Cover Image: It's Not Just Cookies

It's Not Just Cookies

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Cookies are one of my favorite things to bake, so I love a cook book dedicated to all different types. There are so many fun varieties in here, and I love how they are all sorted into different sections. This is going to be a huge hit in my kitchen!

Was this review helpful?

This is an interesting mash-up of a personal memoir, a guide to starting a business, and a cookie cookbook. Luckily all three aspects are readable and have useful information. The overarching theme seems to be to prioritize action over perfection and to embrace failure as inevitable and educational, which is decent advice.

The recipes were very appealing. There was a great variety and they were photographed well. I definitely want to try a bunch of them! Budding entrepreneurs would benefit from reading the authors' experiences and bakers may enjoy the behind-the-scenes story to some awesome cookies.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Was this review helpful?

This was a great cookbook and I really enjoyed reading through the recipes. I definitely found some that I will be making.

Was this review helpful?

Loved reading about Tiff and Leon’s journey with their company, Tiff’s Treats. I’m a huge fan of Tiff’s Treats cookies after living in Prosper, TX for the past 2 1/2 years. I’m sad to say I moved away and miss their cookies!! I also loved they included some cookie recipes in their book and can’t wait to try them out! Highly recommend this wonderful story. Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Until I read their story in this book, I had never heard of Tiff''s Treats. I am always looking for the world's best cookie recipe, so I could not wait to read It's Not Just Cookies. I enjoyed the story behind how Leon and Tiffany met. How she baked him cookies as an apology, when she stood him up from a date and how that got everything started. They include warm moments, recipes, business advise and are totally honest about their business mistakes. They share how they were able to grow their business into the dynasty that it is today.
I want to thank Harper Horizon through NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in the review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Pros: Although I grew up in Texas, I moved to Louisiana before Tiff’s Treats became popular. However, with a brother who lives in Austin, I hear about these fantastic cookies all the time. I loved learning about the people behind the business and the journey of the business. The structure of this book reminded me of the books A Homemade Life and Delancey (which is a good thing!) I think this book could be studied in business classes.

There were so many details I found fascinating when reading this book—especially the trademark issues with Tiffany & Co. My favorite detail in the book (and something I want to try with friends and family) is how the authors/bakers used M&Ms to make their faces in cookies.

I’m thrilled to be able to try some of these recipes in my own kitchen—especially the chocolate chip cookies . . . and red velvet cookies . . . and peanut butter chocolate candy cookies . . . and molten lava cookies . . . and really all the desserts mentioned in this book!

Cons: None that I can think of!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Horizon for the opportunity to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

The story of Tiff and Leon, their business, the values they stand on, and the lessons learned along the way was just as heartwarming as they cookies they deliver. I loved hearing their story, their mistakes and the warm moments shared by customers that define what Tiff’s Treats is. From how the company was started to the technology they blundered through which is now common place, Tiff and Leon tell an impressive story of how they just stay focused on delivering warm cookies and where it has gotten them. Knowing how seriously they take the responsibility of playing a role in people’s warm moments has made me a loyal customer for life, if the delicious cookies hadn’t already! I can’t wait to try out some of the recipes adapted for home from the company recipes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Horizon for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I would classify this as primarily a memoir but also with some cookie/dessert recipes sprinkled in. I am not familiar with the authors or their business, but it was interesting to see the progression of their business and relationship over the course of many years. I was particular interested in the information about going through IVF and multiple failures with that project. It was not a key to their story necessarily, but it was a stand out for me since I have been going through the same difficult journey. I did enjoy getting to copy a few recipes for future use also. I think this book would appeal to quite a few people.

Was this review helpful?

The recipes are exciting to try yet this seems more of a branding-type, social media encouragement/story rather than a baking book. A lovely, holistic picture on the Chen family that does describe other things outside cookies. It truly is 'not just cookies'. A labor of love that shines through.

Was this review helpful?

It's Not Just Cookies is a sweet memoir about the start of Tiff's Treats, Tiffany and Leon's relationship, business advice, delicious recipes, and warm moments that will touch your heart.

I absolutely love Tiff's Treats! I mean who doesn't right?! It's the only place where you can get delicious and warm cookies delivered right to your door. As a fan of the fan, I was super excited to get to know the founders of the business.

The story starts off by describing how Tiffany and Leon met. Readers soon learn that a mishap with a date led to the creation of the idea for Tiff's Treats. I really liked that they came up with an idea in college and just went after it. Sure they worried about failure but they let their hopes and dreams take charge.

Through their ups and downs, Tiffany and Leon's shared experiences will show that sometimes you don't always have to have everything figured out to a T before starting a business. Of course, mistakes are going to happen but their message of trying to not make that mistake again stands out.

Two of my favorite parts of the book are the recipes and warm moments. Every recipe looks so good and is easy enough for inexperienced bakers! The warm moments in this book represented the feedback and warm messages received from customers. I liked seeing how a single delivery of cookies could mean so much to people and was part of a lot of memories.

I give It's Not Just Cookies 4 stars. I love a story about underdogs beating the odds. This is such a good book if you love the brand! And for any entrepreneur of any age, I think this book will be helpful will all the helpful advice and wisdom! I can't wait to start making some of these recipes!!

Was this review helpful?

“It’s Not Just Cookies” is by the owners (Tiffany and Leon Chen) of Tiff’s Treats. It basically tells the story of how they started their business, built their business, balance family and business, and include some lessons they’ve learned - along with some treat recipes.

Having never heard of Tiff’s Treats, I literally decided to read this book for some cookie recipes and learn more about their business (meaning how they started, what they sold, and decisions they made along the way). This book reminds me of what I would call “hey kids, let put on a show” type of business - where things are rather like “we have a general idea of what we’d like to do - let’s go ahead and make it work!” That’s not a bad thing, but back in the late 1990s it was a bit more possible - now it’s a lot more difficult to get traction in the way they did it. I liked reading the backstory, but felt at times there wasn’t a lot of depth - and that could be walking a fine line between “this is a business 101 book” and “this is our story about our business.” The included recipes are noted as not being exactly the same as in the stores (I appreciate the note!), but they look like they’d be tasty to try at home.

Was this review helpful?

What an adorable book.

When I first saw this one I thought 'Yum. Another cookie book with a few short snippets in it'. But this turned out to be a cute love story, feel good story and a yummy story to boot! It just goes to show good things can come from adversity, hard times and most of all 'Cookies'.

A great book for anyone thinking of starting and running their own business as it gives a good insight into the ups and downs, of not only business but of family and how it all works together.

Enjoyable and I so look forward to trying some of these great cookie recipes. YUM!

Was this review helpful?