If you’re like me and adore baking desserts but are constantly tinkering with recipes to make them a little kinder to your body, then Some Good: Sweet Treats by Jessica Mitton (O’Leary) is a revelation. This isn’t just another glossy dessert cookbook — it’s a thoughtful and beautifully curated collection that proves sweet indulgence doesn’t have to come with guilt.
We met Jessica with her first book Some Good at Some Good – Canadian Cookbooks. You can purchase both books at https://breakwaterbooks.com/ or win a copy of Some Good: Sweet Treats in our Giveaway section.
Right from the moment you flip open the 144-page paperback, you’re welcomed into a world where nutritious ingredients and decadent flavours coexist harmoniously. Mitton, a Culinary Nutrition Expert and Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant in Newfoundland, has carefully crafted every recipe to be both delicious and nourishing. The focus is on gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free baking — a trifecta that too often sacrifices flavour for health. But in this book, there’s no compromise. Jessica O’Leary
What makes Some Good: Sweet Treats stand out is its unwavering commitment to accessible, feel-good baking. Whether you’re craving rich, chocolatey bites or homey oat-based cookies, Mitton’s recipes deliver. Sections are thoughtfully organized, guiding you through muffins, cakes, squares, cookies, and other baked delights — all with ingredients that are often already in your pantry or easy to source at your local grocery store.
Take the Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Cookies for example: they’re cozy and spiced, perfect for chilly mornings or afternoon coffee breaks. Though one home baker I know mentioned her batch came out a tad drier than expected, the cookie’s wholesome texture and aromatic spice blend still made it a crowd-pleaser. And then there are recipes like the no-bake chocolate almond butter squares — packed with oats, nuts, seeds, and just enough sweet-binding from maple syrup — which are rich yet satisfyingly light compared to traditional confections. Speaking of no-bake, try the Blueberry Chocolate Crunch in our Recipe section. Decadent and delightful!
What I appreciate most about Mitton’s writing is how she treats readers like bakers and friends. Instructions are clear, approachable, and designed to empower even novice cooks to succeed. Each recipe feels like it was tested and retested, ensuring you won’t be left second-guessing when measuring or mixing. The book’s layout, cheerful without being overwhelming, invites you to play in the kitchen rather than simply follow directions. Like the crunch recipe above, you can play with the basic recipe by adding and substituting ingredients to make it different every time you make it.
This book also won a Gold award in the Reader Views Literary Awards — a nod to both its quality and the joy it brings to home kitchens. It’s not just a collection of recipes; it’s a gentle reminder that baking can be nourishing for both body and soul. Whether you’re catering to dietary needs, looking to cut back on refined sugars, or simply yearning for desserts that make you feel “some good” after indulging, this book ticks all those boxes with flair.
In a baking world dominated by ultra-rich, heavy sweets, Some Good: Sweet Treats reminds us that healthful doesn’t have to be dull. It’s a celebration of flavour, texture, and mindful ingredients — all wrapped up in treats that are as satisfying to make as they are to eat.
Contents and images used with permission by Breakwater Books. Breakwater Books Ltd | Newfoundland’s Premier Publisher since 1973 – Breakwater Books Limited