Fantasy Cakes: Magical recipes for fanciful bakes by Angela Romeo {book review}

When I had my copy of Fantasy Cakes arrived on my door stop my girls took it from me and were immediately book marking recipes. Recipes for their birthday's and not being able to decide on just one were booking for birthday's 2 or 3 years from now.

There was a familiar feel to the style of the book and it came as no surprise that I have one of Angela Romeo's other books that she wrote for Sainsbury's. I am happy to see she has a book that has her name on the cover!

There are the great first chapters that cover an introduction - it's always nice to know a little about the author and their work. A chapter covering equipment, then techniques & finishing touches and then as this is mostly about decorating cakes we get a chapter on the basic recipes needed.

The following chapters are divided by Fruits & Flowers where we see cakes shaped and made to look like a watermelon and beautifully decorated cakes topped with blueberries and lemons and more. Spectacular Celebrations covers all the holiday's which is when the most cake is consumed. I have no data to back up that statement, it is just an observation I have made.

Candy Land, the following chapter, is the most bookmarked with cakes that are covered in candy, chocolates, and doughnuts. The following chapter is all rainbows, mirror glazes, and fantasy cakes and it is aptly titled Psychedelic Treats.

Inspired by days going to the movies, seaside, theatre, or fair these cakes really make you feel like you are on a Magical Day Out. The last chapter is the second most book marked chapter by my girls and is titled Decadent Divas. It includes a gorgeous Sultry salted caramel cake, Pink fizz Cake, and a cake called All that shimmers.... and you would be right to guess that it is covered in gold.

This book would be great for any level of cake decorators! There are some very basic ideas that work well for beginners and some recipes that might take a bit more of experienced skill. Overall it's a beautiful and informative book.

* I was provided a copy of Fantasy Cakes: Magical recipes for fanciful bakes by Angela Romeo to review by the publisher, Ryland Peters & Small, retails at £16.99 and available now from your local book retailers or online! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page above for more information.
* Sainsbury's Cake book review can be found here.
* Check out Angela Romeo's website!

Cafe London: Brunch, Lunch, Coffee, and Afternoon Tea (book review)

Ask and you shall receive. In my book review of Eat Like a Londoner last October I said it would have been better if there were more bakeries and similar places mentioned. Well, this book covers those bakeries and similar places; those places where you can get a good cup of coffee or enjoy a great afternoon tea and even some really off the wall places that you could only find in London!

In 2015 London had a population of 8.674 million people and there are hundreds if not thousands of cafe's in and around London to cater to the caffeine boost everyone needs on a daily basis. Cafe London gives us 100 of the best places to find not only coffee but, a great place to get brunch or lunch! It also tells us the best places to book in for an infamous afternoon tea or where you should go to satisfy a sweet tooth with some of the best bakeries in the city!

Not only are we told about the food, but we are also told of the ambience and decor of the places and if the gorgeous pictures are anything to go by these places are absolutely stunning each in their own way.

The addresses of each cafe is provided along with websites and any other information that might be important. At the end of each chapter we are given "seven more" places to check out! The index is broken down into London districts and it includes maps with the cafe's pinpointed! Our editor thought of everything!

If one lives in London or they are planning a day trip I would consult this book for the best places to grab a quick bite or treat!

Chapter Breakdown: 

Brunch - It's a very American thing to have brunch, a sort of meal that is eaten early morning. A meal that isn't quite breakfast but, isn't lunch either. The Counter Cafe, a converted warehouse, is said not only to serve a great brunch, but roasts it's on coffee on site! You can take a bag home with you after enjoying a great cuppa! Sounds like my kind of place!

Lunch - Sometimes lunch can be over looked, by that I mean it's the meal that gets rushed because of time. Instead of grabbing an awful pre-packaged sandwich or salad any of the places listed in this chapter would be a great alternative! The cafe I'd like to visit is the J+A Cafe mainly because the location, tucked away down an alley way run by two sisters who insist on sourcing great ingredients!

Coffee - What can I say I'd visit every place listed here as I love a good cup of coffee! I also like trying new and different types of coffee! Coffee isn't for everyone, but don't rule these places out as the majority of them sell more then coffee! They provide food too!

