From the Publisher:
Top Cookbooks'
review:
What a treat! Those of us engaged in a gluten free lifestyle now have many avenues where we can find recipes for baked goods of all kinds, but Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes by Kelli & Peter Bronski takes artisanal gluten-free baking to new levels. With terrific flavor combinations such as sweet potato walnut, bananas foster, key lime pie, strawberry shortcake, and pina colada, you’ll be sure to find more than one recipe you want to make right away.
I've seen many books on the subject of cake making which are bulkier and more expensive, but few have given more useful details for the beginner or a better assortment of recipes than Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes. A section in the front of the book covers equipment you will need in your kitchen, why you need it, and how to use it. Following are a few pages discussing types of cakes and icings, and how to achieve desired results with both. Finally, two full pages are dedicated to mastering the skill of creating the perfect Italian buttercream icing, which I am personally looking forward to trying.
The one thing I don’t particularly like is that the fat content of these recipes is pretty high. Although the Bronskis state that the recipes will not be “the dietary equivalent a tossed salad”, it is important for all of us to also reduce the amount of fats, especially saturated fats, in our diets. For me, I will be making these cupcakes with the omission of the butter since my family will want to have cupcakes more than a few times per year. It would be helpful if the authors had taken the extra time to provide us with creative options for reducing the fat content of their recipes.
However, I will admit that this is one of the few books that I have made room for on the little shelf by my kitchen window. The book is a quite well organized little treasure with many wonderful inspirational ideas and tips. Being about half the size of other cookbooks I own and having such beautiful illustrations, it makes a great conversation piece and is uplifting at the same time.
Anyone who entertains will want to have a copy of this book in their collection. The variety of ideas presented in this one little cookbook is more than I’ve seen in some much larger publications devoted to conventional cupcakes.
Finally, I would like to refer everyone to Kelli & Peter’s blog: http://noglutennoproblem.blogspot.com . There you will find more information and advice from this lovely couple on the subject of gluten free cooking and baking.
Rating (1-10 with 10
as the highest possible):
| Number of Recipes: | 8 |
Overall Rating: 8.2 |
| Quality of Recipes: | 7 | |
| Number of Illustrations: | 10 | |
| Quality of Illustrations: | 10 | |
| Overall Presentation: | 9 | |
| Author's Objectives Met: | 8 | |
| Writing Style: | 8 | |
| Value: | 7 | |
| Overall Helpfulness: | 7 |
Does this cookbook cater to any Special Diets?
This is a gluten free baking book, so it will be suitable for those with celiac disease and others avoiding gluten or wheat.
What skill level of cook is this book intended for?
This book is intended for home cooks of all experience levels.
How easily are ingredients to find?
The ingredients used in this book are easily found in the specialty or health foods department of most grocery stores. If you can't find them there, click here to browse Amazon for gluten-free ingredients. Amazon.com is a great place to purchase gluten-free ingredients. They give free shipping on orders of $25 and over.
How expensive are the ingredients?
Baking with gluten-free ingredients is more expensive than baking with conventional all purpose flour, but the benefits far outweigh the price tag.
What was your first impression of this book?
This is such a pretty gluten free cookbook. It is a soft cover with many beautiful illustrations of delicious looking cupcakes. The recipes are for unique, beautiful gourmet cupcakes.
Does this book teach anything about the culture behind the cuisine?
No. The authors do discuss what an artisanal gluten free cupcake is and provide tips and techniques for making great cupcakes.
Are there any interesting stories included?
There aren't many stories. There are tips and helpful instructions, but not stories.
Are the recipes all written by the author?
Yes, the recipes appear to be original to the authors, and not a collection of recipes from other sources.
Does the author provide any new information or techniques?
Yes, there is a section with information on choosing gluten free ingredients, which tools you'll find useful, and techniques for decorating, frosting and filling.
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Here's a great recipe for pistachio cupcakes courtesy of Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes:
1 cup shelled unsalted
pistachios
3/4 cup salted butter (1 1/2 sticks), room
temperature
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons GF pure almond extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
3 cups Artisan Gluten-Free flour blend (page
10)
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
2 1/2 teaspoons GF baking powder
1 teaspoon GF baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
To make the cupcakes:
1. Preheat the oven to
350ºF.
Line standard cupcake tins with paper
liners.
2. In a food processor, pulse the 1 cup of
pistachios until finely ground. Set
aside
3. With an electric mixer, cream together
the butter and brown sugar until light and
fluffy, then add the almond extract.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing to
incorporate after each addition.
5. Add the buttermilk and ground pistachios,
and mix until combined.
6. Ina seperate bowl, combine the flour,
xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, and
salt, and mix with a whisk to "sift" the
ingredients and break up any lumps.
7. Add the dry ingredients all at once to
the sugar mixture and mix for about 10
seconds at medium-low speed to incorporate
8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix
at high speed for about 5 seconds, just
until the batter is completely mixed and
smooth.
9. Divide the batter evenly among the
paper-lined cups. Make the top of the
batter as smooth as you can.
10. Bake for 25 minutes.
11. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tins
for 10 minutes, then remove from the tins
and let cool completely on a wire rack.
12. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the
Pistachio Buttercream.
To finish the cupcakes:
13. Put the 1/2 cup shelled pistachios in a
zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush
into small pieces.
14. Use a small palette knife to spread a
generous portion of Pistachio Butter-cream
on the cupcakes.
15. Garnish with the crushed pistachios.
Note: If you can only find salted pistachios, leave the salt out of both the cake and buttercream.
Courtesy:
Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes
By: Kelli Bronski and Peter Bronski
ISBN: 978-161519-036-2
List Price: $16.95 263 Pages
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Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Preface
Part One: get ready!
What is
an Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcake, Anyway?
Why Gluten-Free?
Our Artisan Gluten-Free Flour Blend
Ingredients
Tools
Types of Cakes
Types of frosting
Filled Cupcakes
Secrets of an Italian Buttercream
Getting Friendly with Your Pastry Bag and
Piping Tips
Decorating Tips
Gluten-Free Baking Tips
Part Two: get baking!
Classics
Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting
White on White Cupcakes
Red Velvet Cupcakes Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Fruity
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Apple Upside-Down Cupcakes
Bananas Foster Cupcakes
Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes
Orange Cranberry Cupcakes
Pina Colada Cupcakes
Very Strawberry Cupcakes
Mango Mania Cupcakes
Nutty
Almond Addiction Cupcakes
Hazelnutty Cupcakes
Pistachio Cupcakes
Sweet Potato Walnut Cupcakes
Chocoholic
Chocolate Mint Cupcakes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes
S'mores Cupcakes
Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Mocha Cupcakes
Sweet Surprises
Fruit Tart Cupcakes
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Jelly Donut Cupcakes
Boston Creme Cupcakes
Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes
Napoleon Cupcakes
Old Faithfuls
Banana Split Cupcakes
Crumb Cake Cupcakes
Gingerbread Cupcakes
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
Rum Raisin Cupcakes
Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes
Extraordinary
Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes
Cannoli Cupcakes
Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
French Toast Cupcakes
Mojito Cupcakes
Poached Pearfection Cupcakes
Tiramisu Cupcakes
Maple Madness Cupcakes
A guide to refined-and-sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan baking
Metric
Conversion Charts
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Authors
