I have many beautiful cookbooks, subscribe to magazines that feature recipes (my all time favorite mag has always been Bon Appetite). Lately, I always seem to make the same things — playing it safe.
Over the years I’ve lost my inspiration and motivation. Maybe it’s because I know if I bake it . . . I’m gonna eat it (and I’ll feel no shame about it) – or maybe I’ve been waiting for an “occasion”. Whatever the excuse . . . that’s what it is — an excuse. I joined The Daring Baker’s Community to get me out of my safe-zone and to share and enjoy the contributions of others that enjoy baking the way I do.
I really enjoyed The Daring Baker’s July challenge. I haven’t challenged my baking skills like that in a very long time. It was so fun and made me realize how much I miss it. I’ve added the Carole Walter’s Great Cakes book to my collection of cookbooks.
The Amazon.com package arrived. When I picked up the box it was heavier than anticipated for a $12.99 book. I was completely surprised when I opened the box to find my Great Cakes book! I knew it was a hardcover book, but failed to note how many pages the book was in it’s Amazon.com description. What an amazing book!! Filled with over 250 recipes of beautiful and do-able cake recipes. What an absolute steal for this recipe collection. Be forewarned: The book is not laden with photos. In the middle of the book there are eight glossy color photo pages. Photos are fun and helpful . . . but don’t let that turn you off from this gem of a book.
The book is laid out as follows:
Part One: Ingredients, Equipment, Procedures, and Techniques
Part Two: Quick and Easy Cakes
- Pound Cakes
- Plain Butter Cakes
- Cakes With Crunch (includes Sour Cream Coffee Cakes)
- Cakes From The Garden (includes Upside-Down Cakes)
- Sponge Cakes (includes Rolls and Roulades)
- Chiffon Cakes
- Angel Food Cakes (includes tunnel Angel Food Cakes)
Part Three: Special Occasion Cakes
- Great American Party Cakes
- Cheesecakes
- European Tortes and Gateaux
- Passover Sponge Cakes and Tortes
Part Four: Sweet Endings
- Fillings, Frostings, Glazes, and Syrups
- Sauces, Toppings, and Whipped Creams
- The Finishing Touches
Additionally, the contents breaks the contents out for easy-to-find dietary specific needs:
- Cakes With Reduced Cholesterol
- Cakes With Less Fat
- Cholesterol Free Cakes
- Reduced Fat Glazes, Sauces and Toppings
- Cholesterol Free-Fat Free Frostings, Glazes and Syrups
- Cholesterol Free-Fat Free Sauces, Toppings and Garnishes
Expect posts in the next months of creations from this beautiful book! =)