The Guilty Pleasure of Afternoon Delights

No, not that kind of afternoon delight.  I'm talking about irresistible cafe treats; a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Yes, this kind.  Don't you want a cup of coffee or tea and a sweet treat right this minute?!  Let James McNair and Andrew Moore show you how.  I have met James McNair a couple times at cooking contests, namely the Sutter Home Build A Better Burger Contest  in Napa.  He has written dozens of cookbooks, all wonderful, and he's really a nice person, too.  The authors spent many hours tasting and sampling items from boutique bakeries, coffeehouses, and neighborhood cafes in search of the best cookies, pastries, brownies, shortbreads, scones, and quickbreads.  In their search, they found both American and European classics, because sometimes we desire the sophisticated taste of madelienes and scones, and other times we  want a familiar comfort baked good like a chocolate chip cookie, homey oatmeal-raisin, or banana bread.  This book covers them all - in abundance!  I usually go for the shortbreads or macaroons.  Shortbreads are so simple and pure, while coconut macaroons with the chewy inside and a crunchy, toasted outside, can cure just about anything that ails you.  And especially if they are also dipped in chocolate. Coconut heaven!  This is one of those cookbooks that will make you sigh when you bite into any of these fabulous treats - like an afternoon delight should. Go make a cup of coffee and try one.