(This post contains an affiliate link, which means I might get a small kickback if you decide you need this cookbook too, but in all honestly, I’m only promoting it because I think it’s the best thing since sliced bread.)
I have a kitchen confession: I’ve never been able to make French macarons.
Which is really just terrible, since they are one of my absolute favorite sweet treats. If that witch’s cottage in the woods had been made of macaron cobbles, I’d have been on the dinner menu in no time. But I’ve never been able to make them! I’ve long considered it part of some unknown (and, arguably, undeserved) baking curse that encompasses macarons, chocolate chip cookies (I KNOW), and sometimes apple pie.
But recently, I realized that I don’t want to accept that reality. I decided I can beat this thing.
Enter my new favorite baking cookbook: Bakeland.
I came across this fabulous cookbook while researching online for some new recipes of my own, and knew right away I needed to add it to my collection. Now understand, I almost never buy cookbooks, and when I do it’s often a historical recipe collection that goes in the library, not the kitchen. But I seriously jump anyone who comes to the house (let’s be honest, it’s not that many folks these days) and make them flip through it. They’ve dutifully oohed and aahed over the photos, but by the end, they’ve purchased a copy for themselves.
The author, Marit Hovland, has an incredible knack for taking inspiration from nature and turning it into exquisitely beautiful and devastatingly delicious baked goods. The book is full of innovative designs that I’ve never even dreamed of- seasonal chocolate nut “bark” that actually has a wood grain! Easy yet detailed flowers on top of cookies and cakes! The most realistic birch cookies I’ve ever seen! THOSE CLOUD COOKIES!
It was hard to know where to start, but in the end I opted to be brave and try her recipe for cinnamon macarons with apple filling. The recipe was easy to understand, the meringue whipped up beautifully, and in short order I had my first ever successful attempt at making my favorite dessert.
I cannot recommend this book more. She makes me want to be better at what I do, and reminds me why I love bringing foods to life. I can’t think of higher praise. And she broke my macaron curse! I want to be best friends.
In the meantime, I’ll be in the kitchen making some more macarons, because apparently now I can!
You can follow the author, Marit Hovland, on Instagram or through her blog.
