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'DamGoodSweet'
Recipes by David Guas & Raquel Pelzel
Photographs by Ellen Silverman
Taunton Press -- 2009
Buy it on Amazon

When a cookbook can transport the reader to a specific region, passing down the history and memories of the locale through recipes, then that reader is in for a treat. New Orleans, a city of vibrant traditions, is a melting pot for melt-in-your-mouth desserts. Classics that have made their way all over the country include beignets, pecan pie, coconut cream pie and red velvet cake. "DamGoodSweet," a tribute to the Big Easy, is filled with recipes for such classics, as well as some dishes that have fallen out of favor like Calas Fried Rice Fritters.

Broken down by classic New Orleans recipes, pies, cakes, custards and puddings, ice creams, jams and curds, and lagniappes (a little something extra), Guas and Pelzel offer 50 recipes that will keep your sweet tooth satisfied like bananas Foster, fried apple pies, and old fashioned chocolate pudding.

"DamGoodSweet" separates itself from other baking cookbooks by bringing back the importance of preserving and passing down recipes and memories, making it one of our favorite baking books of the year.

See what we tested and whether the book is worth buying after the jump.