Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

Cookies for Everyone is just that a great collection of cookie recipes that can fit everyone's tastes and skill levels. There are a wide variety of cookies to choose from with chapters dedicated to types like, soft & chewy, biscotti, sandwich and even vegan. There are tips and tricks to modify the cookies for different dietary restrictions. The recipes include a photo of the finished yummy product with easy instructions to follow. Overall this is a nice cookbook to add for cookie lovers.

Was this review helpful?

I really appreciate a cookbook that has lots of colorful pictures and this one surely didn't disappoint. The book is separated into several different cookie types. The recipes were varied and I did like that the author did include ingredient dry weights for those that like to weigh their flour and such. One thing that was useless to me was the gluten free and high altitude directions as I would never utilize those. I don't consider macarons to be cookies either so that chapter was not needed to me. I did try several recipes and they all turned out really well. I appreciated an entire chapter with vegan cookies and my family's favorite cookie came from that section.

Was this review helpful?

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Stars
Yes please. We all need more cookies recipes. Cookies for Everyone fulfills that need.

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook had some really great recipes. The recipes were easy to understand and not too complicated for the average cook. I enjoyed the illustrations and look forward to making these recipes for years to come.

Was this review helpful?

What a lovely cookie book that is indeed for everyone - not just people with sensitive systems, but for bakers in higher altitudes. I have many cookie cookbooks on my shelf, but one that had recipes with substitutions and alterations so everyone can enjoy I did not have.

Was this review helpful?

A fun lil book with such cute and yummy recipes. I loved how customizable they were!
Favorite cookies that have turned out perfectly are Sprinkled Shortbread and Frosted Gingerbread Cookies. The photos with each recipe were SUPER helpful. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Who doesn’t love cookies?
Easy to follow recipes with customizable options.
I love to bake and I also love to read cook books.
Thank you for the advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Inclusive Cookbook

The author means this book's title in several ways. It's a cookbook for every type of baker, from beginner to experienced. The author does a good job explaining different requirements of baking, including some of her favorite ingredients. The cookies range from relatively simple to more complex. The book is full of pictures, so you really get a sense of how the cookies look... and they look amazing! The book is also for everyone because she includes gluten-free and high altitude baking instructions for every single recipe in the book. How thoughtful! There's even an entire vegan cookie section, and some of those looked and sounded so good.

The book is organized in a unique way. Some chapters are based on texture, like the first one after the introductory section, with soft and chewy cookies. Other chapters are based on specific cookie types, like florentines, sandwich cookies, or macarons. There's even a chapter for butter-based cookies, including a variety of shortbreads. The book is not just recipes. The author comes across as a wise teacher as well, and she also shares some of her experience running a bakeshop, which I found fascinating to read. If you're into cookies at all, this may very well become your go-to book.

Was this review helpful?

I have never read a book by Mimi Council, or been to one of her shops, so when I saw this available I jumped at the chance. I have recently found out that I have several food allergies that have been troubling me over the years without me knowing it. This book, I was happy to see, helped me find choices that would work around those restrictions. There was, however, some things that I found a tad bit deceiving. The ingredients she used were often, more likely, name brand items that she personally used and were not on the cheaper end. This is not one that I could follow to the T because of cost measures. It did have great ideas and cookies that sounded, and the ones I made were super yummy. It has one thing that love for any cookbook, pictures for the recipes. I feel like that is an indulgence that I want in any cookbook. I give this book 5 stars for the beautiful pictures and yummy recipes, but I have to take away a star for the fact that I could not always afford the ingredients. Next time, I hope the author will take that in consideration for her readers who are already having to spend money on specialized diets, and use more general ingredients that most people can easily find and afford. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great cookbook for bakers of every level. The photos made my mouth water and made me want to start baking ASAP! There were so many types of cookies (rolled, dropped, filled etc.) it was hard to know where to start.

My favorites were the macaron recipe, which I had never tried before. The directions were clear and easy to understand and my macarons came out great! I also successfully tried a few of the biscotti recipes.

Thanks to Hachette and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very good book. First has every cookie recipe you would want. The second is to follow instructions. Third, the author also has alternative recipes for each one. Which for me was great since my daughter cannot have gluten. This book really turned out to be very helpful. But the author also has vegan free and nut free also. You can see that she has gone to great lengths to look into all the different diets and restrictions that are out there. Besides all of the different cookie recipes, she had biscotti and even one for your dog. The dog treats worked out for me since we got a dog and was simple to make. Like most of her cookies, I find to be easy to follow steps. Overall a very good book.

Was this review helpful?

A delectable collection of cookies that are suitable for anyone to bake. Some new ones (to me), and a lot of favorites Excellently written recipes and photography. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

It’s always nice to find a cookbook where the prose is entertaining and the recipes are mouthwatering. When the author has personality and stories that readers can relate to, it’s a win-win situation. One such cookbook is Cookies for Everyone: 99 Deliciously Customizable Bakeshop Recipes by Mimi Council who is a self-taught baker and owner of the popular Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop located in Mammoth Lakes.

