I know it’s been a while since I did a book review, but this one is super fun, and I love this recipe for Purim (or pretty much any time. Ever.) The frosting is vanilla flavored, but add in some food coloring to match your color scheme and you’re all set.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post for a giveaway of this book!
Pure Vanilla
At a First Glance:
I never thought of vanilla as such a starring ingredient before. To me, vanilla means no other flavor. But this book spotlights it in the most amazing ways! There’s a breakfast section, a cake section, a cookie section and a candy section. Pretty much every kind of sweet treat…highlighting vanilla!
Some Features I Liked:
This book features lots of recipes, but also tips, tricks and even history surrounding the amazing flavor of vanilla which I enjoyed reading.
This is a beautifully done, hard covered book with clearly laid out recipes and gorgeous pictures. It’s an all-around pleasure to read and enjoy!
Most importantly, this book has an astonishing variety of recipes featuring vanilla in all it’s forms.
Some Recipes I Can’t Wait To Try:
Twinkie Bundt Cake: we all know that I adore bundt cakes, but the cream filling on this one is calling my name…loudly!
Ultimate Vanilla Cupcakes: because there’s no such thing as “good enough” when it comes to a vanilla cupcake!
Vanilla Bean Marshmallows: I’ve been wanting to try my hand at marshmallows for a while -and these look fabulous.
Vanilla Cloud Cake: the author says everyone who tastes this cake proclaims it’s the best they’ve ever had. How can I not try it for myself?
Who This Cookbook is For:
This is a really fun book with lots of great ideas for anybody who enjoys baking and being creative in the kitchen.
And while everyone can enjoy these delicious recipes, this book is especially good for anyone who doesn’t like (love?) chocolate. For the rest of us, yes. People like that exist. I’ve met them.
Who This Cookbook isn’t For:
Firstly, people with special dietary needs such as gluten or sugar free will not find many suitable recipes in this book.
Also, if you’re looking for an all-around dessert cookbook, this isn’t your best option. While there’s a wide variety of ideas, they mostly have the same flavor.
What I Didn’t Like About this Cookbook:
As I’ve written so many times in the past, this is a niche cookbook, which by default means there are limitations. In this case, (obviously) everything is vanilla flavored.
Another thing (which I know I’ve mentioned many times before as well) is that many of the recipes don’t have pictures. Call me spoiled, but especially with some of the more visual recipes that’s important to me.
Lastly, while I’m okay with it, some people may not find these recipes very easy or quick.
Lastly, many of the recipes in this book use forms of vanilla which are either hard to get, expensive, or both. The author does include a substitution chart, but for some recipes she specifies that subs aren’t a good idea.
Conclusion:
This book is fun, interesting, creative and most importantly, has a bunch of great looking recipes! If you love to bake, consider purchasing it …or buy it for the baker in your life as a gift!
And here’s a recipe from the book. I am not sure what to say about this other than it’s delicious. And it so elevates the “plain” sugar cookie with all of the intense vanilla flavor!
Big Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies:
Adapted from Pure Vanilla
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons corn syrup
Instructions:
Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter/margarine and vanilla until creamy. Add the sugar and beat on high until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs and corn syrup until blended. Reduce mixer speed to medium and beat in the oil mixture. Beat until fully combined.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually mix in the flour, beating until just combined.
Cover the dough and refrigerate until firm, at least two hours (up to overnight).
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and bake as follows (depending on the size cookie you desire.)
For extra large cookies: scoop the dough onto the cookie sheet using a 1/4 cup measuring cup. Bake 3 per sheet for 15-17 minutes, until the cookies are just turning pale gold around the edges.
For regular sized cookies (pictured here) : scoop the dough using a medium cookie scoop. Bake 9 cookies per sheet for 12-14 minutes, until the cookies are just turning pale gold around the edges.
Remove cookies from the oven and set aside to cool.
Vanilla Frosting:
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk or soy milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste*
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together all ingredients until fluffy. Frost the cooled cookies. Top with sprinkles or colored sugar, if desired.
*Note: if you don’t have vanilla bean paste, you can sub additional vanilla extract, though the taste won’t be quite the same. You may need to reduce the milk by a teaspoon or two to make up for the extra liquid.
And now, the giveaway!
For your chance to win a copy of Pure Vanilla
Please note: Each entry requires its own comment! Multiple entries in one comment will only be counted once!
