Title:	The Violet Bakery Cookbook
	Author:	Claire Ptak
	Published:	2015, Ten Speed Press
	No. of Pages:	272
	Cover Price:	$29.99 Hardcover, $12.79 Kindle

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Anyone who has tasted the incredible baked goods from European bakeries knows that there is something intrinsically different from the baked goods sold at their American counterparts. Whether it's the flour (non-GMO and most likely soft wheat), the European climate, or the recipes, one may never know, but different they are, and The Violet Bakery Cookbook gives those of us in the United States some hope in duplicating those extraordinary European baked goods at home. The Violet Bakery prides itself on serving "American Style" baked goods, and since the author formerly worked for Alice Waters at the famed Chez Panisse, it's a probability that the baked goods are "American Style," but definitely not the substandard norm sold in American grocery stores and neighborhood bakeries – almost certainly in only the most gourmet specialty bakeries.

The Violet Bakery Cookbook has great pictures, clear and concise instructions, and a great variety of recipes for baked goods. For instance, there are several recipes for scones, which are a popular item at coffee stores in the US (just in the last few years, however); scones certainly have British roots. The recipe for Cream Scones is quite easy, and the finished product is almost ethereal. When attending tea in Britain, scones are served at room temperature, with clotted cream and fruit preserves (Yum!). While this recipe is perfect for that, they are even better served warm from the oven slathered in butter; that is the American way!

There are recipes for quiches, tarts, cakes, and crumbles; the difficulty being deciding just which recipe to start with first. In addition, The Violet Bakery Cookbook explains how the bakery came about, as well as vignettes regarding recipes and general English life, making it a good read for food lovers, as well as an instructional book.

Cookbook lovers and home bakers, especially those set on duplicating European baked goods, will definitely enjoy this beautiful cookbook,

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying an advance review copy of this cookbook

This book may be purchased at Amazon:
The Violet Bakery Cookbook