Friday Flashback – Cocolat – Alice Medrich and Worldwide Giveaway

Alice Medrich is one of those authors that demand attention. Her books are as impressive as the first lady of chocolate herself. Since 1976, when her renowned shop Cocolat opened and her first dessert feature appeared in a national publication, Alice’s innovative ideas and recipes and her insistence on quality ingredients have influenced a generation of confectioners, pastry chefs, and home cooks. Among her early accomplishments, Alice is credited with popularizing chocolate truffles in the US all from a recipe she procured from her Paris landlady.

In 1989, she sold her interest in the Cocolat shops. Since then she has become an award-winning cookbook author, receiving three Cookbook of the Year awards from the James Beard Foundation and the International Association of Culinary Professionals for Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts, Chocolate and the Art of Low-Fat Desserts; and Bittersweet: Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate. In 2007, Gourmet, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine magazines named her Pure Dessert one of the top cookbooks of the year. Alice’s book, Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your Mouth Cookies, won the 2011 International Association of Culinary Professionals Cookbook Award in the baking category. Her 2014 book, Flavor Flours won the 2015 James Beard Award for Best Baking and Dessert Book. The paper back edition, Gluten Free Flavor Flours, was published this year. Also, Dover has published a revised and updated edition (including a new introduction and ingredient information but the recipes remain the same) of Cocolat. She has authored other titles including Chocolate Holidays and Cookies and Brownies.

While I’m covering Alice’s decadent career, today’s focus is on Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts which as stated above has been republished by Dover with a new introduction and information about ingredients. Every recipe in this book creates a stunning showpiece dessert. Cranberry Christmas cake, Queen of Sheba (a stunning tart), and a Chestnut chocolate torte (which my friend Jenni Field made recently at Pastry Chef Online). Anything from this book will wow your holiday guests.

I love when a book is republished and finds a whole new audience of fans but also reminds me of the brilliance of one of my favorite authors. Dover is providing two copies of this beautiful book to our members worldwide in our contest below as well as offering 25 percent off any of their cookery titles for the holidays using this link and entering the code WRBK which expires on 12/31/2017. There is also a worldwide giveaway for Vincent Price’s Cooking Price-Wise at The Cookbook Junkies’ site be sure to enter that promotion. Price was a gourmet and the recipes in this title will impress you. 

The publisher is offering two copies of this book worldwide. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on December 18th, 2017.

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149 Comments

  • Kristjudy  on  November 10, 2017

    Bittersweet chocolate truffle torte,!

  • matag  on  November 10, 2017

    Bittersweet chocolate truffle tart

  • rchesser  on  November 10, 2017

    Chocolate velvet mousse.

  • rchesser  on  November 10, 2017

    The Pennsylvania Dutch cookbook caught my eye on Dover.

  • GillB  on  November 10, 2017

    Queen of Sheba

  • debkellie  on  November 10, 2017

    It's gotta be the Aztec Layer Cake!

  • debkellie  on  November 10, 2017

    So now logged in … and again its the Aztec Layer Cake!

  • RichardMosse  on  November 10, 2017

    Pavé d'amour

  • contest718  on  November 10, 2017

    Chestnut chocolate torte

  • sarahawker  on  November 10, 2017

    Walnut squares

  • sarahawker  on  November 10, 2017

    From the Dover site: Drinks à la Mode by Harriet Anne De Salis

  • Joy001  on  November 10, 2017

    Ultra brownie cupcakes

  • heyjude  on  November 10, 2017

    Mocha Pecan Torte

  • kristinthiel  on  November 10, 2017

    So hard to decide but she had me at Chocolate Velvet Mousse!😀

  • Angryyew  on  November 10, 2017

    I'd try the Aztec Layer Cake first.

  • Shana.  on  November 10, 2017

    walnut squares

  • bevie19  on  November 10, 2017

    Peanut Butter Minis!

