Books We Love: Sweetness

Author Christy Jordan serves generous portions of savory memories as well as desserts in her new cookbook Sweetness:  Southern Recipes to Celebrate the Warmth, the Love, and the Blessings of a Full Life.  Intertwined with sumptuous recipes, many handed down from Jordan’s grandmother, are reminiscences of time the experienced cook spent in the kitchen with family creating delectable treats.  Reading how to prepare homemade chocolate pie or raspberry salad is made even sweeter with the stories behind the recipes.    

Included with the recipes like Icebox Oatmeal Cookies, Rich and Fudgy One-Bowl Brownies, Lela’s Fried Peach Pie Bars, and Amazing Apple Bread are helpful tips on simple, no-skill-needed ways to decorate a cake, how to grow your own tea, and the best way to ship cookies.  Jordan also shares a number of her own ingenious recipes such as Sweet Potato Crème Brulee and Delectably Moist Bran Muffins.  The majority of the author’s recipes are easy to recreate and inexpensive as well.   

Beautiful photographs of the desserts and snapshots of relatives who inspired the recipes further add to the flavor of Sweetness.  Take this book into the kitchen or curl up with it on the sofa – you’ll enjoy it either way.