and if you are a gourmet chef or someone who likes to pretend they are, you will love this book. It would also make a great gift for someone who is more skilled in the culinary department than I am.
October 31, 2009
For all my love of chocolate, I was not familiar with Max Brenner before I received this book. And, it's a lovely book. All the recipes are rather avant-garde and fancy. No simple, everyday cakes or cookies here. Many recipes begin with a short anecdote from Max. In one, he's sitting outside a cafe in Paris; in another, he recalls a childhood experience at an amusement park.
While, technically, a cookbook with recipes, this is really more of coffee table art book. There are few photos of the finished recipes. The artwork is very retro 60s and is fascinating. While this isn't one that will most likely end up in my kitchen, it nevertheless would be a terrific book for any Max Brenner fan, or a true Chocolate connoisseur.
While, technically, a cookbook with recipes, this is really more of coffee table art book. There are few photos of the finished recipes. The artwork is very retro 60s and is fascinating. While this isn't one that will most likely end up in my kitchen, it nevertheless would be a terrific book for any Max Brenner fan, or a true Chocolate connoisseur.
November 27, 2009
This book came and I could not wait to dig right in. Each recipe title is something sweet and lovely, like "a high school bonfire chocolate melting heart cake". I love the combination of chocolate and banana and there are plenty of recipes for me to try, like crepes filled with "nutella" and banana. Yummo!
The book is not only full of mouth watering recipes but the coolest illustrations ever. This is not your typical "cook book" is so much more modern and funky. The illustrations are what I would call retro-modern. Flat two dimensional shapes with browns, oranges, yellows and subtle hints of blue and green. Others have photos of the food with illustrations on and around it.
If you love chocolate anywhere near as much as I do, you need this cook book in your collection.
The book is not only full of mouth watering recipes but the coolest illustrations ever. This is not your typical "cook book" is so much more modern and funky. The illustrations are what I would call retro-modern. Flat two dimensional shapes with browns, oranges, yellows and subtle hints of blue and green. Others have photos of the food with illustrations on and around it.
If you love chocolate anywhere near as much as I do, you need this cook book in your collection.
January 24, 2011
This book is a combination cookbook, coffee-table artbook. Page after page of tantalizing chocolate recipes are accompanied by photographs and artwork of Yonatan Factor.
There are chocolate recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. Chocolate isn't just for dessert anymore! I am no whiz in the kitchen, but most of these recipes use things that I had on hand. With the convenience of packaged foods, I don't usually take a lot of time to make things from scratch, but these were definitely worth the time.
My favorite so far has been A Philosophical Highly Concentrated Fudge Brownie. Let me just say that it calls for 32 ounces of dark chocolate - Yummy! My family is enjoying my journey through this book as much, if not more, than I am!
There are chocolate recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. Chocolate isn't just for dessert anymore! I am no whiz in the kitchen, but most of these recipes use things that I had on hand. With the convenience of packaged foods, I don't usually take a lot of time to make things from scratch, but these were definitely worth the time.
My favorite so far has been A Philosophical Highly Concentrated Fudge Brownie. Let me just say that it calls for 32 ounces of dark chocolate - Yummy! My family is enjoying my journey through this book as much, if not more, than I am!
May 27, 2014
Omg - if you love chocolate and are a fan of Max Brenner (or even if you're not) this book is for you! Decadent chocolate recipes that are exciting to make, delicious and fancy enough for a dinner party! Not the same crap you get over and over but some truly original ideas. And the book is uber cool itself, with awesome, modern artistic pictures. I love this book and sometimes just leaf through it because it's so stylish. Makes a good present too.
April 12, 2011
Honestly I would have given this cookbook higher marks if a) it wasn't an ebook and b) I would have been able to print off the recipes. I absolutely draw the line at dragging my laptop with the recipe into the kitchen so I can read the ingredients while I bake. I'm sorry but this is where DRM has gotten out of control. Serves me right for downloading a cookbook. What was I thinking?
January 12, 2010
The art is beautiful; the recipes look just divine (tho' difficult), but the recipe copy is overblown and the titles are kind of dumb. The whole schtick gets old after awhile. Which won't stop me from trying to make a few things.
Read
September 4, 2014I think I gained about 20kg just looking through this book! What a yummy birthday present (especially since it was accompanied by a big box of Max Brenner bonbons...) I can't wait to try out some of these recipes, they all sound absolutely divine.
November 3, 2009
my review of this book is here, and it contains pictures and video footage. please visit and read it!
November 8, 2009
Great stories, recipes and inspiration
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews