As you may or may not know, I’ve been working away in the kitchen for the past couple of months, developing a whole slew of new recipes for my second book. Although it’s still a while away from hitting shelves, I’m getting closer to finishing the recipe line up and would love to get some feedback from you! Additionally, if any of you are interested in signing up to be a recipe tester, I’m now ready to take a few choice bakers on to fine-tune some recipes. As a tester, you must plan to commit a decent amount of time and thought to this task, so I’m only looking for people that are willing to tackle a challenge, and above all else, are passionate about dessert. If this sounds like your sort of project, drop me a line!
Even if you aren’t interested in being a tester, I really want to get some feedback from you to get a better idea of how to improve this book and make it the best it can possibly be. I’ll even sweeten the deal and enter everyone who answers my survey in to a raffle to win a dozen bakery-style chocolate chip cookies, freshly baked by yours truly! If you’d rather not leave this info out in the comment section, you could also email (testers @ mysweetvegan . com) with your thoughts, too. So, tell me…
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Thanks for all of your help- The winner of the raffle will be announced on Friday, but I would still love to hear from you after that even if you miss the cut off.
And now that you’re hopefully in the mood for something sweet, you can check out my latest demo on Everyday Dish: Butterscotch Blondies! I’m still to nervous to watch it myself, so I really hope it’s okay…!
I’d love to test. I have My Sweet Vegan and love it. Let me know if I can help and good luck with the new book! :-)
Christy
I would be honored to test. And let’s see if I can’t answer some of your questions, as well.
1. I bake several times a week and of course, more during the holidays.
2. I prefer cookbooks that utilize everyday ingredients. (Being a vegetarian with a dairy allergy I almost always lean towards vegan cookbooks and there have been a few instances where I’ve simply been dumbfounded!) I also enjoy clean, clear photos.
3. I would run to the kitchen straight away if I happened upon a holiday dessert cookbook. I’m a sucker!
4. I wouldn’t make a recipe that uses too many hard-to-find ingredients. It’s hard enough finding almond milk where I live!
5. I prefer traditional but love the challenges of unique presentations, etc.
6. see above!
7. BROWNIES!
Thanks for this opportunity. I look forward to the newest release!
I wish I could commit to testing, but I worry that life would get in the way. :-)
I’m happy to answer your survey, though!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I usually bake something once or twice a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Recipes with easy to find ingredients
Recipes with short ingredient lists
Recipes with pictures!!!!
Anecdotes are always fun to read, too!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
A low-sugar cookie, brownie, scone or quick bread recipe. If not low sugar, then recipes that can easily be modified to be baked with less sugar or with agave nectar.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I usually don’t make cheesecake recipes because I can’ t afford to buy a bunch of vegan cream cheese.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I think i’m pretty traditional, but I’m not shy of unusual or unique things.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
That depends. I like challenging insofar as making recipes that I’ve never made before, but I don’t always like challenging when it means I’m going to have to spend hours and hours in the kitchen. I usually like to complete a recipe from start to finish and baking over several days doesn’t particularly appeal to me either (except if it’s something simple like letting a dough rest in the fridge overnight. that’s not a big deal.)
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
brownies with ice cream – it was my favorite when I wasn’t vegan and it’s still a great vegan dessert
Thanks, Hannah! I can’t wait for your new book. I need more scones!
i would love to be a tester!
1. i bake at least once a week.
2. i look for yummy photos, creative flavor combinations, and ease of finding ingredients (i live in WV and can’t find some stuff here).
3. a really fabulous ooey gooey cookie. or! bread that has herbs in it :)
4. i don’t usually make recipes that involve a lot of complicated taskwork (extensive layers in cakes or bars, filling lots of tiny things with small amounts of mousse, etc). i kind of lack the patience, but not the skill level.
5. i like a good combination of both. there are times when all i want is a really great chocolate chip cookie… and others when i’m in the mood to try something i’ve never thought of before!
6. if it’s the weekend, yes.
7. brownie sundaes!…basically anything that involves gratuitous chocolate.
I would love to be a recipe tester. While I admit that I’m not a strict vegan (I refer to myself as “veganish”), I am a strict vegan baker. I love the challenge of vegan baking, and even more I love to surprise tasters, after they’ve eaten and exclaimed over cupcakes or cookies or pies or whatever, with the fact that this is what vegan treats can taste like.
1. I bake several times a week.
2. In a cookbook, I look for the absence of animal products, a new twist on something familiar, ingredients I recognize, beautiful photographs (i.e. My Sweet Vegan), and chocolate.
3. This time of year, variations on sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, etc. make me want to run into the kitchen and bake. Also flaky pastry, apples, and, um, chocolate.
4. I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t want to make, honestly. Except circus peanuts.
5. I like both unusual and traditional recipes, although autumn makes me crave familiarity and comfort.
6. Yes, challenging recipes are good.
7. Favorite dessert — I’m fickle, so this changes, but currently it’s homemade vegan chocolate bread pudding…mmm.
Not to sound too gushy or anything, but…Oh my god, I would love to test recipes for you! I’m home all day and already bake too much as it is – I’d love to put my baking toward a good cause. *emailing you*
I definitely wouldn’t be able to be a tester but can answer your questions!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) Every now and then and a lot for holidays.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) I look for cheap ingredients and ingredients I’m likely to have on hand, easy recipes and pictures.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Something healthy (diet friendly) AND tasty.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Most that are too complicated. I just don’t have the time/patience.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I like some traditional but love trying new things too.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Not often.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Chocoate Chip Cookies
Call me about this when you get a chance, please. Thanks :0)
1. It depends really. I bake when I can, I honestly use every oppurtunity as an excuse to try out baking.
2. I love colourful pictures. I’m always sold when there are shots of the food in the cookbook. Good ing., easy recipes all help, but in the end a glamorous food shot gets me everytime.
3. Anything with chocolate really. If it sounds delicious, usually cakes or cookies, sometimes a play on a traditional favorite really gets me in the kitchen fast.
4. I don’t make a lot of really difficult recipes. Ones that involved lots of steps, lots of different bowls, or weird kitchen utensils or too many crazy ingredients I’d have to go out and purchase… I don’t have the money or time.
5. It’s always nice to have tried and true favorites because then you know everyone will eat them. But trying a new flavour/unique recipe works is nice for an experiment.
6. Definitely, that’s one reason I like vegan baking. I’m not a vegan (though I am vegetarian) but vegan baking/cooking is a challenge when you could just go for the traditional milk/egg ingredients.
7. Chocolate anything, but more specifically ice cream or chocolate chip cookies.
I would love to be a tester, but I’m not sure I’ll have the time or money to buy ingredients. I’m a university student, but if I had a really good excuse to bake (like testing recipes) I’d probably do it more. :)
hey hey…
i would love to partake in your taste testing but sadly ovens are rare here in korea…
i really miss it and do what i can in the microwave (yes, one gets that desperate) but it is clearly not the same….
okay enough of my lamenting and to answer your questions…
1) maybe once a week (but that is bakeless or microwave style)
2)i usually go for recommended books, but when i snag one of the shelf compelling text and pictures always catch my eye….although, a few of my books now are picture-less.
3)this depends on my mood, but it does help if i already have all the ingredients on hand…
4)i usually avoid orang chocolate combo, but that is just my own aversion….
5)i am sorry i am such a fence sitter but i like both. Traditional chocolate chip cookies rock, but then lavendar infused lemon shortbread would catch my eye as well. Plus anything with chai…mmm chai…
6)always love a good challenge..
7)hm…tough call but i would have to say hot apple crisp with soy vanilla ice cream or pumpkin pie with soy whip…..
I hope these help….i shall hope for the cookies although they do have a long ways to travel….but pity me with no oven :)
cheers…
1. I probably bake something every other week. Sometimes more, but I’d say that at the absolute least.
2. PICTURES! I love going into a bookstore and being able to picture eating the lovely foods.
3. Something in which I had all of the ingredients on hand… so I guess common ingredients.
4. I generally don’t end up making desserts that I have to refrigerate all or part of, because I’m too impatient. So I don’t make many pies/tarts.
5. I like unusual flavors as long as the ingredients are common pantry/refrigerator staples or are inexpensive.
6. YES! I love a challenge!
7. Key lime pie, cheesecake, cookies…. love, love, love desserts!
I would LOVE to be a recipe tester for you! Feel free to email me and let me know what I need to do!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) At least a few times per week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Pictures, good direction
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Really anything where chocolate or cream cheese is the main ingredient! :)
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Anything where nuts are a star player because unfortunately I’m allergic. Otherwise, I do not discriminate when it comes to sweets :)
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Traditional because most of the time I’m sharing them with others.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Cheesecake
Will help you out on the survey.
1. Only on special occasions.
2. Easy recipes, nice pictures. And easy to find ingredients.
3. Anything with chocolate!
4. Recipes that require ingredients that are not easy available in my area. Will avoid recipes that needs a long tedious preparation time.
5. I enjoy both traditional and as well as unique desserts that catches my eye.
6. No, I can’t handle challenging recipes as I’m still a novice in baking.
7. That have to be brownies!
I’m a student, so I really have no time to test, but I’m happy to offer the busy student perspective for your survey! (By the way, I’m blown away that you’re so accomplished at an age when I wasn’t even vegan, much less capable of feeding myself on a regular basis!)
1. How often do you bake? A couple times a month… usually on the weekend with friends.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I usually look for high density of stovetop or one-pot/dish meals that have lots of veggies and protein, because I’m lazy. I don’t go in much for appetizers and drink recipes. Of course, if it’s a cookbook about baking, then I’d look for exciting new flavors but nothing too complicated (like making flowers out of frosting or something ridiculous like that). I love a good variety of exciting global flavors. High density of avocado, squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts and low density of tomato-based dishes. And I like it when hard-to-find or expensive ingredients come with a substitution option. I also like my recipes spaced one per page :) (I guess I’m picky). I have a pretty good local co-op, but it would be amazing if hard-to-find or unusual ingredients came with a specific brand recommendation or a website where it’s available online, so I know I’m buying the right quality and not getting ripped off.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? When it comes to baking, exciting flavors. For example, I’m dying to find a good matcha green tea cake recipe because I had a great one from a Trader Joe’s mix once, but I live upstate and nowhere near a Trader Joe’s.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I am not a fan of assembly-required food, like puff-pastry nonsense, or anything that requires equipment that I don’t have and wouldn’t use often enough to invest in, like individual tart dishes or something.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Unusual is what gets me to buy the book, since I already have access to most traditional recipes.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Only if I’m really bored (like maybe sometime after I graduate and I’m unemployed and baking for board?)
7. Favorite dessert – anything, really, as long as it’s vegan! If i have choices, I usually go for chocolate, almond, and vanilla, exotic spices, and not the fruity things as much.
Looking forward to your book!
Emily
1. How often do you bake? About 3x per week…more around holidays
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? New recipes, good details on what to look for/expect, moderately affordable ingredients
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Cookies of any kind! oh, and soups
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I usually don’t make anything that requires tooo much attention to presentation. I like things to look nice but taste is most important
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? um, both. I do prefer a unique twist that will impress tasters
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes I do, but only once in a while. My go to recipes are the simple ones
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? creme brulee or coffee ice cream with brownies
I would love to be a tester! Any excuse I have to bake more than I already! Should I shoot you an email as well?
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
– At least once a week, usually more.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
– The first thing being that it contains recipes that I couldn’t easily come up with on my own. When I buy a cookbook I like to be challenged and know that I’m actually going to gain new information or insight from buying it. I also generally look for healthier recipes. My most recent cookbook purchase was Get It Ripe! and I LOVE it.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
– One that I either know is going to be amazing, just by reading it, or one that I know I can make amazing by tweaking a few things. Yesterday I came across these
and tonight I’m veganizing it, and using fancy pants dark chocolate from a local organic fair trade chocolate factory (www.theochocolate.com). CAN NOT WAIT.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
– One that is based around fake meat, or meat substitutes. Not my thing! (Not that there’s a lot of fake meat in baked goods- but you know what I mean!)
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
– I can go either way. I grew up eating a lot of diverse foods, so I tend to lean more towards unusual or unique flavors. Lately I’ve been putting lavender or chili/chipotle powder into just about everything that I can. I’m always excited to try new flavors/combinations.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
– LOVE them. Bring it!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
– Super spicy ginger cookies, chocolate cupcakes with lavender buttercream (oh, heaven!), andddd it’s really bad, but 365 brand (Whole Foods), sandwich cookies (basically fake Oreos, but so much better) are one of my favorite guilty pleasures and one of the only store-bought cookies that I’ll buy.
Eek, sorry! Bad html!
I’m a strictly vegan baker and I love my flax seeds!
I’m with Vegannifer – I don’t make recipes that require piles of soy cream cheese. I’m allergic to soy, so I don’t make recipes that require highly processed soy-based ingredients. In fact, I stay away from ersatz foods.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Weekly. Quite a lot, actually, though this summer has been largely consumed with canning.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
No Overly Processed/Ersatz food: I don’t like cookbooks that are overly reliant on packaged ingredients (like Earth Balance) or soy products (does every VCTOTW recipe require curdled soy milk or is it my imagination?).
What I like best about the Millennium cookbooks is that they mostly use “real” food ingredients. Same with recipes for raw desserts from Cafe Gratitude.
Real ingredients & fats like coconut oil, olive oil, canola and maybe non-hydrogenated palm shortening but no soy milk (almond milk or cashew cream you can make in your own blender).
Leave out the newbie kitchen advice – I don’t need any more cookbooks that give me advice on nutrition, how to stock my kitchen and vegan “lifestyle” (like Veganomicon and so many others).
I like good recipes with good pictures and some semi-exotic ingredients. I like “Joy of Vegan Baking” quite a lot – it has the best carrot cake recipe I have ever made, and I haven’t gotten over the tofu-based super easy lemon bar recipe to try the Veganomicon recipe made with agar agar.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Ha ha ha – all of them. I like recipes that offer variations – I’m looking for a fig tart, for example – and am going to veganize a semolina-rosemary crust I found (using lavender) and come up with a rose cashew cream to pour over the figs… I like recipes that give me ideas. I will always make a good recipe many times.
Oh – seriously – I just remembered this recipe for an olive oil/pound cake that really piqued my interested from a massive Italian cookbook I browsed at a cafe in the Mission. I meant to veganize it but haven’t gotten it done yet. The recipe requires mucho eggs and I’m not sure flax seeds would translate well (too much nutty/crunchy). A nice olive oil pound cake would have me in the kitchen … orange blossom scented even…
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Um… can’t think of any. Celery. Something celery-based. Definitely would NOT make that as it is not a food.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Both. I like traditional with a twist.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes. When it’s too challenging and doesn’t come out right, I remake with friends. I don’t think I have had any major failures following recipes, except for subbing ingredients.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Millennium’s Chocolate Almond Midnight is right up there – though I’ve never made it (that would be too dangerous). I seem to make lemon bars quite a lot lately. Chocolate peanut butter cups (yum) and fresh fruit recipes are awesome.
I would love to test out your new recipes but with school and everything I’m afraid I won’t have the time =( Oh well, I’ll just have to wait for your new cookbook!! Oh and here’s my answers to your survey:
1. How often do you bake? Almost everyday. Even if I’m really busy, I’ll make time to bake or do it really late at night. I find it so relaxing.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I look for things that appeal to me the most and that are easy. I don’t like to wait around for my treats, I want to eat them right away!! Easy to find ingredients are nice too.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Something with fruit. I love fruit cobblers, crumbles, pies, you name it. I also like using agave nectar instead of sugar. But hey, anything with chocolate would be amazing too =)
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Something with a boatload of butter. I know it’s a dessert and it should be full of fats but I tend to go for the more healthy desserts. I also don’t like having to buy special pans for everything or pre-made foods in packaging. I like to make everything from scratch.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Both. I love revising old favorites to make them better but I also really like new flavors. I’m not too fussy on presentation, I just want it to taste good.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? If it’s for a special occasion, I will make it. But usually my favorite recipes are easy to make. Again, I want to eat them ASAP, not have to wait in agony to taste the yummy treats!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I’m not too picky, I mean come on, its a dessert it’s got to be good. But I really like things with fruit in it. Oh and cinnamon is the best spice in the world. I put it on everything, no lie. If you could just make a cookbook revolving around the magnificent spice of cinnamon that would be great thanks =P
You did great in your video! I’m loving the shoes btw =) And just like when I saw your Whoopie Pies recipe I need to go make these blondies right now! I don’t know how you stay so fit with all the baking you do!
I would love to be a recipe tester in theory–could you estimate the time commitment involved and the ingredients you would ask for? I go to school in a small town in Virginia and don’t have dependable access to some vegan substitutes.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Roughly once a week–I’m a full-time student so my free time is mostly only on weekends. However, I do make around 150 cookies and a pie and a cake once a month for my classmates.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Modular recipes that look easy to customize and great pictures.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Anything with chocolate!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Recipes that are very fussy–especially for vegans!–such as meringue, flan or other egg/cream desserts that won’t approach the omnivorous form. I might try to make them once but there are so many delicious and unique vegan recipes out there that I don’t want to be limited by what omnivores eat.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I love reinventing traditional dishes with different flavorings–Cardamom-saffron-green tea baklava–as well as deconstructing desserts (and often making them more vegan friendly in the bargarin). However, I bake for 90 hungry students once a month and I tend to favor cheap and simple recipes for that.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Definitely! I’m hoping to conquer my fear of making marshmallows this weekend. I like involved recipes in theory but lately haven’t had the time for anything that has a lengthy resting period.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Embarrassingly, not a baked one– sticky rice with non-dairy milk and fruit in all of its incarnations–oat-apple-pumpkin in fall, soy-coconut-mango or almond-ginger-peach in summer, etc.
I’d love to test for you, but I’m afraid that my baking projects always turn out less than perfect. Plus, we’re still not entirely sure of the quality of the oven in our apartment.. it’s older than dirt. :)
But I will answer your questions.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
– When I’m home from college, I bake atleast twice a week. I love that I can pass them off to the neighborhood after satisfying my craving. At school, my roommate and I bake whenever we want something warm and gooey. So far it’s been once a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
– PICTURES! I hate not knowing what something should look like. We eat with our eyes! I also like things that are easy, or at least broken down into steps that make tackling them seem managable. Recipes that can be halved or doubled are also a plus — I never seem to fit the requirements.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
– Anything involving less than an hour and peanut butter.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
– Yeast and I don’t get along. I’m also really impatient, so waiting for things to rise, proof, etc. are not fun.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
– Tradition has it’s place. I’m a sucker for old-fashioned favorites, like cinnamon and nutmeg and vanilla. However, adding interesting spice mixes and using teas, coffee, etc. to amp up the flavors are fun. I LOVE fun presentations — I share your obsession for all things tiny.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
– Nothing that requires ridiculous contraptions or weird variations on steps. The most complicated thing I’m comfortable with is exact measuring and following a particular order. I’m much more of a cook than a baker, and strict rules kind of freak me out.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
– My mom’s dairy-free pumpkin pie. It makes me cry, and the fact that she goes to all the trouble to make it without using the traditional condensed milk and butter makes me feel even more loved. It’s also stellar at ANY time of the day and straight from the fridge.
Hope this helps! :)
. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I tend to bake for myself about once a week, plus additionally if there is a get together or potluck.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I do like pictures of the process, especially with vegan baking I like to see what the consistency is. What’s too lumpy? What’s thick? What’s barely mixed, or whipped? Whipped in vegan cooking might mean something different than conventional. Stories and anecdotes are great too.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Definately a healthy one, ie less sugar and fat. Also something quick and uses the ingredients that I already have.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
If baking for myself I would not make very decadent, sweet desserts – only if I was taking them to a party. I would not make things that are iced/frosted or layer cakes.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like both actually, I love coffee flavoured desserts.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Not really….I have a small kitchen. Maybe if I had a huge kitchen with lots of counter space I could bring out all the bowls and mixers and gadgets and thermometers and what have you…
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
I really like banana bread.
I think it would be great if you had a decadent treats section but also a healthy or everyday eating section. Some low fat/sugar muffins or quickbreads, popovers, bars that are naturally sweetened, crumbles or crisps. Or just desserts where ingredients like sugar could be adjusted and would affect the final product too much (unlike cookies for example).
Sorry to sound like such a health nut but I think dessert should be eaten everyday and not be tooth achingly sweet, a nice blueberry muffin or scone would be wonderful.
Hi there! I’ll play …
First off, I’d love to be a tester for you. That sounds exciting and fun.
1. I probably bake once a week, on average, with the frequency higher in the colder months.
2. When I’m considering whether to buy a cookbook, I look for “master recipes” I can adapt and play with, suggested variations for the recipes provided, suggested storage options (like freezing dough, etc.), interesting and new flavor combinations, single-page recipes (I hate having to flip back and forth in the middle of cooking), photos are a plus but not vital, good organization including an extensive index, cross-referencing, room for notes, and clear, accurate, and engaging writing. Personal anecdotes are also a plus and I value books that offer new techniques, too. FInally, I love cookbooks with suggestions on cutting waste and maximizing ingredients.
3. Anything new and interesting. Like the other day I found a recipe for lentil cookies and I really wanted to try them that night. Also, comfort-food. There’s just something about it that makes me want to get into the kitchen.
4. Obviously, anything not vegan. I wouldn’t be interested in recipes employing ingredients that were impossible to find or that I couldn’t procure from a local source (to a certain extent) or at least fair trade.
5. I prefer traditional items presented in unique ways along with fresh flavor combinations that spark my culinary creativity. In other words, I like both traditional and cutting-edge cooking.
6. Yes, but I wouldn’t want to make them every day. I prefer a balance.
7. Pie! :)
I would love to test for you but I am in Italy and trust me, I won’t be able to find 3/4 of the ingredients in any normal American recipe here if I tried. It’s hard enough finding a cupcake pan! :)
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
At home (in the States) I would always bake at least once a week. I bake more at the holidays, when I visit family, or at the end of the school quarter for professors and classmates.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I always look for pictures. I know that they shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, and they aren’t always, but I can’t kick the habit (although I know you photograph ever recipe anyway). For me, the pictures are there as a “check” when I’m done more than something that entices me to begin with. I hate making baked goods and always wondering if they came out how they were supposed to.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
A vegan key lime pie. I have not succeeded in making one yet, and I miss it soooo much.
