Everyday cake 45 simple recipes for layer, bundt, loaf, and sheet cakes

The cakes included here are designed for "day-to-day moments that warrant a spark of joy." And how joyful they are! Chesnakova (Hot Cheese, 2020) has compiled a selection of cakes bursting with colors, from familiar treats to inventive combinations, with flavors spanning common fruits to rich spices and in a range of complexity and time consumption. The organization of the book speaks to what home bakers know: some shapes work better for a crowd, others for a casual afternoon treat; Bundt and tube cakes can be showstoppers with lower effort; and layers are almost never necessary to create a memorable dessert. Though the variety is broad enough to suit most palates, these recipes tend toward slightly less sugar than in traditional American cakes--all the better for everyday. Early remarks about tools, techniques, and ingredients will help ensure successful baking, and introductions to each recipe will offer further guidance on ingredient selection and substitution. A warm and welcoming volume that will add some easy-to-acquire pizzazz to any culinary collection.

This work by the author of Hot Cheese: Over 50 Gooey, Oozy, Melty Recipes finds its own niche among a wealth of cake compilations by famous bakers, regional specialists, and elaborate decorators. The chapters are arranged by the shape of the cake pan instead of the more typical arrangement by flavor or occasion. This innovative choice is successful and informative. The introductory material that describes general ingredients and instructions is straightforward, providing essential help to beginners, and it even offers a few new tips to the experienced. The recipes themselves are easy to follow and include side notes with additional friendly advice. New bakers will find comfortable possibilities here, such as the Russian Napoleon Cake that uses a packaged, rather than homemade, puff pastry. Bakers with developed skills will also find new flavors to try. Top picks include the delicious birthday cake with malt powder in the batter and frosting, and the salted butterscotch fudge sheet cake, which is too yummy for words. The photos that accompany the recipes are homey but tempting. VERDICT Library patrons will love this cookbook for its "just right" size and content.--Danise Hoover

INTRODUCTION Whether right after a meal, while winding down in the evening, or when we gather with friends and loved ones, my family always pours tea--and what is that hot, steaming cup without something sweet to accompany it? This was how I was introduced at an early age to the pleasure of a simple dessert, often cake. Drawn in not so much by the sugar, but by a deep satisfaction that stems from "that ideal match of the right dish and the right moment," as the restaurateur and cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi said. That idea is what Everyday Cake is all about--cakes in all shapes and forms for every mood and occasion. Maybe a long day at work necessitates a treat, an unexpected guest stops in, or you're looking to celebrate, but without too much fuss. In other words, day-to-day moments that warrant a spark of joy. In these pages, you'll find cakes that are neither overly complicated nor too sweet but are reliably delicious. Some, like the Lemon-Lavender Yogurt Cake (page 143), are a one-bowl magic trick, while others call for layers (never more than two!) and frosting, like the Yellow Birthday Cake with Whipped Malt Chocolate Buttercream (page 91). There are a handful, such as the Salted Butterscotch Fudge Sheet Cake (page 127), that feed a crowd, but many more will be easily tackled by a party of two. And if your style, like mine, skews classic with a twist, then you'll especially love the Golden-Milk Tres Leches Cake (page 111) and the Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Five-Spice Streusel (page 26). The chapters are organized by the forms the cakes are baked in--Bundt and tube; round; square and rectangular; and loaf pans--because I find each shape carries its own vibe and associations. (A Chocolate Sour Cream Cake on page 145 keeps it casual, while a Sugared Jelly Donut Bundt Cake on page 35 begs to be served at brunch.) My recipes are clear and detailed, meant to empower--not overwhelm--the reader. Throughout the book, tidbits of pastry know-how will address any questions you might have in the process and leave you smarter in the kitchen too. My hope is that whether you're a novice or seasoned baker, or somewhere in between, this cookbook will entice you and bring delight no matter the reason. So next time your day calls for a sweet treat, let Everyday Cake be the answer. Excerpted from Everyday Cake: 45 Simple Recipes for Layer, Bundt, Loaf, and Sheet Cakes by Polina Chesnakova All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.