Pastry Love: A Baker's Journal of Favorite Recipes Hardcover – Illustrated, November 5, 2019

Like the title says, it very evident that Ms. Chang loves creating and making pastries, and wants nothing more than to share that love and knowledge with her customers and readers. The background story for each recipe explains how the recipe was developed, giving full credit to the creator. This, to me, marks an individual who is not only humble, but wants to give where credit is due and bring others up along with her. She clearly knows she did not build her beloved and thriving business on her own, and her loyal team seems to have been with her for years. I’ve made about a dozen recipes thus far (Alina’s milk bread, ciabatta, chocolate chip cookie, double chocolate rye cookie, and strawberry chiffon cake to name a few) and I have yet to be disappointed. Her instructions are clear, easy to follow, and accurate. I’ve lacked in execution where more practice is needed ( in terms of presentation), but the taste is spot on. It’s made intimidating pastries seem more than approachable and do-able, and given me more confidence that if I can just get my hands on the right ingredients, I can make/bake anything. The pictures are gorgeous and the recipes are inventive, incorporating so many alternative flours, whole grains, as well as vegan and gluten free options. Since it’s been difficult to go out to bakeries during quarantine (not that there’s anything comparable to Flour Bakery where I live), it’s been so rewarding, fun, and delicious to bake from home. This book is for all levels of bakers. She provides ample instructions for the beginner to follow, but also gives easy to follow directions for more complex recipes for sophisticated pastries, making readers want to attempt them rather than shy away from. I am so impressed with how this book has inspired me to bake almost daily, making this time of isolation so much more enjoyable. You won’t regret buying this book. This is the best pastry/dessert book I’ve purchased in the last decade. You will learn so much and become super impressed with your newfound skills. Plus, if you can share any of your baked goods (provided you don’t eat it all), your friends and family will be super impressed.

This book is a great resource for any home baker. First off, the book is stunning, with lots of pictures, and gorgeous photography. It has a nice balance of simple everyday treats - like muffins and scones, to more challenging recipes - like the Sticky Bun Kouigns Amann. But Ms. Chang presents the content in such an easy to follow way, that every recipe feels within reach. Also, and one of the best things about this book, is that I really feel like I want to make every recipe. Sometimes authors try to be too creative, and mix ingredients or flavors to try to "wow" or go really way outside the box, or require hard to find ingredients. This book does have some more creative recipes, but in a way that really works - just unique enough to be interesting - like Vietnamese Espresso Profiteroles and Apple Cider Sticky Buns - but not outrageous. Again, every recipe feels within reach, especially the techniques I haven't tried before. I've made a few recipes already, including the Whole Wheat Maple Blueberry Scones - wow! These were delicious! I am so happy with this book, and I know this will be a resource I will turn to often when I'm in the mood to bake something wonderful.

Pastry Love is beautifully written, and I can tell that Joanne really put her heart into this book as she described what "pastry love" means to her: giving the pastries that little extra touch on the pastry counter for customers to think 'wow! I want that!' The photographer clearly understood that as well because each photo makes me say 'wow! I want to make that!' and I did!I've made the mixed nut whole grain biscotti, almond joy tart, almond pistachio cherry honey nougat, devil dogs, whole grain breakfast cookie, and honeycomb.I am an experienced baker and found a lot of these recipes to be excitingly new, delicious, and my coworkers are raving about the everything I bring in to share with them. The directions are clearly written with easy to follow instructions. I really like the diversity of the recipes (traditional, vegan, gluten free, whole grain) because if I didn't know that they were vegan, gf, or whole grain, I would have no idea and think that I was simply eating something decadent. I love that Joanne has created healthy recipes that absolutely do not taste "healthy" - they are quite delicious actually.This book is perfect for all levels of baking (beginner to advanced) and will elevate your skills in some way or another. I can tell my own are already growing just by trying things I've not made before because I didn't have a book that could teach me so easily that (nougat, for example) is quite doable. I haven't made the spelt croissants yet, but love the photo illustrations on the process make the process less intimidating.Pastry Love would be a wonderful addition to anyone's cookbook shelf, but the baker in your life would particularly thank you.