What's the secret to making foolproof friands? How do you bake the perfect piped cookie dough pinwheel? And what puts the snap in the very best ginger snaps? Find out in Field Guide to Cookies, a handy pocket reference to more than 100 cookie recipes, complete with the fascinating historical background (the first known recipe for brownies was published in the 1897 Sears, Roebuck Catalogue), season (April 9 is Chinese Almond Cookie Day), and helpful baking notes for each delicious variety, from traditional favourites to more exotic concoctions from all over the world. Including drop, bar, piped, rolled, puffed, sandwich, savoury, and moulded varieties, every cookie is illustrated in glorious full colour, with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare, bake, serve, and store your creations. Gooey, delicious, home-baked confections are just minutes away with Field Guide to Cookies in your pantry!

Anita Chu is a graduate of Tante Marie's Professional Pastry program and a former baker for Bittersweet Chocolate Caf+â-¬. She channels her love of baking, writing, and photography on her award-winning Web site, Dessert First. She lives in San Francisco.

Adam McAlpine Clark is a professional baker, writer, and visual artist in Philadelphia.