Beginning by demystifying doughnuts, Nancy shares her years of experimentation and innovation in simple and accessible, yet completely thorough, directions. From quick and easy (and incredibly delicious) cobblers and scones to elegant, rich tarts and sinfully flakey puff pastry, Nancy explores all her favorite ingredients: cinnamon, nuts, fruit and, of course, butter. She also offers a tasty variety of beautiful cookies and steers us through the delicate art of chocolate confections and the easy preparation of moist, unique muffins. She rounds it out with an array of cakes for all tastes, tarts for all seasons, and savories for those wanting to give their sweet tooth a break.

And the crowning touch is her detailed section on morning pastries, where she guides us to mastery of the classic doughs: the quick and rich bobka, the fine-textured traditional brioche, the famous and flexible croissant, and the piece de resistance -- puff pastry.

An important book from a baking and pastry icon, Pastries from the La Brea Bakery willfollow Nancy's highly acclaimed Desserts and Breads from the La Brea Bakery as another Silverton classic.