Other than that, two things: 1) a recipe that sounds fancy/exotic/new/etc. but that in reality is simple to make w/out too many hard to find ingredients (because I’m usually sharing, and this makes for impressive desserts) 2) Something healthy. I know, I know, desserts are supposed to be indulgent, but as a person that has always struggled with weight I find myself baking less and less simply because the calorie count is way too high, and I wouldn’t be able to help myself! I’m not expecting any calorie-free miracles or anything, but it would be nice to know that I’m not blowing 1/3 of my daily intake on a cookie or a cupcake.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I usually don’t make things with really long and expensive ingredient lists. Long is ok, if the ingredients are affordable. Expensive is ok, if I don’t need much of it and there aren’t a lot of other things I have to buy. But long and expensive together are usually a deal breaker.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Both. Probably not the most helpful answer, but it’s true. I hate having to google simple recipes and guess, so it would be good to have a tried-and-true batch of traditional baked goods. Past that, I want to explore flavors and I love love love pretty presentations.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes, but unfortunately I can only make them when I have time. I love them though and I always feel very accomplished afterwards.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Cold apple pie with cookies and cream ice cream. :)
Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to add something!
I would LOVE if nutritional information was provided. I guess putting it next to the recipe might not be the best “advertising”, but maybe an index of nutrition facts in the back of the book? It’s really annoying to enter everything into a recipe calculator every time, and vegan ingredients aren’t always listed there.
Thanks! I hope this helped at all. :)
This sounds wonderful. I would *love* to be a recipe tester.
1. I bake a number of times during the week and always on the weekends.
2. I look for recipes that appeal to me. I look for a book that has recipes that are pretty straight forward but also have some challenging recipes. And I need pictures, not for every recipe but a few are needed. Sometimes a picture is what draws me into making the recipe.
3. Anything that catches my eye. Right now I’m into cupcakes and have been making a ton.
4. Something that is extremely high in fat.
5. I enjoy both but tend to seek out those with a unique flavor.
6. Of course. I’m still working off my ‘things to experiment in the kitchen’ list this year. I wanted to challenge myself with new and involved recipes.
7. It’s never store-bought…always homemade. A very basic apple crisp – where I can taste the apples and the oatmeal, serving right out of the oven with the walnuts slightly toasted…..awesome!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) Pretty much every day if I can.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Photographs, variety, originality
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? A recipe with ingredients I may not have used before, or something that suits the season (casseroles for fall is an example).
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Ummm… probably vegan cheesecake because the ingredients are spendy.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? A happy medium.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes, I enjoy learning new techniques.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Cookies for sure (homemade).
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Probably about every two weeks.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Lots of pictures that are actually on the same spread as the recipes they belong to. I love having a picture for every single recipe and will pay more to get it, so no need to worry about the cost of lots of color photos.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
I love really elaborate, pretty things. I watch Marie Antoinette just to look at the food. So if you had that kind of fancy, French pastry and desserts I would be really excited.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Cupcakes, only because I have VCTOTW, which is lovely, but there are enough cupcake recipes in the world. I’d also be wary about cheesecake since the one time I tried that it went badly. I’m cautious about anything with a lot of tofu, unless it has something like chocolate with a strong flavor, because I really don’t like the taste of tofu in desserts.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I can’t pick, I like both. I like sort of rustic things with whole grain and fruit and not many ingredients, and crazy elaborate things.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes. Since I don’t bake terribly often I always choose complicated and elaborate recipes, when I have an entire afternoon free.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Tartlettes with chocolate mousse filling.
Hi Hannah –
I have some other testing commitments at present, so I’m afraid I would be too short on time – but I can’t wait for Book #2 and I am happy to answer your survey:
1. How often do you bake? Baking of some sort happens several times per week. Dessert baking is more like once a week. We try not to overeat on dessert, but I enjoy baking, so I bring a lot of stuff to work, to my godson, etc.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) I like text/stories in cookbooks – draws me in. For example, I love Ann Jackson’s cookbooks for the stories. Beyond that, I look for creative recipes that don’t require impossible-to-find items or a ridiculous amount of effort or a cotton candy machine or whatever.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? At this moment in the year, I am really craving things like fruit pies and upside down cakes.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? My tastes are fairly broad, and I live in a city where I can find most ingredients. The most common recipe-stopper for me is the need for some piece of equipment that I don’t own.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I tend toward traditional, but I have experimental moods too!
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes, especially if the recipe will teach me about ingredients and techniques that I can use elsewhere.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I don’t know if I can answer this question! It is a toss up between red velvet cake, peach pie, snickerdoodles, rice pudding, and other things!
I’d love to be a tester!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Mostly once a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I look for easy to find ingredients, as we don’t have much variety over here in Mexico. It is really difficult to get vegan/vegetarian stuff, I’ve stocked my pantry by trips that I make to Texas.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Brownies and cupcakes.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I’m up to everything, but I try to avoid recipes with for example: cashew cream, soy creamer, sour cream, because those are things I can’t get here.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Unusual flavors.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Sure.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Cupcakes and pie
1. I bake about once a week, maybe. I would bake every single day if I had the time! But working a full-time job and being obsessed with knitting and crocheting cuts in on my baking time. :-)
2. I love pictures in a cookbook. I like ingredients that aren’t too obscure.
3. A simple, delicious vegan version of a classic. Cookies, brownies, cake… Something no one thought of ever veganizing before.
4. A meaty one, obviously. I also wouldn’t make one that has an ugly photo (cookies too flat and thin, cake collapsed, etc.).
5. I’d probably lean toward traditional.
6. I think so… ;-) I haven’t come across many “challenging” recipes that have immediately convinced me they’re worth the trouble.
7. A regular ol’ chocolate chip cookie, I think!
(P.S. I would absolutely be honored to test your recipes!)
I can’t be a tester, unfortunately, no extra time to devote to such a wonderful opportunity, but am happy to answer the survey-
How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
– a couple times a month, sometimes I feel good just to get a good meal on the table 4-5 nights a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
– healthy recipes, that are worth the effort, contains ingredients that are easy to find, and I always like lots of pictures, and stories.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
– something that would make your friends go “wow, that looks complicated”, when it really isn’t.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
– something that is overly fussy, I don’t have a lot of extra time to bake, so I want my cooking time spent wisely, and i want to enjoy what I’m doing
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like traditional flavors and unique flavors, it’s the presentations that I’m not so good at
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
– depends on what kind of week it’s been!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
– that’s a tough one-i totally love cupcakes, any kind of layer cake- carrot, red velvet, etc, and ice cream-lot of cinnamon, and desserts with fruit
I would love to test for you Hannah! I’m making your almond/chocolate ganache cake tonight. I can’t wait!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?). I have to have dessert everyday otherwise I can’t function. Because of this I bake about 3-4 times a week depending on how long the previous dessert lasts. Keep in mind I make full portions for just me and my husband-that’s right-we live on dessert.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…). I look for interesting ingredients, different flours and alternatives to sugar (agave, maple syrup, beet sugar, etc), well organized instructions, lots of chocolate! I would love to find a vegan book that has a whole chapter on gourmet chocolates with interesting flavor combinations.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? That’s a tough one-anything ooey, gooey, chocolatey, decadent. Something like chocolate souffle.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I usually don’t make healthy desserts like raw date balls. I probably should eat healthy treats like this but I just never seem to want to. I guess I’m a slave to the baked goods.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I like a good mix of both. Some days I want something familiar but when I’m making dessert for guests I want to wow them with unique combinations they wouldn’t normally eat on their own.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? I love a challenge. That’s what keeps me interested when making 4 desserts a week. Otherwise all that baking with less challenge could start to become a task rather than a pleasure.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? A dessert that I’m willing to travel for is the oreo or brownie cheesecake from Red Bamboo in NYC. If I could have two whole cakes of each shipped down to me each week I would be one fulfilled lady. Since I can’t travel constantly just for cake nothing beats a traditional chocolate chip cookie. I could live off of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies everyday. I also feel brownies don’t get the respect they deserve. Wait was I supposed to choose one? That is one difficult question.
Hi Hannah,
Wish I could be a tester, but I think I’ve got enough baking on my plate (and in my oven) these days! Maybe the third book. . . . !
Still would love to answer the survey. Here goes:
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) Pretty much every day these days! In normal circumstances, about every second day.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Easy recipes, photos, and interesting ingredients or new combinations of ingredients.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Chocolate, chocolate, and anything chocolate.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I’m not big on pies or yeasted things–but that’s just me.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? It’s probably a 50-50 split. I love new and interesting combinations, but always go back to old standards as well.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes! Love the detailed, the specific, decorated or drizzled, etc.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Chocolate layer cake with chocolate filling and frosting. Also love chocolate chip cookies!
I would love to test your recipes. I usually bake weekly.
I would love to be a tester! I have lots of free time, since I only go to school twice a week.
1. How often do you bake? Probably every other day. I love baking for others.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I love a cookbook with pictures, it helps me get interested in a recipe. I also like cookbooks that don’t use tons of hard to get ingredients.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Cupcakes! I love baking cupcakes. I also like cooking different tofu recipes.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I wouldn’t make a recipe that had tons of ingredients that I couldn’t get easily, I am a college student on a budget so I can’t spend tons of money.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Oh gosh, I like both! There’s something great about a good traditional recipe, but I like the excitement of unique flavors.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? I do like a good challenge!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I love cupcakes! Definitely my favorite.
I’d be honored to be a recipe tester!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
it goes in spurts. sometimes i’m baking 3-4 nights a week, and sometimes every other week. no less than two or three times a month though.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
i’m very visual, so i love to see lots of pictures. easy recipes are nice, i favor ones with fewer ingredients, but if the recipe is compelling i’ll definitely give it the effort.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
i love veganized versions of old omni favorites! plus, comfort foods. the most recent one i can think of is when i saw a recipe for soft pretzels. i was in the kitchen that night!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
hmmm that’s a tough one. probably one with a lot of expensive or exotic ingredients. or one with lots of fennel. i hate fennel.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
i go for both, but i usually default to traditional, comfort foods and baked goods.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
yes! especially when the finished product is impressive. i love impress with my cooking/baking!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
a good, chewy, moist chocolate chip cookie!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I try to bake “healthy” treats for my two sons weekly. But this has been a new endeavor.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Interesting recipes with a viewpoint and excellent photography. A recipe is interesting to me if I wouldn’t have come up with it on my own.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
A low fat, low sugar recipe that has my family’s favorite ingredients: pumpkin, cranberries, fruits, nuts, chocolate. Use of lesser used (in the mainstream) grains & flours and innovative uses of common grains & flours.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Really hard to find ingredients can be offputting.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Both! But I lean toward the unique.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Ice cream with nuts, pretzels or candy! Hot coffee drinks.
That’s so great to hear that you’re closer to getting out your next cookbook! If you are still in need of volunteers to test, I would gladly help out. Baking seems to be quite an obsession of mine as of late and I have enjoyed all of your MSV recipes… Regardless of whether or not you need more testers, here are some answers to your questions!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I usually bake several times a week, depending on if I have any events going on that need baked goods!