Entry #1 – Leave a comment on this post telling me what flavor you would like to see an entire cookbook of!
Entry #2 – Follow @OvertimeCook on twitter and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry # 3- Like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry # 4 – Follow @OvertimeCook on Pinterest and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry # 5 – Subscribe to OvertimeCook via email (link is on the right sidebar of the blog). and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Note: if you already like/follow etc, that’s fine. Just leave a comment letting me know that!
Giveaway Details:
Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 22nd. A valid email address or twitter profile must be provided.
Prize can be shipped within the US and Canada.
Giveaway is sponsored by the publisher.
Disclaimer: this book was sent to me for review by the publisher. All opinions are my own. There are affiliate links within this post.
Thanks all for stopping by! Good luck with the giveaway and enjoy the cookies! Have a fabulous weekend and come back soon! Next week I have some super delicious treats to share with you all! -Miriam
Sirracha cookbook!
I would like to see a cookbook on almond flavoring
I Follow @OvertimeCook on twitter
I Like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook
Follow @OvertimeCook on Pinterest
I Subscribe to OvertimeCook via email
I’d love to see an almond-themed cookbook. Almond extract, amaretto, almond slivers, toasted almonds, almond butter. There is so much material here.
I already like you on Fb.
I already get your emails.
I follow u on pintrest
Not entering, just wanted to say another great review. A little disappointed too that there aren’t a lot of photographs in this book. After all, they say we do eat with our eyes first.
A caramel cookbook would be amazing.
I like overtime cook on Facebook.
I receive overtime cooks emails.
What about if we follow you on Instagram?
I’d love to see a book dedicated to Caramel
I already follow you on Pinterest
I subscribe to your emails
i would love to see a cookbook all recipes with cinnamon!!!
How about a Chocolate Haters cookbook? 😉
Chocolate or lemon!
I get ur emails
I follow on fb
I follow u on pintrest
I liked you on facebook.
I would like to see a book dedicated to Cinnamon.
I subscribe to your blog and I think it’s really terrific.
i would love to see a book on chocolate!
I love Vanilla. This book looks like it is right up my alley. I know my husband would love a book on Chocolate.
I’ve love to see a whole cookbook devoted to chocolate/raspberry, the best flavor combo in the world.
Actually cinnamon or ginger – both great ingredients in so many recipes.
I’d like a cookbook dedicated to cream cheese. I cannot get enough of that stuff.
I follow you on Twitter
I like you on Facebook
I follow you on Pinterest
I did the email thing
I liked you on the Facebook
We follow each other on the twitter
I want a T.O.A.O.T.C cookbook
Love the look of these cookies…. bet it won’t shock you if I vote for a peanut butter flavored cookbook!
I am signed up for e-mails
I always wanted to have a cookbook dedicated to vanilla! My favorite flavor!
My favorite herb is thyme, and I use it a lot, but not usually in baked goods. So I’d like a cookbook featuring savory thyme recipes.
For baked goods, though, you can’t beat the flavor of good vanilla, which puts Pure Vanilla on my wish list!
I follow @OvertimeCook on Twitter.
I like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook.
I follow Overtime Cook on Pinterest.
I receive Overtime Cook’s email updates, which is where I learned about this great giveaway!
I would like a Maple cookbook.
chocolate!
I Like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook
I follow u on twitter
I Subscribe to OvertimeCook via email
Mmmm…a cinnamon cookbook would be great!
I like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook.
I would love a lavender-flavored cookbook! It’s my favorite smell and I think it’s so versatile and interesting to play with!
I followed @OvertimeCook on twitter– my Twitter is @travelswithmary.
I liked Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook. (Can provide you with my full name as proof if this entry is the winner! My initials are MCM.)
I followed @OvertimeCook on Pinterest, my Pinterest is @kittenparty.
And I subscribed via email to Overtime Cook through my WordPress account!
My husband and I are newlyweds trying to revamp our kitchen, so this cookbook would be a perfect addition! Those cookies look divine!
I’m a big caramel fan – would love a caramel cookbook!
I follow you on Twitter.
I follow you on Facebook.
I subscribe via WordPress email!
I’d love a salted caramel cookbook!
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on FB.
I follow you on Pinterest.
I’m an email subscriber.
I would love a Basil book.
I follow you on Pinterest
Definitely chocolate!
Chicken.
