The Grand Central Baking Book

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Average customer rating 5 (9 comments)

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Who doesn’t love the smell of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies baking in the oven? Or tender blueberry muffins, or impossibly buttery baking powder biscuits? This cookbook not only has amazingly tasty recipes in it, but also valuable baking tips for the novice as well as experienced baker. The recipes are easy-to-follow and one can’t help but feel the joy and enthusiasm the author has for creating delicious sweet and savory baked goods. This is one cookbook you will come back to again and again.

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My best friend and I are avid bakers and both own many many cookbooks, but this is one of our favorites. Everything we have collectively baked from this book has been not just good but fantastic. If I am planning to make muffins or cookies I check this book first.

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I am in love with this book! I love baking, I love new recipes, I love Grand Central and I love books that cover baking tips and long passed down baking secrets, and this book covers all these areas! So far, I have made Grand Central's famous "Jammers" (similar to a scone with a dollop of jam in the middle...like a giant Jam Thumb print cookie) and the Blueberry muffins. The Jammers are identical to the ones served at the bakery (and super easy to make!), and although the muffins were a little different they are still very, very good blueberry muffins. This book would be great for both the novice and experienced baker. It is not intimidating and has great pictures and really down to earth advice about what kitchen gadgets are worth purchasing vs what is a waste of money and not needed. When I first received the book, I spent an hour reading through their baking tips and was super excited to find out some really useful info on butters (I didn't know the difference between European style butters and other, but the bakery seems to prefer European for most baked goods) and other baking ingredients, as well as how to "stocking the larder" in order to bake at home on a regular basis. Oh yeah, and if all of the above praise isn't enough to convince you: the book gives out Grand Central's baked good recipes!! In addition to the ones I already mentioned: Cinnamon Rolls, a variety of their Tea Cookies, Pie Crusts, Quick breads, Coffee cakes...and on and on!

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I use this book at least 3 times a week. I even started a blog, Adventures in Baking because I adore this book. I think baking the recipes and sharing them with friends and family is important. Cooking and baking brings a warmth to a home and this book has helped a desperate stay-at-home mom find some peace and happiness in the kitchen (and in the bellies of me and my family).

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I just purchased The Grand Central Baking Book--it's beautiful and filled with recipes for the same items sold at bakery--scaled for the home baker. The photos and instructions are true "Piper". She tells you where you have to follow the recipe exactly and where you can be creative. I can almost hear her no-nonsense explanations and hints. Even though it was just released today, I've already made (successfully) several of the recipes in the cookbook as I've been taking the in store classes and collected recipes from the bakery and The Oregonian. I can't wait to try the Irish Soda Bread--my favorite treat from the bakery. The book is beautifully made, nice heavy paper, artist quality photos, instructional step by step photos--she gives you every tip and trick to create beautiful, rustic, delicious baked goods at home. It's a fun read too.

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GCB has the best cinnamon rolls ever. After moving to California four years ago, I often thought about calling GCB up and asking them to satisfy my cravings by shipping me some. Piper, if you read this, how 'bout it? Btw, please say hi to Russell for me, too.

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Three words: Bacon Egg Bolo. I don't know if it's in the cookbook, but it's my regular Grand Central breakfast. Like I said, Bacon Egg Bolo.

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This will be a great gift for out of town friends and family who love to visit Grand Central when they are in Portland. Now they can have a taste of GCB back home.

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Jammers have to be one of my all time favorite things from Grand Central Bakery. The fact that I now have access to the jammer recipe and all my other favorites from GCB has to be one of the highlights of the year! Thanks GCB for sharing your delicious secrets.