Bakerita 100+ no-fuss gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free recipes for the modern baker

"I wrote this book because I want you to know that eating dessert is a delicious--and healthy--part of life," writes Bakerita blogger Conners in her accessible debut cookbook, a collection of dozens of gluten- and dairy-free desserts. Conners instructs how to make popular dessert staples--such as strawberry shortcake, chocolate chip cookies, and apple crumble pie--vegan and gluten-free by replacing traditional ingredients such as all-purpose flour, milk, and white sugar with alternatives including coconut flour, cashew milk, and pure maple syrup. Some of the more inventive recipes include raspberry-lavender scones, peanut butter and fig blondies, and butternut squash pie with oat crust. Beyond desserts are some breakfast options, including blueberry cornmeal muffins and coconut-peanut butter granola bars, as well as DIY nut butters such as strawberry cashew butter and white-chocolate-pretzel peanut butter. Conners shares indispensable tips throughout, such as how to make an easy vegan egg substitute ("Mix 1 tablespoon ground flax seed with 2½ tablespoons of water") or how to prepare cookie doughs for make-ahead purposes ("They will keep in the freezer for about 6 months"). Whether readers have food sensitivities or simply want to make healthier decisions, they will find plenty of satisfying options here. (Mar.)

Blogger Conners (Bakerita.com) takes a flexible approach to gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free cooking; some recipes are vegan, some are paleo, and some even include clarified butter (ghee) when alternatives will not create the right flavor or texture. The useful introduction explains the author's approach, followed by a brief section on pantry staples and helpful kitchen equipment. Home chefs will need an impressive array of nuts, nonwheat flours, and coconut products to create items in this collection. Sections are organized into breakfast; cakes, cupcakes, and cheesecakes; pies, tarts, and crumbles; cookies; brownies and bars; candies and confections; and sauces and nut butters. Recipes are clearly written with plenty of tips for variations, with subheadings for each recipe providing information for dairy-free, grain-free, paleo, vegan, or gluten-free options. VERDICT A great choice for health-conscious bakers interested in exploring flavors beyond the nut-and-chocolate staples prevalent in gluten-free and vegan baking.--Rebecca Brody, Westfield State Univ., MA