This excellent cookbook includes recipes for wonderful cookies for everyone, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and other special diets, as well as high altitudes. As it says in the title, the cookies are customizable for personal needs, and that’s what makes this book a “must-have” for anyone who loves to bake or eat cookies. That includes most of us, of course.

Favorite cookies that have turned out perfectly due to the easy-to-follow instructions and photographs (yes, every recipe is photographed which is as it should be), are Sprinkled Shortbread (buttery and good), YiaYia Cookies, Dad’s Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Frosted Gingerbread Cookies. There is an excellent chapter on those difficult and elusive French Macarons, which actually turn out perfectly when her careful instructions are followed. The book includes basics like caramel sauce and Chocolate Ganache, which is helpful. There are instructions at the end of each recipe to switch the recipes to gluten-free and high altitudes. Council has made it so everyone can bake these amazing cookies successfully.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Cookies for Everyone: 99 Deliciously Customizable Bakeshop Recipes by Mimi Council offers readers the recipes and detailed instructions for baking a variety of cookies. From soft and chewy basics to sandwich cookies, biscotti, macarons, and Florentines, easy recipes to help home bakers master the art of cookies, including tips for gluten-free, vegan, and high-altitude baking. Mimi's Tips and Tricks walk readers through key steps and techniques, demystifying baking; her clear instructions cover everything from basic cookies to sandwich cookies and biscotti. And for anyone who thinks more sophisticated cookies (such as macarons and Florentines) are impossible to make at home, let alone for "special diets," think again -- Mimi's excellent counsel will have you baking up a storm in no time.

Cookies for Everyone is a well organized cookbook for cookie lovers. I love giving cookies for gifts around the holidays- so this book was perfectly timed for me. I like that the book offers the basic how to's, equipment advice, and ingredient information before even touching on the recipes, so that those that have never been bakers can catch up to the more experienced readers right away. I also liked that there are specific instructions at the beginning of each chapter- because making some styles of cookies require some different techniques even if the basic ingredients are the same. I also like the there are instructions for changing up recipes to be gluten free or at high altitudes included for recipes. No one needs to miss out on their favorite cookie or guess at how to make changes to a recipe. I enjoyed the selection of cookies in the book, and how well organized it was. I do have a collection of cookie cookbooks, and am someone that spends much time researching for the perfect set of recipes for my holiday baking. I have to admit that I am not likely to buy any more cookbooks, but if I were this might just make it in my collection. I do highly recommend it for library collections, and would certainly borrow it from my local library to revisit some of the recipes.

Cookies for Everyone is a solid cookbook with some great cookie recipes. It is well structured and written- making it accessible to new and experienced bakers alike.

Was this review helpful?

Cookies for Everyone by Mimi Council is an interesting collection of cookie recipes that will delight fans of her shop and those looking for gluten-free options. The images are beautiful and the instructions are simplistic. However, the recipes do seem a bit repetitive.

I have a weakness for cookies and when I saw this cookbook was available for review I didn’t even hesitate. I love it when authors of recipes provide alternate versions of a tried and true recipe. This book only gives a gluten-free or higher elevation variation. It also seems that the only difference is a gluten-free flour in place of regular flour.

❀ ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

Cookies for Everyone really leans towards the use of organic ingredients, which may appeal to some. As well, the use of coconut oil is found in quite a few of the recipes. While I have no problem using coconut oil in moderation, I am not convinced that it is a healthier fat. Butter, in my opinion, is what makes a cookie flavourful.

The chocolate chip minis produced a dry batter that I had to alter with some water. That being said, they were tasty, but not out of this world. The coconut oil gives a different flavour to the traditional cookie and I am sure that it might be appealing to others.

❀ GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS

If you are in the market for some gluten-free baking ideas, Cookies for Everyone is one book of recipes to check out. The images are stunning and the recipes are easy to follow. It might be one that many find useful, even if it isn’t my cup of tea.

Was this review helpful?

The book begins with a look at basic ingredients from Farm and Fridge and from your pantry. There’s an important tip involving weighing your eggs so you get exactly the right amount, since too much egg makes your dough sticky and too little makes it dry. She includes helpful info on butter, milk and cream, fresh fruits, and various types of flours for baking.

Next, the author moves onto Essential Tools – I definitely needed a reminder to buy cookie scoops, and the author really prefers we use digital scales for baking. I don’t own one yet, reluctant to try to cram another item into my packed, small kitchen cupboards.

The recipes begin with Soft & Chewy Cookies – I would immediately begin with this section, since my father and I prefer cookies to be soft, not crispy or crunchy. (We might have very delicate roofs of our mouths, or should I say wimpy?) Recipes in this section include classics like Double Chocolate Chip Cookies along with Frosted Gingerbread Cookies and Apple Pie Cookies.

There’s a whole section of Vegan cookies that I’ll skip since I eat dairy – you’ll find recipes for chocolate pecan pretzel cookies, ginger snaps, and lemon sugar cookies there if you care to look.

