Anybody who has found his or her way into Macrina for the first time will more than likely become a regular. The Seattle Times says, "Macrina is the kind of place you move to a neighborhood for." Whether you visit for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast, or for a wholly satisfying lunch, the Macrina Bakery & Cafe is always worth the wait.

The warmth and good food that are the soul of the Macrina Bakery & Cafe owe their origins to owner-chef Leslie Mackie, an esteemed figure on the national artisan baking scene. A former pastry chef of considerable renown, Leslie became an artisan baker, opened Macrina in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood nearly a decade ago, and has enjoyed critical praise ever since. The success of the bakery's original location led to the recent opening of a second Macrina on Queen Anne Hill.

This book offers 100 recipes ranging from a classic Rustic Potato Loaf, to a delectable Raspberry Cinnamon-Sugar Bread Pudding with Nectarine Compote, to a tantalizing variety of lunch items, including Butternut Squash and Apple Galette, and Salmon Paillard on Mixed Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette.

Whether your tastes run to Guatemalan Hot Chocolate Bread, or crisp, crackly baguettes, you can find and enjoy all of the comforts of Seattle's Macrina Bakery & Cafe in this sumptuous collection of recipes. Enjoy!

"The minute I got a look at Leslie Mackie's Macrina Bakery & Cafe Cookbook, I knew it would have a permanent place of importance on my kitchen shelf. These are the kinds of breads, pastries, sweets, and savories that I love to make and eat — rustic, simple, and flavorful." Nancy Silverton, author of Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book, Nancy Silverton's Breads from the La Brea Bakery, and Nancy Silverton's Patries from the La Brea Bakery

"Open this book and step into Macrina, Seattle's popular neighborhood bakery. In Leslie Mackie's Macrina Bakery & Cafe Cookbook, Leslie generously shares her creativity and her passion for baking with recipes for all the Macrina favorites. Crusty breads, tempting pies and tarts, wonderful cakes, and desserts are all presented in a clear and friendly manner that bakers at all levels can follow. This book comes from the heart." Amy Scherber, author of Amy's Bread

Nationally known chef Leslie Mackie opened Macrina in 1993 as an artisan bakery and lunch spot. News of this exciting eatery spread quickly through Seattle and beyond, making Macrina an American favorite. This lavishly produced cookbook offers the same dishes, developed from extensive research and travel, found at Macrina. More than 100 recipes range from a classic Rustic Potato Loaf or Raisin Brioche Twist, to a delectable Raspberry Cinnamon-Sugar Bread Pudding with Nectarine Compote, to a tantalizing variety of lunch items, including Butternut Squash and Apple Galette, and Salmon Paillard on Mixed Greens with Mustard Vinaigrette. The book features a special holiday section, and gorgeous duotone photographs capture the setting, its people, and its inspiring displays of breads, pastries, and breakfast and lunch fare.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Leslie Mackie opened Macrina Bakery & Cafe in 1993. The bakery specializes in hearth-baked artisan loaves and rustic European pastries, and features a wildly popular weekend brunch menu. Macrina is regularly named "Best Bakery in Seattle" by local magazines, and Leslie's recipes have appeared in Bon Appetit, Sunset Magazine, and The New York Times. She lives in Seattle with her daughter, Olivia.

Andrew Cleary became the General Manager of Macrina Bakery & Cafe shortly after the bakery opened. Andrew and Leslie have been working side by side ever since. Both Andrew and Leslie are members of the Bread Bakers Guild of America.

Foreword by Carol Field xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv

Our Daily Bread 1
Chapter 1 — Baking with Natural Sour Starters 5
Chapter 2 — Biga-Started Breads 19
Chapter 3 — American Standards 31
Chapter 4 — Sweet Breads 41

Mornings at Macrina 51
Chapter 5 — Muffins, Scones & Biscuits 53
Chapter 6 — Croissant Pastries 67
Chapter 7 — Coffee Cakes 79
Chapter 8 — Breakfast Bread Puddings 91

From Our Pastry Case 99
Chapter 9 — Cakes 103
Chapter 10 — Pies & Tarts 125
Chapter 11 — The Cookie Basket 155

Macrina Cafe Favorites 173
Chapter 12 — Brunch 175
Chapter 13 — Lunch 195

The Holiday Table 221
Chapter 14 — Savory Bites 223
Chapter 15 — Sweet Treats 237
Index 257