cover image The Seasonal Baker: 
Easy Recipes from My Home Kitchen to Make Year-Round

The Seasonal Baker: Easy Recipes from My Home Kitchen to Make Year-Round

John Barricelli. Clarkson Potter, $35 (288p) ISBN 978-0-307-95187-8

A follow-up to his SoNo Baking Company Cookbook, Barricelli’s latest was “conceived with family—mine and yours—in mind” and includes photographs of his children and encouragement to bring children into the kitchen. Dedicated to “All single parents,” the single father of two keeps the title sophisticated with recipes such as warm figs and prosciutto and bruschetta, poached pears in red wine, and sweet corn ice cream, yet accessible to the whole family with Better-than-store-bought Fig Newtons, trail mix cookies, and chocolate-cherry cupcakes. With the “majority of recipes for everyday baking” and extensive preliminary pages, including a well-thought-out shopping guide, this collection is a fit for new and experienced bakers alike. Savory recipes, including a variety of pizzas and focaccia, highlight seasonal ingredients, as do the sweets throughout the title. A special bonus for all bakers: Mrs. Kostyra’s (as in Martha Stewart’s mom) date squares. Agent, Coleen O’Shea.(Aug.)