The Grand Central Baking Book: Breakfast Pastries, Cookies, Pies, and Satisfying Savories from the Pacific Northwest's Celebrated Bakery

I'm a little surprised that this book has not received more acclaim than its reviews on Amazon. I noticed this heavily marketed for Christmas two years ago, but it was out of stock and I was unable to purchase it then. When I finally ordered a few months later, it was like a breath of fresh air. Where many baking books feature overly complicated and fanciful desserts (i.e. delicious, though time-consuming), this one reads like your grandmother's recipe collection.The breakfast pastries alone are worth the expense of the book. The Jammers, flaky biscuits baked with a thumbprint of jam in the middle (preferably homemade- use The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook's Raspberry Jam recipe for an incredible treat) are one of my all-time favorite recipes now. Likewise, the Blueberry Muffins, to which I add just a hint of orange zest, are just as good. I would say that the best recipes in the book are found in the Quick Bread section: the Banana Nut, Pumpkin Bread, and Cranberry Orange Pecan. Each of the bread recipes can be frozen, and after 2 months they still tasted great! The cookie section features tried-but-true flavors, such as Chocolate Chip Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, and Raisin, but each recipe has been tweaked just a little to make it more special- two different types of chocolate chips in one, golden raisins in another. There is a wonderful page embedded in the cookie section that details how to freeze uncooked dough for cookies any time. The Shortbread Tea Cookie section was a pleasant surprise, as many books don't focus on Icebox-type cookies. The Hazelnut Poppyseed Cookies were a fun change with my coffee.The only negative aspect of the book that I have noted is the times listed in several of the recipes, but any home baker should know that oven temperatures/times will vary and to check the recipes several minutes before they are said to be done in the book. I did have an issue with the batter overflowing in the Lemon Pound Cake recipe, also, but that could have been a personal error in pan choice. Having owned the book for almost two years now, I have made many of the recipes, including: all of the Quick Breads listed above (I make them monthly), Ginger Oat Cookies, Orange Nutmeg Cookies, Classic Buttery Shortbread, Apple Crisp, Rhubarb Crisp, Cream Cheese Apple Cake (phenomenal!), Ganache Chocolate Bundt Cake, Bourbon Pecan Pie, and more. The only recipe that fell short of my expectations was the regular Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe; I much prefer the Clinton St. Baking Book's biscuits. There is a savory section that I have been eyeing for years, but still have not gotten around to making.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to create baked goods that focus more on taste than presentation. It should be noted that most of the recipes do call for a stand mixer, and the Jammer recipe in particular is not ideal to make by hand.

I've been baking for more years than I want to share, consider myself "good" at cookies, quick breads and such, and have way too many cookbooks after working many years at a public library.When I saw this book at Grand Central Bakery on a recent visit to Portland, I just had to purchase it, as the bakery itself is so terrific that it's hard to decide which goodies to buy on each visit. I haven't been disappointed. The rhetoric is practical and not pretenious. I found myself shaking my head "yes" at some of the most down to earth advice in the introductory chapters - validating - yet with new tips I hadn't thought of as far as ingredients, storage etc. I love that the recipes include the bakery's "stars", and also appreciate the discussions of seasonal variations. Bravo Grand Central - and please think about Volume 2 on bread baking! The scones are on our kitchen counter as I write and I'm having a hard time staying away from them...

Great book on baking favorites

We went to the Grand Central Bakery in Portland, and the bread (baguette and French-like loaf) was especially good. We also had the Irish Soda Bread and some scones. All were delicious. When I got home I immediately ordered this cookbook, in anticipation of making the bread. After it arrived I was disappointed to find that the bread recipes were not included in the book. I made the Gingerbread and it was great, however, I left out 3/4 of a cup of the sugar called for, and it was perfect. I don't think I would've liked it any sweeter.I look forward to baking more treats from the book, but will probably modify the sugar level.

I recently took a trip to Seattle and ate here everyday for breakfast.i loved it so much I wanted to recreate my favorite items at home. Sadly nothing we ate on the trip is in this book. I was hoping for the hazelnut chocolate croissant recipe! Other than not having the recipes I wanted it looks like a great cookbook I will use. Next time I will look closer at the publish date when I order a cookbook.

Excellent book. Everything that I have tried has turned out perfectly. The dutch babies have become a staple and the various cookies that I have attempted have been great. I particularly liked the shortbread orange and ginger cookies. They were very pretty and very tasty. Great instructions and good pictures. This is a cook book I wouldn't want to be without. My brother recommended it to me and my sister and all three of us love it!

I purchased this baking book for myself while in the Pacific northwest, and after exploring it's pages and the wonderful recipes, I purchased copies from Amazon for two of my daughters who love to bake as much as I do. Every recipe is one that you want to replicate as soon as possible. It is truly a treasure for the serious baker. You will not regret having this book in your baking library. Instructions are very thorough, with lots of details and the photographs of the baked product are mouthwatering. The recipes that we have tried are all winners. I have been a cookbook collector for more than 55 years, have many baking books but this one will be my go-to book when I want to be assured of a better product than a bakery could put out, and for a lot less cost.

Finally, an opportunity to learn some of the secrets of one of the best bakeries in Seattle. "The Grand Central Baking Book" provides the reader with the bakery's prized recipes. Yum - this means you can now make the sticky buns, the delicious scones and all your favorites that you would otherwise have to buy at the bakery. Recipes are laid out well, easy to follow and with great results. The book is filled with excellent baking tips and photos, yet published for the professional or home cook. It's a real treasure trove of delicious foods and I highly recommend it as a perfect gift book for the good cooks/bakers in your circle of friends. I love it (and am a very fussy food person) and have given it to the favorite cooks in my life.

Bought as a Christmas gift - looked lovely and I think it went down well. No idea if they actually used it or not though

The book came promptly but not in good condition. One corner was used and the overall cover looked like 2nd hand. It shouldn’t have been sold as new.I highly recommend this book for its content though, lots of delicious cookies and cake recipes that I will use and reuse for a long time.

Thank you, Amazon! This arrived safe and sound. I am very happy with it.