A few posts ago, I started to describe my new method to avoid using the cookbooks in my house — checking cookbooks out of the library. I finally cracked open the second cookbook I checked out, Carole Bloom's "The Essential Baker", to make her Lemon Shortbread Coins.
My first impression of Bloom's book was that the instructions were needlessly complicated and overly detailed. Perhaps it was only this recipe, but the directions — from how to prepare the dough to how to bake the cookies — required about 3 times the effort that I would normally put into similar cookies. However, the coins turned out wonderfully and were quickly gobbled up by me and co-workers within 24 hours! So, I think I'll try another 1 or 2 recipes in Bloom's book before returning it to the library and potentially deciding that the products just aren't worth the effort called for by Bloom's recipes. If you're a baker though who prefers simple and quick recipes, I would recommend staying away from this book.
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