A good day to bake Simple baking recipes for every mood

Viewers of The Great British Baking Show will recognize Ebuehi as a 2016 quarterfinalist. The London-based baker and food stylist now contributes recipes to the Guardian and creates cookbooks (A New Way To Cake). Her sophomore effort, which she wrote during the early days of the COVID pandemic, focuses on the ways baking can support mood and mindfulness. It is a book of serene images and lovely, simple-with-a-twist bakes that offer comfort and flavor. Arranged by ingredient (herbs and teas; fruit and berries; vegetables; spices; chocolate), Ebuehi's recipes range from the unexpected (Roasted Veg Dutch Baby with Scotch Bonnet Jam) to delicious basics (vanilla bean cake). Each recipe is accompanied by an introduction in which Ebuehi gives baking tips and flavor notes or explains how the recipe was created. The recipes themselves are broken down into logical steps and often include further tips and instruction, which will make bakers feel as if Ebuehi is in their kitchen, offering advice. VERDICT The warm and comforting aesthetic of Ebuehi's serene and flavorsome book hits a perfect note. Readers of cookbooks and those more than ready to get baking will find plenty of joy and sweetness here.--Neal Wyatt