Lauren Chattman has written a delightful new book called Mom's Big Book of Baking: 200 Simple, Foolproof Family Favorites for BirthdayParties, Bake Sales and More. Likemany moms I have a very hectic schedule and to be totally truthful here and the kitchen is really not a safe or a friendly place for me. I have discovered, however and that Lauren Chattman's baking recipes really are easy and even I can make them.

The book is divided into seven sections: Beyond the Freezer Case: Homemade Pancakes and Waffles; Mom's Cafe: Muffins, Quick Breads and Biscuits and Scones; The Cookie Jar: Old Fashioned Cookies Mom's Way; Easy-Bake Oven: Keeping it Simple with Brownies and Bard; Mom's Apple Pie: No-Fail Pies, Tarts, Quiches and Cobblers; Birthdays and Beyond: Cakes for All Occasions; and Yeast is Your Friend: Basic Bread and Pizza.

I love cake - I can't help myself. But I don't like just any kind of cake. It has to be yellow cake. So I thought I would try making the classic yellow layer cake (or cupcakes) from the chapter ON Birthdays and Beyond.I chose to make cupcakes rather than a cake because I felt more comfortable with my cupcake tins than I did with my cake pans. The recipe was so easy thatI couldn't believe my luck. No cupcake would go toa party without frosting so I topped OFF my freshlybaked goods with vanilla birthday cake frosting. Ijust love a party! My friends could not believe my new found talent.

I was feeling very confident in the dessert category so I decided to make my son some spiced apple and raisin turnovers form the chapter onMom's Apple Pie.The sweet pie dough recipe was easy to prepare as was the filling. My kitchen smelled divine as the turnovers were baking. The turnovers are a keeper.

I invited my best friend (and her waffle maker) over for Sunday breakfast a few weeks ago so we could try out one of the waffle recipesfrom theBeyond the Freezer Case section ofthe book. After much deliberation we choose gingerbread waffles. I think I may have a new career here and my list of new friends is steadily growing.

I plan to do a lot more baking in the coming weeks. ON my list to try are PAN pizza dough, savory cornbread, oatmeal cookies and instant homemade microwave brownies.

I appreciated the time saving tips and techniques that were offered in each chapter as well as as the information ON mail-order and online resource. The only complaint I have about this book is that it did not contain color photos of the recipes - a feature I really appreciate since I am a real novice in the kitchen.

You can find this book at your local public library but you will probably want to buy a copy for your own collection.
ISBN: 9781558323957