The Violet Bakery Cookbook

I bought this book partly for the cover, and partly because I was enthralled by Claire's approach to baking from the interview I saw in Milk Street. So far I've made 3 recipes from it (scones, chocolate cake, and the rye brownies). The recipes were really easy to follow and turned out DELICIOUS. And they're very easy to modify if desired (she even provides suggestions for doing so). Especially the brownies, which I was a little unsure about, came out aMAZing. I've been eagerly waiting for apricot season to come around since the apricot upside down cake and the apricot corn muffins are what I'm most looking forward to. (Although aren't apricot kernels toxic? Might leave those out D: )

I really really love this cookbook. I have made quite a few recipes from it (apricot upside down cake, brownies, blondies, madeleines, banana bread, egg yolk cookies, etc.) and have found them all to be delicious. Each baked good I have made feels unique and high quality. It is a beautiful book and my go-to when I want to make a special, crowd-pleasing dessert. I am glad weights are included along with volumes; I think this is the reason my results have always been successful. Lovely book: tasty recipes, delicate and sweet photography, all-around amazing.

I became curious about Claire Ptak after reading about the royal wedding cake in the New Yorker. After finding some of her recipes on the Internet and making the delicious rye brownies, I decided I needed this cookbook. Although the edition I bought still seems to have the incorrect measurements that other reviewers have complained about (the cup conversions are way off for the cinnamon rolls), I measured by weight and have had no fails so far. Most of the things I've made have been amazing, with only a couple recipes I didn't care for. Outstanding (in order of how much I loved it): Loganberry vanilla birthday cake - I made the icing with blackberries (suggested substitution, because who has loganberries?) and have made this cake twice because it was that good. Rye chocolate brownies Butterscotch blondies - excellent although I tried (and failed) to make the caramel shards TWICE. I blame the humidity. Cinnamon buns - these were different but good! Not your usual yeasty cinnamon rolls because the leavening is with baking powder. Mozzarella, rosemary, and new potato tarts Alice Waters's apple galette Wouldn't make again: Lacinato kale, leek, and ricotta bread pudding - I liked this but nobody else in my family did. Blueberry, spelt, and oat scones (dry and overpowering with almond butter) I still plan to make the sweet potato, coconut, date, and rye muffins, the chocolate souffle cake, banana buttermilk bread, the ginger snaps, and the chocolate chip cookies, but I haven't gotten around to doing so. However, this has been a very successful cookbook purchase already, and I expect to continue to cook a lot from here.

I love looking at all of these recipes. Creative use of various flours and ingredients. I made the coffee cardamom walnut cakes. So cute and tasty. Looked just like the picture. I had to order pink peppercorns online and grinding them was a challenge. I made the strawberry scones. They were delicious, but the temperature may be too low. They just didn't seem done inside. I reduced the amount of candied ginger since a small 2 oz jar was $9! I am looking forward to trying more recipes. The prune scones may be next, although I don't drink Earl Gray tea and don't want to buy a whole box. I wish she would give substitutions. I also want to try the cinnamon rolls, the leek and kale bread pudding, the blondies with caramel shards and then the brownies with rye flour, which i find intriguing. So many recipes are calling my name! I rated it a 4 instead of a 5, because as a home cook, rather than a professional baker, I have to spend quite a bit of money to buy unusual ingredients to make the recipes.

Great, simple recipes that are delicious. A lot of recipes allow you to freeze the unbaked items which is fantastic for anyone seeking to meal prep or those with a family!

A ton of interesting recipes and clear guidance about how to replicate them. Makes me want to travel to London, rent a flat near VIOLET and go there frequently and, hopefully, have opportunities to have interesting conversations with Claire Ptak while I tell her of all the recipes I enjoyed preparing after reading her engaging cookbook.

Unfortunately this cookbook's recipes make one wonder how the author gained such praise and following. For me the cookbook was not worth the price. I'm not keeping it.

Very approachable recipes. I made the rye brownies and they were absolutely delicious (though I did reduce the sugar a bit). The sweet potato, coconut, and rye muffins are really nice as well. They lasted for a few days on the counter and made a great "grab and go" morning meal or afternoon snack. UPDATE: I made the banana bread and it was another success. Very glad to have purchased this cookbook. With respect to the brownies, I've settled on a 50/50 split of spelt and rye with a slight reduction in sugar.

ロイヤルウエディングケーキも使った、ロンドンにある人気ベーカリーのレシピ本。 とても共感できて良い本です。 中には甘すぎるのもありますが、美味しいのもあります笑

The book is beautifully illustrated and love the stories behind the recipes and the authors personal experiences. The recipes all seemed to be doable though I haven't tried any yet. This book was featured for cbc best 10 cooking books. Highly recommend for bake loving people

Have made the choc chip cookies and lemon cake and they were delish. Look forward to trying more recipes.

I used Claire Ptak’s egg yolk choc chip cookie recipe and ginger cake recipes so many times from the internet I felt I needed to buy the book in “payment”. I had only delayed as my cookbook shelf is one-in-one-out at this point!! But what a treasure it is. Not only recipes with great context which I like, but also a lovely introduction to the book and excellent baking tips. I’m slightly biased as I live in Hackney near the bakery, but she is one of my favourite bakers on earth. Never leave London Claire !

Had it not been the news of her baking the royal wedding cake I would not have even known about the author and the book. But I am loving this book as an baking enthusiat. Every recipe has inputs by Claire and that interaction make you feel as if attending her baking class. All recipes are very healthy considering they are indulgence. Photos of the baked goods are not glamorised so you know what you are aiming for and that is a great motivation. As for the title of the book it's violet bakery cookbook and it covers various bakery items including cupcakes cakes cookies and pies so there is something for every taste bud. Draw back for me was small font size and printing ink not dark enough. All in all I would recommend it for the love of baking and achievability of the recipes. I tried ginger and molasses cake oatmeal and candied peel cookies both turned out delicious. Happy! If you bake for love this book is for you.