Crumbs - by Ben Mims (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

'There is sweetness to be had on every page of Crumbs, and so many delicious discoveries, too.' - Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling author

'As one of our most gifted writers and bakers, Mims invites you to explore the rich diversity of cookies in Crumbs sparking your curiosity - and cravings - with every page.' - Andy Baraghani, New York Times bestselling and James Beard Award winning author

Bake your way around the world with the ultimate collection of 300 irresistible, authentic, and delicious cookie recipes from nearly 100 countries

Whether enjoyed at breakfast, with afternoon tea, on holidays, or as a late-night snack, cookies are a universally beloved treat. In Crumbs, food writer, recipe developer, and self-confessed baking obsessive Ben Mims takes home cooks on a delicious tour across countries and cultures, presenting a sweet and satisfying guide to crumbly, crunchy, chewy desserts - from Snickerdoodles, Date-Filled Maamoul, and Almond Macaroons to Cardamom Biscuits, Italian Waffle Cookies, and Okinawan Brown Sugar Shortbread.

Organized geographically, Crumbs is chock-full of old-world and modern classics, and intriguing local recipes from more than 100 countries. Each begins with a fascinating origin story, followed by clear, step-by-step instructions and notes on regional variations.

Beginners will appreciate Mims's introduction to essential equipment, ingredients, and techniques such as shaping, rolling, and slicing, while bakers of all skill levels will find inspiration in the bounty of recipes, each carefully tested and perfected for home kitchens. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, the book features gorgeous photographs and special icons designating dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan recipes, as well as approachable, easy-to-make options that come together in 30 minutes or less.

Recipes include: Chocolate-Glazed Elisenlebkuchen, Danish Pepper and Spice Cookies, Egyptian Stuffed Eid Cookies, Filipino Powdered Milk Shortbreads, French Macarons, Icelandic Gingerbread, Malaysian Milky Cashew Cookies, Nigerian Coconut Macaroon Balls, Pakistani Cumin Seed Cookies, Portuguese Biscoitos, Puerto Rican Guava and Almond Thumbprint Cookies, Rugelach, Spanish Almendrados, Shrewsbury Biscuits, Speculaas, Sri Lankan Crunchy Sugar Cookies, Syrian Sesame and Pistachio Cookies, Thai Rolled Wafer Cookies, Venezuelan Shortbread Cookies, and Welsh Griddled Currant Cookies, plus international variations on wedding cookies, Christmas cookies, and other sweet treats for special celebrations.

Review Quotes

'A classic in the making; Ben has traced the journey of the cookie from LA to Budapest, Tokyo to London. No stone has been left unturned in his hugely ambitious undertaking to document the cookies of the world, shining a light on the history of each cookie, the traditions they spring from and of course how to recreate each delicious cookie at home. A rare and special book that you'll find yourself reading and baking from for many years to come.' - Edd Kimber, baker and cookbook author

'Crumbs is the most well-researched and diverse cookie book I have ever encountered. Traveling through time and across cultures and lands, this is a unique and dynamic investigation of what the small-but-mighty cookie means to different people. Ben Mims has written an instant classic.' - Hetty Lui McKinnon, cookbook author and food writer

'Ben Mims has written the book on cookies that we'll read, bake from and pass along to people we love. It tells the full story of cookies, an American favorite for sure but, as Ben shows us, a favorite in every part of the world. I was fascinated by the spices used for a cookie in Egypt, the way a squiggly-topped cookie is enjoyed in Nepal and how a simple raisin cookie from Iran is so much like a cookie I grew up with in New York City. There is sweetness to be had on every page of Crumbs. And so many delicious discoveries, too.' - Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling author

'When I first heard about a book celebrating cookies from around the world, I knew there was only one person for the job: Ben Mims. As one of our most gifted writers and bakers, Mims invites you to explore the rich diversity of cookies in Crumbs. His thoughtful and meticulous research brings us captivating origin stories from different cultures and eras, along with beautifully detailed, step-by-step recipes. This book is sure to deepen your appreciation for these sweet treats while sparking your curiosity - and cravings - with every page.' - Andy Baraghani, New York Times bestselling and James Beard Award winning author

'Not simply an encyclopedic guide to cookies -- it's a celebration of making sweet treats for others.' - New York Times, Best Cookbooks of 2024

'There is a deeply human impulse to make delicious, and beautiful, things. Crumbs is full of them.' - Eater, Best Cookbooks of Fall 2024

'Magnum opus... of cookies' - LA Times, Best Cookbooks of 2024

'What makes this book so delightful is that Mims treats [cookies] with the seriousness and reverence only a true cookie obsessive could.' - National Post, Best Cookbooks of 2024

'When I say this book is thorough, I mean it is completionist. And why not? It's about time the humble cookie got its due.' - The Washington Post, Best Cookbooks of 2024

'Deeply researched but never dry or academic, and full of next-level tips for the home baker and fascinating tidbits about the history and evolution of cookies.' - Food & Wine, Best Cookbooks of Fall 2024

'Equal parts cookbook, history lesson, technique primer and culinary passport ... With this book, you'll be a cookie connoisseur in no time.' - Food Network, Best Baking Books of 2024

'This gorgeous cookbook is sure to thrill anyone with a sweet tooth.' - TIME

'These recipes offer elegant forms ... [and] all the spice the season calls for.' - Wall Street Journal

'Part history tome, part encyclopedic cookbook, Crumbs is equally suited to scholars and home bakers.' - The Week

'Crumbs makes it easy to learn baking essentials while enjoying the process of creating sweet, comforting treats that feel like home.' - Forbes

'The baker you gift this book to will end up with dog-eared pages and a box full of new homemade goodies.' - Popular Science

'Crumbs is more than a baking book; it's a multicultural cookie compendium.' - Good Housekeeping

'The ultimate tome for home bakers ... This collection saves you from making the same boring chocolate chip standbys again.' - Bustle

'Essential for any baker seeking to understand the origins of this sweet treat and expand the global reach of their cookie game' - Library Journal

'Loaded with delicious-looking gems ... A love letter to cookies from around the world.' - SimplyRecipes

'This book is stunning, from the elegant cover to the beautiful photography inside.' - Brit + Co

'For anyone looking to venture beyond the standard chocolate chip cookie, here's a map to a big and beautiful baking world.' - Chowhound

'Encyclopedic ode to cookies.' - The National Post

'The amount of research Mims put into the book is clear -- the bibliography is seven pages long!' - The San Francisco Chronicle

About the Author