Just in time for Valentine dessert inspirations, Renée Kohlman provides us with All the Sweet Things: Baked Goods and Stories from the Kitchen of SweetSugarBean. If you’re a baker, a lover of desserts, or simply someone who finds joy in the cozy solace of a kitchen filled with flour-dusted counters and the sweet scent of vanilla, this book is a warm invitation into her world. Renée, the voice and heart behind the long-running food blog SweetSugarBean, has created something that transcends traditional recipe collections: a book that feels equal parts storybook, baking textbook, and love letter to the art of sweets. sweetsugarbean
From the moment you flip open All the Sweet Things you sense that this isn’t just another dessert book. It’s deeply personal. Renée’s writing — the same warm, inviting voice that readers of her blog have cherished for years — threads through every chapter, giving context and heart to every recipe. The stories range from nostalgic prairie memories to everyday kitchen moments, reminding you that baking is not just about ingredients and techniques, but about connection, comfort, and celebration.
What makes this cookbook truly stand out is its approachability. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or someone who’s just learning how to cream butter and sugar together, Renée’s guidance feels like a friendly hand on your shoulder. Her Essential Baker’s Pantry and equipment tips provide a solid foundation, and with over 100 recipes for everything from cookies and muffins to custards, pies, and truffles, there’s something here for every craving.
One of the real pleasures of All the Sweet Things is the way it mirrors the experience of wandering through the SweetSugarBean blog itself. On her site, Renée combines recipe development, food photography, and storytelling in a way that makes readers feel right at home in her kitchen. It’s the same ethos that carries over into the book — each recipe is paired with a photograph (many taken by Renée on her iPhone), and each chapter often includes a short narrative that reveals a bit of her life and soul.
Recipes like heirloom Jam Jams, parsnip and cardamom muffins with brown butter cream cheesing icing, or soft-serve mascarpone ice cream are not just instructional — they’re evocative. You can almost smell the warm pastries rising in the oven and feel the pleasure of sharing them with friends and family. This mirrors the approachable creativity that has made SweetSugarBean such a beloved corner of the culinary blogosphere. It’ll soon be Valentine’s Day and nothing says love like chocolate. We indulge that sweet tooth with Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème with Orange and Brandy in our Recipe section. This was one of Renée’s customer favourites at Rutherford House in Edmonton and will quickly become your go-to dessert for any occasion.
It’s also worth noting that All the Sweet Things isn’t just about indulgence — it’s about presence. Renée reminds us that baking can be a refuge from life’s hustle and bustle, a way to slow down, savor decisions, and celebrate rituals. The book’s award-winning status (including a Taste Canada Gold and Gourmand World Cookbook Award) reflects how deeply this ethos resonates with home bakers and food lovers alike.
We first met Renée through her first book, Vegetables: A Love Story at https://canadiancookbooks.ca/vegetables-a-love-story-2/ You can purchase both books at sweetsugarbean: My Cookbooks Go to our Giveaway section to win a copy of All The Sweet Things…your sweet tooth will thank you!
In a market crowded with glossy cookbooks, All the Sweet Things feels like a friend’s kitchen: welcoming, comforting, and full of delicious possibilities. It’s a must-have for anyone who believes that the best desserts are baked with heart as much as with flour and sugar — and that every great recipe begins with a great story.
Contents and images used with permission by TouchWood Editions. https://touchwoodeditions.com/products/all-the-sweet-things