The Pastry Queen: Royally Good Recipes from the Texas Hill Country's Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe

Yahoo!! A Texas-size book with Texas-size desserts, all on account of one powerhouse lady. Reading her story in the Introduction of the book was as sweet as the recipes that she shares with you. A surprise and humble beginning in the baking world turned into a top rate career for Ms. Rather, and you feel the joy along with her, as you delve further into the sweet-laden pages.You begin to think that you could just pick up and move on over to Fredericks, Texas and feel like you've been there all along. The casual and comfortable style of writing of both Rebecca Rather, and writer, Alison Oresman, as well as the incredibly delicious recipes, make you want to get started on any page in this heavy, welcoming, and beautifully photographed cookbook. At the same time, Ms. Rather encourages you to play with and modify anything that would suit your tastebuds. There is nothing pretentious or difficult to accomplish in her directions; she pretty much makes you feel at ease, and more importantly, that she is next to you, sharing her knowledge.There are 8 sections in this tome of Southern baking and each chapter introduction has a little insight as to how everything was chosen for the section:BREAKFAST EATS, MUFFINS, and SCONES:Jailhouse Potato-Cinnamon Rolls (great little story to these)Fresh Ginger-Pear Quick BreadEddie's Autumn Pumpkin Bread w/ Pecan Streusel ToppingJonnie's Breakfast GranolaKolachesMother's Day Pancakes (and her mom seemed to be a great lady too)Individual Baked OmeletsCreme Brulee French ToastBanana Bran MuffinsPeach Jam SconesChocolate Chip SconesApple-Smoked Bacon and Cheddar SconesEssence of Orange MuffinsWhole Lemon MuffinsPIES and TARTS:Texas Big Hairs Lemon-Lime Meringue Tarts (the name and recipe is great!)Texas Big Hairs Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringue TartsBourbon Pumpkin Tart with Struesel ToppingFredericksburg Peach Cream Cheese tartFrangelico-Hazelnut Fruit TartBlack and White Cranberry TartsButtermilk Pecan PieFourth of July Fried PiesAunt Mollie's Coconut Cream PieChef M:ark's Southern Comfort Apple PieSilken Chocolate-Walnut TartGrasshopper PieEVERYDAY DESSERTS and CANDIES:Emergency Fruit CrostatasPetite Pavlovas with Lemon Cream and Fresh FruitHill Country Peach CobblerIndividual Pear-Maple CobblersMexican Chocolate Fudge-Pecan CakeMahogony CakeOrange-Date Bundt CakeTotally Rummy Pound CakeGlazed Lemon-Cranberry Leaf CakeOatmeal CrispsCappuccino CheesecakesMrs. Chisholm's DivinityCoconut Cream FlanTexas PralinesDESSERTS for SPECIAL OCCASIONS and HOLIDAYS:American Beauty CakeTuxedo CakeLarger-Than-Life Praline CheesecakeBananas Foster ShortcakesStrawberry Ricotta CakePeach Queen Cake with Dulce de Leche Buttercream FrostingCream-Filled Pumpkin RollMini Apple-Cinnamon Loaves with Calvados GlazeEspresso Creme BurleeToffee Bar Brownie TorteTiramisu with Homemade LadyfingersDulce de Leche-Arborio Rice PuddingMuchas Leches Cake with Sugared AlmondsAlmond Bliss German Chocolate Cake7th Heaven Chocolate Truffle CakeWhite Chocolate-Snickers MousseWhite on White Buttermilk Cake w/ Jack Daniel's ButtercreamTropical Carrot Cake with Coconut-Cream Cheese FrostingCOOKIES, BROWNIES, and BARSMy Favorite Chocolate Chip CookiesTriple Threat Chocolate Chip CookiesSugar SaucersChock Full of Nuts CookiesCafe Chocoalte Cherry BitesCaramel Filled BrowniesTurbo Charged Brownies with Praline ToppingDouble Ginger ChewsRuby Flecked FlorentinesDulce de Leche MacaroonsSnow Tipped Sand TartsTexas Pecan Pie BarsBlackberry Pie BarsLemon Champagne Bars with Strawberry Brulee ToppingBunches of BiscottiLUNCHES and LIGHT DINNERS:Beer BreadRocket RollsNuevo Texas Waldorf SaladRather Rich Corn MuffinsApple Almond Chicken Salad with Homemade MayonnaiseField Greens w/ Spiced Beans, Goat Cheese, and Balsamic VinaigretteChicken Satay with Yogurt Cucumber Dipping SauceCaesar Salad PizzasWild Rice and Chickpea SaladWild Mushroom SoupCurried Butternut Squash SoupTexas Tortilla SoupGulf Coast Shrimp QuesadillasBrie and Brisket QuesadillasRather Sweet Bread and Cheese BoardGreen Chile Crab Caes with Tomatillo SlasaAll Sold Out Chicken Pot PieProsciutto Tostadas with Shrimp and parsleyKing Ranch CasseroleGround Beef GorditasSavory Crab and Shrimp CheesecakeTREATS KIDS LOVE:Sticky Fingers BarsGinger PeopleFranny's Fave Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie with Hot Fudge SaucePeanut Buttercups with Peanut Penuche IcingPB&J Cookies with Honey Roasted PeanutsMars PiesPretty in Pin Shortbread PigsMaple Glazed Oatmeal CookiesJubilation Granola ChewsPumpkin YumkinsDRINKS:Watermelon LemonadeFrothy Vanilla MilkTommye Wood's Milk "Sure Packs a Punch" PunchRather Sweet SagriaHill Country Guanabana argarita'sNo Bull Bloody MarysINDEXMy only criticism would be in the Introduction portion, where she talks about some of the recipes. It seems that the pages she gives, in which the recipes are supposedly located, are wrong. But since those errors are only in the intro, yet correctly paged in the index, I don't know how much that might matter.The Pastry Queen Cookbook is one of those volumes of baking and cooking that celebrates the charm and warmth of the South. They are, respectfully speaking, very simple for anyone to make, yet fancy enough to serve at even the most "proper" events. Thanks Rebecca!! Much obliged.

