Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed

During the pandemic, Balingit, a Brooklyn baking blogger, turned to baking for respite and sold her wares for charity. Her unique combination of traditional Filipino and Western-style flavors created unique bakes that quickly sold out, and a cookbook was born. She incorporates the flavors of her blog with her life story, and readers will enjoy that her sense of humor is strong throughout. An extensive list of Filipino food brands and ingredients is the key to achieving many of the bakes, but don’t be intimidated, as Balingit explains all about ingredients that might be unfamiliar to U.S.-based readers. Recipes cover the gamut from kakanin and other customary treats, to cookies, bars, and cakes. The book design is whimsical and in technicolor, reflecting the colorful assortment of desserts on offer. Those familiar with the author’s blog will recognize some of the recipes, but there are also plenty of new recipes to keep her fans happy. Balingit’s colorful, eclectic style will please a variety of bakers and readers and bring life to cookbook shelves.