{Cookbook Review} Abby Dodge’s Desserts 4 Today and Giveaway!

by Alice Currah on August 26, 2010. Updated August 30, 2010

Earlier this week I posted this amazing recipe for 4 – Ingredients Nutella Brownies from Abby Dodge’s new cookbook, Desserts 4 Today.  Each recipe only requires 4 ingredients in this clever, simple cookbook -every dessert lovers dream come true!  I’ve also made her cinnamon-basil ice cream which my husband was skeptical about until he tried a bite and exclaimed this was his new favorite ice cream flavor.  The thought of eating basil infused ice cream was a revelation in itself to him and he’s a convert now – Hallelujah and Amen.  I’ve also had the Orange-Scented White Chocolate-Blackberry Mousse, too!  Can I just tell you how much I’ve enjoyed each of these recipes?!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Abby in Bucks Country, PA at an all-day workshop we both were speaking at.  She is an amazing women who is very likable, approachable, passionate, and kind.  Abby is a seasoned cookbook author with seven cookbooks to her credit including many authored under the William-Sonoma series of cookbooks.  She is also a pastry-chef and a Fine Cooking Magazine contributing editor.  Abby also has a great website at AbbyDodge.com.

I told her how much I was looking forward to the release of her cookbook and she generously gave me her own copy to take home with me on the flight.  The moment I started scanning each page I instantly fell in love with this cookbook.  I love desserts and the idea of a cookbook completely dedicated to 125 dessert recipes only requiring four ingredients was just what this mom of three kids needed!  When you think about it, the concept is so brilliant.

The recipes are simple, approachable, and flavorful.  Each recipe has the ingredients clearly listed on a left side bar and the directions in the right.  The photos are beautiful and honest.  You get a true glimpse at what the recipe is suppose to look like.  As an FYI: Many of the recipes use ingredients you probably have on hand already – bonus.

Because Abby is a cookbook author or several cookbooks, including ones focused on baking and cooking with kids, it is no surprise the recipes in her latest cookbook are written in a clear, straightforward voice.  Children could easily prepare many of these recipes without problem.  These everyday dessert recipes will satisfy the sweet tooth of both friends and family.  I would recommend this cookbook to anyone who loves dessert, esp. families.

Remember when I told you Abby Dodge was really kind?  I wasn’t kidding.  She and her publisher, Taunton Press, have generously provided three copies of Desserts 4 Today for Savory Sweet Life Readers.

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite dessert.

If you would like an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the following…

Just entered to win a copy of Abby Dodge’s Desserts 4 Today cookbook  http://bit.ly/cGTu9J #SavorySweetLife #AbbyDodge

Come back here and leave an additional comment with your Twitter handle letting me know you tweeted.  One copy of the book will be reserved from the Twitter entries.

Contest will close Sunday evening (Aug 29) at 9pm PST and winners will be chosen at random (random.org) and announced shortly after.  Contest is open to those with US mailing addresses.


Watch Abby’s book trailer for Desserts 4 Today!

     

SAVORY SWEET LIFE Book Trailer

{ 340 comments }

251
NYCookie Crumbs August 27, 2010 at 11:23 am

home made Crema Catalana (a Spanish version of crème brulée).

252
Joanne August 27, 2010 at 11:28 am

I love peach pie!! I am usually not a big sweets kind of girl, but give me a pie and I will be a happy camper.

253
Naomi August 27, 2010 at 11:43 am

My absolute favorite dessert is bananas foster. Served over a slice of banana bread and topped with a good vanilla ice cream.

254
AKgirl August 27, 2010 at 11:53 am

It’s hard to choose a single dessert, but if I could only have one I’d take ice cream every time. Especially chocolate with cookie dough bits!

255
Kelley August 27, 2010 at 12:12 pm

My favorite dessert is Italian Cream Cake. Yummmm…

256
Kelley August 27, 2010 at 12:16 pm

I tweeted about the giveaway (@gfcookiegirl)!

257
Amy August 27, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Paula Deen’s chocolate gooey butter cakes. Oh my yum!

258
Sari August 27, 2010 at 12:44 pm

I’d say your Banana Split Ice Cream Cake! It’s fantastic… And as a runner-up, classic New York Cheesecake, homemade.

259
Laurie Sawyer August 27, 2010 at 12:48 pm

My favorite dessert is tiramisu… Delish!

260
Bonnie Sue August 27, 2010 at 12:52 pm

My favorite dessert is Lemon Curd Cheescake!! yummm :)

261
Betty Jo August 27, 2010 at 1:20 pm

My new favorite dessert is molten lava cakes. So gooey and so good!

262
Michelle August 27, 2010 at 1:27 pm

Desserts with only 4 ingredients are just pure genius. Thanks for offering the chance to win one of Abby’s cookbooks.

My favorite dessert… In August, I’d have to say blackberry pie. (I think it changes depending on the month!)

263
Melissa August 27, 2010 at 1:29 pm

I’m pregnant, and I’m loving all desserts these days!

