Friday's are always a fabulous day in my opinion, it's the end of the work/school week and the kickstart to the weekend! What could be better than that? Oh that's right, GETTING AN EMAIL, ON A FRIDAY, FROM A FAMOUS BAKER ASKING YOU TO DO A BOOK REVIEW OF THEIR LATEST PUBLICATION!
About a month ago, I received an email from Debbie Adler, owner and baker of Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes in Los Angeles. In it, she introduced herself, complimented my website, and asked if I would be willing to do a review of her latest book. My mind raced, Willing?! Me? Write a review for her? Someone so established, wanted me to do a review on my little blog? I couldn't believe what I was reading, I fangirled for a few moments and pulled myself together. Through a quick google search, I soon found out just how sweet, Debbie and her baked goods truly were. Known as a "premier vegan and allergy-free bakery that specializes in gourmet gluten-free and sugar-free baked goods" she was quite the popular lady. I mean Kelis' milkshake may have brought all the boys to the yard, but Debbie Adler has celebrities like Ray Romano calling her a "culinary genius!"
I immediately replied, graciously gushing at her offer. Through our emails, I could sense the genuine passion Debbie has for helping those with allergies and intolerances enjoy the deliciousness of dessert again. After all, her desire to make these type of organic, allergy-free, vegan recipes stemmed from her own son's issues with food! Talk about the epitome of a mother's love!
I could probably type two more posts on how incredible I find Debbie, from her transition from accountant to bakery owner, her journey into this style of baking, and her NYC roots, BUT this post is meant for a book review, so I think I should get back on track :)
About a month ago, I received an email from Debbie Adler, owner and baker of Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes in Los Angeles. In it, she introduced herself, complimented my website, and asked if I would be willing to do a review of her latest book. My mind raced, Willing?! Me? Write a review for her? Someone so established, wanted me to do a review on my little blog? I couldn't believe what I was reading, I fangirled for a few moments and pulled myself together. Through a quick google search, I soon found out just how sweet, Debbie and her baked goods truly were. Known as a "premier vegan and allergy-free bakery that specializes in gourmet gluten-free and sugar-free baked goods" she was quite the popular lady. I mean Kelis' milkshake may have brought all the boys to the yard, but Debbie Adler has celebrities like Ray Romano calling her a "culinary genius!"
I immediately replied, graciously gushing at her offer. Through our emails, I could sense the genuine passion Debbie has for helping those with allergies and intolerances enjoy the deliciousness of dessert again. After all, her desire to make these type of organic, allergy-free, vegan recipes stemmed from her own son's issues with food! Talk about the epitome of a mother's love!
I could probably type two more posts on how incredible I find Debbie, from her transition from accountant to bakery owner, her journey into this style of baking, and her NYC roots, BUT this post is meant for a book review, so I think I should get back on track :)
Since receiving the book, I've had time to not just skim the pages, but actually read the book cover to cover. I may have left a few drool marks from the sheer decadence that is evident with every single photo...
My Inital Thoughts:
This book is simply beautiful.
The full color photos seem to POP right off the page.
I can almost touch the texture of the swirled frosting on the front cover and feel the dense weight of a cookie bar later on in the book.
A pink and blue, very delicate theme, is brought out by a crisp white background.
Overall, the book, each page, is a work of art, as is the content she delivers, with personality and snippets into her personal life.
My Inital Thoughts:
This book is simply beautiful.
The full color photos seem to POP right off the page.
I can almost touch the texture of the swirled frosting on the front cover and feel the dense weight of a cookie bar later on in the book.
A pink and blue, very delicate theme, is brought out by a crisp white background.
Overall, the book, each page, is a work of art, as is the content she delivers, with personality and snippets into her personal life.
