November 15, 2010
Byrn's newest book in her best-selling "Cake Mix Doctor" series aims to minimize the difficulty of gluten-free cake making and reintroduce favorites such as carrot cake and Boston cream pie into the lives of millions who live with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Byrn's recipes begin with a box of gluten-free commercial cake mix and then incorporate other ingredients in an attempt to replicate a homemade taste. Each recipe is accompanied by full-color photographs of the finished product, always a welcome addition. Passionate bakers and food purists may find that this book lacks surprises and pales in comparison to similar gluten-free baking books like Annalise G. Roberts's Gluten-Free Baking Classics. VERDICT This title will be most at home in a collection of other cookbooks geared toward busy or casual bakers. Those with limited resources for specialty baking books should look elsewhere. [Twenty-city tour.]--Carolyn M. Schwartz, Westfield State Univ. Lib., MA
Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 6, 2010
With the popularity of a diet restricting gluten at an all-time high, it's no surprise to find this title marking the latest addition to Byrn's popular Cake Mix Doctor series. The premise of the established series is for home bakers to rely on "doctoring" mixes to "jump-start" dessert making. Manufactured gluten-free mixes are based primarily on white rice flour and an added starch, often contributing to a less-than-desired, even unpleasant texture. Byrn's method of add-ins such as fruit and candy, and careful monitoring of baking times, creates a better cake. The recipes are divided into chapters including "Layers"; "Bundt"; "Brownies, bars and cookies"; and "Cupcakes and muffins." Traditional cakes, including yellow birthday cake, classic carrot cake; German chocolate, and Boston cream pie are represented, as are the less familiar hummingbird cake and hot lemon poke cake. Cake mixes are used for muffins as well as bars, and a doctored gluten-free brownie mix recipe makes an appearance for those seeking the dessert standby.