Native Texan Rebecca Rather decided to move her Austin bakery to the delightful Hill Country town of Fredericksburg, and local legend Rather Sweet was born. A self-taught pastry chef, Rebecca baked her way through childhood and adolescence, decided that she had to find a "real" (non-food) job after college, eventually went into the catering business (where she burned out two Thermador ovens in her home kitchen), was an executive pastry chef for Tony Vallone in Houston, and found her greatest happiness having her own bakery.Rather Sweet serves a full gamut of baked goods, from sweet and savory kolaches, giant Texas muffins, and scones at breakfast to hearty entrees such as All-Sold-Out Chicken Pot Pie, sandwiches and quesadillas. The Pastry Queen captures all of these Texas-influenced recipes in their down-home goodness, lovingly captured in mouthwatering photographs and atmospheric pictures taken at the Rather Sweet Bakery and Caf�. Each recipe is personalized with an introduction by Rebecca about the origins of the recipe, possible substitutions, or a favorite memory attached to the dish.Many of the breakfast recipes for quick breads and muffins also give conversions for muffins (both regular and Texas-size). Several of the cakes do as well, which is perfect for birthdays and coworkers (it's less messy to bring in individually frosted cupcakes than fuss with cutting and serving a frosted cake!).If you're a scone lover, prepare to be delighted. Rather includes standards such as Peach Jam scones and Chocolate Chip Scones, but also includes savory options such as Apple-Smoked Bacon and Cheddar. Muffin lovers will rejoice at the Essence of Orange and Whole Lemon muffins, and the Eddie's Autumn Pumpkin Bread and Fresh Ginger-Pear Quick Bread will wake up your taste buds in a flash!Rather has also written The Pastry Queen Christmas: Big-hearted Holiday Entertaining, Texas Style, but there are plenty of seasonal recipes perfect for your next Thanksgiving celebration, such as the Autumn Pumpkin Quick Bread, Bourbon Pumpkin Tart with Streusel Topping, Cream-Filled Pumpkin Roll, and Larger-Than-Life Praline Cheesecake.Texan cuisine also make an appearance, including Hill Country Peach Cobbler, Peach Queen Cake with Dulce De Leche Buttercream Frosting, Buttermilk Pecan Pie, Southern Comfort Apple Pie, Texas Tortilla Soup, Brie and Brisket Quesadillas, Gorditas, and Nuevo Texas Waldorf Salad.Tex-Mex and Mexican influences abound in the divine Mexican Chocolate Fudge-Pecan Cake rich with cinnamon and vanilla, Dulce de Leche Arborio Rice Pudding, Muchas Leches Cake with Sugared Almonds, and Dulce de Leche Macaroons.If you're looking for more traditional fare, there's Espresso Creme Brulee, Tiramisu with Homemade Ladyfingers, Mars Pies and Grasshopper Pie, but with the Texas-sized bounty of creative desserts, why not try something new?The recipes are clearly laid out and easy to follow. Helpful tips are sprinkled throughout, along with ideas for presentation. There are some truly spectacular desserts here (sky-high meringues, Tuxedo Cake, etc.), but all are manageable for novice cooks.Be warned: this is not a book for those thinking about going on a diet! The recipes are loaded with butter, cream, sugar, and other indulgences; in Rebecca's own words, "I don't do low-fat desserts. If I am going to eat dessert, I want it to be really, really sinful."

