Leslie Mackie's Macrina Bakery and Café Cookbook: Favorite Breads, Pastries, Sweets and Savories Hardcover – September 22, 2003

I was a cook at the Macrina bakery back in 1995/6 at their original location, and while I had fond memories in general, it was only when I happened to purchase the book on a whim 25 years later that I really appreciated the bread and breakfast items I remember from the shop. I was more focused on the lunch menu than the baked goods at the time: but have been making one recipe after another! Upon receiving the book, I immediately made the Oatmeal Bread (very large loaf, soft, delicious, perfect); the Potato Bread (could not stop eating it, had to give it away, it was so delicious: soft, with an irresistible fine spongy texture), Squash Harvest Bread (a great change of pace from typical pumpkin/banana/quick breads; uniquely full of chopped nuts and squash; subtle flavor, and looks very professional if you follow the recipe and put seeds on top), Rocket Muffins (very good, out of the ordinary muffin: I remembered it as a bran muffin which it is not: it's a molasses, carrot, banana, and hazelnut muffin, with jam on top); Morning Glory Muffins (classic Macrina: delicious; turned out perfectly) and for a holiday dinner I made the Bittersweet Chocolate Torte: (rave reviews, nice presentation- I served it with whipped cream and fresh raspberries as suggested). What I like about this book is that the recipes have all turned out very well; they are often quite unique, not too sweet, and both look and taste great. The recipes are easy to follow, and provide clear directions. I've been surprised how well they turn out, because I don't consider myself much of a baker! The fact that I have cooked this many baked goods in the past month is pretty remarkable. Great variety of recipes and a useful addition to a cookbook collection. Belltown, Seattle was a nice place to be in the 1990s.

This is about the content of the book, not the version I received (used).I have been baking one of Leslie’s artisan rye loaves (slightly modified to be even more like our daily bread in Germany) for many, many years. That recipe, by the way, is in her second book.Both books have fabulous recipes, and the techniques are explained well. Leslie also has great YouTube videos where she shows you how to bake those loaves in a Dutch oven.Excellent book! I recommend it for every hobby baker out there.

Enjoyed this book. There's lots of stuff I would make from here and my family would eat. Good photos and clear instructions.

Great chapter notes and tips and concise, clear and easy to follow instructions, combined with an interesting and mouthwatering collection of recipes ( both sweet and savory) ensure anyone interested in baking, principally, but eating in general, will enjoy this book. Because man (or woman) can't live by baked goods alone, and more's the pity, the brunch and lunch dishes included will have you wanting to cook, and eat, more than just the delicious assortment of breads, cakes, cookies, muffins, pies and, oh, the pastries. I purchased this book for the strength of the baking, and it delivers the goods, when so many do not meet that expectation of interest, excitement and, of course, the enticement to bake.While croissant pastries, and perhaps some other items, are not for the novice, there are recipes to suit different levels of experience and expertise.However, this review is not aimed at the novice baker - except perhaps to suggest that Leslie Mackie is well qualified to encourage and inspire less experienced bakers to extend themselves a bit, with confidence, and unleash that baker within.This user has since purchased "More from Macrina".

One of Leslie Mackie's apple pie recipes from Macrina Bakery appeared in an issue of Bon Appetit a couple of years back. It quickly became our "go-to" apple pie recipe (I know it has to be a great recipe if my wife specifically asks me to make it again…and again.) So, when I saw there was a cookbook out, I was interested. Loaded with interesting and inviting recipes that I'm looking forward to using. It's easy to see why Macrina Bakery is a such a popular establishment.

i purchased book and i was shocked to see that it did not have not even one coulered picture ,no pictures in coulers at all and the other pictures that it had were very small in black and white like those pictures you see in baking books from the 1970's and none for the finished product ,so if you are looking for a book where at least you want to see some pictures on how the finished product look well this is not the book for you , you will be very disapointed i guess the people behind this book wanted to go cheap and save as much money as possible , as for the recipes they are what you see in modern baking books minus the pictures nothing spectacular

I bought the first copy as a gift. I have not purchased a new cookbook for myself in years, as I have dozens and dozens. I did not think there was anything new under the sun for me in the world of cookbooks - WRONG!I have enjoyed the Macrina bakery since it opened, and Leslie's cookbook faithfully includes all the best of her breads, sweets, and savories.The recipes are soooooooooo straightforward, simple, yet are unique combinations of everyday ingredients. So, I purchased two more - yep, one for me and one more gift.

Leslie Mackie teaches the tricks you need to know to cook bakery quality goods at home.This book is full of fantastic recipes for the aspiring home baker. The morning roll's and pasty dough take time, days, but the result is incredible.Also, the fruit muffins get so many compliments. Really an exquisite cook book.

pretty advanced cookbook=) LOVE the bakery!!

We like the recipes.