Joy of Baking

Review by Debbie Mazo

Fresh from the oven, there's nothing like the smell of homemade banana bread or nutty fudge brownies. With the time crunch affecting us all, most people are settling for packaged goods in supermarkets or baked goods sold in local bakeries.

You'll bring back sweet memories of the good old days, when you check out the homemade offerings at Joy of Baking. Hosted by Stephanie Jaworski, a dedicated baking professional, this site promises a joyful introduction to the pleasures of home baking.

Start first by sifting through the selection of recipes. Choices range from breakfast recipes like Cherry-Almond Coffee cake to cake recipes featuring the ever popular Chocolate Cake (better if made ahead of time as the flavor improves with age). If you're a big fan of scones, the Joy of Baking Newsletter lets you in on the secrets of making this sweet biscuit traditionally served with afternoon tea.

Planning on entertaining your friends in the near future? Before you send out the invitations, check out the Entertaining section for tips on planning the big event and full-course menu suggestions with recipes. For an elegant dinner party, serve Mushroom Croustades to start the meal and finish up with Chocolate Torte with Ganache. Or, watch Dad's eyes lighten up when you prepare the tasty Lemon Tart recipe included with the suggested menu for a Father's Day barbecue.

Top off your visit by checking out the most frequently viewed recipes of the month (the Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe is the current favorite). Or, use the Basic Ingredients section as a reference guide for the key ingredients of your creations. With all of this helpful information at your fingertips, you're sure to get a rise when you visit the Joy of Baking.

About the Writer Debbie Mazo is a writer and editor based in Vancouver, Canada. She currently specializes in technical and marketing materials, but is also pursuing opportunities in food journalism.

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