Desserts Illustrated

Finesse the final course with confidence using this must-have companion for making dessert magic with 91 types of sweets and 600+ foolproof recipes.

Part cookbook, part handbook, Desserts Illustrated is the last word on the last (but definitely not least) course. In it, America's Test Kitchen far expands on previous explorations of the world of sweets, teaching all types of candies, custards, frozen treats, and fruit desserts in addition to a bounty of baked goods, and upping the ante on flavor. With 600+ recipes, you'll find modern desserts for bakers and nonbakers like Pear Crisp with Miso and Almonds and Ginger-Turmeric Frozen Yogurt living next to the classics like Shortbread and Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

An innovative book structure organizes desserts within a tasty taxonomy: Find 91 types of desserts. Discover what ingredients and mixing methods turn out all your favorite subcategories of sweets like Chewy versus Crispy versus Cakey Drop Cookies. Take a deep dive into desserts you may not know like Pudding Cakes. See how the stages of caramel turn into soft Pralines to crunchy Chocolate-Toffee Bark.

Learning transferable techniques makes you feel like a pastry chef: Once you’ve tempered eggs you can make any custard, pudding, or cream pie. Manipulate brownie batter for chewy, fudgy, or cakey squares—whatever you like.

The only dessert book you'll ever need: This modern classic incorporates in-depth info on techniques new and timeless, lots of stunning dessert photos and informative illustrations, tutorials to make more challenging recipes easy to follow, and new recipes with fantastic flavor.

With this forever dessert companion, you can impress for company—or quickly whip up something to satisfy a Tuesday sweet tooth.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs