Good & Sweet

by Brian Levy
Good & Sweet cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Technical:
  • ID: 1058
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-09-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-01
delightful 4.00

The book Good & Sweet offers a delightful exploration of the world of sweets, with a focus on the history and cultural significance of various confections. The author's passion for the subject is evident, making it an engaging read for anyone interested in culinary history.

Good & Sweet takes readers on a journey through the sweet side of culinary history, delving into the origins and evolution of beloved treats. The author's enthusiasm for the subject is infectious, and the book is filled with fascinating anecdotes and historical insights. While the book is informative, it also has a personal touch, making it feel like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. The only downside is that some sections might feel a bit dense for casual readers, but overall, it's a rewarding read for those with a sweet tooth and a love for history. The book's strength lies in its ability to blend factual information with a narrative that is both engaging and accessible.

Quick quotes

    The world of sweets is as diverse as it is delicious

    The author's passion for the subject shines through on every page

    A delightful blend of history and culinary exploration

barnesandnoble.com · Unknown · 2025-10-01
innovative 4.50

Good & Sweet by Brian Levy explores innovative uses of natural sweeteners in baking, focusing on fruits and other whole food ingredients. The book is praised for its thorough exploration of alternative sweeteners and the complex, satisfying flavors they bring to desserts.

Good & Sweet by Brian Levy is a refreshing take on baking without traditional sweeteners. The book delves into the use of fruits and other whole food ingredients to create sweet and satisfying desserts. Levy's careful recipe development and experimentation result in complex flavor profiles that are more nuanced than those achieved with refined sugar. The book is well-organized and includes useful sections on ingredients and equipment, making it accessible for home cooks. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the Babylonian Swirls and Date, Rye and Olive Oil Brownies, which highlight the book's innovative approach to sweetness.

Quick quotes

    There was no single understudy that could swoop in to cover all those roles. A lot of auditioning was going to be required. I had to focus on breakthroughs: There were things I couldn’t do for want of sugar (meringue!), but it was amazing how many things I _could_ make without it.

    The flavour is rich, but in a more nuanced way. Instead of the rich decadence offered by sugar, the rich flavour here touches all parts of the tongue.

    The recipe has very few ingredients — canned coconut cream, gelatin powder, dates, finely ground coffee beans, and vanilla extract — but, when tasting the set panna cotta, you’d think there was more!

shipshapeeatworthy.com · Unknown · 2022-11-28
innovative 4.50

Brian Levy's 'Good & Sweet' explores baking with naturally sweet ingredients like fruits and dairy, avoiding traditional sweeteners. The reviewer enjoyed the nuanced flavors and textures, finding the recipes to be rich and satisfying without being overly sweet.

Brian Levy's 'Good & Sweet' is a unique cookbook that focuses on baking with naturally sweet ingredients, steering clear of traditional sweeteners like sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Instead, Levy uses fruits, dairy, and other ingredients to create complex, naturally sweet flavors. The reviewer, an enthusiastic but amateur baker, tried several recipes and was impressed by the results. The Date, Rye, and Olive Oil Brownies were a standout, offering a rich, fudgy texture with a nuanced sweetness that was more about ripeness than sugar. The Fig, Blueberry, and Ricotta Pound Cake was another highlight, with its beautiful ombre effect and delicate crumb. The Sweet Corn Buttermilk Biscuits added a fresh, summery dimension to a classic savory treat. Overall, the reviewer found the recipes to be innovative and satisfying, with a focus on complex flavors rather than just sweetness.

Quick quotes

    Weighing 305 grams of dates made me worry I might be baking what amounted to a fancy Lärabar.

    The thick batter must be pressed into the pan — briefly reviving my Lärabar concerns — but what emerged from the oven was a marvel: a perfect textural hybrid of fudgy and cakey, and delicately sweet, too.

    What struck me as I nibbled on a warm slice — familiar in its buttery richness, with a soft, delicate crumb — was again that flavor and satisfaction of peak ripeness.

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