Review of "Retro Desserts: Totally Hip, Updated Classic Desserts from the '" by Wayne Brachman

Author Wayne Brachman is the executive pastry chef at the Mesa Grill in New York. In this terrific cookbook the chef gives us desserts from the 40's to the 70's with all the memories that these tastes invoke.

The original cooking methods are brought up to date for a modern kitchen, and the very idea of these goodies will set your mouth to watering. DOUBLE DUNK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES are so good looking that even the color picture of them is probably fattening. I especially like the section called, "The Posh Nosh-Classic Desserts of the Fancy-Pants Restaurants. Try the recipes for DREAM BARS, BLACK AND WHITES and CHOWMEIN NOODLE HAYSTACKS. I have to try FRIED-SPAGHETTI COOKIES. That sounds simple and tasty.

All of these recipes are presented with a bit of humor and a lot of calories.