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Member Reviews

I have been a lo ver of Magnolia Bakery recipes for quite a while. When I seen this one, I had to request it. And it did not disappoint. A beautiful book with lots of photos and recipes. Love it!

Many thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for a copy of this cookbook in exchange for an honest review

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The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts focuses on no bake icebox desserts

The Sections are
Icebox Cakes
Icebox Pies
Cheesecakes
Icebox Bars
Banana Pudding
Puddings
Base Recipes (cakes, cookies, and brownies, crusts and crumbs, fillings and sauces, adornments)

Each recipe has a recipe blurb, makes and serves, ingredients, directions, tips if needed. Many recipes have photos of the sweets. Most of the recipes you can prepare in advance perfect for a party. Simple to make desserts with some classic and some more uniques flavors.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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A nice collection of recipes for the upcoming hot summer days. The photographs complement the recipes beautifully.

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I really liked this book.
The photos were great and make each recipe look tempting. I had a minor issue of knowing which photos went with which dessert, but some page swiping resolved that. I really appreciated the way many of the dishes were plated in non-traditional and easy styles.
I found the cover appealing and wanted a chance at this book just based on that. It has also made me wonder how I’ve gone this long without a trifle dish!
The recipes looked clear and easy to follow, although I haven’t been able to decide which one to try and taste! I really enjoyed looking through the chapter devoted entirely devoted to banana pudding.

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This is a beautiful book of desserts. I loved flipping through this and dreaming of all the warm summer days where I could pull out a beautiful icebox dessert after a dinner party on the patio. These recipes are achievable and not too complicated, making this a great cookbook for your arsenal.

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I want to make every single recipe in this cookbook. Every. Single. Recipe.

This is not just a must buy, it’s an “order right this minute” cookbook. I could start with the first recipe and just make my way through it. It’s that wonderful.

My first must makes: The cheesecakes. Those photos show the greatness. After that, I want to try the ice box cakes- after all, summer is coming! The puddings are right there at the top of my list, too. I may need to make more than one recipe per day at this rate!

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If you’re a dessert lover with a soft spot for no-bake treats, The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts is a dreamy addition to your kitchen bookshelf. Rooted in the nostalgic flavors of the iconic Magnolia Bakery, this collection celebrates the magic of cold-set desserts – from creamery cheesecakes and layered pies to delectable icebox bars and, of course, their legendary banana pudding.

This book is not only beautifully photographed but also refreshingly accessible. The step-by-step recipes are clear and easy to follow, whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out. I tried the Banana Pudding Icebox Cake, a deconstructed spin on their famous pudding, and it was a total showstopper. It came together with minimal effort, yet the final presentation looked like something you’d find behind a bakery glass case. Best of all? It tasted just as good as it looked. I served it to friends and family, and everyone was raving about it.

Beyond the recipes, this handbook exudes charm and warmth, making it as enjoyable to read as it is to bake from. Whether you’re making something simple for a weeknight treat or a crowd-pleaser for a party, there’s a recipe here that’ll wow without the stress.

Verdict: A delightful, approachable dessert book that delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Highly recommended for anyone who loves sweets but not the heat of the oven.

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Not shared in my official review, but given the significance for their banana pudding, I feel like the picture included with the banana pudding icebox cake is substandard. Having two slices with one in the foreground and one in the background, there isn't really a focus and it all just looks bland.

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I really liked a lot of these recipes, but it was almost too much. Some were just so complicated for a "simple" dessert and I couldn't imagine making them.

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Nice recipes, some a little too complicated, but the view from the app isn't ideal. Thanks to Netgalley for this book!

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I loved exploring dessert recipes with this book. I don’t own a cookbook that is similar to this one so it is nice to have in my collection.

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Yes, yes, yes, and another serving of YES. I love Magnolia Bakery recipes and this new beauty does not disappoint. Make sure you add this to your collection if you love baking, but not turning your house all the way up to roasting with summer oven use. Some classic flavors, beautifully presented, and of course delicious!

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From icebox cakes, pies, and bars to puddings, and so much more, this delightful cookbook serves up a recipe for delicious nostalgia! The accompanying photos beautifully illustrate the desserts, and the step-by-step directions make it easy to create each recipe. A must-have for every baker of delectable desserts!

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This dessert cookbook had so many delicious recipes. There were very detailed information to help any level of baker. I even liked the pieces of history spread throughout the book. Some of the recipes seemed too similar or too much to make through the years, but I’m sure there is a group of people out there looking for a cookbook like this. I really like the extra recipes at the end of the book to make some of the additional items to a recipe. On my device the photos looked really dark.

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This cookbook is fantastic! We’ve recently had new neighbors move in and decided to welcome them with a few treats. We made the chocolate chip cookie salted caramel ice box cake and the beautiful banana pudding featured on the cover. I’m pretty sure we made new friends for life. Can’t wait to make more delectable goodies from this book.

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As someone who adoresNew York City, there's always been something magical about stepping into Magnolia Bakery—those charming pastel counters, the heavenly smell of freshly baked sweets, and that unmistakable sense that you’re tasting a bit of the city's heart. So when I got my hands on "The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts" by Bobbie Lloyd, I was beyond excited—and it did NOT disappoint.

This book is pure joy. It’s like bringing a delicious piece of NYC right into your kitchen. The recipes are not only nostalgic and beautifully laid out, but they’re also incredibly approachable. Whether you're a seasoned dessert maker or a casual baker, the step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photos make every creation feel doable and exciting. And the best part? Every dessert has that classic Magnolia flair—rich, creamy, dreamy, and completely crave-worthy.

What I loved most is how it made me feel connected to the city I love, even from afar. Now, whenever the craving hits (or I just need a little NYC magic), I can whip up a Banana Pudding Icebox Cake and instantly feel like I’m back on Bleecker Street.

Bobbie Lloyd has created more than a cookbook—this is a heartfelt tribute to the sweet side of New York, and it’s now a treasured part of my kitchen. Highly, highly recommend for anyone who loves Magnolia Bakery, the Big Apple, or just really good desserts.

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This handbook has me in the mood for summertime desserts. Just what I needed to jumpstart my Easter dinner dessert buffet. Yum! Pictures and details are covered on every page! I can't wait to make my purchase. I am a collector of new handbooks "cookbooks" and then pass them to my DILs.
Thanks Netgalley for letting me peek early!

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Gorgeous cookbook! I love Magnolia Bakery so it is so awesome to have some new recipes to try at home of some of their classics. Photos and book layout are gorgeous, recipes have been super easy to follow.

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Fun recipes and just in time for the summer! I loved the explanations and the introduction of basics to have around. Great dessert collection!

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Thank you netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I'm an easy desserts kind of gal, and I appreciate the existence of this cookbook(or not-cookbook) to make experiencing life just a little bit easier. No-bake recipes are my favorite, it doesn't require preheating or proofing. The kicker is that it's Magnolia Bakery level sweets as well! I heavily heavily approve of the banana pudding being present in this cookbook because that's just a magnolia bakery staple. There are also a few classic cakes (Oh red velvet my sweetheart).

Complete with a guide to equipment, materials, and ingredients found in every standard cookbook, and delectable photos! I have already made the banana pudding, and there are a few leftovers in my fridge. :)

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I love Magnolia, and I am so glad there is a cookbook for it! One of my favorite places to go to in NYC!

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