Holiday Cookbooks By Seattleites

Local gourmands share their secrets, just in time for those seasonal get-togethers.

Christmas will be here in less than two weeks and we all know what that means: guests, dinner, presents and cooking. You’re on your own with the guests, but some of your fellow Seattleites know how to prepare a holiday dish. To help you grapple with your impending kitchen duties, these cookbooks are full of delicious recipes that are sure to impress your guests — and they make fantastic holiday gifts, as well.

Cutie Pie: 40 Sweet, Savory, and Adorable Recipes

High 5 Pie owner Dani Cone wants Seattleites to bake her signature pies in their home kitchens. Released in September 2011, “Cutie Pie” shares buttery, crumbly and delicious recipes, all inspired by her Grandma Molly.

The book features 40 sweet favorites found at High 5, including pie pops, flipsides and pie jars, as well as crust recipes and tips and tricks for the home chef.

Cone, who claims to be “totally inept in the kitchen,” is excited to release the book in time for the holiday season. She does Grandma Molly proud with this endearing collaboration of recipes. It’s sure to be a source of delight for your holiday sweet-tooth — in and out of the kitchen.

“Cutie Pie: 40 Sweet, Savory, and Adorable Recipes” is available online.

Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts: Secrets and Recipes for the Home Baker

Years ago, Mark and Michael Klebeck saw a glowing neon sign that read, “Topspot.” They bought the sign, dropped the ‘s’ and Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts was born. Today, Top Pot can be enjoyed at six locations in the Puget Sound area. The neon sign can still be seen at the company’s flagship store, located in Belltown. 

The Klebecks’ story of success as true innovators of the doughnut world led them to photographer Scott Pitts and freelance food writer Jesse Thomson, and the four men co-wrote this cookbook that is designed to assist those who cook at home.

The recipes found in “Top Pot” will impress friends and guests alike. Plus, the recipes do not contain any trans fats, so you can personally enjoy them, as well — make your cake and eat it too, as the saying goes.

“Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts: Secrets and Recipes for the Home Bake” is available online.

Passion & Palate: Recipes for a Generous Table

Among the cornucopia of cookbooks by Chef John Howie, “Passion & Palate” stands out, thanks to the author’s personal touch that accompanies each recipe.

The book showcases a collection of recipes that Howie has mastered throughout the years, accompanied by drool-worthy photography and many anecdotes from the chef’s childhood in the Northwest. Howie’s Bellevue restaurant, John Howie Steak, has been a hit with customers and critics alike since its doors opened in September 2009.

In his book, Howie shares 240 recipes that are all grouped into witty categories like “Life is too short” and “Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean you’re cheap.” His lunch and dinner offerings include “Hot-n-Sout” shrimp soup, seasonal pasta and maki maki-style sushi.

“Passion and Palate: Recipes for a Generous Table” is available online.