ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Yes you do need this book filled with desserts.

Full of invaluable recipes - can't wait to try more of them. Just as exciting as the other Food52 offerings, cannot recommend this enough. Thank you for the opportunity to review!

There is no better feeling than showing up to a gathering with the treat that people can't stop talking about. This book will almost ensure that place of honor. Chock full of recipes that will appeal to many different bakers this is a treasure trove of accessible and exciting recipes.

There's a few recipes that sound a bit odd (parsley cake? really?) but everything looks so good that I'd give it all a try. These recipes seem simple enough to not be intimidating but still interesting enough to be appealing. All the pictures are definitely a big help along with the included tips for certain recipes and ingredients. I definitely want to try the blackberry cobbler and the olive oil cake.

When I saw that Food 52 Genius Desserts was available to review, it took me all of one second to decide. I have always enjoyed the Food52 recipes, as they seem to always work out and provide fantastic results. This recipe book is one that should be a staple in any kitchen that strives to make an easy, yummy dessert.

The one thing that always draws me into the Food52 recipes are they way that they are written. The writing is so down-to-earth and not at all pretentious, which gives the reader a sense of confidence and motivation. Admittedly, not all of the recipes are quick and easy, however, the steps are broken down in easy to understand language that will have even novice bakers excited to try one of the recipes.

There are some really useful tips at the start of the book about measuring and ingredients. Home cooks can feel at ease with the knowledge that there are many substitutes for things, such as Kosher salt. The feeling that you don’t have to adhere specifically to the recipe gives the reader so much freedom. I love this aspect of the book the most.

What is notable about the recipes chosen for Food52 Genius Desserts is that the recipes have been chosen and tested for their genius qualities. For example, your 3 ingredient basic peanut butter cookie recipe is genius on its own. However, with some added ingredients, it can be kicked up a notch. I have to agree that these were the best peanut butter cookies that I have ever tasted.

If you love desserts and are looking for some recipes that are tried, tested, and true, then Food52 Genius Desserts is one that you should try. The writing is straight forward and the book contains many helpful ideas to create perfect desserts. This is one book that I will be putting on my gift-giving list this year.

Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards, and this book will help take that stress away. They take known recipes or other published recipes and alter them for better results, or to make things simpler, or just to point out what many people may do incorrectly. I thought it was very interesting, and i learned a few new things as well.

I love the Food52 blog, and I was excited to review this dessert cookbook. Dessert is one of my favorite meals, and I like making time for it. Author Kristen Miglore warns that some recipes are easy, and some are not, but I do agree that they will change the way you bake, such as the need to measure flour precisely or the difference between bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate. One of my favorite aspects of this cookbook is the history of the foods and recipes that the author provides. As someone who loves to cook, I take my time and cook through recipes in each chapter when I review cookbooks to provide insight into which recipes are my favorites, which ones are the most difficult, and the ones that will become regulars in my expanding list of recipes.
These are my favorite recipes from the book (and the biggest hits with my family):
-Douglas' Whole Wheat Jam Thumbprints (healthy, without sacrificing flavor)
-Three Ingredient Coconut Bites (these were gone in 24 hours- luckily it was just 3 ingredients)
-All of the Meringues (all of these were difficult recipes for me and took a couple of tries, but when I did get them, the results were amazing)
-Olive Oil Cake (so moist- one of the secrets to not having a dry cake, and the Grand Marnier was a wonderful addition)
-All Occasion Downy Yellow Butter Cake with Neoclassic Buttercream (yellow cake with buttercream is my favorite cake, and I will not make it any other way after trying this recipe)
-No-Churn Ice Cream Recipes (amazing- I especially liked the coffee and lemon ones)
-Almond Tart (I love almond anything, and I was also able to use the extra Grand Marnier from the Olive Oil Cake)
As you can see, I enjoyed quite a few of the recipes from this cookbook, and there are so many wonderful ones that I did not get a chance to try yet, but I will. If you love baking or would like to give it a go, I found this book challenging enough for veteran bakers and cooks and easy to follow for beginners.

Another quality addition to the Food52 cookbook collection. The history/story behind each recipe is always a highlight and the accompanying pictures throughout the book are instagram worthy. Can't wait to try out many of recipes.

As always, the Food52 books are beautiful. The recipes in this edition of Genius Desserts are simple enough for every baker to try. The recipes comes from a lot of different cook witch makes that book quite interesting.

Checked this book out to get samples for my wife to try. It’s got some good and not so good, but the book is worth trying.

This is a fabulous baking book! The recipes are easy to follow and don't have hard to find ingredients. I have made two things so far and plan to make more.

This is my favorite of all the Food 52 dessert cookbooks. My favorite recipes are the Tiramisu One-Step, No Churn Coffee Ice Cream, Atlantic Beach Pie, Chocolate Caramel Tart, Slow-Roasted Strawberries. A great chart of Fruit + Cream + Sugar + Heat. I can't wait to have this cookbook in my library!

I read this book a few weeks ago, and decided to make a few of the recipes before reviewing.

I have been pleased with Food52 cookbooks in the past, and this was no exception. This lovely book is packed with rich, earthy, luscious photographs of gorgeous desserts, meticulous recipe instructions, and inventive, appealing flavour combinations.

The genius tips that appear with some of the recipes are really helpful, While the recipes might seem a bit intimidating, do not worry - the directions are clear and exact, and provide accurate results.

Exceptional recipes (so far) include the Rhubarb Buckle and Pistachio Millionaire's Shortbread with Coriander Butterscotch.

Excellent assortment of recipes. Amazing pictures and directions. This is a stellar collection of curated desserts and I can already see excitement from patrons about it. I look forward to using it to make some of the recipes myself as well!

One of the nicest cook books I've seen in a while. Great pictures, helpful hints, fabulous recipes. I just love this book. I already have it on my order-for-library list~!

I've reviewed other Food52 cookbooks, thought they were great, and this one is no exception. I laughed a bit more with this cookbook ('heating' vs 'preheating' the oven, a photo of 'your hands' as a tool) and it got me excited about searching out different/funky shaped molds for cakes. To be fair, I am NOT a baker, but I like the outcome! I was excited to see "how to make mint chocolate chip cookies' which I have not made in eons and a brownie recipe (it's hard to find a 'plain and simple' one!). The book is beautifully laid out, great photos, and easy to follow numbered instructions. I need those numbers :)