  • Livia  on  November 11, 2017

    It has got to be the Aztec layer cake

  • AGENT99  on  November 11, 2017

    Mocha pecan torte

  • southerncooker  on  November 11, 2017

    Classic chocolate truffles

  • Kacook6  on  November 11, 2017

    Mocha Pecan Torte!

  • Carpecookie  on  November 11, 2017

    I would try the Marjolaine first

  • JanClaire  on  November 11, 2017

    I would try the Chocolate ruffle tart. Years ago I saw Alice Medrich and Julia Child's make this tart. Lovely

  • Titch  on  November 11, 2017

    I would try & make the Chestnut chocolate torte first as I love Chocolate!

  • juldum  on  November 11, 2017

    I would try the Aztec layer cake!

  • Dutchmary  on  November 11, 2017

    Queen of sheba

  • cecrofts  on  November 11, 2017

    Mocha pecan torte. 🙂

  • curafresh  on  November 11, 2017

    Truffles!!!!!!

  • contest718  on  November 11, 2017

    The Soufflé Cookbook

  • CCF4  on  November 11, 2017

    Cocoa Cabana

  • verorenee  on  November 11, 2017

    Mocha pecan torte

  • RoseMGenuine  on  November 11, 2017

    Aztec layer cake

  • JulieG1002  on  November 12, 2017

    Chocolate decadence. Yum!

  • t.t  on  November 12, 2017

    Classic chocolate truffles

  • suzannec68  on  November 12, 2017

    the classic chocolate truffles as they would be perfect little homemade gifts at christmas

  • mpdeb98  on  November 12, 2017

    Strawberry carousel

  • ZhoraAutumn  on  November 12, 2017

    Aztec layer cake!

  • annmichele  on  November 12, 2017

    Chocolate velvet mousse

  • mbbenham  on  November 12, 2017

    Marjolaine

  • skichick  on  November 12, 2017

    lemon Bombe

  • katehenderson  on  November 12, 2017

    Chocolate velvet mousse!

  • jd5761  on  November 12, 2017

    chocolate velvet mousse for me

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  November 13, 2017

    I would like to first make the bittersweet chocolate truffle tart.

  • dvajefink  on  November 13, 2017

    Walnut squares

  • Alisono  on  November 13, 2017

    Lemon Bomb

  • skipeterson  on  November 13, 2017

    Black and white raspberry cake

  • daniellespinato1  on  November 13, 2017

    The Italian cherry torte sounds great — I love amarena.

  • kmn4  on  November 13, 2017

    Aztec layer cake

  • kmn4  on  November 13, 2017

    …and I'm really interested in the "Food, Cookery, and Dining in Ancient Times" book on the Dover site!

  • JenJoLa  on  November 13, 2017

    Ultra brownie cupcakes

  • JenJoLa  on  November 13, 2017

    In terms of books, either Cocolat or The Cheese Handbook

  • ravensfan  on  November 13, 2017

    Gateau Royale

  • VeryVigario  on  November 13, 2017

    Queen of Sheba

  • VeryVigario  on  November 13, 2017

    As for the Dover publications- Cocolat or "Early American Cookery"!

  • jezpurr  on  November 13, 2017

    The coffee related recipes I'd try first!!!^_^

  • jezpurr  on  November 14, 2017

    Books that catch my eye:Cooking Price-Wise: A Culinary Legacy, A Treasury of Great Recipes, 50th… , Mary and Vincent Price's Come into the…, Drinks à la Mode, A First Cookbook for Children, 400 Ways to Make a Sandwich: The Handy… , and Toll House Tried and True Recipes!!!^_^

  • iza27  on  November 14, 2017

    Queen of Sheba

  • iza27  on  November 14, 2017

    From the Dover books I would choose : A Treasury of Great Recipe

  • Rooks  on  November 14, 2017

    Cafe espress

  • Rooks  on  November 14, 2017

    Hmm, I think it would be nice to have a copy of Fannie Farmer.

  • sdg8trgrl  on  November 14, 2017

    Coco Cabana, definitely!

