The 3-Ingredient Baking Book by Charmian Christie (224 pages)
Simple, Sweet And Stress Free Recipes
With all the hustle and bustle of every day life, it’s hard to find the time to just relax and enjoy. As a kid, pulling up a chair to the kitchen counter, putting on an oversized apron, and helping bake up a storm made for some of the best memories. It might explain why baking has become my happy place.
Whether it’s cakes or cookies, cupcakes or pies, baking gets me in the zone; a place where I can find my flow. A self-taught baker, I even started a cupcake business about eight years ago, sharing my homemade treats with family, friends, and co-workers. And while I enjoyed the process, all these years later and as a busy mom who doesn’t have a ton of time to dedicate to this heartfelt hobby, I knew I had to give The 3-Ingredient Baking Book a whirl.
Beautifully illustrated and neatly organized by home-baked category, you’ll find everything from Quick Chocolate Mousse and Mini Baklava Bites to Peanut Butter Cookies and Chocolate Hazelnut Mug Cake inside. The author also includes tips and tricks, must-have pantry items and equipment, and walks you through how to avoid the most common baking mistakes.
Now I couldn’t write a baking book review without even trying a recipe or two. So, here are a few of the treats I whipped up this weekend:
Simple Shortbread
I am a holiday baker…. And I’m not talking a few cookies for the neighbours. I take a day off work and spend it mixing and kneading and baking pan after pan of shortbread cookies. I tried all kinds of recipes too, but this one is not only simple – it’s a definite winner. While I tried the whole log and cut method, I could see using this shortbread dough in a cookie press or even rolling it out and using holiday-themed cutters.
Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies
Who doesn’t love hazelnut chocolate? As a kid, I devoured it on white bread (and snuck tastes on a mini spoon when I thought no one was looking). It took all of five minutes to prepare the batter and the outcome was two thumbs up from both my husband and five-year-old. Easy to cut, rich yet firm, these brownies would be the hit of any party.
Buttermilk Scones
Nothing says brunch more than scones. Hot out of the oven, these tasty treats are best topped with butter and jam. The recipe itself was simple; the only thing that took a bit longer was the kneading and rolling. But I can tell you it was worth it. These scones would definitely be a delicious addition to any brunch table.
The Bottom Line: 4/5 Brookie Stars
If you’re new to baking, this book is a great place to start. The recipes aren’t too difficult and you won’t have to break the bank on specialty pans or equipment. If you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll find new ways to make old favourites without the fuss (plus get back some of that extra time you might have spent whipping and chopping and mixing). What could be sweeter than that?
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Andrea Querido is a 40-ish book-loving, introverted word nerd who’s passionate about connection, self-care, personal growth, creating community and, of course, books!
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Favourite brunch spot: Anywhere I don’t have to cook.
