Betty Crocker's Cooky Book

I want to kick off this blog with a book that I know well and have used countless times-Betty Crocker's Cooky Book. I was first introduced to this book as a small child, just learning how to bake. My mother was an avid baker and this was her go-to book for cookies of all sorts, especially during the holidays. As a matter of fact, my first holiday memories are of helping her prep and bake cookies! My mother and I did not have a good relationship, but when it was time to bake, that never seemed to matter. There was something magical about the sifting of flour, whisking of dry ingredients and the creaming together of sugar and butter and this book was the solid foundation upon which those memories are built.

Originally printed in 1963, Betty Crocker's Cooky Book seems to be the gold standard in cookie baking, not just for myself but for generations of home bakers. It currently holds a 89% 5-star rating on Amazon and a 7% 4-star rating. As it has over 3,500 reviews, I did not read every review posted, but most of the negatives I read came down to issues between the buy and seller (damaged or misrepresented quality) or complaints that the recipes are not updated for today's current health trends. Both are legitimate complaints, but the book itself has a note printed inside that states the recipes are the same as they were back in 1963 and that they do not reflect our eating habits of today. Aaaaaaand in my humble opinion, you can't hold the publisher at fault for an unscrupulous seller. Anyway..... On to the recipes!

The 156 pages of Betty Crocker's Cooky Book contain more than 450 recipes, a note from Betty Crocker, table of contents, index and photos of many of the cookies contained within its pages. Well worth the suggested retail price of $25.99! But savvy shoppers know better than to pay retail, you can currently purchase this book from Barnes & Noble for $22.99. Shopping on Amazon can get you a copy from as low as $5.25 to as high as $49.99, depending on the age and condition that you choose. Even at $49.99 for the original edition in excellent condition, this book is well worth every penny. 

For me, the coolest part of this book is that it is nearly identical to the original 1963 publication and the sense of nostalgia that comes flooding back when I open its pages. The one and two-color line drawings, over-exposed photography and the inclusion of dates, shortening and molasses in so many recipes has me sniffing the pages hoping for a hint of that "old book smell". At the very least, I hope to encounter some pages that are stuck together from old ingredients. Alas, I never encounter either yet I am always happy to bake from this book. With recipes such as Butterscotch Lace Cookies, Ethel's Sugar Cookies, Cream Pralines and Koulouria-there really is something for everyone in this book. 

For the older generations, this book will bring back memories of carefree childhoods and Christmas. For the younger generations, it provides a number of opportunities to create new family traditions, bridge a generation gap and explore new ingredients. On a scale of 5 stars, I give Betty Crocker's Cooky Book a solid 5-star review. That doesn't mean this book is without its issues, because there are a few of them. For starters, despite being told that the recipes are exactly as they were originally printed, there are at least two glaring irregularities: the Spritz and the Gingerbread Boys have some changes that affect the quality of the final cookie. Also, another (minor) complaint is that due to the age of these recipes, some ingredients may be more difficult to come by.

Despite these two issues, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone wanting a taste of their childhood. The book contains color photos of many of the recipes plus the publishers include a great assortment of tips to help your cookies turn out their delicious best. If you are a fan of food and history, there are also several anecdotes scattered throughout the book that bring more life to the recipes.