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I look for a variety of recipes, and ones that include my favorite ingredients (chocolate!). I also love books that have photos, this helps me visualize a goal for my baking. And finally, I like a cookbook that is logically organized with clear and concise instructions!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Any recipe that would impress omnivores. And of course, anything with chocolate :-)
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I tend to shy away from pies, simply because I am not a huge fan, and I am seriously challenged when it comes to rolling out dough!
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I would like to think that I appreciate both, but I would tend to actually bake the more traditional ones and just drool over the photos of those with more exotic ingredients
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
I love a challenge!! That’s why I signed up for Daring bakers :-)
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Really tough call…. I love so many. But to me, not much can beat a warm brownie topped with ice cream, nuts and warm chocolate sauce.
Hi Hannah,
Oh, I’d love to be a tester for you! I love baking, and making desserts… as you know! Here are my answers to your survey, maybe I’ll be a good fit? :
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I bake at least once a week. Sometimes more. Every once in while I”ll skip a week. I bake for myself, my boyfriend, my grandpa, and my yoga students.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Mostly I look for recipes that look tasty. I like cookbooks that have a little intro for each recipe (tell me why I should try this recipe). I always prefer photos, but I’ve come to appreciate many cookbooks without photos. I like easy recipes (like all of Dreena Burton’s cookie recipes), but I also love complicated recipes (like Voluptuous Vegan or some of the Isa Cupcakes). I’m interested in recipes that have weirdo ingredients I’ve never tried (like rootbeer extract, ahem!)… but I also love the classics. I also LOVE it when cookbooks have a good index. And, when appropriate, I love suggestions for variations on a recipe.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Cookies, pies, cakes are probably my top three… but I like it all. This week I made a marble cake, apple-pear-quince phyllo cups, and cupcakes… so as long as it’s baked, I pretty much like it.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I guess the only baked recipes I’m not crazy about are ones that call for loads of Earth Balance or Tofutti. Especially since there are other ways to get fatty decadence! For some reason, those two products are used sparingly in my cooking. But I love weird things like agar agar and whatever.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Love them both. No preference. The more of a “foodie” I become, the more adventurous my palette gets. For myself, and my own sense of adventure, I love the new exotic recipes. But for a classic sense of joy and comfort, I turn to the traditional basics.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
yes!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Hmm. After some deliberation, I’m gonna have to go with fruit pie. I love it.
What fun!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I bake at least twice a week. My significant other and I love sweets, so we can’t resist whipping up a batch of cookies when the desire strikes.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Ingredients that are easy to find, recipes that generally don’t need to sit overnight, and the most decadent, drool-inducing desserts.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Anything with or covered in chocolate or luscious frosting.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Personally, I’m not really a fan of nut or fruit based desserts. The food usually comes out dry and bland. I don’t really consider scones and muffins desserts either – even though they can be just as fattening. To me, dessert should not be dry or something I would normally make for breakfast.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Traditional. I like to represent with my vegan food, and bringing green tea cupcakes can look a little weird and not everyone likes that. Unique food also typically requires unique ingredients like black cherry soy yogurt or matcha powder that cannot always be found easily.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes, but I don’t think challenging necessarily means ten steps and it has to be in a fridge for two days or something really laborious.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Cookies.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Ideally once a week, but in real life about once a month. Or whenever I have friends over.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Ingredients that I already have or I know that are easy to find. Nothing that requires a mixer (don’t have one) or microwave (don’t have one) or a lot of heavily intensive prep. I’m all about making something delicious, quickly, out of stuff I already have in my pantry.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Your white chocolate one did, but I’m still trying to find food grade cocoa butter!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Anything with lots of chocolate, or with any amount of peanut butter, because chocolate and peanut butter are gross.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
If the picture of the final product looks good, and I think that the ingredients will taste good when baked, I will eat it.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Maybe, if it doesn’t take too much time.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Blondies with white chocolate chips.
I am not a vegan but would love to be a tester if you want a non vegan bakers feel for the recipe.
1. How often do you bake? Daily
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? it looks good for whatever reason maybe it looks tasty or fun.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? if it sounds like at least 50% of the family would like it i might make it right then.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? i can’t imagine why i would refuse unless the ingredients are hard to find in mid america or super expensive.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I am not a lover of foam it looks so weird and unappetizing – other then that I love the tried and true and the more adventurous
6. Do you like challenging recipes? yes
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Flan, but i don’t know if it is available in store it is what i always get in restaurants and I love to make at home but rarely do.
I wish I could volunteer to test, but I can’t. Here’s your survey, though:
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
2-3 weekends a month plus special occasions. If I had more time, I would bake more!
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I think ease- and for what will make the least amount of mess. I don’t mind spending a little more on ingredients, but I hate having to bust out several different bowls and pans for one recipe. And I hate having to buy a new gadget for a recipe, unless it’s something I’l get a lot of use out of.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
I’m a fan of most anything sweet, so I’d have to say something that can be baked with relative ease (especially of the clean up)!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Something that’s going to take a lot of time to make (or clean up- I don’t mind a long baking or rising time, but I just don’t have the time for the most part to do lots of time-consuming steps- including clean-up.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I’m more a fan of the traditional, but I’m up for trying new things.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes and no. Once in a while, a challenge can be a good thing, but on a more regular basis I just can’t make stuff that takes a ton of time.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
That’s a tough one. I’m going to go with non-chocolate cookies.
Hi :)
I would love to test your recipes as I really enjoy your cookbook, but I live in Europe where some of the ingredients you use are a bit hard (or even impossible) to find :(.
To your survey:
1. about once a week
2. pictures!!!, easy to find ingredients (however some of the recipes should use special ingredients), decorating tips, variations suggestions
3. Hm I’m not very hard to please, I love birthday cakes, cupcakes, sweets with filling…
4. Recipes with ingredients I can not find here: especially soy creamcheese (no cheesecake for me :(, arrowroot and soynog. Its even hard to find a well tasting soy yogurt (they r fine for baking but too “soy tasting” for pie filling for ex. To make matters worse, we don’t have vanilla flavour! only plain or fruit soy yoghurt or vanilla puding) here.
5. A good cookbook should have both I guess.
6. yes
7. Cakes of all sorts, fruit tarts, pies.
Hope this was helpfull.
Btw I was really surprised by your voice, it’s wonderful!
1. Several times a week.
2. New ideas, new ingredients especially whole ingredients), new methods.
3. Dairy-free baked goods that don’t use margarine and other more processed foods.
4. I really don’t like recipes with fake cream cheese, soy creamer, fake sour cream. They all have aftertastes and ingredients I’d rather not eat.
5. I go back and forth but lean more towards traditional. I think I buy cookbooks for more unique ideas though.
6. Yes
7. Chocolate chip cookies, every variation.
You’re amazing Hannah!! I hope you find some amazing testers. My husband loved your German Chocolate Pastry filling. I can’t wait to see what fabulous recipes you’ve devised for your upcoming book!!
1. Every now and then. About once a week.
2. Something unique and easy to make with limited ingredients. Instructions must be easy to follow.
3. Anything I can store and eat on the go (and makes my mouth water at the sight, sound, description, etc.).
4. Anything that takes more than a day. No time.
5. A mix of both. Depends on the occasion and what I’m in the mood for.
6. Sometimes, if the result looks worth it.
7. Torn between tres leches cake and tiramisu. (Drenched cakes, yum.)
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I can only bake on weekends now because of school. I can however bake simply things on weekdays if I have everything.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I like good recipes. I love the stories and picture but it caomes down to the food. I like the ingedients to be somewhat common or something I over look eveyday.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Something familar but with a twist I’ve never dreamed of.
I don’t like the use of too much margarine.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I won’t and an’t make things with VERY uncommon ingedients. It make me lose heart.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like traditional flavor with a little (or a lot ) of a twist. Yet, I love uniqus the best somethings. I love to try new things.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes, to a point though. I am still a little new, yet I LOVE a challenge!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
This is a hard one. I love anything with chocolate. I love vegan carrot cake or Whole Foods’ vegan oatmeal cookie, and … so much more…
By the way, I made your Butterscotch Blondiesand I LOVED them!
Wow, I need to be in on this!
1. I bake or make other sweets at least once a week, usually more.
2. I look for attractive photos of recipes that work. I really like recipes that creatively incorporate unusual flavors or that successfully veganize non-vegan desserts.
3. Aside from the criteria mentioned above, recipes that, while they are outstanding on their own, inspire me to vary ingredients to make differently-versions of the original recipe.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I can’t really think of anything…. Perhaps something that required a piece of equipment I didn’t own (but even then, I’ve been known to get creative.) Or recipes that called for artificial ingredients/flavorings (though I’ve often figured out a way around that obstacle as well.)
5. Bring on the freaks!
6. I don’t mind them, if the result is worth it.
7. Either my homemade chocolates, or cakes from Vegan Treats!
Yea!! A survey. :)
1. I bake about once per week. Sometimes I get a wild hair and bake multiple things everyday for a week straight.
2. Pictures, available ingredients (not necessarily cheap but being in IA not everything is easy to get) and recipes my family will enjoy.
3. Pound cake, or anything that is baked in a bundt pan.
4. Stuff that requires several stages, such as freezer cookies.
5. I would say I like both equally depending on my mood.
6. Yes.
7. This is too hard. I made non-vegan pear cake a while back with pears from the backyard that was awesome!
1. at least once a week in the cool weather, less in the summer. (it would be more but my husband says i’m making him chubby )
2. there has to be a photo of the end result. the picture is what is going to make me want to make something (unless you’re coming out with a scratch and sniff cookbook, then the smell will drive me to bake) the ingredients should be mostly what i have around the house. i don’t mind buying one or two things but i don’t want to have to go on an expedition in order to make something.
3. any dessert really,
4. if something takes a long time
5.i like both, you can’t be normal all the time. you need to change it up a little bit sometimes.
6. on occasion
7. pie or cupcakes (both homemade of course)
ps – you’re the best , keep it up with the desserts and great photos
I would be so honored if I could be a tester!!!
1. I bake sweets pretty much every other day for my classmates and teachers.
2. In a cookbook, I look for good pictures, new recipes/new takes on old recipes, and relatively easy-to-find ingredients.
3. Comfort food recipes (that which is familiar or has familiar home-y ingredients) always make me want to make them.
4. I wouldn’t make something if I knew it wouldn’t appeal to my audience. That’s about it. Typically speaking though, teenage classmates will pretty much eat anything that is sweet.
5. I like trying new flavor combinations or exotic presentations just to expand my palate and hopefully discover a new favorite.
6. I love making challenging things! The feeling of accomplishment is well worth any trouble.
7. My favorite homemade dessert would have to be peanut butter cookies with chocolate soy cream. Store-bought dessert favorites include Newmann’s Giger-O’s and Biscoff.
I’d LOVE to be a tester, but I just don’t think I could commit that much time right now :( But that’s such a great opportunity that you’re offering! What I definitely do have time for is to give you my feedback:
1. I try to back every weekend, but it sometime only ends up being 2-3 times a month.
2. I look for lots of great pictures (since I’m a visual person) as well as easy-to-find ingredients in cookbooks.
3. I have a secret soft spot for any thing creamy and luscious, so something cream-filled of some type of pudding would be too difficult to resist.
