A Minecraft Cookbook

As a person who has literally burnt frozen peas – baffling every reasonably competent person in my vicinity – making good food just doesn’t come naturally to me. So of course, I turned to cookbooks. But then reading vague instructions like “add salt to taste” sent me into an anxiety spiral that led to some very suspicious meals and my dinner guests asking why I’m trying to give them high blood pressure.

If only cooking were as easy in real life as it is in Minecraft... Turns out that it kind of is, thanks to the Gather, Cook, Eat! Official Cookbook, which is out now! The best part? You don’t have to source the meat yourself while apologizing to blocky animals between dramatic wails. [Mental note: download a supermarket mod to assuage guilt.]

Gather, Cook, Eat! has over 40 recipes for every skill level, from cautious crafters who are about to make their first Baked Potato Bite to daring adventurers who want to dive headfirst into the exact science that is baking with a Buried Treasure Pie. Or maybe you’re an old school Minecrafter with a taste for Suspicious Stew? Now you can add a dash of Minecraft to every meal, from appetizers to mains and deserts, and even potions drinks!

To get you started, we’re sharing two recipes from the book below. You can read them in text format on this page or download the recipe cards to print out – however you prefer to follow instructions! If you don’t succeed, then you can always gift the book to a gastronomically gifted friend who can cook and share the meals with you. All of the eating, with none of the crafting cooking. Now that’s a win-win! Just remember to help with the dishes.

Block appétit!

Flower Forest Greens 

Difficulty: Easy 

PLAYER TYPE: Explorer | PREP TIME: 5 minutes | COOK TIME: None

YIELD: 4 small salads | DIETARY NOTES: Vegetarian, gluten free | SPECIAL TOOLS: None

Next time you explore a flower forest, imagine what it would be like to stop and smell those flowers—and then to pick them for use in a delicious salad. This light and colorful recipe uses honey, another staple of the flower forest, to create a delightful vinaigrette.

INGREDIENTS

HONEY VINAIGRETTE

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Dash salt and pepper

SALAD

5 ounces spring mix

3 radishes, thinly sliced

½ honey crisp apple, thinly sliced

½ cup walnuts

¼ cup shaved Parmesan

½ ounce edible flowers, rinsed

DIRECTIONS

1. To make the honey vinaigrette: Place the honey, mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk together for 20 seconds or until emulsified. Set aside.

2. Place the spring mix, radishes, apple, walnuts, Parmesan, and the petals from half of your edible flowers in a large bowl. Add the honey vinaigrette and toss until evenly coated.

3. Garnish with the additional edible flowers and serve.

EXPLORER’S NOTE:

Although edible flowers may be found in your grocery store, you can also pick your own! Just be sure the flowers you select are pesticide free (and that they’re not part of some villager’s garden). Give the flowers a quick rinse in cool water, then place them on a paper towel to dry before using. Try some of these flavorful options: 

• Carnation
• Chrysanthemum
• Dandelion
• Daisy
• Geranium
• Honeysuckle
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Lilac
• Marigold
• Pansy
• Clover
• Rose
• Sunflower

Blocks of Clay Fudge

Difficulty: Easy 

PLAYER TYPE: Builder | PREP TIME: 5 minutes | COOK TIME: 5 minutes

YIELD: 64 squares | DIETARY NOTES: Vegetarian | SPECIAL TOOLS: None

Although these look just like clay blocks, they taste more like your favorite cookies and cream ice cream. This recipe comes together faster than you can mine the blocks in-game, but be patient—the final chilling time in the fridge is necessary before you dig in.

INGREDIENTS

4 cups (about 26) cream-filled sandwich cookies

One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

⅛ teaspoon salt

18 ounces white chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Place half of the cookies in a blender or food processor and process 10 seconds or until they make a fine crumb. Add the other half and pulse until the second half is coarsely chopped. Set aside.

2. Line an 8-by-8-inch square pan with parchment or wax paper and set aside.

3. Place the sweetened condensed milk and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until it begins to simmer, stirring often. Adjust the heat to low and add the white chocolate chips and vanilla extract, stirring until just starting to melt. Turn off the heat and continue to stir until fully melted.

4. Once fully melted and combined, stir in the cookie crumbs.

5. Place the fudge mixture in the parchment paper–lined square pan and spread evenly.

6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.

7. Cut the fudge into 64 squares, about ½ inch.