Meet Abigail Johnson Dodge ~ Desserts 4 Today ~ Cookbook Giveaway

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Welcome to our very first edition of the Cookbook Club! What's the Cookbook Club? It's where I'll be sharing recipes from cookbooks with you and, best of all, interviewing the cookbook authors, too, for my audio podcast episodes!

Sometimes I see a cookbook on a shelf, or hear about a new one, then wonder what's really inside. Well, here on dishininthekitchen.com I'll be making and sharing recipes from the cookbooks I introduce you to, and give you a chance to see what's really inside. Now that should help you know which cookbooks you want sitting on your shelf!

Today I'm very happy to be introducing you to Desserts 4 Today by Abigail Johnson Dodge. Desserts 4 Today is a new cookbook from a veteran pastry chef that just came out in September, 2010. When I first learned about this cookbook I have to admit I was drawn in by the number 4. What was so significant about 4, and what did that have to do with desserts? I was also taken with this chef's first name. Why? Because my first grandchild, who was just born this past summer, is also named Abigail. How could I go wrong?!

I have to tell you that this cookbook hasn't spent very much time on "the shelf". It's been out with pages wide open! Hubby and I have already had the "Sparkling Cocoa Drops", and the "Rich Cocoa Pudding"....okay, so we're a little hooked on chocolate right now, but rest assured this book contains many non-chocolate-based recipes, too. I just haven't gotten to them yet. But I will! The recipes, which are made up of only four ingredients really couldn't be any easier. And you know me, I'm all about easy! The ingredients are what I call "everyday". You probably have most of them already sitting in your fridge and pantry. Go get this cookbook! It's a must-have for anyone and everyone no matter what your level of cooking is. It's there for you as a source of inspiration and has endless possibilities with Abby's "Switch-Ins" and "Gussy It Up" suggestions. They'll inspire you to come up with your own creations, too. Now go! Have some FUN!

Be sure to take a listen to my chat with Abby (above) where she tells you just why the number 4 was included in the title of her cookbook, and what inspired her to create this special cookbook. Abby also teaches you the proper way to measure flour if you don't have a scale! Thanks for that tip Abby, it's already come in handy in my kitchen.

For a printer-friendly, text-only version of the recipe, click here.

Nutella Fudge Brownies
by Abigail Johnson Dodge from Desserts 4 Today

Makes 12 Mini Brownies

Ingredients:

Nutella Spread - 1/2 cup

Large Egg - 1

All-Purpose Flour - 5 Tablespoons

Hazelnuts - 1/4 cup chopped (optional) - I used 1/4 Teaspoon ground Cinnamon added to the flour

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup mini muffin pan with paper or foil liners.

2. Put the Nutella and egg in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth and well blended. Add the flour and whisk until blended.

3. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins (about 3/4 full) and sprinkle with the chopped hazelnuts.

4. Bake until a pick comes out with wet, gooey crumbs, 11 to 12 minutes. Set on a rack to cool completely. Sever immediately or cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Switch-Ins:In place of the hazelnuts, switch in one of the following:

* ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon (add with the flour)

* peanuts, chopped, 1/4 cup

Congratulations to our winner: Beckie Keenan! (Entry #6)

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!

CLOSED GIVEAWAY

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below with your favorite dessert.

Only one entry per person, anonymous comments will not count. Please make sure to leave your email address, so I can reach you if you win. Entries left in any other form other than here on this blog post will not count or be included in the random drawing for this giveaway. Shipment of the cookbook can only be made to an address in the USA.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM PST on Friday, October 1st, 2010. Entries will not be accepted after 11:59 PM PST on Friday, October 1st, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected by a number draw at Random.org.  The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of Desserts 4 Today at no cost to me from the publishing company Taunton Press so that I could preview the cookbook recipes. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this interview or review. The cookbook for the giveaway will be sent to the winner directly from Taunton Press.

Comments

[Tracy]

How to choose? I think I'll have to go with creme brulée. Or chocolate chip cookies. Or vanilla ice cream. Maybe I'll just have a peach.
#1

[Rose in Ohio]

My favorite dessert is southern pecan pie, of course.

rosemills (at) bex (dot) net

#2

[Hanaa]

I loved those Nutella brownies and can't wait to try more recipes from D4T. It's hard to choose one dessert but if I had to pick one, I'd say, really good brownies. Thanks for doing the giveaway!

#3

[Barbi]

My favorite dessert is anything with chocolate....or pumpkin. yummy!

#4

[Correen]

If I really wanted to kiss up I'd say those Nutella Fudge Brownies...lol! However since I've never been a brown-noser I'm gonna have to say Creme Brulee. The first time I ever had that dessert I thought I was going to die and go to heaven. Great post and congrats on being the feature post in my FoodLoversWeb daily ;)

#5

[Beckie]

My favorite dessert is a piece of Pavlova. Meringue, whipped cream, and fresh fruit... Yum!

#6

[marla {family fresh cooking}]

I keep reading about this book and I find it most intriguing! Please add me to your list for this great giveaway! My favorite dessert is a healthy one. Abby is so cute-does not look like she is eating too many of her awesome sweets. Will listen to the podcast after my kids wake up. xo

#7

[marla {family fresh cooking}]

By the way-wonderful seeing you this weekend :)

[Lydia]

I love the Indian dessert of Gulab Jamun. It's a fried piece of cheese soaked in rose scented sugar water.

#8

[robyn]

My favorite dessert. Are you kidding? It depends on the time of year: Fall, Pumpkin pie Winter Spritz cookies Spring Lemon Bars and Summer Chocolate Mint ice cream There you go! I hope I win, Ive seen so many great posts about it, it would be fun to own it!

#9

[Kim]

Oh goodness, it was such a rough week I missed the giveaway entirely!!! But I enjoyed the interview, regardless. :o) My takeaway message? "Do something you love." Thank you for the reminder... maybe it's time to leave the corporate rat-race and wedge myself into the food industry?

[K]

[Mac]

Thank you for everyone who entered the giveaway!