Ovenly: Sweet & Salty Recipes from New York's Most Creative Bakery

Though they've only been open since May of 2012, Brooklyn's Ovenly has quickly gained a ravenous following. Owners Kulaga and Patinkin go further than most other baking cookbooks, creating something closer to a printed apprenticeship than a rote collection of recipes. Small but important tips like choosing the right baking pan (dark pans will brown/burn more quickly), scoring pan (to ensure consistent batter levels), and specifics on butter temperature will ensure dishes come out as intended. As for the recipes, regulars will find many of them here, with step-by-step photos for Bloody Mary Scones, Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies and their infamous Hot Tarts, a riff on the breakfast classic that's filled with caramel and bacon and other flavors. If readers would prefer to keep things more traditional, Kulaga and Patinkin generously offer base recipes for quick breads, coffee cakes and scones, in addition to classics like Peanut Butter Cookies and shortbread. The result is a book readers will find themselves turning to often as well as growing with. Kulaga and Patinkin are encouraging coaches, and the recipes are well thought-out and artfully presented. Bakers might as well buy two copies, as the first is likely to become butter-stained and dog-eared. (Oct)