  • sdg8trgrl  on  November 14, 2017

    I'd buy a copy of Drinks A la Mode

  • lgroom  on  November 15, 2017

    Queen of Sheba

  • NaomiH  on  November 15, 2017

    Frozen chocolate bûche de Noël, I would love a new recipe. I make the same one each year.

  • Siegal  on  November 15, 2017

    I want to make the lemon bombe

  • Siegal  on  November 15, 2017

    I would like the Long Island seafood book too

  • MetteJohnsen  on  November 15, 2017

    I would go for Sarah Bernards and the Italian cherry torte

  • FireRunner2379  on  November 16, 2017

    I'd like to try them all! Really though, the Chocolate Banana Charlotte sounds interesting!

  • FireRunner2379  on  November 16, 2017

    I would like a copy of the book The Cheese Handbook!

  • annieski  on  November 16, 2017

    Bourbon pecan shortbread

  • eliza  on  November 16, 2017

    Walnut squares.

  • eliza  on  November 16, 2017

    The cheese handbook on Dover sounds good.

  • mjkoepplin  on  November 16, 2017

    I can't wait to try Caramel Bavarian Cream

  • ptkcollins  on  November 17, 2017

    I love any type of coffee cake so I would try Café Express to begin

  • RSW  on  November 18, 2017

    Chocolate hazelnut torte

  • jifar  on  November 18, 2017

    Cranberry Christmas Cake

  • bstewart  on  November 18, 2017

    Chocolate hazelnut torte

  • AnnaZed  on  November 20, 2017

    I want The Epicurean: The Classic 1893 Cookbook from Dover Press.

  • AnnaZed  on  November 20, 2017

    I want to make Queen of Sheba. I don't know what that is but from the ingredients I want it.

  • kelliwinter  on  November 20, 2017

    Lemon bombe

  • AGENT99  on  November 20, 2017

    Jams and Jellies – just wish it wasn't an e-book

  • jc214a  on  November 20, 2017

    I would try Mocha Pecan Torte.

  • kitchenclimbers  on  November 20, 2017

    aztec layer cake

  • kitchenclimbers  on  November 20, 2017

    The Cheese Handbook!

  • luccio  on  November 20, 2017

    Frozen chocolate bûche de Noël – I've never seen a frozen version….

  • Scotsman61  on  November 20, 2017

    Aztec Layer Cake

  • Scotsman61  on  November 20, 2017

    I'd love a copy of Epicurean by Charles Ranhofer the 1893 Classic from the Chef of Delmonico's Restaurant in New York

  • Arinelle  on  November 21, 2017

    Chocolate decadence – sounds lovely!

  • jyms  on  November 22, 2017

    Ultra brownie cupcakes

  • jyms  on  November 22, 2017

    Food, Cookery, and Dining in Ancient Times: Alexis Soyer's Pantropheon

  • stitchan  on  November 24, 2017

    Cranberry Christmas cake

  • stitchan  on  November 24, 2017

    Long Island Seafood Cookbook

  • lhodder2016  on  November 24, 2017

    The Food, Cookery, and Dining in Ancient Times: Alexis Soyer's Pantropheon

  • lhodder2016  on  November 24, 2017

    I'd like to try Marjolaine

  • DesiKim  on  November 25, 2017

    Aztec layer cake

  • bfg67  on  November 27, 2017

    Mocha Pecan Torte

  • sugo  on  November 28, 2017

    Mocha Pecan Torte for me

  • ACoeliacKid  on  November 29, 2017

    Can I say ALL the recipes? No? Ok I would have to try the Chestnut chocolate torte first.

  • Seren_Ann  on  November 29, 2017

    White chocolate mousse for me 🙂

  • Ziggy7  on  November 29, 2017

    Chocolate hazelnut torte, yum

  • ktwalla  on  November 30, 2017

    Mocha Pecan Torte

  • ktwalla  on  November 30, 2017

    Tollhouse Tried and True Recipes

  • auntietina  on  December 1, 2017

    Gâteau Grand Marnier. YUM!

  • joyosity  on  December 1, 2017

    The lemon bombe sounds interesting!