Vegans will want to avoid the Butter Cookies chapter, with its recipes for Chocolate Hazelnut Minis, Coconut Shortbread, Chai Shortbread, and Crack Butter Cookies.

In the Sandwich Cookies section, recipes include Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies, and Coconut Lemon Sandwich Cookies.

The next chapter is about Biscotti, with traditional Italian style biscotti flavors as well as inventive ones like Chai Tea Biscotti.

I hadn’t thought of Florentines as cookies, they seem more like.. mini unfrosted cakes to me. You’ll find really unusual ideas here, like Banana Florentines and Cookie Dough Florentines.

Next up is a section for French Macarons – I still haven’t attempted making any of these. Too crunchy for my personal taste, I suppose. Besides classic basics like Vanilla and Chocolate Macarons, you can learn to make Cinnamon Honey French Macarons and Banana Split French Macarons.

At the end of the book, you’ll find recipes for Cookie Necessities such as Butterscotch Sauce, Caramel Sauce, Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Milk and Strawberry Milk, and Cookie Glaze. You’ll also learn how to make strawberry preserves for the filling for Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies.

Here’s my favorite part of this entire cookbook: Each recipe has customization tips included at the end. There’s tips for making them gluten free, and for baking them at high altitude. Since there’s an entire section for vegan cookies, and there aren’t any meat products in the cookie recipes, the entire cookbook is useful to vegans and vegetarians and gluten-free people. (Keto people, you’re on your own!)

I also like the author’s sweet introductions to each cookie, mentioning her experience enjoying the type of cookies in her past or sharing memories of people who have baked them for her. And each chapter has a couple of pages introducing the type of cookies and sharing incredibly helpful tips on making them turn out a success.

-Carrie

Was this review helpful?

A good resource for anyone wanting to bake cookies. Bakery owner and author Mimi Council starts with the basics--chocolate chip--and takes readers through a variety of cookie types for every taste and dietary need. She uses all-organic ingredients and includes recommendations on where to purchase some of the harder to find items, such as organic corn syrup. You could easily substitute conventional ingredients instead of organic, and the cookies would still be delicious! Plenty of color photos and detailed instructions.

Was this review helpful?

Everyone needs several great cookie recipes to add something special to their everyday menu. A great cookie can make even the dreariest day seem better. Just ask Cookie Monster! Mimi Council provides us with many options in the same book. You will find gluten free, keto, simple and not so simple cookies that will make you a bakery chef without buying 6-8 cookbooks since they are all included in this one. So many choices, where do you start? My family and I started by each of us picking a recipe and making them. Clear instructions and recipes made with pantry staples have earned this cookbook 5 stars from us.

Was this review helpful?

Cookies for Everyone is a mix-and-match cookbook and tutorial guide for making cookies which are enjoyable by everyone - including those who follow a gluten-free, nut-free, or vegan diet, or who have other dietary restrictions. Released 5th Nov. 2019 from Hatchette on their Da Capo imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The introduction includes a short author bio and the genesis of the book. She covers tools, ingredients, and supplies and how to source and use the best and freshest ingredients (and why you should). The following chapters present an amazing array of cookies by category: soft & chewy cookies, vegan friendly cookies, biscotti, butter cookies, sandwich cookies (yum!), florentines, macarons, and a selection of recipes for ingredients like sauces, glazes, and a chocolate tempering tutorial.

Each of the recipes include ingredients in a sidebar (measurements in US standard and metric), and step by step instructions. The ingredients are mostly relatively easily sourced and should be available from any well stocked grocery or large supermarket. The footers include adjustments for gluten free versions as well as high altitude or other specialty instructions. The cooking instructions are easy to follow and with a careful read-through, I found no glaring mistakes.

It's unclear from the publishing info available online, but the eARC I received has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references. I hope the ebook release version does also. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. Presumably that feature will carry through to the final release version.

I do wish the book included serving pictures for all of the recipes, but it's not a huge drawback. I would estimate approximately half are accompanied by one or more pictures. The pictures which are included are appealing, clear, and illustrative.

Five stars. There are a lot of very appealing recipes included. I tried 3 (Dad's Coconut Chocolate Chip (the cookie that started it all), Chocolate Brownie Biscotti, and Chai Shortbread). They were all a success, and the Chai Shortbread cookies were outstanding - tender, flaky, and robust.

Was this review helpful?

All easy to follow recipes with easy and simple ingredients, this is sure to become the go to cookie book in my family.

If your looking for a cookbook for all types of cookies, this is it! I was pleasantly surprised at the diverse cookies available in this book.

It has more then your traditional cookies (you won't find sugar cookies or chocolate chip), you will find soft and chewy, sandwich, butter, vegan and more cookies. The variations were great as special diet cookies are included. No one in my family will be left out with this selection. The nutrition guide is included for each recipe and there is a color photograph.

I loved looking up recipes based on my craving: today I wanted chewy so I went to that chapter. I also didn't see one recipe I wouldn't make!! I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

Was this review helpful?