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The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook
In the heart of Greenwich Village in New York sits the Magnolia Bakery. This unassuming shop, where the smells of home-style baking weaken even the strongest will, has attracted a clientele that ranges from kids on their way home from school to celebrity glitterati. Cupcakes swirled with pastel frosting crowd the counter and cake stands display Apple Walnut Cake and Coconut Layer Cake.
In The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook are the bakery's most mouth-watering recipes, from sweet breakfast treats like Dried-Cherry Crumb Buns, to Classic Iced Molasses Cookies, from decadently rich Caramel Pecan Brownies and Raspberry Marzipan Cheesecake to refreshing Lemon Ice Box Pie. Their easy-to-follow recipes and invaluable baking hints mean that even the inexperienced baker will be able to frost the perfect layer cake, turn out the flakiest pie crust and whip up the creamiest cheesecake.
Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 16, 2020
The chocolate amaretto Bundt cake will change your life.
January 23, 2023
disappointed there were very few photos
July 15, 2023
So I’ll first start by saying I am a super snob about cookbooks. I am a baker who runs a business out of her home. I love cookbooks. I collect them, but I am very particular about my favorites. I borrowed this book from the library, and I will be returning it happily, and NOT buying a copy for myself. I love books with stories. I love cookbooks with pictures…at least one per recipe and honestly the more the better so I can see the process. And my favorite recipes include imperial measures, as well as weight measurements.
So with that said, Magnolia Bakery’s cookbook may be one of my least favorite ever. There are only a few pictures in the middle. And each recipe is actually a little bit difficult to read because the font and formatting on each page is more crowded than it needs to be… leaving empty space on most pages. It’s possible that all of these recipes are amazing but I will never know because the formatting is so off-putting. There are no weight measurements, which is not surprising. There are very few stories. And the instructions are so minimal on each recipe, I’m not sure I could execute the recipes with success. I wanted to love it, but I just can’t.
So with that said, Magnolia Bakery’s cookbook may be one of my least favorite ever. There are only a few pictures in the middle. And each recipe is actually a little bit difficult to read because the font and formatting on each page is more crowded than it needs to be… leaving empty space on most pages. It’s possible that all of these recipes are amazing but I will never know because the formatting is so off-putting. There are no weight measurements, which is not surprising. There are very few stories. And the instructions are so minimal on each recipe, I’m not sure I could execute the recipes with success. I wanted to love it, but I just can’t.
June 28, 2017
I very much enjoyed baking from this cookbook. I have never had the pleasure of eating an item directly from Magnolia, but I found the recipes I tried to be easy to follow, yielding delicious results. My only caveat would be that a few of the muffin recipes were sweeter than I would prefer. I did not bake any of the frosted cakes, but may well give a few of them a try at some point in the future. I did borrow the book from my public library, but I liked it well enough to put it on my list of desired cookbooks. I have so many I refuse to buy more for myself, but I am not above a strongly worded hint!
November 17, 2019
- So far, so good
- The overall "generalized baking instructions" are quite handy, located at the beginning of the book
- Have already made the raspberry cream cheese muffins (but substituted homemade plum jam - just as good), plus made the Peanut Butter Chip oatmeal cookies (but added mini chocolate chips as well, because the recipe was just begging for them).
- I guess this means I'm comfortable enough cooking now that I find a way to alter most every recipe.
- Great instructions.
- Looking forwards to more yummy foods produced from the pages of this gem.
- The overall "generalized baking instructions" are quite handy, located at the beginning of the book
- Have already made the raspberry cream cheese muffins (but substituted homemade plum jam - just as good), plus made the Peanut Butter Chip oatmeal cookies (but added mini chocolate chips as well, because the recipe was just begging for them).
- I guess this means I'm comfortable enough cooking now that I find a way to alter most every recipe.
- Great instructions.
- Looking forwards to more yummy foods produced from the pages of this gem.
September 26, 2021
Lots of yummy recipes. Can’t wait to try the buttercream frosting.
September 25, 2012
Originally reviewed on Books Take You Places
Sometimes, I do things besides read and blog, like bake! Though sometimes that baking experience is so delicious and amazingly enough can be rerouted back again to blogging so here we are.