  • stephlinde  on  December 1, 2017

    Italian cherry torte

  • ninaarahgnis  on  December 1, 2017

    Queen of Sheba

  • Rutikazooty  on  December 1, 2017

    Italian cherry torte since I picked up the Special cherries needed for this recipe already.

  • Laura1  on  December 1, 2017

    chocolate truffles

  • Maefleur  on  December 1, 2017

    Oh, the Aztec Layer Cake!

  • Katiefayhutson  on  December 1, 2017

    Mocha pecan torte

  • dduvall  on  December 1, 2017

    Mocha pecan torte

  • Signe  on  December 2, 2017

    Chocolate hazelnut torte

  • RachelMurphy526  on  December 2, 2017

    Lemon Bombe

  • lhudson  on  December 2, 2017

    Chocolate velvet mousse

  • reneeg  on  December 2, 2017

    Walnut squares

  • PeavineBlues  on  December 2, 2017

    Truffles

  • Ozma81  on  December 2, 2017

    Cranberry Chocolate Cake

  • greenbean1  on  December 2, 2017

    I would love to cook the apricot soufflé

  • BMeyer  on  December 2, 2017

    Italian cherry tart
    cranberry chocolate tart

  • chimpbob  on  December 2, 2017

    Aztec Layer Cake

  • GemmaHenderson  on  December 2, 2017

    Queen of Sheba

  • rosalee  on  December 2, 2017

    Chocolate hazelnut torte!!

  • antpantsii  on  December 2, 2017

    Diablo absolutely!

  • kennethjohngilmour  on  December 3, 2017

    love strawberry, so will try the strawberry carousel found on page 57

  • permie_girl  on  December 3, 2017

    Chestnut chocolate torte

  • trsophia  on  December 4, 2017

    Aztec Layer Cake!!!

  • sgump  on  December 4, 2017

    Ooh–'tis the season for cranberry Christmas cake (with dark chocolate and kirsch)! Delighted to see this reissue!

  • Julia  on  December 5, 2017

    Walnut squares.

  • Uhmandanicole  on  December 5, 2017

    Black and white cheesecake

  • tararr  on  December 5, 2017

    Aztec Layer Cake

  • alex9179  on  December 5, 2017

    Lemon bombe. My lemon tree is loaded!

  • Curlyfatkins  on  December 6, 2017

    Ultra brownie cupcakes

  • bibliophile02  on  December 7, 2017

    Diabolo

  • deanfromuk  on  December 7, 2017

    Pecan shortbread, I adore shortbread

  • lovelily1001  on  December 7, 2017

    i'd like to try the cake named "a gift for Dad". the ingredient list looks delicious!

  • HomespunHouse  on  December 8, 2017

    Bittersweet chocolate truffle tart

  • PaulaCheadle  on  December 9, 2017

    A First Cookbook for Children

  • TRACY007  on  December 10, 2017

    Having fancied the recipe by name and then googling them, I would love to try the DIABOLO and QUEEN OF SHEBA. They look very show-stopping so can't guarantee mine would look anything like that.

  • cocecitycook  on  December 10, 2017

    Mocha pecan torte. Yum!

  • Karla123  on  December 10, 2017

    Aztec Layer Cake! This would be a grand way to finish dinner with decadence.

  • Karla123  on  December 10, 2017

    Book Choice: Early American Herb Recipes

  • jmay42066  on  December 10, 2017

    Ultra brownie cupcakes

  • jmay42066  on  December 10, 2017

    "Early American Cookery" on the Dover site.

  • orchidlady01  on  December 10, 2017

    Chocolate hazelnut torte and Café express

  • orchidlady01  on  December 10, 2017

    Pennsylvania Dutch Cook Book

  • tarae1204  on  December 16, 2017

    I wish I could make the chestnut chocolate torte for Christmas!

  • tennyogirl  on  December 17, 2017

    Chocolate Hazelnut Torte

  • tennyogirl  on  December 17, 2017

    A Date with a Dish

  • bettinab  on  December 18, 2017

    Diablo

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