Confectionary, from chocolates to caramels, may seem the preserve of the seasoned pastry chef. But you can turn your kitchen into a candy store with some good recipes and technical advice aimed at home cooks. Learn how to rustle up your own sugary creations, and enjoy the unique satisfaction of homemade toffee, fudge, truffles...
Chill out with something long, cool, and refreshing when the mercury rises... Get creative by making your own Ginger Beer, keep it simple with Sparkling Limonada, or give your caffeine a kick with Iced Mexican Coffee.
Curated collections from ckbk's editors
Peter Fang is a Chinese-American chef, and founder of the iconic House of Nanking. Opened in 1988 it grew to become, and remains, one of San Francisco's most celebrated Chinese restaurants. He runs the restaurant with his daughter Kathy Fang, who is also co-writer of their cookbook House of Nanking: Family Recipes from San Francisco's Favorite Chinese Restaurant.
Julia Rutland is a Washington DC based food writer and recipe developer. Her work regularly appears in publications such as Coastal Living, Southern Living, and the Weight Watchers cookbooks. Her many books include Discover Dinnertime, and The Campfire Foodie Cookbook.
Michael Krondl is a New York based chef and food writer whose work has appeared in publications such as Good Food, Chocolatier, and The Oxford Companion on Sugar and Sweets. His books include The Donut: History, Recipes and Lore.
Gabriella English is a cookery writer, recipe developer and food stylist. Her work has appeared in publications such as Olive Magazine, and Delicious. Seasonal Snacks is her debut cookbook.
Harper Alexander was a cinematographer when he discovered authentic Italian food thanks to his wife Eva Santaguida. Their YouTube channel Pasta Grammar is a hugely popular platform where they share recipes, videos and Italian food knowledge. The Italian Family Kitchen is their first cookbook.
Laurel Kratochvila is an American-born baker and writer based in Berlin, where she runs the acclaimed bakery Fine Bagels and natural wine bar Le Balto. Kratochvila trained at Le Cordon Bleu Paris after leaving a career in physics to pursue her passion for food and her debut book New European Baking was shortlisted for a James Beard Award in 2023. Her latest cookbook, Dobre Dobre (2025), celebrates the rich traditions and evolving story of Polish baking.

“There’s something about a campsite that makes everything taste better. I’m not sure if it’s the scent of the trees or the campfires—or, perhaps, that nature itself casts a seasoning over your meals, making them richer and more satisfying. Either way, eating by a campfire brings a special kind of satisfaction.” Julia Rutland, author of The Campfire Foodie Cookbook.

We have a fondness at ckbk for books that tell the story of a place through its food, that elucidate a culture and its history via the culinary. So we are thrilled to have two books newly added to ckbk that bring the history and heart of two American classics.
New York City based food writer Michael Krondl’s book The Donut: History, Recipes and Lore, charts the donut’s significance and popularity across history, across the globe, and to modern day Americans. Meanwhile Sweet Land of Liberty: The History of America in 11 Pies, is a narrative history from the colonial era to the civil rights movement.

With its line-up of well-loved hosts, and a Who’s Who of stellar guest chefs, the TODAY show has seen some very fine food cooked over the years. And as Ina Garten writes in her introduction to the show’s cookbook TODAY Loves Food: Recipes from America’s Favorite Kitchen; “What looked so good on television will be even more delicious in your kitchen.”

Foodie and mother Rossini Perez has gained a huge online following for her healthy lunch ideas, and creative approach to cooking for and with kids. Her book Kids in the Kitchen: 70+ Fun Recipes for Young Chefs to Stir Up! is her how-to guide to child-friendly cooking

Throughout the series we’ve used tasty dishes to get kids engaged; learned cooking fundamentals through traditional recipes from around the world; and experienced first-hand how a simple sauce can transform food from meh to mouthwateringly-delicious!
In this concluding installment of Cooking with Kids, we’re hoping your newly-skilled young chefs are ready to take charge of their own summer party menu. Here are three different snack-centric menus for a spicy set of parties, each selected with kids in the kitchen in mind.
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