4. I’m pretty open to trying any type of recipe unless it calls for flavors that I don’t particularly like (coconut…), but even then I’m tempted to make it :)
5. I tend to prefer more tradition flavors because I often bake things and share them with my family, and flavors that are too unique can scare them off sometimes
6. I love a good challenge every now and then, just not everything I make because it can be exhausting
7. Favorite dessert…man, that’s a hard one! Right now either a big, fat, custard-filled donut topped with chocolate ganache or tres leches cake sounds awesome!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Generally, I bake a few times a month but sometimes I get all inspired and make several things in a week or even a day!
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Photos really really help, and recipe that don’t require too much planning so I don’t have to start prepping days before I actually want to eat it.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
I love most things with fruits, and I’m often inspired by what’s fresh at the store, then look for recipes involving that. But in terms of straight from the book, I love combinations of savory and sweet together.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I’m allergic to most nuts so a lot of baked goods are out of bounds for me. What I would love to see is more desserts featuring seeds (sesame, pine nuts, sunflower seeds) or almonds (which I can have for some reason) instead of the traditional peanut, walnut, and hazelnut so common in desserts. Especially some cream like cashew cream without the cashews!
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I tend to go for more traditional flavors and baked goods because I often crave items that I used to eat before I was vegan, and can’t find commercially.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
I do, but I like them best to make with friends rather than on my own.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Anything chewy – oatmeal raisin cookies, c.c cookies, brownies, blondie bars with jam (mmmmm…..)
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Every time we attend a party, and usually once a week just for fun.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I like books with recipes that can be modified with lower fat or calorie ingredients (I know you are making a baking book and this probably isn’t anywhere near your goals, but it is what I look for). I also prefer recipes that are more involved rather than less, and colourful whenever possible!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Oh man, hmmm . . . an interesting one with ingredients I’d never used before or an interesting or fun-sounding technique (a basic example, but think of lattice top pies!)
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Muffins. Just no matter how low fat they’re supposed to be, they’re still highly caloric and never good enough to make up for it.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Unusual, certainly. In the age of the internet, finding traditional recipes is pretty darn easy for free.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes yes yes!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
My mom’s whoopie pies, hands down. I don’t like other whoopie pies at all, but hers are just *oh* the best.
Also, any chance I could be a tester for you? I’m currently testing recipes for my family cookbook at 2 a week and could use a replacement project once I’m through.
aaaah! I would absolutely LOVE to test for you! I have wanted to be a recipe tester for a really long time, so this prospect excites me so much!! Here’s my little survey!
1. I bake everyday. Every single day. I am a baker for my job at a veg restaurant, and when I am not working there, I bake something at home for myself!
2. When selecting a new cookbook, I look for interesting recipes that are really creative, who wrote it, and good pictures. Those are key!
3. Anything with chocolate! Or peanut butter. Also, I am a freak for frosting! mmm….
4. Probably not anything that uses any ingredient containing high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, artifical colorings/flavorings, or anything non vegan, of course! Other than that, I would try anything once!
5. I tend to go for the traditional flavors, and baked goods are my kryptonite. But I must say, I am always excited to see something new and funky to try!
6. Yes!! Since I am a baker, I feel like it is harder for me to find a challenge because I bake soooo much…so I would love a challenge in the kitchen!
7. The cookies and cream cake from Chicago Diner. Jesus this cake could end my life. But I wouldn’t mind :)
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I used to bake almost every day, until I had a baby. Now it’s an occasional thing, but I hope to get back to it more in the future.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
pictures! color is nice, but small pictures or occasional pages with a bunch of dishes together are fine (I guess I just mean to say that I don’t need pictures on every page).
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
I guess a quick one with ingredients I have on hand. I do like to bake other things, but they take more planning.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
One that required me to buy a lot of premade ingredients like margarine, soy whipped cream, and so on. I find these ingredients usually too expensive, often less healthy than whole foods, sometimes inconvenient, overpackaged, and less fun. i guess i am just biased because I like cooking everything from scratch whenever possible.
Also, I’m deathly afraid of vegan brownie recipes because so many of them are awful, so I would be reluctant to make brownies.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
unique! but some classics are good, especially if you have a different angle on them or they’re hard to make vegan.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes. I like a mix, or things that you can make simple or complex with different variations.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I’m really into monster bars right now.
I’d love to win some cookies! ;-)
1. I used to bake at least once a week, maybe twice a week, but for the past few months I’ve been trying to cut down on the sweets so now it’s more like once a month, unless you count breads and muffins, in which case it’s more like 2-3 times/month.
2. I like to see nice full color photos. I appreciate recipes with easy-to-find ingredients. There are some features in ‘The Joy of Vegan Baking’ that I really like. Without having it right in front of me, I think it’s stuff like clearly indicating preparation time, saying if advance prep is necessary, stuff along those lines. As a long-time vegan, I rarely pay any attention to sections devoted to the basics, i.e. discussions of egg replacement alternatives, etc. Stories about the recipe don’t do much for me unless it’s something particularly compelling or funny.
3. Something that looks easy to make, preferably containing chocolate and peanut butter.
4. Anything too complicated or with ingredients that I don’t have on hand or can’t easily find.
5. I probably lean towards the traditional.
6. Not really, at least not in this stage of my life (self-employed with an active toddler); maybe someday when I have more time.
7. Once upon a time, many years ago, before I was vegan, there was this apple caramel cheesecake at Costco that was sooooo good. I have to admit that in all these years I’ve still never attempted a vegan cheesecake because it just seems like one of those things that’s never going to measure up (I’d probably be satisfied by it, but not sure about my omni husband), but that Costco cheesecake was really good. I think it had caramel sauce and apples and maybe some kind of a crumb topping?
I love cooking and baking. I bake mostly for special occasions, but I want to get into doing more. I love chocolate, especially chocolate and fruit or chocolate and nut butter. I also love fruit pies and tarts.
I like fairly simple recipes. If there are too many steps, I may not make it often. I prefer recipes written to say x number of egg replacers. If a recipe works best with, say, flax, you could write the amount of flax and water or say X number of egg replacers.
I’m willing to try unusual combinations. I made the Marshmallow Mud Pie, and it was awesome! But the ricemellow fluff was a pain to whip into the topping.
My favorite premade dessert: Sweet & Sara S’mores.
Hi Hannah,
What an awesome opportunity, to be a tester! If you don’t mind a tester who isn’t a savvy baker (but loves to bake and loves desserts) then I’m your girl. Perhaps I could add the ‘are these recipes user friendly?” dimension to testing.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Every now and then. I love to bake but haven’t had a great kitchen until recently. It makes a difference!
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I actually really like pictures – it totally piques my hunger and makes me think about presentation, too. Compelling stories are definitely fun, and I like to see that the recipes are unique and combine interesting flavors and ingredients… not the same old.
I appreciate a cookbook that gives good suggestions for replacement ingredients (i.e. cheaper or easier to find). For example, if a recipe assures me I can replace madadamia nuts with walnuts and still achieve something great, I’ll go for it. Or, it’s fun when a recipe tells me alternatives, like instead of lemon poppyseed muffins, try this recipe with lime and coconut (or something).
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Something using seasonal ingredients, for a start. I have a CSA and am always looking to use up seasonal veggies and fruits. So, if I have 10 lbs of apples and see a really delicious and interesting apple recipe, I will literally run into the kitchen and go for it.
Recipes that also appeal as comfort food are great recipes to mix up as soon as possible (so you can curl up on the couch and eat them asap!) … things like brownies, or chocolate chip cookies. I think the comfort food recipes need to be fairly simple so you can just grab what you have on hand and mix up a batch.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Anything containing a lot of raisins (humiliated grapes :-)) or a recipe calling for anything that needs to be mail ordered. I live in a city so most ingredients are accessible, but if they are ultra rare or expensive, the recipe goes to the bottom of my list.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I really like both, but unique flavors and presentations are eye catching, and I’m an adventurous eater.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Sure! A cookbook that is ONLY challenging recipes won’t get much play, but will get brought out on special occasions. A balance is key. Challenging recipes are fun to make with friends and then reap the benefits when it’s done!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Pie with ice cream. My mom makes the best apple pie!
Hi Hannah! Yay, new book! I won’t offer to be a tester because, um, I don’t follow directions to well. I will happily fill out your questionnaire though!
1. I bake about every other week. Always on Holiday’s.
2. Pictures! I’m a total sucker for pictures. Also, any recipe that I can make small alterations to and not have it ruined. I always merge recipes together (like your Crumb Topping from the Plum-Good cake, I always stick it on top of any crumble I make). Also, I like your little stories and takes on the recipe. Makes the recipe feel more ….personal and thought out. Not just something you tried once and slapped into the book.
3. Anything with lots of spices makes me want to… but usually a good cookie recipe is what actually gets me in the kitchen. (quick and rewarding)
4. Anything with a very long ingredients list or anything that uses a hard to find ingredient, or an less-common ingredient that I only need a teeny portion of. That really irks me.
5. I love traditional cooking – but don’t shy away from anything really.
6. Yes, but I hardly have time to bake anymore so the challenging stuff goes into the “when I have time” file. Which typically is never.
7. Hands down… bread pudding. Or rice pudding….um, no bread! I haven’t had it since I stopped eating dairy though…
Can’t wait for the new book!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) Special occasions (most of the time with a box mix!)
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Definitely easy and without too many ingredients.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Muffins, fruit/granola/oat type bars and fruit based desserts.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Recipes with specialty ingredients I will only use once and then have to throw away because it’s too wasteful.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Traditional with a twist is always interesting.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Not if it’s going to make me cry.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Frosted sugar cookies and half moon cookies.
I can’t resist …
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
A couple times a week
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Pictures are a big selling point for me, but when I am seriously looking through, the recipe titles have to grab me and the ingredient lists can’t be too long.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Cookies! Really, just regular chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies with a fun twist … Muffins and granola bars get me too.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Cheezcakes – I can’t say, they taste fine, but seem like too much work, too many expensive ingredients, and too much dessert for a small household. I would never make cake/cupcakes for just us either (only dense, hearty and filled with stuff muffins). I just don’t like cake.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like unique flavors in general, yet in more traditional presentations … say, I love chocolate chip cookies, but spiked with some ginger makes for an exciting twist. In general though, if I am craving a dessert, it is usually for those tried and tested traditional recipes.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Nah. Aside from baking bread, the simpler the better.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Cookies!
1. How often do you bake? I bake every day. I am actually a baker at a local cafe that offers many vegan offerings.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I really buy cookbooks that appeal to me visually. When I look through books at stores, I’ll almost always purchase the one with the nicest looking pages. I look through the recipes, but I’ll only take a closer look if it sounds like something worth making. Recipe titles are important!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Hm. I love cookie recipes even though I don’t really like cookies. So, if there were a description of a delicious sounding cookie, I’d love to make it.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Hm. I have never run across something that I would never make. I think if it contained something I personally disliked, I wouldn’t make it, or I would substitute in something similar but more to my liking.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Depends on my mood, but I’m generally more of a traditionalist.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Of course!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Ice cream. :]
Hi Hannah,
I would love to test out recipes…Baking (and then eating what I’ve made) is one of my favorite things to do.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) Usually about twice a week
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Most important are unique recipes. At this point, I know the basics, am familiar with traditional ideas and flavor pairings, and don’t need another book with the same old stuff. Great writing and pictures are a plus.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Probably something with a really appealing photograph, or a traditional dessert that has successfully been veganized for the first time.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I’m not too big on citrus flavored desserts, just because I don’t like the taste. I probably wouldn’t be interested in baking something billed as low fat, either, because the texture is never good.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I like both. Unique things are always exciting to try, but usually if I have a dessert craving, its for something traditional that I know.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Very much!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? It’s a tie between chocolate chip cookies and apple pie a la mode!
