Texas accent and all-American flavor, even pitching in to help her put a fresh coat of paint on the porch of her Main Street shop. Rather takes the best of the Lone Star State—pecans, peaches, pralines, chiles, dulce de leche, German sausage—and turns out treats that taste like home, only better than anything homemade ever tasted before. There are the Bacon-Cheddar Scones, the Texas High Hairs Tarts (the only big hair Rather has ever had!), Fourth-of-July’s Fried Pies, Turbo-Charged Brownies with Praline Topping, pillowy Kolaches (yeasted buns with savory fillings), dulce de leche, German sausage—and turns out treats that taste like home, only better than anything homemade ever tasted before. Self-taught, Rather’s 150 utterly original recipes reflect her made-with-love-from-scratch philosophy and are guaranteed to get everyone fixin’ to bake.
-from Amazon

Here is the ultimate cookie book, with more than 1,000 recipes. This treasury of cookie baking will appeal to all tastes from simple to sophisticated. This beautifully photographed cookbook has easy-to-follow instructions that will make this an invaluable addition to any baker's collection. Each recipe has been kitchen-tested-along with helpful hints and tips-to make cookie baking fun and foolproof.
-from Amazon

Strawberry and White Chocolate Sponge Cake, Wild Blue Huckleberry Créme Brûlé, Rustic Pear Tart with Hazelnuts, Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream ... let the decadence begin. From the familiar to the innovative, this tempting new entry in the popular series of Best Places cookbooks - and the only one to focus on desserts - taps into the boundless talent of the northwest's top pastry chefs and bakers. Gathering 80 recipes from more than 50 of the best restaurants and inns in the region, - including the Dahlia Lounge and Palace Kitchen in Seattle, Wildwood and Caprial's in Portland, and Aqua Riva in Vancouver - the book is divided into seven chapters: Cakes; Cookies and Bars; Custards, Mousses, and Puddings; Frozen Desserts; Fruits and Nuts; Pies and Tarts; and Special Occasions. The Best Places Northwest Desserts Cookbook is an easy-to-use resource for anyone who wants to create memorable desserts at home.
-from Amazon

As Executive Pastry Chef at the White House for almost twenty-five years, Roland Mesnier has been responsible for creating thousands of elegant, delicious confections and dazzling desserts for hundreds of state dinners and family occasions. An accomplished teacher as well as a master chef, he now shares his expertise with home cooks in Dessert University.
This beautifully illustrated volume is a complete course in making the full spectrum of spectacular sweets -- from breakfast pastries, cookies, and pies to fresh-fruit desserts, frozen confections, and cakes. Recipes in each chapter are organized from the simplest to the most complex, and Chef Mesnier walks you through each step, pointing out common mistakes and offering insights on technique gained from his years as a professional. Most of these recipes need few special ingredients and almost no fancy equipment; nearly everything can be purchased at a well-stocked supermarket, department store, or kitchen supply store. Chef Mesnier includes tips on techniques, ingredients, and serving suggestions, and offers home cooks practical advice, such as how to fill and use a pastry bag and the best way to whip egg whites. A resource list is also included, so cooks can find the more unusual ingredients they need to make these delectable creations.
-from Amazon

A cupcake can change your life. Ever since Magnolia Bakery opened its doors in 1996, people have been lining up day and night to satisfy their sugar cravings -- patiently waiting in line at the old-fashioned yet funky bake shop to buy cupcakes, layer cakes, pudding, and ice cream, much to the surprise and delight of owner Allysa Torey. Now, from the baker who brought cupcakes to everyone's attention, come even more recipes from Greenwich Village's favorite bakery and her home kitchen.
Whether it's a birthday cake, weekend breakfast treats, or sweets for a bake sale, you'll find simple and delicious recipes to delight family and friends on all occasions in More from Magnolia: Recipes from the World-Famous Bakery and Allysa Torey's Home Kitchen. Beginning with the ever-popular cupcakes and frostings, you'll find the much-requested recipes for the mouthwatering Magnolia's Famous Banana Pudding and sinfully rich Red Velvet Cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting, all with helpful hints that let you achieve the same sweet results as the bakery. In the well-loved Magnolia style, Allysa Torey brings you new twists on old favorites, such as Devil's Food Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting, Peaches and Cream Pie with Sugar Cookie Crust, and Apple Tart with Hazelnut Brown Sugar Topping. You'll also find breakfast treats like Cream Cheese Crumb Buns and Blueberry Coffee Cake with Vanilla Glaze; and afternoon snacks like Black Bottom Cupcakes, Walnut Brown Sugar Squares, and Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. From Banana Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing to Heavenly Hash Ice Cream Pie, these are the desserts that Allysa makes for friends and family at home -- unfussy, straightforward, and simply delicious.
Illustrated with eight pages of beautiful color photographs, as well as black-and-white stills that capture the daily life of the bakery, More from Magnolia is an irresistible collection of new classics that will inspire you to fill your kitchen with sweet things.
-from Amazon

For those who don't know a torte from a tart. For the cook with more ambition than time or talent, Half-Baked Gourmet is an engaging new series of cookbooks featuring 200 not-quite-from-scratch recipes. This book features easy dessert recipes (like Devil's Food Cookies and Banana Napoleons) using short cuts (like boxed mixes and instant pudding).
-from Amazon