The cover of this book just looked so yummy and when I saw the author was a pastry chef, I knew I had to check it out. I love to bake and I love all things chocolate. The book begins with lots of critical information including the right equipment to use as well as how to select quality chocolate for your recipes. The book then shifts to using chocolate in different ways like coating items and caramelizing. My favorite part included all the recipes like cakes, tarts, and truffles. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about chocolate or someone wanting to make tasty chocolate desserts and treats! My personal favorite recipe from the book was the bittersweet truffle recipe. So delicious.

Anyone who likes to play around a little with chocolate will appreciate Kate Shaffer’s Chocolate for Beginners. The cookbook includes an excellent chapter called Chocolate 101, as well as information on how chocolate is made and origins of chocolate. Also included are fundamental techniques and basic instructions on melting and tempering chocolate.

The best part of the cookbook, of course, is the vast assortment of ethereal chocolate treats. Every chocoholic will be pleased, and anyone who wants to serve something chocolate to friends and family will have trouble choosing which chocolate treat to make first. There are chapters including candy, cakes, pies, and tarts, as well as mousses, cookies, and puddings. Favorites include: Peanut Butter Cups (everyone’s first choice), several different kinds of ganache, and heavenly truffles. Her techniques in the early basic chapters make it possible to successfully follow the easy-to-read recipes, and turn out beautiful chocolate delicacies.

There are step-by-step photographs for the basics, which is very helpful for beginners. However, there aren’t many photographs of the actual recipes. This is the only drawback to this excellent cookbook. While the few photographs of the recipes are beautiful, more are needed – lots more.

All said, this is a “must have” for chocoholics and chocolate lovers who want to learn how to make yummy treats in their own home. Even those who know a little about chocolate and have successfully made chocolate specialties in their homes will learn from the great information and tutorials that Shaffer has included in this book. Highly recommended; this cookbook makes a great addition to a complete cookbook collection.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Who doesn't love chocolate?  If you do and you would  like to make chocolate creations at home, this book is for you!  The author has such wide ranging knowledge and she generously shares it in this book.  There are many excellent recipes, information about tools and techniques, troubleshooting sections, information about the different kinds of chocolate and more.  Looking at this book made me want to get to work.  It also made me aware that learning to make great treats with chocolate may take some time and patience.

I highly recommend this book and hope, that if you make something in it, you will let us bloggers know how it was!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book has four parts: Chocolate 101, Fundamental Techniques (5), Other Essential Techniques (5), and Recipes. Many techniques have multiple methods and a recipe tutorial. Lots of ways to practice the skills being taught. There are some photos but not many - I would have preferred more. The book covers cooking and baking with chocolate, filled chocolates, tempering chocolate, truffles, and packaging and storing confections for gift-giving. Overall a great book with lots of info on how to use and work with chocolate.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to eat this book! Chocolate is, of course, the highest form of dessert, and this book teaches me its secrets (like tempering)!

An excellent guide to working with Chocolate! Lots of tips and tricks with step by step instructions and loads of delicious recipes! A great addition to my cookbook collection!

Who doesnt love chocolate and now it doesnt matter if you knowing nothing about baking with it. This book is perfect for all beginners. So many great tips and ideas. I highly recommend it

I'm pretty basic - I'll love any book that gives me a 101 of the subject :) I haven't worked with chocolate as I desire (tempering - what?) and Chocolate for Beginners gives me hope that I can get into making special chocolates as presents or bakes. It's a simply laid out book (which I appreciate) with instructional photos -- although I'd always want more photos. I've tried a few techniques that I need to master but am confident that with this book I can get it done -- finally.

This book is very in-depth and exceeded my expectations. It gives a great overview of all the different types of chocolate and how to successfully use each type in a recipe. It has fantastic tips and clearly defines each recipe and any techniques needed to prepare the delectable dishes. I found it very informative and really like the book. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

This is an excellent book for all of us who love to bake and eat chocolate and dream of becoming chocolatiers. The directions are given step by step and easily followed with all ingredients listed and helpful hints listed if needed. Pictures are shown for some desserts and scrumptious sweets that will leave you drooling!!
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