I sent you my survey :) Hope the feedback helps!
The video is great; I’m surprised I’ve never made these before, it looks so simple. I suppose my eye glazes on over to the chocolate stuff, haha.
1. How often do you bake? basically once a week
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? good pictures, and easy to find ingredients, something that looks amazing but at the same time something that isn’t too
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? anything with apples in it! haha.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? if i can’t pronounce the ingredients, i’d be a bit afraid to try it out.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? i like different things. i like to try new things. so i would pick “unique flavors and presentations”. its always fun to try new things!
6. Do you like challenging recipes? it depends. on if im still able to understand the recipe without having to be a pro pastry baker. im all over it!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? apple fritters!
1- I bake several times a week, and obviously more during WE and holidays
2- In a cookbook, I like illustrative step by step pictures, nutritional information (not really calories, but more the nutritional value in terms of minerals, vitamins, fibers, anti-oxydants…)
3- Anything with fruits, or very intense dark chocolate or carob, or beans, or decadent chewy gummy stuff
4- For me margarine or shortening are the enemies because they are industrial unnatural processed foodstuff. Ad I find most dessert too sweet, I prefer to use natural sweeteners like fruits or chocolate or carob to sweeten my baked goods. So no or very very little sugar for me also.
5- I don’t like “fake” bake goods, that it when vegan bakers try to mimic non vegan things. I like when vegan baking is creative and is reinventing baking with its own ingredients.
6- YES
7- Anything home made with fruits and/or tofu
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) —- Every now and then.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) — Simplicity in both directions and ingredients. Pretty pictures!!!!!!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? — something quick, easy, delicious sounding, and made with ingredients I already have on hand.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? — Nothing that has more than 2 or 3 components like multiple icings or something. Nothing with ingredients that are a pain in the ass to locate.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? — I really like unusual takes on traditional concepts. My favorite cookies are banana chocolate chip for that reason. Somethign that people reach for as a comfort food but then discover is delicious, comforting, and, as a bonus, nuanced and new.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? — Yes, but only if the outcome is REALLY worth it. I’m not going to go through the agony of making something like eclairs because I hate eclairs. Basically.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? — banana chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.
I’ve just signed up to be a recipe tester for Peter Reinhart, so I don’t want to overextend myself, but I will definitely help you out with these questions! :)
1. How often do you bake? Usually 2-3 times per week (less when I’m really busy with school)
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? The two things I value most are high-quality photography and unique recipes that I don’t think I could find just anywhere. I also tend to buy cookbooks that have been going around the blogs because I want to make sure that the recipes will actually work and having lots of other opinions first helps me decide that!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
One that sounded really delicious and unique yet not too difficult to make.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Something that I wasn’t sure I could execute, especially with expensive ingredients. Or something that I wasn’t sure even if I did it right if I would like the result.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I prefer something unique from a cookbook…I have lots of old standbys for the normal stuff, so if I’m going to spend money on something new, I want creative recipes.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes, to a degree…but I have to admit I usually do the challenging Daring Bakers thing each month and so when I’m picking a recipe myself I am not always so daring! But for special occasions I will do something more challenging.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Hard to say but I think I would have to go with peach cobbler!
hey, Hannah! here’s my answers! wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
1. How often do you bake? we bake treats about once every two weeks. we bake bread once a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? ingredients i can get locally, and ingredients that are whole foods and not overly processed.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? something that takes less than 30 minutes to put together – and that uses ingredients that we might already have on hand.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? i’m not good at recipes that involve melting chocolate. it’s just ’cause we don’t have the right tools yet!
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? a little bit of both, actually. while traditional = yummy, i really like a lot of variety!
6. Do you like challenging recipes? not particularly, but that’s because i lack patients! ahahahahahaa!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? bread pudding.
AW man it’s probably too late for me to be a tester huh?
Well if not, SIGN ME UP!! haha
I just moved so I’ve been without internet for almost a week now. Darn those companies for taking so long to set everything up haha…
Teddy
1. How often do you bake? On average, probably twice a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I like stories. It makes me interested in the recipe. But pictures are good, because a lot of times I just flip through the cookbook looking for something and if I see a particularly scrumptious looking picture it will stop me in my tracks.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Something easy, made with relatively common ingredients. Maybe one or two unusual ingredients that I might have lying around the kitchen. I hate needing to go to the store for just one or two things.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Anything with raisins. Anything with ingredients that require serious sleuthing skills to find
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? It honestly depends on my mood. I get adventurous every now and then, but mostly traditional flavors. Kind of a mixture. Like take a chocolate chip cookie, then add pecans and dried cranberries. It is unexpected and tart, yet the chocolate chips are familiar.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Pumpkin roll. For now anyway. :)
In case I wasn’t clear above (#49) I really want to be a tester!
I would love to be a recipe tester!
1. How often do you bake? A couple of times per week; except during the summer when I take a break.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I have quite a collection at this point so for me unique and new recipes would be something I would look for; or new flavor approaches to old favorites. Also; pictures!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? A beautiful cake or any creamy or filled creation.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Crackers. what the who ha?
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? unusual and unique!
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? A perfect chocolate chip cookie.
I would love to be a tester! Outside of baking, what specific obligations are required?
1. How often do you bake? At least once a week. Currently it is an everyday obsession as I have an overabundance of apples and pears.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Easily obtainable ingredients. I do not have a car so most of my ingredients come from a normal grocery store. Fortunately, i live in a big enough city where unusual ingredients are pretty easy to find. It’s just a matter of working out public transit.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? It honestly depends. As of late, I have been attempting to veganize desserts from Bosnia as my Bosnian boyfriend has had a sweet tooth.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Recipes that seems unhealthy, ‘nough said. Though … I am prone to indulgences :)
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? unusual!
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Homemade = Strawberry shortcake.
Store-bought = I haven’t found many vegan desserts that are satisfying. Truffles, I suppose.
Please, please pick me as a tester, I would LOVE to make any and all of your yummy treats!
1. How often do you bake? A few times a week, I love sharing my baked goods with friends.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? A comprehensive index is a MUST!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Something that looks complicated/sophisticated but is actually quite easy. Oh, and anything that has chocolate!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I don’t think there is one that I wouldn’t make. If I don’t want to use a particular ingredient I usually make some kind of substitution, ie agave nectar instead of maple syrup if I want to reduce the calories.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I love trying new things, so anything goes!
6. Do you like challenging recipes? heck yeah!!!! That’s why I became a daring baker!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Vegan Dad’s chocolate chip pudding cake. Y-U-M. I can’t get enough of it.
Hi there! I am dying to know where you got the apple/worm pattern from “Rotten to the Core” a post you made in Aug of 2007. I love this pattern and would love to make some could you tell me where to find it? I’ve searched and haven’t been able to find any as nice as yours!
I would absolutely love to test recipes for you!
1. I bake about once a week
2. I love pictues in cookbooks and enjoy little comments on how the recipe came about and sugested variations
3. Probably something quick and easy with common pantry staples I’d be likely to have on hand
4. recipes that contain hydroginated fat or corn syrup
5. I prefer original and unique recipes
6. I love complex, challenging, recipes that make me and my guests say WOW! But sometimes it’s nice to just whip something up quickly.
7. Anything goooy and decedant
I could only devote one day a week to test, so even though I’d like to, I probably wouldn’t be able to. One day, though…
Your Questions:
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I would say that I bake twice a month regularly, and for all holidays and dinner parties.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
-Cookbooks that have prep time vs cook time are golden for me. I hate locating a recipe, getting psyched about it then realizing it requires an overnight stint in the fridge.
-Pictures with combination ideas help.
-Short text, in a good sized print, all on one page.
-Any “need to know” tips are around the step they relate to, not on the next page.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
-Any recipe that reccommends less than 45 minutes prep time is a winner
-One-bowl recipes
-Things that sound absolutely worthwhile will get put on the “holiday list”
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
-recipes with too many moving parts. a good example of this is the tira misu recipe I tried. making your own lady fingers, soaking overnight, brewing coffee and mixing with kahlua, making a tofu cheese and buttercream proved to be ridiculous effort.
-ingredients I don’t have on hand or don’t know that I can easily procure. those macha cupcakes from VCCTOTW looked amazing, but after I couldn’t locate macha at 2 stores, I gave up. I don’t like to try more than 2 stores for any recipe.
-anything that requires fancy equipment. I don’t have a dehydrator, I don’t have a flash freezer, I barely have a food processor.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
-I like to bake the unusual flavors, and even more so, play with sweet savory stuff, but I like to have a good collection of old favorites standing by in case my coffee pomegranate cupcakes go bust.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
-I don’t want to have to worry about explosions or have to make practice batches. Finnicky desserts are delicious, but baking them kind of sucks.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
– Pre-vegan, rainbow cookies. They were amazing.
– Post-vegan, vegan treats’ Strawberry Shortcake. I don’t know why their buttercream is so good, but it really is.
<3
bs
My answers:
1. How often do you bake? I bake atl least once in 10 days. I love baking and definitely love to try a new recipes.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I look for the trustful recipes, especially measurements in the recipes. Plus I like recipes which are good for various occasions.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
The recipe containing ingridients which are already on hand.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? With rare ingridients
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Both
6. Do you like challenging recipes? In a smart way, YES
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I love jewish apple cake.
Hi Hannah,
I’d love to be a tester–would all of your recipes be vegan? I live in the northwoods and it is somewhat hard to find special ingredients. We have two grocery stores locally, but they carry only basic items. It’s a big deal that we have an isle that includes Mexican and Chinese items.
1 How often do you bake? Every day. I make something at work every day. At least one thing. I work at HoneyRock Camp in northern WI. It’s open year-round. The fall and the spring are a bit slower. We have occasional groups in for various reasons, but generally feed just staff. Like, 25-30 for lunch each day. In the winter, we feed anywhere from 150-250 each meal. During the summer we cook for 450 at each meal. When it’s’ parents day, we serve 800-1,000! Yikes! As far as baking goes, we make one dessert a day, and one home-made bread. Then, depending on the menu, bake for the meal.
2 What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I love big color pics. Love them. Gets me every time. I especially love cookie cookbooks (I collect them)
3 What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? I love baking cookies. I love to bake anything, but cookies are my favorite!
4 What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I don’t enjoy recipes that require multitudinous steps.
5 Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual/unique flavors and presentations? I prefer more traditional, at least that’s what I’ve been doing since we moved here 15 years ago. Up here in the Northwoods, people like their meat and potatoes. Or should I say, their venison and potatoes?
6 Do you like challenging recipes? Sometimes
7 Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I love baked custard and Creme Brulee.
