Julia Aitken's Baker's Secret

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

One hundred easy-to-make recipes for the food lover in a hurry, a lot of basic information on the principles of baking, countless quick tips and short cuts, and imaginative variations on baked classics make this book a useful one for nearly anyone who ventures into a kitchen.

None of the 100 recipes takes more than a half hour to prepare, yet many are fancy enough for entertaining. There is also a section of recipes which emphasize nutrition, and a section of party cakes for kids.

An attractive book, it has great color photos, an open-flat binding, a wipe-clean cover and clear, logical organization of ingredients and methods. Each recipe is printed on a single page or double-page spread so the complete recipe is in front of you while you work and there’s no need to flip pages with greasy fingers.

The book includes recipes for cakes, cookies, biscuits, breads, muffins, bars, party snacks, and crackers — no pies, however. Each section of recipes is introduced with a page of encouragement and chatter, wherein the author reveals a nice sense of humor and an appreciation for the limitations facing today’s bakers.