Contents of the Book
Debbie delivers not only her recipes, but puts her personality into every single one of the pages, with snippets into her personal life prefacing not only each chapter, but each recipe as well! Instead of having the words Ingredients and Instructions, she uses "Must Have" and "Must Do". Her cute and comical personality peaks through on each page, with remarks like "don't be intimidated by the yeast, he is not a beast and is really very friendly" as a source of encouragement for baking breads. Instead of offering tips, she gives the reader "Sweet Truths" in which she warns us "to wait the entire time before removing baked cupcakes from their tin. Otherwise, you will have gummy cupcakes and you won't be very happy with me"
Debbie delivers not only her recipes, but puts her personality into every single one of the pages, with snippets into her personal life prefacing not only each chapter, but each recipe as well! Instead of having the words Ingredients and Instructions, she uses "Must Have" and "Must Do". Her cute and comical personality peaks through on each page, with remarks like "don't be intimidated by the yeast, he is not a beast and is really very friendly" as a source of encouragement for baking breads. Instead of offering tips, she gives the reader "Sweet Truths" in which she warns us "to wait the entire time before removing baked cupcakes from their tin. Otherwise, you will have gummy cupcakes and you won't be very happy with me"
Book Breakdown by Chapter
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Free Food Fully Loaded
Explains the ingredients and benefits of what you'll need to get baking
Chapter 2 - How-To's & What For's
Techniques & Tools
Chapter 3 - 9 she takes our taste buds on a tantalizing tour of:
Power Muffins, Brownies, Cookies, Cupcakes, Bars, Donut Holes, and Bread.
Of course, each chapter has a clever title, but I can't spoil everything for you with this review!
The rest of the pages include:
Resources
Acknowledgements
Index
About the Author
Recipe Notes
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Free Food Fully Loaded
Explains the ingredients and benefits of what you'll need to get baking
Chapter 2 - How-To's & What For's
Techniques & Tools
Chapter 3 - 9 she takes our taste buds on a tantalizing tour of:
Power Muffins, Brownies, Cookies, Cupcakes, Bars, Donut Holes, and Bread.
Of course, each chapter has a clever title, but I can't spoil everything for you with this review!
The rest of the pages include:
Resources
Acknowledgements
Index
About the Author
Recipe Notes
| Drooling yet? She ships nationwide! So no matter what your area code, you can enjoy "baked goods that actually make you feel good!" |  |  |
A few more bites into Debbie's Life:
Debbie Adler, accountant turned gourmet chef motivated by the desire to create delicious and nutritious desserts for her multiple food allergy son.
Originally an NY girl, she graduated from Binghamton and was a CPA for a large accounting firm in NYC. Her son's diagnosis, as well as her love of nutrition and insatiable sweet tooth, motivated her to make the move from crunching numbers to measuring nutrients.
Now, she is the owner of Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes, a place where children like her son, as well as those with celiac disease, diabetes, and autism can safely enjoy desserts that are not only drool-worthy, but healthy as well.
All of this success, Los Angeles living and celebrity status has not made Debbie's head inflate like a loaf of bread with too much yeast. Instead, she is genuine, down to earth, and simply a pleasure to speak with. While she does happen to provide tasty treats for A- List celebrities, her main goal is still to "teach all mammas, by hook or cookbook, how to bake up batches" of her treats in their own kitchen to give their children delicious and nutritious desserts, no matter what their food allergy.
Debbie Adler, accountant turned gourmet chef motivated by the desire to create delicious and nutritious desserts for her multiple food allergy son.
Originally an NY girl, she graduated from Binghamton and was a CPA for a large accounting firm in NYC. Her son's diagnosis, as well as her love of nutrition and insatiable sweet tooth, motivated her to make the move from crunching numbers to measuring nutrients.
Now, she is the owner of Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes, a place where children like her son, as well as those with celiac disease, diabetes, and autism can safely enjoy desserts that are not only drool-worthy, but healthy as well.
All of this success, Los Angeles living and celebrity status has not made Debbie's head inflate like a loaf of bread with too much yeast. Instead, she is genuine, down to earth, and simply a pleasure to speak with. While she does happen to provide tasty treats for A- List celebrities, her main goal is still to "teach all mammas, by hook or cookbook, how to bake up batches" of her treats in their own kitchen to give their children delicious and nutritious desserts, no matter what their food allergy.
- Are you a baker? What's you signature goodie?
- What's your favorite baked good recipe you wish you could "healthify" or make "allergy friendly"?
- If you're local, will you scope out Sweet Debbie's? If not, are you interested in buying the book?
I received this book complimentary of the kindness of Debbie Adler, who sought my honest opinion and review of her book. I was not paid for this review, therefore, all opinions and sentiments towards Debbie are my own and genuine.