1. How often do you bake? About once a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? Photos, ingredients I have on hand, recipes that aren’t too complicated.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Something simple with ingredients I already have. Chocolate! Something with fresh fruit, like apples or strawberries, isn’t that common, and I would like that.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Maple syrup is really expensive, so I’d make a recipe with it very rarely. I wouldn’t make something that seems difficult, because I’m not that good of a cook.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Both.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? No, I’m not that talented.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? I don’t know where it originally came from, but it’s basically these with small variations:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-live/chocolate-peanut-butter-no-bake-cookies-recipe/index.html
I am always looking for new recipes, so if you still need one, I would love to test for you.
I bake often.
I have a 2 yr old who loves to help, so we try to tackle recipes that she can tae part in.
I love pictures with my recipes so I can see a final project and “is it supposed to look like this,” doesn’t creep in.
When I find a recipe with a title that sounds delicious and I have all of the ingredients on hand, you better believe I start making it, right then and there.
I shy away from recipes that have too many steps or which the hands on prep time is too long.
I love trying new flavors, but I also have several traditional recipes that are no-fail goodness.
Challenging recipes are a toss-up. I prefer recipes my toddler can help with and something just aren’t up to her patience or lack thereof.
I am a huge fan of Lemon Squares and anything that has white chocolate in it.
Good Luck on your cook book!
I’d love to test –
1. I bake pretty often, usually about once a week.
2. Beautiful pictures (which you’ve pretty much got down pat ;)) and recipes with easily accessible ingredients (i.e. not completely obscure)
3. Whatever I’m in the mood for at the time…usually however, it’ll be baked goods of all types, both sweet and savory.
4. The only recipes I would seriously cross out before even attempting would be either a) one that take a super long time (waiting to glaze, simmer, rise overnight etc), b) extremely complicated, therefore making it a), and c) ones with ingredients I dislike.
5. I love new things – bring on the new flavors!
6. From the above comment it would seem that I hate anything too complex, but I do enjoy challenging recipes when I know the result will more than make up for all the time/effort I put into it. :)
7. Oh geez, there’s too many – definitely something with chocolate.
Good luck with your new book~!
1. About 4-5 times each week.
2. Fun new recipes and a fair amount of photographs.
3. Anything really!
4. I’m not a huge fan of chocolate, so I usually opt for recipes/baked goods without chocolate.
5. It truly depends on my mood and the company I am with, if others are around, I generally cater to their tastes/preferences. Most of the items I bake are sweet, although I do enjoy complex savory flavors once in a while.
6. YES!!! The greater the challenge, the better.
7. Muffins, Layer Cakes, Blondies, Cookies, Cupcakes, and Breads.
Can’t wait to hear the results!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?) Alot! I would rather bake then cook!
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…) Pictures.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
a decadent desert. Maybe a pumpkin creme brulee.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Beans, they just dont do alot for me.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I prefere unique dishes. Something that makes people think Wow
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Sure, if I have the time.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? creme brulee or bread pudding or pastry cream.
I just watched your butterscotch brownies segment on Everyday Dish. You were fabulous! That’s one of your recipes I haven’t made yet, but I most certainly will (along with every other recipe in My Sweet Vegan and your recent e-book!). :) I had fun taking your survey yesterday (sent it via e-mail) and can see you’ve had an overwhelming response so far. Good luck sorting through the entrants!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I bake something every week; as I can’t buy anything easily (due to my dairy allergy); i have special things that I make at certain times each year (like honey cake for the new year)
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
compelling pictures, recipes that make my mouth water, not too expensive ingredients,
plenty of non-chocolate recipes (i can’t have that either)
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
a self-icing cake
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
stuff with chocolate; I’ve been staying away from tofutti (lots of it bother my stomach),
anything that is too sweet or gooey.
also, recipes that require special tools that I wouldn’t use for any other recipe.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
some of each.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
i like them when I know the outcome will be good; I don’t like tricky recipes (like souffle) that may or may not come out well; independent of my efforts
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
pecan pie
answer to question 2- pictures pictures pictures! and anecdotes.
I’ll test for you, Hannah!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I bake about twice a week. For friends and coworkers usually, I really like trying out new stuff all the time.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I don’t like cookbooks with just a bunch of recipes. I enjoy all of the stories that so often line the pages of vegan cookbooks. I love to read stories about the particular recipe.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
A recipe that first of all sounds delicious, a photo always helps. Yummy ingredients.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Anything that would come from a book of yours I would probably make. I enjoy such a wide variety of baked goods.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? More unusual. Like I said, I’m always baking and trying new things. I get such a kick out of it when people have NO IDEA what I’m talking about when I explain the ingredients of something I made for them.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
yes, yes YES
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
chocolate raspberry blondie bars from vegan with a vengeance <33333
I’m really looking forward to potentially testing some recipes for you!! This is everyone’s favorite baking season so I’m gonna need some new tricks!!!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I’d guess it’s every now and then, maybe every week or ten days?
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
Creative and innovative recipes, fun to read.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Something i’ve never seen before, or ho hos.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I prefer recipes that i can make with ingredients at hand, rather than a recipe i have to prepare in order to make another recipe.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Both.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes, fun!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
My grandmothers butterscotch hay stacks and cheesecake.
xo
kittee
I would love to be a tester for you! I haven’t been disappointed in a single recipe of yours that I have tried. Your whoopie pies are currently my husband’s favorite cookie. He simply devours them!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I bake whenever I or my husband get a craving for something, but I do tend to bake alot more in the fall and winter months with the average during those seasons being about 3 or 4 times a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I look for recipes that use basic ingredients and basic equipment creatively.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Desserts using vegetables – other than the typical carrot cake. I love things like carrot cookies, tomato cake, beet bread, so a new way to showcase a veggie in a dessert would be a big thrill!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Well besides the obvious answer of nothing using animal products, I guess there isn’t anything I wouldn’t tackle at least once.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
My personal preference is for foods in season and a simple presentation.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
I don’t enjoy persnicketty-finicky things like making cake decorations out of fondant, but I do enjoy devoting a couple of hours to making just one thing, so I guess it depends on the particular challenge.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Beet bread with vegan cream cheese icing.
hannah,you have to choose me!remember how much i made from and blogged about msv last winter when it first came out?!
anyways…
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
at least every other day.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
pictures,GOOD desserts,quality of ingredients,interesting recipes,funny stories are nice,and recipe intros are important.i want the recipe to have something behind it,not just “chickpeas in tomato sauce” or some crap.why should i care about that?woo me!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
anything with peanut butter.a molasses cookie recipe that promised to rival uncle eddie’s,pastries/pastry dough.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
anything with potatoes because i hate potatoes.
though not sweet potatoes.i love sweet potato pie.
and surprisingly,i’m not a donut fan.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
unique!though i can obviously appreciate the classics.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
i live for them.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
homemade peanut butter bomb brownie cheesecake torte.
http://bjorkedoff.blogspot.com/2007/12/happy-birthdaya-thing-of-pure-beauty.html
I love the My Sweet Vegan but I’ll give you my two cents for your future book-since you asked!
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I usually bake once a week-but more before any approaching holiday that could provide a reasonable excuse
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I look for beautiful pictures, enticing recipe titles and the opportunity to try some new techniques or ingredients.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
If I have the ingredients then this little that can stop me. Especially if it calls for ginger.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
I don’t like to bake with white flour, white sugar or anything calling for a lot of processed ingredients-including soy yogurt etc.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like a balance of both. It is nice to have vegan versions of comforting classics as well the fun of trying new flavour combinations.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Yes, yes I do. Then it becomes an adventure.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
I love apple crisp. Seriously easy but incredibly delicious.
i also would be interested in being a test baker.
1. i typically bake weekly though that can vary a bit
2. cook books – definetly look for the pictures. and the title – not wild/silly ones but sort of comfortable ones. while i don’t necessarily look for cheap ingredients i do shy away from really expensive/hard to find ones
3. have the ingredients on hand. and seasonal ones – so apple or pumpkin in the fall and peaches/rasberries in the summer.
4. shortening or lots of oil. and ingredients that are hard to find. oh and ones w/ lots of steps since they usually involve lots of dishes and i don’t particularly care for washing dishs.
5. the traditional/comfort factors do tend to rate high for me. and i do occasionally like to try something different.
6. i don’t especially like very challenging recipes.
7. apple crisp – any fruit crisp for that matter. and a good cheesecake – but it has to be really good and that can be very challenging to find – hence the need to make it oneself.
1. How often do you bake? It varies. Usually once a week. When there’s a holiday/special occasion I bake up a storm.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? New/different recipes to try. Like a baking book with something other than the usual chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies. I like new flavor combinations and fancier things.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Things with fruit or nuts usually catch my eye first. Pretty pictures to accompany the recipe help too.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Something with ingredients that are either really expensive or hard to find.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Unique
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? carrot cake
I’d love to be a tester, but, I just don’t have the time, but I’d be happy to answer your survey. =)
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
Usually, I bake at least weekly, but the California summer heat is still in full force right now, so, no turning on the oven for me.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
More than just recipes, I like stories from the author and I’m big into food photography, so, nice pics are a must (this was my favorite part of My Sweet Vegan!)
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
Something I’d never heard of before, something really unique.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
Unless it was for a special occasion, I wouldn’t make a recipe that took hours and hours to complete, I’m too impatient.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like a little of both, there are things like chocolate chip cookies that are always great, but it’s fun to experiment with other things.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
When I have the time to devote to them.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
There’s no way I could choose just one! I think the whoopie pies from My Sweet Vegan and any blondies are tied for first.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
every three days or so.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
great photographs and creative recipes while not being too complicated, either.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
anything with chocolate! and definitely pumpkin, this month.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
any type of recipe with flakes of coconut on it. I’ve never been able to stand coconut in large amounts.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
it depends on what it is. in cookies, I like traditional flavors but in brownies/cupcakes and cakes I like both traditional and unusual flavors. with presentations I prefer unique.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
sometimes. when I’m having a bad day I prefer an easy recipe but on my off days I really enjoy something challenging.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
ice cream! and brownies. always.
1. How often do you bake? About four times a week.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? not necessarily easy recipes, but recipes that use ingredients that are easy to find. Ingredients I could use in more recipes than just the one. I like recipes that use local and seasonal items. I don’t like recipes that use branded foods.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Brownies, cookies, snack cakes, and granola bars.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? Cheesecake, unless it’s a present for my husband who loves cheesecake.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? Both. I mostly like ususual combinations of traditional spices and fruits.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Occasionally. Usually for special occasions, like birthdays, holidays, or hostess gifts. Where it is a special presentation. I like ’em simple, but my mom relishes the more challenging recipes that usually take several days to complete.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Chocolate Souffle with vanilla cream sauce.
I don’t bake a lot, but my 13 year old daughter does. Once a week. As far as cookbooks, I have so many…there are things that influence me to buy one, though. Quick recipes with lowfat, healthy ingredients that a very athletic family will eat to augment training and growing teenagers are first and foremost. My favorite dessert is a warm brownie cake with quality vanilla ice-cream.
1. I bake about twice a month, more often in the winter.
2. Pictures, pictures, pictures. I want to know what the final product is supposed to look like so I know how close, or how very, very far I am from getting the recipe to work correctly. In a perfect world there would be a picture for every single recipe. And easily found ingredients. I don’t want the recipe to be a five store goose chase.
