GREAT READS

Southern Living Best Loved Cookies

[editor, Susan Hernandez Ray ; writer, Deborah Garrison Lowery].

Melt-in-your-mouth is right and I drool just looking at the large colorful pictures in this book. Cookies, and desserts I didn't even realize were cookies, stare at me from every page. Since I'm not much of a cook (or baker), I need simple instructions that don't include complicated devices like candy thermometers and double boiling pots. I'm much more likely to attempt a recipe when I can see how it should turn out with an enticing photo. "Decadent peanut butter-toffee turtle cookies" spoke to me from the cover and looked even better inside. They weren't so picture perfect when I made them in my kitchen, but were definitely decadent to the point of not being able to eat just one. My pecan crescents were a bit crumbly, but tasted wonderful. I still want to make "kitchen sink brownies", "date pinwheel cookies" (because they look neat), and there's a very simple recipe for those peanut butter cookies with a Hershey Kiss on top for people like me who can't just whip up something without directions. I'd highly recommend this book for an inexperienced person like myself who wants simple recipes for gifts, get-togethers, or just indulging at home.

Recommended by Allison Holbrook