The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook: Recipes from the World-Famous Bakery and Allysa Torey's Home Kitchen

by Allysa Torey, Jennifer Appel

Overview

The complete and “charming” (Gourmet) collection of deliciously old-fashioned and deeply satisfying recipes from everyone’s favorite New York City cupcake bakery.

Ever since the original Magnolia Bakery opened its doors in 1996, people have lined up day and night to satisfy their sugar cravings—and this book is Magnolia’s comprehensive guide to making all of their beloved desserts, including their home-style cupcakes, layer cakes, banana pudding, and other treats.

Illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs that capture the daily life of the bakery, The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook shows you how to make their famous banana pudding, sinfully rich buttercream icing and red velvet cake, and dozens more irresistible desserts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439175644
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	11/03/2009
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	162,640
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Allysa Torey and Jennifer Appel are the founders of the Magnolia Bakery in New York City. In 1999 Jennifer Appel left to open Buttercup Bake Shop, which has two locations in Manhattan, where she resides with her husband and daughter. Allysa Torey lives with her son Wilson Henry in upstate New York, where she spends her time writing, cooking, gardening, and taking long walks through the hayfields with her collies Sam, Daisy, and Honey.

Read an Excerpt

Introduction

When we first opened the Magnolia Bakery, we imagined a cozy, old-fashioned shop where people could come for a cup of coffee and something sweet. We expected our customers to include some local regulars and lots of neighborhood families. We thought we'd close at seven each evening so we could go home and make dinner. We never expected that Magnolia would turn into a city-wide hangout, much less that on weekend nights there would be lines out the door!

The Magnolia Bakery came into being over a brunch conversation during which Jennifer and I expressed for the umpteenth time our mutual frustration with our jobs and lifestyles. We finally decided that something would be done about it and opened up a wholesale baking business in early 1996. We soon received very positive feedback from our customers. When a retail space became available in our favorite neighborhood, we grabbed the opportunity. New York City's West Village seemed ideal. It was low-key and family-oriented, a place where we could do what we loved where we loved it. Over the course of two months and with the help of an adept construction crew, we transformed an empty shell into a warm cozy kitchen.

Our customers would stop by as much for the feel of the store as they did for the desserts. With its vintage American decor and desserts, customers often told us that walking into the bakery was just like stepping back in time to their grandmother's kitchen. They would come in for a slice of cake and end up with a little piece of their childhood. Over the years, people have wanted to meet us to say thanks for making the red velvet cake they remembered from church picnics or the banana pudding just like their mom used to make. While the business itself was fast paced and hectic at times, our original aim and values remained the same: we simply did everything the oldfashioned way, using the best and freshest ingredients, and took the time to produce delicious homemade treats.

A few years into business together, Jennifer left Magnolia to open up her own bakery, The Buttercup Bake Shop in midtown Manhattan. After the publication of The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook, many people suggested that I do a second book. While working full time at the bakery, the idea of writing another cookbook seemed impossible. Finally, after putting together a committed staff at the shop, I was able to move full time to my country house, and I could really consider the idea, knowing that I would have the time and energy necessary to write the book I wanted to write. I created the recipes for More From Magnolia in an old-fashioned style, but with new ideas and different combinations of ingredients to keep things interesting and fun.

As the unexpected popularity of our cupcakes grew, the bakery got busier and busier and the lines got longer and longer. After ten wonderful years at Magnolia, I decided to sell the business to stay home full time with my growing family. The new owners have opened more Magnolia Bakeries and continue to be successful.

This collection of recipes brings together all of the recipes in both Magnolia cookbooks — classic American desserts reflecting the sensibilities of the bakery and my home.

Allysa Torey

Introduction copyright © 2009 by Allysa Torey