Althea's Reading Corner

Title: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Book

Whether you're creating a cozy self-care treat, a celebration for loved ones, or the perfect gift for any occasion, chocolate chip cookies speak to the heart. In The Chocolate Chip Cookie Book, artist and cookie expert Katie Jacobs offers 100 recipes for every gift-giving season and reason, from fancy dinners to lunchbox goodies.

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Book offers:

• 100 recipes, from basic to "Wow, you made this?"
• Icons that help you identify difficulty levels, tools used, and food sensitivities
• Delicious vegan, paleo, dairy-free, and gluten-free recipes
• The secrets and science behind why the same cookie recipe can result in vastly different cookies
• Gorgeous and helpful photos from the author, who is a contributing photographer for Southern Living, O, Martha Stewart Living, and the Hallmark Channel

Full of chocolate chip cookie how-tos, this beautifully detailed book is for experts, experimenters, and amateurs alike. Add to your baking expertise and dessert inspirations as you discover the cookie of your dreams.

In total there is 229 recipes. One of my favorites is the no chocolate chip chocolate chip cookie recipe. I know it's weird but my husband loves chocolate chip cookie dough without the chocolate chips and this is the first time I have ever seen a recipe dedicated to that. I usually just make a chocolate chip cookie dough mix and leave the chocolate chips out for him.

Another great recipe is the one for just a single chocolate chip cookie for those times when you really want just one. But let's be honest, how often does that actually happen. Lol.

The front of the cookbook is filled with a ton of useful information. Baking is a science and if you don't do it just right then it does not come out right. I loved the section where the author put images of cookie scoop sizes with the respective cookie size it makes. So helpful!

Throughout the cookbook, you find "Katie's tips" which help with making the recipe you are using or providing suggestions. For example, crushing M&Ms to add texture to your cookie. Another one is how to bake on aluminum foil to make crispy edge cookies. Another great one is the difference between rolled oats and quick oats and how they can affect your cookie.

So many pictures, which is something I am always looking for in a cookbook. If I'm going to consider making it then I want to see what it looks like first. Sometimes the picture for the recipe came before it and other times it came after the recipe. I found this confusing at times and trying to figure out what recipe the picture went to.