The Hummingbird Bakery Life is Sweet: 100 Original Recipes for Happy Home Baking

This isn't the first book from The Hummingbird Bakery that I've purchased. I have 'fangirled' over this company form the moment I set foot into one of their stores. Tarek has such a great passion for American cooking and I love that even years after the first store and the first book, he is still sharing such authentic, quirky and delicious recipes with newbie and pro bakers at home.Yes, this book is quite different to previous ones. But that's why I've given it Five Stars. I loved that Tarek has put together such a mish-mash of recipes, I don't know about you but there's only so many cupcakes I can bake...The book is split into 10 sections: Cakes, Cupcakes, Layer Cakes, Pies, Cookies & Candies, Traybakes, Pancakes, Ice Cream, Puddings, Bread & Savouries.I've dabbled in quite a few of the recipes and from what I have baked and read of the rest of the book, I like what I see. The recipes are clear and there's a recipe for every skill level. You can easily judge whether you're fit to bake a recipe from reading through it first.There's a recipe for every occasion and all the Seasons! My favourite recipes so far are...7Up Pound Cake - yes, it really has 7Up (the soft drink) in it. But it's so tangy, moist and deliciousBlackberry Sonker - a warming dessert for winter, similar to a cobbler/crumble with warm biscuits (Scones if you're a Brit) on topBirthday Cake Cookies - Similar to that famous American brand of cookie/biscuit stuffed with cream, begins with Or-eo.Graham Crackers - Yes if you love these as much as I do, you'll be so happy there's a decent recipe to make them in the UK!But I won't reveal and spoil any more recipes. Get it for yourself and thank me later ;)

A very heavily American inspired book with some interesting recipes. I found it more suited to the skilled baker with some fairly technical recipes that left a lot of room for error, but definitely ideal for someone who fancies a challenge!. I found the other book by the same author (Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook) to be the better of the two.

this book contains most unusual cake receipes from the south of the usa, collected by an arab who runs a cafe in london. quite a sophisticated present for someone who loves baking.

This book has some great recipes, however most of them are very American.The reason why I can't give it 5 stars is because it uses the US metric system as well which means that I have to convert everything first.All recipes turn out well though.

Awesome cookbook. Filled with American desserts from different states.Some really quirky recipes in here such as tomatoe soup cupcakes, and vinegar pie... But most look really nice such as the blue Hawaiian cupcakes.I love America, so have enjoyed discovering state desserts, because many are so different to British baking.