A few weeks ago, I checked out The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook from my local library. I don’t know if any of you have ever been to Magnolia Bakery in NYC (or heard about it on Sex and the City), but let me tell you, the treats there are DELICIOUS. The best part (for lazy moi) is the fact that they are now also located in Grand Central Station! This obviously means that every time I step foot in Grand Central I must buy something (see: cupcakes) and all three days that my aunt and I were in NYC for BEA resulted in A LOT of Magnolia Bakery purchases.
I have to be honest and tell you that although I enjoy baking and have made a plethora of breads and cookies from scratch; I have yet to try cakes or frosting! I was so excited and also quite nervous to try these recipes for the first time, but overall I think they were a success, at least, no one became sick and I heard lots of yummy noises!
My first attempt was the Devil’s Food Cake (except I made cupcakes) with Mocha Buttercream Frosting and let me tell you, they were delicious! I have now made these for multiple parties – including a luau bridal shower – and everyone raves about them. The frosting is especially a hit for both lovers and non-lovers of coffee (or espresso) and I’ll tell you a secret – I’ve even plastered it on top of a cake made from a box recipe, blasphemous, I KNOW, but it even enhances the most boring cupcake recipe.
I checked this book out before purchasing it because some of the reviews made me wary. I am thrilled to say that I will definitely be purchasing this cookbook very soon and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn some secrets of the perfection that is Magnolia Bakery. Yum!
Sometimes, I do things besides read and blog, like bake! Though sometimes that baking experience is so delicious and amazingly enough can be rerouted back again to blogging so here we are.
A few weeks ago, I checked out The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook from my local library. I don’t know if any of you have ever been to Magnolia Bakery in NYC (or heard about it on Sex and the City), but let me tell you, the treats there are DELICIOUS. The best part (for lazy moi) is the fact that they are now also located in Grand Central Station! This obviously means that every time I step foot in Grand Central I must buy something (see: cupcakes) and all three days that my aunt and I were in NYC for BEA resulted in A LOT of Magnolia Bakery purchases.
I have to be honest and tell you that although I enjoy baking and have made a plethora of breads and cookies from scratch; I have yet to try cakes or frosting! I was so excited and also quite nervous to try these recipes for the first time, but overall I think they were a success, at least, no one became sick and I heard lots of yummy noises!
My first attempt was the Devil’s Food Cake (except I made cupcakes) with Mocha Buttercream Frosting and let me tell you, they were delicious! I have now made these for multiple parties – including a luau bridal shower – and everyone raves about them. The frosting is especially a hit for both lovers and non-lovers of coffee (or espresso) and I’ll tell you a secret – I’ve even plastered it on top of a cake made from a box recipe, blasphemous, I KNOW, but it even enhances the most boring cupcake recipe.
I checked this book out before purchasing it because some of the reviews made me wary. I am thrilled to say that I will definitely be purchasing this cookbook very soon and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn some secrets of the perfection that is Magnolia Bakery. Yum!
July 3, 2009
So far I've only tried a couple of the recipes in this book, but I have a number of more that I want to make. The instructions are clear and well written, and the list of ingredients is usefully pulled out to the side of each page, making it easier to look through and see if you have everything available. The 'Glazed Breakfast Buns' were delicious and although I think they're too sweet for breakfast, they work nicely at other times with a nice cup of tea. My 'Raspberry Crumb Squares' didn't work out as well, but I didn't follow the instructions exactly, so I blame myself. The result was delicious anyway, and I hope it will work out better when I follow what's written. Just made the 'Orange Vanilla Chip Cookies' last night with white chocolate chunks instead of vanilla chips (never heard of these, and definitely can't get them in the UK) - really really yummy, and faintly remind me of Creamsicles as the text says. It's unfortunate that a lot of their cookie and bars seems to require chips in various flavours, as they are really difficult, if nigh on impossible, to get here. I guess I'll have to stock up when I'm next in the States on: vanilla chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, white choc chips and of course chocolate chips.
May 2, 2014
i would actually give this 4 1/2 stars all of the recipes looked really delicious and the recipes didn't call for that many ingredients and they were ingredients that were common i could have made many of the recipes because they are ones that are staples in a pantry i wouldn't mind owning this and here is why it did not get 5 stars the cookbook is from 1999 and it was still 20.00$ on amazon i got over the fact that there were not many pictures in fact there were only like 4 pictures but for a book that old that is not that fat i would not pay 20 bucks
March 16, 2013
I give this book 3.5 stars.
