A Book Full of Cookies
From baking shortbread cookies with your mother to the cookie jar that is always full at your grandmother’s house. Everyone grows up with cookies; perhaps that’s why the Netherlands is always in the top ten happiest countries in the world. Anyone who wants to expand their happiness would do well to buy the Cookie Bible.
My uncle still brings up every time I see him that, as a child, I never said hello to him but walked straight on to the cookie jar. There are also rumors that my first words were cookie and horse. I lived in England at the time, and I have no idea where that horse suddenly came from, but I can easily imagine the cookie. You understand: my joy was difficult to contain when this book arrived at the editorial office.
Making dumplings at home? Then check out this video.
Sweet cravings
The Cookie Bible is not the first in the series of culinary bibles. Previously, the sausage, soup, meat and pasta bibles were published, among others. There is even a baking bible that includes a few cookies, but let’s be honest. Cookies deserve an entire book of their own. Heel Holland Bakt winner Rutger van den Broek thought so too, and the Cookie Bible became a reality. Watch out: you’ll get some serious sweet cravings as you leaf through it.
Baking cheese butterflies
All the classic Dutch cookies are included, from Utrecht sprits cookies to Zeeland speculaas, from stroopwafels to krakelingen. International cookies are also covered. How about cantuccini, macarons, shortbread or Turkish savory cookies? Because yes, there are savory cookies in it too. Have you ever baked your own cheese butterflies, for example?
The book begins with clear basic information and tips, so every newbie understands how it works. Which tools do you need, what is the importance of greasing, and how do you heat something au bain-marie? What is the difference between mixing, beating and folding? For the slightly more experienced baker, there is also an explanation of how to temper chocolate, for the ultimate glossy chocolate that snaps when you break it. Also very useful: the how to’s come with clear photos for every step, so you’ll never go wrong again when making puff pastry, almond paste or buttercream.
The cookies are divided into categories such as crisp cookies (Jan Hagel and jodekoeken), rich cookies (filled with nuts and chocolate), spiced cookies, light cookies, chewy cookies and filled cookies. There is also a separate chapter for individual pastries: cookies sold individually at the bakery, including the much-loved pink cookie.
Go bake cookies
Baking cookies is fun, even when you do it on your own. They often only need a short time in the oven, and they make your house smell wonderful. People often bring a bottle of wine when they come over for dinner, but my favorite gift ever was from a friend who had just baked cookies at home. I received four cookies rolled up in plastic wrap; I had never seen anything so cute and personal. Get the Cookie Bible and get baking. Hand out cookies and make people happy, or eat all the cookies yourself and make yourself happy. Either way, go bake cookies. The Cookie Bible will be available in stores from August 3.
Title: Cookie Bible
Author: Rutger van den Broek
Publisher: Carrera Culinair
Price: €29,99