3. A kick a** scone recipe. I’ve had a hard time finding a vegan scone recipe that beats my memories of the dense but crumbly buttery traditional scones.
4. Things that take several different mixing bowls – or three or four pots on the stove at a time. I hate doing dishes (and don’t have a dishwasher) so I tend to avoid multi-pots and pans recipes. I don’t mind several steps but prefer to keep dishes to a minimum. Lazy? Perhaps, perhaps.
5. I like traditional. I’m still a slightly newish vegan so a lot of what I crave and want to make is what I used to have, just veganized.
6. So long as there are helpful tips along the way. And maybe step by step pictures.
7. Lemon – Coconut Pie or just lemon pie, or just coconut pie. Pretty much anything with lemon and coconuts.
I’d love to test! I’d never baked in my life until I went vegan about 7 months ago, but I love vegan baking and trying new recipes. My non-vegan family takes on the task of telling me if it’s good or “good…for vegan.” :-)
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
2-3 times a month just for fun and every holiday (birthdays, national holidays, fridays)
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
pictures are what first get my attention, and ingredients/easy recipes are vying for second place; if it’s a really difficult recipe and has expensive ingredients i probably won’t try it until i have the money and time and am feeling brave, but if it’s a difficult recipe with ingredients i have on hand or are relatively cheap to pick up i’ll give it a whirl. Cheap ingredients + a recipe i can handle is awesome. I love stories in cookbooks as well; personifying the recipes keeps them on my mind and can inspire me to be more experimental in my cooking and baking.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
something that looks fun and delicious and unique, or something that reminds me of a non-vegan dessert that i’ve missed (cheesecake, cupcakes and peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies have sent me flying to the kitchen so far)
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
traditional baked goods with unique twists are great; it starts with something i’m comfortable with while exposing me to new flavors or ways of presenting an old favorite
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
i’ll try a really challenging recipe maybe once a month or so; often i can’t afford expensive, exotic ingredients and don’t want to spend money on something that might not turn out due to my lack of experience in baking.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
chocolate cheesecake
1. How often do you bake? I bake several time a week. I make sandwich bread on the weekends and various yummy baked treats for the kids in the neighborhood on weekdays.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I particularly like cookbooks that are clearly written and describe unusual foods that I haven’t made before and very old cookbooks that describe old techniques and use old terms. I just bought a Lithuanian cookbook from the early 20th c.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? I ran across a recipe for Absinthe Cupcakes and nearly ran out of the house to go find absinthe!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I will never make any dish that involves torturing an animal to death. I try to avoid any recipe that uses heavily processed, prepackaged ingredients but I usually just find a way to replace them with something good.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I love weird things with unusual ingredients or combinations of ingredients that I wouldn’t have thought of using.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes! I especially love trying new techniques or anything that involves me having to find a weird gadget that I didn’t know existed!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Any tangy fruit pie like raspberry or Amish lemon pie and my Grandmother’s blackberry cobbler, the recipe to which she took to the grave alas; peace to them both.
1. How often do you bake?
– Every now and then – usually only for other people, parties/feeding guests
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook?
– Photos that make me fall in love with the recipe before I’ve even made it (see black forest chocolate cake, in “Vegan; Over 90 Mouthwatering Recipes)
– Price of ingredients doesn’t matter too much, as long as I can get them (so egg replacer recipes are instantly disqualified)
– Stories are fun :)
– Recipes that win over unadventurous, suspicious-of-vegan-food people.
– Did I mention photos? !!!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
– Easy to make, bite sized treats, that sound healthy, without tasting healthy. Something that doesn’t require me to buy a new ingredient which I’d only use this once, or new equipment.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why?
– “wet” desserts/trifles/cheesecakes – not very practical to move around, not as easy to serve to people, don’t preserve too well. Nothing beats a bag of cookies.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
Unique flavours are fine as long as they work! Flavours that have to be “acquired” aren’t too appealing (fine if I’m making it for myself, but not others). Recognisable food is probably more useful.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Sure! I love a good disaster!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Apple crumble or chocolate cake fight for first place. Mini bakewell tarts a close second. Home made of course.
I LOVE BAKING AND WOULD LOVE TO TEST ANY OF YOUR RECIPES :-D
I would love to test recipes! I bake quite a lot, and since getting back from my culinary school internship- I need a new challenge!
1. How often do you bake? I bake a few times a week, depending on the schedule.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? I look for organization, good quality pictures, and tips that transcend any one recipe (trouble shooting for yeast breads or cakes or cooking in general, etc.)
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? I like recipes that are accessible but also have a wow factor. My newest favorite cookbook is The Artful Vegan from the Millenium restaurant… not super difficult, but each recipe has lots of components and the end result is always shockingly awesome.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I hate recipes that require going out and buying something that is expensive, rare, and I will never use again… but it is essential to that one recipe. HATE that.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I love testing things that sound like they might be a little too weird, and then they end up being my new flavor combination.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Yes!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Stickybuns with lots and lots gooey sauce and delicious nuts on top. Hands down.
1. How often do you bake? (Is it an everyday affair, every now and then, or just for holidays and special occasions?)
I bake at least once or twice a week. When I’m not baking, I’m constantly researching recipes, looking through cookbooks, and planning what my next sweet treat will be :)
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
It needs to be vegan, healthy, and I’m not gonna lie, I have a weakness for pretty pictures. But I also like cookbooks that explain things. For example, I have a vegan cookbook that goes into detail about different types of egg replacers, and it’s really helpful!
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? Right now, I’d have to say pie. I’m on this huge pie kick right now, and I feel that treats like vegan cupcakes and “cheesecakes” have gotten a lot of attention, but now with fall kicking in I’d love to see more adaptions of pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, etc.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t make…I’ll try anything once.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I enjoy recipes that use traditional flavors as a base, but then add a unique twist.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Definitely!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? Cookies, cookies and more cookies. It doesn’t matter what kind, I can never get enough!
Replying even though this is late… because I LOVE dessert!!
1. once or twice/week -been cutting back to save my thighs
2. stories that go with the recipes, comments are 1st, pictures 2nd
3. a new twist on an old recipe, something simple, non-dairy recipes that I don’t have to finagle substitutions for
4. I don’t make things with lots of sugar and fat anymore, obvious reasons
5. both! I grew up in a bakery and love traditional foods… but also crave new and exciting things
6. on occasion if it seems the results would be worthwhile
7. anything with raisins or raspberry jam, oatmeal raisin cookies
I know this is an awfully late reply, but if you still have room for testers, I would love to help out! But, here are my replies anyway:
1. How often do you bake?
Approximately every other day, depending on how quickly desserts disappear from the kitchen, and how many birthdays to make presents for!
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? (Cheap ingredients, easy recipes, pictures, compelling text / stories, etc…)
I always want to see pictures, because it’s most helpful to see how the dessert should look, and it whets the imagination. I like a good mix of easy and more complicated recipes, and I love to see interesting flavor pairings or ingredients that make me want to run to the kitchen and start baking. And lastly, I like to see “healthy” desserts….ones that use fruit as sweeteners, or incorporate coconut oil, or whole wheat pastry flour (I loved how you used red lentils in your cookies!)
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking?
I love savory buns, lemony/gingery desserts, and most cookies. I also like items that are easily transportable for gift-giving. Strange or unusual flavor combinations and ingredients are always of interest!
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? I rarely make puddings and mousses…I figure I might as well make frosting. ;) I also don’t generally make biscotti because I feel like those are dry and best had with coffee (which I don’t drink).
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations?
I like both….I love to try anything once, so unique flavors and presentations have their place…my partner tends to like more traditional, homey flavors (and everything chocolate) so I end up baking a good mix of both.
6. Do you like challenging recipes?
Bring it on!
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert?
Lemon bars, gingerbread, or carrot halwa with vanilla ice cream.
I would LOVE to be a tester for you. I’ve got loads of time on my hands right now and I really love baking and trying new recipes.
1. How often do you bake? I’m taking some time off from working, so I’m trying to get my rythm. It’s been around 3 times per week so far. When I was working, it was about once a month because I was focused on spending my kitchen time cooking meals.
2. What do you primarily look for in a cookbook? Pictures, pictures, pictures. They make me try more recipes and that’s the reason that I will buy a cookbook. In lieu of a picture, I like a little story about why I want to make a recipe. a description of what I’m making also helps.
3. What type of recipe would make you want to run into the kitchen and start baking? something bad for me ;-). I like crispy cookies the best. Sometimes I’m in the mood for childhood favorites. Should be easy to make and not have a million ingredients just for the sake of it. Or be organized in such a way that I have to think about the recipe a lot to avoid dirtying a million bowls.
4. What type of recipe would you not make, and why? berry crisps. probably because the topping always comes out bad. not as exciting as I remember the best crisp ever tasting. sweet berries, topping is crunchy, nutty, holds together well, but in distinct clumps, not one huge chunk. Same goes for coffee cake. would take a lot of selling for me to want that.
5. Do you prefer more traditional flavors and baked goods, or more unusual / unique flavors and presentations? I love them all. new / cool presentations are always welcome. helps stir things up.
6. Do you like challenging recipes? Sometimes I want to make something really really special that might take hours to bake. I would love it if every cookbook had a super challenge complete with a picture and a warning that it will take a long time, but it will be possible and have a huge wow factor. I also love a list of variations. That way if I find a favorite, it will never get old. I’m pretty good at figuring out variations on my own, but I like to see new stuff. Maybe a chapter of challenging recipes for those that dare.
7. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, what’s your favorite dessert? It’s really hard to choose just 1 or 2.
I like cinnamon rolls a lot. but I’m also just getting over my yeast making failure period, so I’m leery of trying another cinnamon roll recipe and have it fail. so I buy them. and they are ok.
A tie w/ cinnamon rolls are cookies. I love them because they are easy to make and taste great. plus anything you eat w/ your hands is cool.
1. I bake pretty frequently – always coming up with an excuse to make my house smell good and stuff my friends. It comes down to once a week or every two weeks unless there are a lot of birthdays!
2. I tend to go for photos first when I pick up a cookbook – I can’t help it! I always like to know where the inspiration for a recipe came from as well. I think clear directions are an absolute necessity (considering my easily distractible nature).
3. I’m a sucker for anything involving chocolate and I think I’m forever lost to finding the perfect vegan brownie. I really want to try working more with spelt flour, whole wheat, and alternative sweeteners as well.
4. I don’t think I’d want to make something in the same ole white sugar and Earth Balance vein. I already know that tastes good – I want to be more adventurous!
5. I prefer small adjustments on classics – like oatmeal cookies with cherries instead of raisins and chocolate cake with cayenne pepper hiding in the recipe.
6. It depends how challenging we’re talking! I’ve done some danish and bread recipes that took two days and much waiting around, and it was rewarding – but I’d rather stick to recipes that take less time and taste just as good.
7. Right now it’s sticky toffee pudding. Oh man. I can’t start thinking about that right now. I also have a love affair with hummingbird cake.
I love your recipes and would especially love to test any of them!!!
hey hannah!
just wanted to make sure you got my email (in response to yours). Let me know if you didn’t. Sometimes I think my emails end up in people’s spam filters :(
hope you’re doing well!
xo Amey