The Perfect Recipe Baking Book: 50 Foolproof Recipes for America's Classic Cakes, Pies, Cookies and More

Directions for cakes, pies, cobblers, cookies, muffins and other sweet confections are simplified by a 79-year-old former CEO of a large California-based wholesale bakery. Jaffe attempts to banish all mystery from the baking process in order to encourage the timid to tackle what might heretofore have been a dauntingtask. His utter dedication to clarity and basic fare, however, doesn't leave much room for imagination and results in a methodical, occasionally plodding slate of baked goods that are long on ease and short on excitement. Still, tyro bakers looking for straightforward techniques to serve up a trusty Devil's Food Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Blueberry Crisp, Strawberry Shortcake, Hermits or Brownies will find Jaffe a calming voice. A far more convincing selection of ""best"" dessert recipes is found in The Cook's Bible (Forecasts, July 15). (Nov.)