Alice Medrich's Cookies and Brownies

In truth I bought this cookbook when it first came out and made every kind of cookie and brownie from it. My original cookbook was so stained and tattered that I decided to get a second. Alice Medrich is a genius and has great ideas for how to make cookies and brownies delicious and memorable.

I own more cookbooks than I care to admit, and the majority of those are for baking. But when I'm in the mood for something sweet, this is inevitably the first book I grab.Every recipe I have tried--and I have made many recipes from this book--has been both straightforward to make and incredibly delicious. And I have made "Bittersweet Brownies" so many times that I no longer need to actually look at the book.The recipes are clearly written, and most of them use ingredients and pans that I already have, so it's perfect for those evenings when I have to have chocolaty goodness *right now* and am not interested in running out to get an ingredient.I'd also recommend this book for those who are not regular bakers. The recipes are easy to follow, so this book is a good way to convince someone that baking isn't that difficult, as well as of the value of keeping parchment paper and good chocolate on hand.The only negatives for this book are: First, my copy is quite literally falling apart, which is frustrating. Second, this book has gone out of print. But if you find a copy--grab it. You won't regret it.If you love to bake cookies and brownies, this book is a must have.

I have the original hardbound edition of this book and like all of Alice Medrich books many of the recipes are standouts. The snickerdoodle recipe is wonderful, buttery, crunchy on the outside, yum. The lemon bars are also very good, I resisted trying them for a long time, I didn't think the crust which starts with melted butter would be very good. Turns out I was wrong, it is crispy and a nice contrast to the lemon filling. The butter cookies with cocoa nibs, chocolate chip cookies..all standouts. You won't be disappointed!

Don't be put off by the diminutive size of this book. It is chock full of great recipes for every one of your favorite sweets! Also included are additional baking tips of every kind that will improve the final outcome. My only criticism is that as some of the pages are laid out the recipe runs into the binding and can be somewhat difficult to read. Don't let that deter you. Buy this book today. AWARD WINNER (See front cover)

Great cookbook. I ordered it as a replacement for one I lost in moving. It's my go-to for all things cookie and brownie.

Alice Medrich is an ingredients and methods fanatic. In this slim book, she guides you through her journey to the best of the best cookies and brownies, of several varieties. You'll find more knowledge here than in many other recipe books. Both the prose and the directions are well crafted. A terrific gift for the serious baker.

I thought I knew how to bake choc chip cookies! But I was wrong! She tells the secret of perfect cookies, brownies, lemon bars and shortbread! Buy this book! It's short, but sweet!

This is an absolutely wonderful cookbook, and it's a complete mystery to me that it's out of print. It's worth the premium price. Medrich's recipes are wonderful, and her insights into baking are worth every penny. Publisher: Please bring this back into print!!!!