This is one of the best and most used cookbooks in my collection. This restaurant no longer exists, but these recipes are just great. The stories are a fun read with the recipes. I wish Rebecca would write another cookbook, perhaps with recipes from her other restaurants that she had after this one. I think she's retired by now, but it would be great to have more recipes from her!

This cookbook is full of goodness!! Great pastries, lunch and dinner fare as well. The King Ranch Casserole and Sold Out Chicken Pot Pie recipes are the BEST!!

I pulled out this great cookbook again this past week, and I had forgotten just how wonderful it is! Rebecca is the bomb! I rarely write positive reviews, especially when a book already has many, but I just couldn't resist coming back to pull this one up and review.The stories, the gorgeous illustrations that will make you drool, the layout, the well-written recipes -- this book is a winner. I'm an experienced baker, and have hundreds of cookbooks, but this is surely one of my best. I have so many dog-eared pages in this book; both for things I have made over and over, and others that I still want to try. (there goes my diet this week!)Lemon Meringue, triple choc cookies, genuine pralines, the Chicken pot pie, the buttermilk pecan pie, the white-on-white cake, the Tuxedo cake (my daughter's fav), a great rendition of good ol' King Ranch casserole , the bacon cheddar scones, the cinnamon apple loaf, and these are the ones off the top of my head that I love and have made many times.Do yourself a favor, and get this book. Whether you have many, or just a few, you will be glad you did. You'll find yourself coming back to the Pastry Queen time and time again! (Now... off to make some pralines!)

Have tried baking some of the recipes and loved it!

Ich bin durch einen Artikel in einer amerikanischen Zeitschrift auf dieses Buch aufmerksam geworden und habe es mir daraufhin bestellt ..."The Pastry Queen" bietet viele tolle Rezepte --- überwiegend für Cookies, Pies, Pastries, Muffins, etc., aber auch für herzhafte Gerichte.Mein Favorit ist der "Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie with Hot Fudge Sauce" ... den muss man probiert haben ... :o)... oder vielleicht doch die "Triple Chocolate Threat" Cookies?Ich hätte mir nur ein paar mehr Fotos gewünscht ... ansonsten ist das Buch echt gut gemacht.

This is a beautiful book! The pictures are beautiful,recipes easy to follow and the author's story inspiring!It is my favourite baking book and I recommend it to anyone who loves reading cookbooks!!