I am, and have always been an Edmonds girl. It is, of course a national institution - is there not one in every household across the land? In fact in the  golden olden days it used to be sent to every newly engaged couple in New Zealand - a prerequisite for starting a life together! With over three million copies sold, it is by far New Zealand's best selling book.

So, it was with much fondness and love that I savoured every page of this off shoot - Edmonds Best of Baking. Edmonds is not and has never been pretentious. And this is what I love about it the most!

Some cook books are really just for looking at.. a coffee table book if you will. This is a real roll up your sleeves and fill your tins type of cook book. With all the Edmonds favourites you know and love like Afghans, Anzac Bickies and the good old Fielders Sponge recipe, this cute little spiral bound book will bring back memories and have you reminiscing over the tea cups. What I loved about this new edition of the old favourite is the addition of new, dare I say 'trendy' recipes to compliment the familiar we have grown up with and known all our baking lives. I loved the Macaroon Cake - which is like a Louise cake (recipe also in this edition) -  but only bigger and spongier; delicious! I am so familiar with the old favourites included here so it was neat to try a few new treats! The Cappucino cake I highly recommend.

With a whole segment on Pies and Pizzas you will be enjoying filo parcels or Ye Olde Bacon and Egg Pie in no time. There is also a section on festive treats - nice if you like to keep traditions alive (in the spirit of Edmonds) or try new things. The Florentine recipe is just delightful as is the Lemon Curd tartlets. Yum!

Edmonds Best of Baking really is an excuse to get out the cake plates and have a lovely afternoon tea - or if you are like me, and want your kids to come home to a happy array of heaving cake tins - just like when you were little - then there is plenty here for hungry kids to devour.

Edmonds Best of Baking

RRP $34.99, Hachette NZ

By Nicki Sunderland