Bodega Bakes

"A vibrant and straight-up fun cookbook featuring desserts influenced by the Afro-Caribbean cuisines. . . . With its eye-popping colors and design, Ms. Velez’s book might look like yet another pretty edition bound for the coffee table. But her recipes are clear and concise, and they work, making it a great find for bakers of any level."—The New York Times

“Bodega Bakes,” showcases her playful, personal, and often tantalizingly tropical spins on traditional recipes.”—The New Yorker

"Joy oozes from the photos, the colors, the recipes, the language and the ideas in this book." —The Washington Post

"It should come as no surprise that Paola Velez’s debut cookbook is a delight when the acclaimed pastry chef, Instagram darling and activist herself radiates joy." —Food Network

"Cooks with a sweet tooth should immediately explore Bodega Bakes. . . . A dazzling debut . . . every recipe is a star."—Bon Appetit

"Paola Velez's cookbook is a day-sweetener in more ways than one." 
 —Delish

"The book is filled with page after page of creative, colorful sweets." —Oprah Daily

“Charming and inventive."
 —Esquire

“A splashy, indulgent anthology.”—Tasting Table

"A joyful celebration."—Latina Magazine

“Paola Velez’s debut cookbook … functions as much as a tribute to the borough as Velez’s talent for creating baked goods that are as beautiful as they are flavorful.”—EATER

"Paola Velez’s debut cookbook is chock-full of truly fun baked goods."—The Strategist

"You’ll have a hard time flipping through and not immediately pulling out your cooking equipment."—Forbes Vetted

“Dazzling cover aside, this cookbook is filled with vibrant recipes that mom will take inspiration from.”—New York Post

“Creative and colorful recipes.”—Simply Recipes

"[A] joyful baking book."—Bittman Project

"Fun, creative, and mouthwatering, these sweet treats will have your loved ones clamoring for seconds."—Closer

"Coquito Cheesecake is the cocktail-dessert mashup your holiday table deserves."—Wine Enthusiast

"Paola Velez holds readers’ hands in this excellent new baking book."—Local Palate

"[A] joyful debut cookbook."—Chicago Tribune

"A beautiful and captivating cookbook ... with a unique and refreshing approach to traditional Carribean and Latin American desserts ... promises to be a staple in Latine Kitchens."—Hispanic Living Magazine

"Paola Velez’s mantecaditos are flavorful and colorful."—Katie Couric Media

"As fun to read as a cookbook gets."—BookPage

“Velez gives readers a passionate glimpse of the food and flavors of her youth… Alongside stunning photographs, this book supports readers with can-do positivity, encouraging them to pursue glorious treats and untraditional flavor combinations.”—Library Journal

"[A] vibrant, voicy, inviting, exciting cookbook."—FULLY BOOKED, Kirkus Review podcast

"Her first cookbook serves up nostalgic American treats infused with Caribbean flavors."—Plate

"A vibrant, lively and wonderful collection of recipes offering great tastes that is complemented by life stories."—Dominican Writers

“Bodega Bakes is a great title, but The Book of Joy would be even more accurate. There’s so much happiness packed between these covers! So much of Paola’s heart, soul, spirit, spunk, and boundless talent. Even before you make your first Thick’em, Plantain Sticky Bun, or Brooklyn Black & White Semifrio, you’ll find yourself delighted to be in her sweet world.”—Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling author of Baking with Dorie

“Bodega Bakes is filled with fanciful, creative recipes and photos that are a treat for all the senses. Visually dazzling and with taste combinations that honor Paola’s Dominican heritage as well as the humble corner store of New Yorkers, this is a beautiful book to enjoy and inspire.”—Jacques Pépin, chef, culinary instructor, and television personality

“It’s been a true delight following Paola’s journey to the creation of this wildly beautiful cookbook. Her brilliant, deeply personal desserts defy tradition and bring so much joy to those among us lucky to have had the chance to taste them. Now everyone can serve themselves an extra-big slice. Bodega Bakes overflows with imagination, purpose, and indulgence, and I can’t get enough!”—Gail Simmons, food expert, tv host, and author of Bringing It Home

"This book is filled with recipes that I can’t wait to make over and over again! It’s a love story of family and community, blending flavors from childhood memories with classic techniques in an approachable and creative way. Paola’s signature style of baking shines bright on every page and opens up our hearts and minds to be more accepting of cultures that may not be our own. She is a true original—baking a difference every day!”—Cheryl Day, author of Cheryl Day’s Treasury of Southern Baking

“Growing up in Queens, New York, corner stores (aka bodegas) were a neighborhood’s oasis. They were filled with the necessities that we needed because our neighborhoods didn’t have access to a variety of amenities like other communities. From socks and batteries to pickled pig’s feet in jars and cold cut sandwiches, my bodega helped to inform my spending power and shape my palate. This love letter to the Bronx, in all its Latina flair, is the cookbook my inner-city child has been waiting for. Thank you, Paola.”—Mashama Bailey, James Beard Award–winning chef

“Bodega Bakes is like baking in the kitchen with Paola, live and in Technicolor. It screams ‘Git in there, trust yourself, and have FUN!’ It’s a total vibe.”—Carla Hall, chef, cookbook author, and television personality