I've heard so many great things about Magnolia Bakery in New York and having missed the chance to visit, I decided to purchase this book to diy :)
When I bake, I usually follow the recipe to the letter but it was a big mistake when I made one of the cakes. I ended up with way too much frosting for my cake and it was much too sweet!
Maybe one day I'll give this book another try and modify the ingredients.....
I've heard so many great things about Magnolia Bakery in New York and having missed the chance to visit, I decided to purchase this book to diy :)
When I bake, I usually follow the recipe to the letter but it was a big mistake when I made one of the cakes. I ended up with way too much frosting for my cake and it was much too sweet!
Maybe one day I'll give this book another try and modify the ingredients.....
October 12, 2007
Everything I have made from this book has been amazingly good and relatively straightforward. Their buttercream is now one of my buttercreams. The buttermilk chocolate cake recipe is excellent. (The review is basically the same as the other Magnolia book because they repeat some key recipes. You don't really need both but I'm not sad I have them.)
June 18, 2011
Don't read this if you're hungry! You'll find yourself running to the store for ingredients.
A very nice collection of delicious recipes to have in your recipe box. Nothing extreme, too fancy or time consuming. Directions are clearly written. There were only a few photos, which is not a huge deal, but I like seeing an image for each recipe.
A very nice collection of delicious recipes to have in your recipe box. Nothing extreme, too fancy or time consuming. Directions are clearly written. There were only a few photos, which is not a huge deal, but I like seeing an image for each recipe.
February 19, 2012
Fantastic collection! The Magnolia Bakery has quite a reputation, and this cookbook doesn't disappoint. I will admit to not having tried any of the recipes yet, but I have read the cookbook cover to cover and the ideas sound wonderful. Nothing in particular stands out as an absolute must make, but but I have high hopes for the cupcakes!
July 15, 2013
Magnolia Bakery is one of my favorite places to get a cupcake. I especially enjoy their Rocking Red Velvet cupcakes during the holiday season. I borrowed this book from the library and tried their vanilla cupcake recipe and buttercream frosting. The recipe was easy to follow and the result was positive. I have yet to try any other recipe but I look forward to doing so.
June 22, 2007
I sort of think Magnolia is overrated. I can't deal with the amount of sugar in every recipe, I think it takes away from the taste However, I do like having a few of these kinds of cookbooks around. Buttery, creamy, no excuses.
December 21, 2007
The only reason for 4, not 5 stars is lack of pictures! There are just a few. I love Magnolia Bakery. It is a treat to take a long walk into the west Village and get a cupcake on a nice day. So happy to finally have the cookbook. Now I need the 2nd one.
July 15, 2009
Just okay - I don't like the inclusion of recipes with "cans of ____ pie filling" etc. - why not just use the fresh fruit? Some good recipes in here though - good, standard ones to have handy. I like my coconut cake better, but that's understandable!
March 11, 2010
Best cupcakes EVER!!! And now you too can make them in your own kitchen! Woohoo. In all honesty I have made a couple things that weren't my very favorite, BUT the cupcake, icing and banana bread recipes are worth every bit of the 5 stars I gave.
October 2, 2014
This summer I had the good fortune to go to the Magnolia Bakery. I understand what the fuss is about. Their cupcakes are heavenly. This cookbook looks promising. If it can deliver, I'll change my rating to 5 stars.
June 6, 2007
more tasty looking treats to make.
July 27, 2007
Really great recipes
December 1, 2007
the cakes and cupcakes are so yummy from here. i love the detail to the instructions so i can't screw it up. every step has a reason!
February 15, 2008
Cupcakes. I dream of these buttery cakes.
March 27, 2008
By far -- the BEST baking cookbook EVER!!!!
Try the devils food cake....
The chocolate buttercream is so rich, you don't even need to add the sugar (but, you do, of course).
Try the devils food cake....
The chocolate buttercream is so rich, you don't even need to add the sugar (but, you do, of course).
March 12, 2009
Recipes all looked DELICIOUS!! But lots of butter in everything!!!! I have not made any of the recipes, but made some copies to try later.
March 30, 2009
Tasty!
November 9, 2009
The book I pull down first for any sweet baking project
May 18, 2012
Basic and a little boring.
Currently reading
February 19, 2012This is the new project, I am making one recipe a week.
July 6, 2013
It looks like an old-fashioned cookbook & has recipes that Grandma might have made. Not many photos or info--just recipes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews