Dessert & Booze Hacks, a whimsical review.

It's getting to be that time of the year when thoughts turn to holiday gift giving. If you have a whimsical cook and book lover on your gift list, have I got a book for you! Dessert & Booze Hacks by Peggy Wang, founding editor of Buzzfeed, is a fun, delightful book that would be welcomed by any recipient. It is a board book (remember those from your youth?) that features 75 amazingly easy, fun-to-make recipes for desserts and drinks.

The design of the book allows it to open flat on the counter and stay open making it easy to use; large and colorful text makes it easy to read as well. The recipes are presented in a fun way with pictures, illustrations, smile-inducing comments, and helpful tips, all contained in an eye-catching, easy-to-read layout. Frankly, I have read a lot of cookbooks, but have never seen one like this before. It is really quite engaging, and a book that should be kept close at hand, because all of these recipes yield results in a flash, allowing you to dazzle those annoying drop-in guests with your culinary skills, no matter how limited those skills might be.

The book is divided into two sections: Dessert Hacks and Booze Hacks, all of them simple and speedy to get serious deliciousness to you and your guests as quickly as possible. As the author states, “These recipes were designed to pack maximum deliciousness into the least amount of effort... ” because “we are not long for this world” and she “wants to be shoving spoonfuls of sweet satisfaction down her throat STAT.” Who can disagree with a philosophy like that?

In this book you will find recipes for all seasons. Imagine cooling off on a hot summer day with Frozen Sangria, or warming up your sweet self in front of a roaring fire with Cinnamon Toast Crunch in a Glass made with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey and Rum Chata, what's not to like here? 

Some of the munchies include Pretzel Toffee, Five-Minute Bread Pudding (made in a mug), Kit Kat Brownies, and Carrot Cake in a glass. As I read these I thought what a great book this would be for the novice cook, or what fun projects for a Cub Pack or Brownie Troop (the desserts, not the cocktails!).

I cannot recommend this book enough. Give one to a friend, and treat yourself. Keep it on the counter and be prepared to satisfy your cravings in a flash.

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.