I have three chocolate books. The Chocolate Bible, Chocolate Passion and Nick Malgieri's Chocolate. And I love them all.
To be completely honest, I do have a favourite is The Chocolate Bible, the recipes are great. The ones I tried turned out great. The recipes are mostly European meaning no chocolate chips cookies but a great selection of tarts and cakes. I especially love the petits fours and chocolate candies recipes. Truffles, moulded chocolate, etc. Sure you’ll need lots of time and patience but in the end it is all worth it.
I was attracted to Nick Malgieri’s Chocolate and Chocolate Passion for the same reason: confections and candy chapters. Lots of truffles and dipped candies. Candies from Chocolate Passion are a bit more difficult to make and they are slightly more adventurous and daring in ingredients paring. Think coconut lemongrass truffles.
That doesn’t mean to bypass the other chapters. The brownies section from Malgieri’s book will appeal to all. From dark chocolate brownies to blondies. In Chocolate Passion you have to try the dark chocolate madeleines with mint chocolate glaze or the toffee Pecan madeleines. And if you love cookies, you’ll die and go to heaven when you’ll bite into the milk chocolate almond shortbread sandwiches.