Oops – I entered “chicken,” and didn’t realize you asked for a definite flavor. Please disregard my previous post. For a flavor, I’d have to say “chocolate.”
I’d love to see a coffee flavored cookbook, or one dedicated to all things coffee and those that go with coffee.
I would love to see a cumin cookbook – one of my favorite spices!
I follow you on facebook!
I follow you on twitter
I follow you on Pinterest! Obviously Chocolate…
i follow you on facebook
i follow you on pinterest
i follow you on facebook
i would love to see a cookbook on strawberry flavored foods!
i receive your emails
I’d love a chocolate mint cookbook
I follow you on facebook
I receive your emails.
I’d love to see a cookbook with nothing but cardamom!
I follow you on Twitter from @SavorySimple
I like you on Facebook (name: Jennifer Farley)
the cookbook looks like something i’d never need but baaadddly want. i mean, a cookbook for one star ingredient? and not chocolate? (because that one’s been done to death) vanilla is my ingredient but cinnamon would also be nice. buns, snickerdoodles, aranygluska, and more opportunities for savory stuff like moroccan chicken.
I’m actually a huge vanilla fan so this cookbook is totally up my alley!
I already like you on Facebook
I subscribed to your emails
chocolate, caramel or mint
I would LOOOVEEEE an entire cookbook with PEPPERMINT!!! I know, right???
Also, I already follow you on twitter. I’ll go check facebook.
K. Liked on facebook. Let’s see, what’s next?
Ok, Pinterest done. Now for the email thing. But don’t you dare spam me.
lemon or chocolate. pickles would be very interesting and my family loves pickles~
i get post updates via email
I like you on FB.
I would love a cookbook deddicated to peanut butter and chocolate combo. yum!
Vanilla is a wonderful flavor. I would love to see what else this cookbook has to offer.
I am already subscribed to your emails. Love ’em!
My family would appreciate an all lemon cookbook!
i like you on facebook
I would love to see a cookbook of only chocolate
i follow u on twitter
Follow @OvertimeCook on Pinterest
hmm i think an oatmeal themed cookbook would be great!
I would love a grapefruit cookbook – can’t get enough of it!
I Like the savory idea- maybe onion
I am all A TWITTER with your posts
I’m a Facebook Fan
And a Pintrest person too
I enjoy getting the email updates. It alerts me to your posts
I’m all A Twitter with your blog
I’d love a savory flavor- maybe Onion Style
I am hooked on Maple – loved it since I was a little girl and bought Maple Nut Goodies at the dime store candy counter with my allowance.
Follow you on Twitter – susitravl
Follow on Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/susitravl/
I’d like a coffee themed cookbook!
I Like you on Facebook
chocolate!
i like you on facebook
I would love to see a dessert cookbook on maple, a bit specific, but I’ve been playing with it a lot lately & I just love it! I’ve also liked you on FB, followed on twitter & followed on pinterest! I would really love to get the book! Thanks for this giveaway!
I subscribed via e-mail.
I would be interested in an entire book om Almonds and almond flavors. I love them but I have only a few tricks that I know to do with them.
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow @OvertimeCook on twitter as @AnnaZed
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook where I am Margot Core
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow @OvertimeCook on Pinterest as Margot Core.
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I subscribe to OvertimeCook via email now (I think, I pressed the button anyway), but I’m not sure which box it’s going to (I haven’t seen an email yet). It’s either this one:
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
or this one:
annazed10 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would love to see a cookbook with mint
I follow you on facebook
I subscribe via email
peanut butter or pecans. are those flavors?
i subscribed via email
WWould love to have a cook book only on chocolate!!
Can’t believe it took me until now to see this great contest! Uh vanilla sounds like a perfect flavor for an entire book! I have a collection of vanilla beans waiting to be scraped!!!
I follow you on twitter. Boo broken iphone 🙁
I follow you on pinterest
I like you on facebook!
I subscribe to your blog via email.
My favorite flavor/spice is GARLIC!
Everything GARLIC would be great!
I am following you right this minute!!
Thanks for all the great recipes.
Hi,
Urs is my absolutely favourite blog! Pure talent – thumbs up!
These cookies look lovely!
Not sure if you’re familiar with Podrigal’s soft cookies available in most groceries, but it’s a fav of my dad. We bring them back (almost) by the dozen to London (way less selection here 🙁 ). For ages now he’s been asking me to replicate the cookie – wondering if these might be similar?
Thanks!