264
May Bowser August 27, 2010 at 1:47 pm

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

265
May Bowser August 27, 2010 at 1:51 pm

twitter : maybowser

266
Tricia McAvoy August 27, 2010 at 2:19 pm

My forever favorite dessert has always been anything chocolate. Cheese cake is wonderful too. Now it seems that Nutella has made an in road as has Dulce de leche…..combine any of the above and I’m a goner.

267
Brian August 27, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Definitely creme brulee!

268
Maggie-wann August 27, 2010 at 2:29 pm

My mother’s blackberry pie will always be my favorite.

269
redlobster August 27, 2010 at 2:45 pm

Lemon tarts, but I’m very particular about how they’re made…the best ones are just the right mix of tart and sweet. :)

270
Sarah Solducky August 27, 2010 at 2:56 pm

Chocolate cake with chocolate icing!

271
Kirsten August 27, 2010 at 3:12 pm

Picking my favorite desert is like having to pick a favorite child. Impossible! I’ll say it’s a tie between chocolate ice cream and the classic s’mores.

272
Kirsten August 27, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Just Tweeted – @kahansen

273
Cassie August 27, 2010 at 4:10 pm

Key Lime Pie, Baby! Yum, yum, and yum!!!

274
Melissa Lucas August 27, 2010 at 4:11 pm

Coconut Cream Pie is my all time favorite dessert! Anything coconut will hold my attentions, but coconut cream pie…homemade of course…always has me swooning :)

275
Darcy August 27, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Chocolate eclairs!!

276
Mary Beth August 27, 2010 at 4:27 pm

I love Southern Style fudge pie!

277
Pamela B August 27, 2010 at 5:15 pm

Brownie a la mode!

278
cerys August 27, 2010 at 5:40 pm

creme brulee, but it’s almost a tie with cheesecake!

279
Jane August 27, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I can only choose ONE favorite dessert?! Since we’re talking Abby Dodge here, I’d say ice cream sandwiches made with her One Pot Chocolate Chip Cookies (from The Weekend Baker) and Ben & Jerry’s vanilla ice cream. Yes, I am particular. ;)

280
Charlene August 27, 2010 at 7:08 pm

I would have to say good old-fashioned rice pudding – that is the most comforting dessert of my childhood. Thanks for the chance to enter. Have a great week-end!

281
Courtney August 27, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Pecan pie is one of my favorite desserts!

282
Jenny August 27, 2010 at 7:43 pm

I love angel food cake!

283
Mary August 27, 2010 at 7:55 pm

So many, but tiramisu is one I cannot resist, a good one with strong coffee and rum flavors! Yum :)

284
Alli August 27, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Any cookie from a bakery, especially chocolate chip or m&m.

285
Aileen Chang August 27, 2010 at 9:18 pm

My fave dessert is tiramisu! Mmmmm… :)

286
nikki August 27, 2010 at 10:03 pm

my favorite dessert is brownies.. the kind with big chunks of chocolate in them.

287
alicia August 27, 2010 at 10:38 pm

have fav dessert is anything with chocolate in it!

288
Rebecca August 27, 2010 at 11:33 pm

I am a lover of all things dessert. Pie, peach cobbler, blueberry cobbler, bread pudding with lemon sauce. All homemade of course!!

289
wendy m August 28, 2010 at 12:28 am

tiramisu. hands down my favorite dessert. yum.

290
Emily August 28, 2010 at 1:04 am

My favorite dessert is home made apple pie and vanilla ice cream!

291
Wendy B August 28, 2010 at 1:14 am

This time of year my I make a delicious apricot blueberry pie. Certainly one of my favorites.

292
Heather August 28, 2010 at 1:19 am

My grandma made the yummiest Rhubarb Cobbler with a walnut topping. Its so good warm with vanilla ice cream.

293
cindy August 28, 2010 at 2:34 am

My favorite dessert is panna cotta!

294
Leah August 28, 2010 at 3:08 am

My favorite dessert would have to be these blueberry bars:
http://leah10x10.blogspot.com/2010/07/blueberry-crumb-bars.html
They’re possibly the best dessert I’ve ever made, and they’re totally addictive.

295
Megan Gordon August 28, 2010 at 3:20 am

Always tough. Going to go with tres leche cake. Look like a fabulous book!

296
Misty August 28, 2010 at 3:24 am

vanilla ice cream with kinako (soybean powder)

297
Natalie August 28, 2010 at 6:16 am

My favorite dessert is my mom’s peanut butter fudge. Takes me back home every time.

298
Carmen Henesy August 28, 2010 at 8:52 am

What a great giveaway! I would love a dessert cookbook that has recipes that only require four ingredients!!

299
Jenny C August 28, 2010 at 9:14 am

Applesauce! I never feel guilty on how much I have.

300
Rebecca August 28, 2010 at 9:34 am

thanks for your great web site! i LOVE LOVE LOVE crème brûlée – my home-made version is always a hit! :)

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