Sweet Enough: A Dessert Cookbook

First of all, I will buy any cookbook that Alison Roman writes. Her idea that imperfection and cooking can absolutely co-exist has made me love cooking again. Her easy, do-able recipes and forgiving style not only allows for improvisation, but invites it. And you know what? It works! If you, like me, were already a fan of Alison Roman via her first two books, her deservingly viral #thestew, and/or her jammy, umami-packed reductions, then I'm going to bet that you will also love this book. The same easy, casual vibe that accompanied the recipes in her first two books is here too. Casualness in baking is often frowned upon because it is thought, mostly correctly, that measurements must be fairly precise in order for cakes and breads to rise, but in these recipes, Roman tells you when it's okay to be more relaxed and when it's not. The (Cottage) Cheese Cake recipe, for example, suggests browning the butter that goes into it, or not, because it will turn out fine either way and it just depends on whether or not the baker wants to go to the trouble of babysitting browning butter or not. The first recipe I tried was the (Cottage) Cheese Cake with Apricots. I used the suggested ricotta cheese and chose peaches for the fruit. (For the record, I did brown the butter because it has worked so well in other Roman recipes.) The cake turned out deliciously even though the peaches my husband brought home were not anywhere near their prime. Instead of getting mad at my husband and fretting that the cake would be a disaster, I just thought "fine, it will somehow be fine." And it honestly was. And my guests loved it! My second pick was A Better Banana Bread. I've made a bunch of banana breads this year and thought I had already found a great one from Ruth Reichl, but this beat it. A friend who had liked Reichl's so much that she asked for the recipe, agreed that this one beat it. The crispy crust is what did it for me. Then my curiosity won out with the Creamy Cauliflower Galette, one of several non-dessert recipes in the book. Very delicious - with leeks, cheddar and cream as the supporting cast. Definitely a make again for lunch guests with a green salad. Quite yummy and far from the same old, same old. Next, I'm eyeing the Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake because of my wildly positive experiences with previous Roman recipes featuring chocolate in which strangers at parties have sought me out to ask where I got the recipe. I had rarely been that person before Roman. If it isn't clear (lol), I really like this book. If you like desserts that are so sweet that your teeth want to fall out, this is not that book. But if you want to make easy, slightly different desserts in a relaxed manner that everybody will love, teeth and all, I have yet to find a better one than this.

Roman's recipes strike the perfect balance between indulgence and restraint, catering to those with a nuanced sweet tooth. Her innovative approach to classic desserts introduces unique flavor combinations and textures that elevate the dining experience. What truly sets this cookbook apart is Roman's accessible and engaging writing style, making even complex recipes feel approachable for home bakers. With stunning photography and a focus on natural ingredients, "Sweet Enough" is a treasure trove of delightful treats for anyone seeking a sophisticated yet satisfying dessert adventure.

I bought this book on a whim, when normally I would wait for some reviews. I'm so glad I didn't wait. Her recipes are fairly simple, ingredients aren't outlandish, and it was quick to put together. I really enjoyed the ones I've made so far! The chocolate sour cream pound cake was superb. I was surprised at how simple the recipe was. And it was in fact buttery, chocoately, and rich. I couldn't stop eating it. I also made the chocolate pudding (don't mind the less then appetizing photo). My husband and I couldn't stop taking spoonfuls of it. It was that good. I can't wait to make more recipes! I do enjoy the little section of each recipe that tells you what to eat it with. Will be making more recipes soon (specifically the cottage cheese Apricot cake) Edit: I've made the banana caramel from the banana split ice cream cake. It is dangerously good. I got a little lazy and just made an ice cream sundae with the banana caramel. It was excellent. Also made the yellow cake with tangy chocolate frosting. The yellow cake was fine, just a perfectly normal yellow cake. The frosting stood out for us though. Not too sweet but still a good texture and delicious.

Recipes look unique and delicious!

I am exactly Alison's target demographic with this book - I thoroughly enjoy challenging myself with new savory recipes but have never really had an inclination to make desserts until now. I have already made four desserts from this book and am eagerly gearing up for more, a once unthinkable urge for me. When I successfully made her pie crust, I felt like a wizard. Each one of her recipes has been a banger and I've also received rave reviews from my friends who have tried the desserts. I appreciate how clear the instructions are and how the recipes are paced to make the process as efficient as possible (and that she points out stopping points along the way). For a dessert book, it overall does not require lots of specialized equipment which I as a member of the Small Kitchen Gang very much appreciate. On a superficial note, the book itself is beautiful - the photos look like they came out of a fashion spread (in a good way) and her writing is incredibly personable and witty. 100/10 would recommend to my fellow baking novices.

The recipes are fun and easy because of the amount of helpful information Ms Roman provides along the path to creating a delicious dish that will satisfy your family and friends and look beautifully appetizing until the last morsel is consumed. I made the Very Tall Quiche with Zucchini. The height of it is amazing !!! I did find my Cuisinart medium grater disk attachment (!!) and I used 3 tea towels to squeeze out the excess zucchini water. I plated my quiche with organic edible flowers.

So excited to receive this highly anticipated cookbook in the mail. Alison Roman brings a cool-girl vibe to everything she does. And her recipes are no exception. So many wonderfully impressive recipes in here which are also somehow very low effort. For an advanced home cook and baker, I love how she incorporates more ethnic ingredients here and there to expand the tools I’m familiar with in the kitchen. This book is a bit galette heavy (a galette is a galette) but no complaints here. And the savory dessert section is excellent. Great book to have in your collection.

A beautifully crafted cookbook that is clearly a labor of love, filled with user friendly recipes, glorious photography, and inspirational narrative and tips. It's much more than just another baking cookbook - feels like an extension of the author, filled with light, joy, flavor and color. No regrets!