Cakes & Bakes - I have heard and visited several of these places listed and there are so many more I have never heard of and need to remedy the fact that I haven't visited!! I can recommend Konditor & Cook for their Curly Wurly cake that I tried a few months back for the fist time. I have wanted to visit Violet Cakes and Lily Vanilli for ages now, thinking I am due a trip to London to do just that!

Afternoon Tea - When you think of London and of England you think of afternoon tea and this chapter gives you the best places to visit for a great afternoon tea! Of course the majority of the places need to be pre-booked so make sure you plan a visit to these places! I think I need to book myself into Sketch mainly because it's described as making "you feel like you're dining in a giant fondant fancy."

Culture, Shop, Tea Break - the best cafes found in museums, galleries, and shops! As much as I love a good baked good I also love a good book so my first stop would be the London Review Cake Shop it's connected to the London Review Book Shop.

Unusual & Alfresco - This chapter is split into two, first listing all the unusual places to go like the Cereal Killer Cafe that serves all varieties of cereal and Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium where cats wonder around freely. You're not allowed to cuddle the cats, but you can pet one if and only if it comes up to you. Then there is a short list of places that have outside seating! The Lido Cafe even has a pool and is described as South Beach in south London!

Overall this is a great little book for those who love food, coffee, cake, and most of all London! 

notes: Cafe London by Nicky Evans, Pippa Bailey, Andy Hill, and Nicola Tup Edited by Zena Alkayat and Photographs by Km Lightbody (SRP-UK £9.99 US $14.99 Canada $17.99) was given to me to review by the publishers Frances Lincoln - Quatro, no other compensation was given - all opinions are my own, for more information please see my contact/policy page above.

Warm Bread and honey cake by Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra {book review}

I was researching baking books, my favorite pastime, and came across Warm Bread and honey cake by Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra. Never heard of the author or the book. So, I went to the first place I always go: Culinaria Libris written by fellow blogger Gretchen. She reviews cookbooks of all kinds so it’s a no wonder I visit her blog often! Basically whenever I come across a book I don’t know about I search her blog! Off her recommendation I bought this book along with Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra’s second, more recent book Sugar & Spice (review to come at a later date). I was not disappointed!

I think what I like most about this book are the stories about the origins of some of the treats in this book. Along with which country or area makes it best! This was one of those cookbooks I toted around with me so I could read it whenever I had a free moment. It kept me awake at night as I thought about visiting all these amazing places that make these amazing things!

There is a huge variety in this lovely book so it I think it would please many people with different tastes and different skill levels! Chapters are broken down into Flatbreads; Yeast Breads, Cakes, and Rolls; Cakes & Cake-Making this chapter has sub groups dividing cakes into fruit, spice, chocolate, nut, coconut, and other; Small Cakes, Pastries, & Savouries; Leaf & Thread Pastries. Each chapter begins with what ingredients and tools you may need to make the treats in that particular chapter. Which I thought was useful.

Here is a list of the stuff I want to make:

Flaky Indian Flatbread: Paratha

Coconut Milk Bread

Fruit Loaf

Sweet Brown Sugar Pretzels or Coils

Pineapple Tart (picture on cover)

Layered “Drunken” Apple Cake (picture)

Fresh Cherry Cake

Spice Cake Stuffed with Almond Paste (picture)

Traditional Sachertorte

Swiss Walnut and Toffee Pie

Gerbeaud Slices

Coconut Cake

Coconut and Cassava Pudding

Mango Cheesecake (picture)

Almond Paste Rounds

Chocolate and Pistachio Sandwich Biscuits

Pine Tarts

Classic Baklava

Bird’s Eyes

Almond Flutes

That is one of the longest lists I have ever made for a book review! The only little grip I have is... useless pictures. I am not one of those people who need pictures of every single recipe and I don’t mind a few artistic pictures of things that have to do with baking. However I do not understand having a picture of flour dusting pastry or whipped egg whites… especially if the photography isn't that great and it looks like a blank page. Weird. It’s my only gripe and it doesn't take away from the content. Therefore I would still recommend this book to avid bakers who like to travel and who like classic baking that has a bit of history!

I can’t wait to get baking!!

Warm Bread and honey cake Amazon UK, USA

Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra Facebook page

Culinaria Libris  and what she had to say about this book!

Lavender & Lovage by Karen Burns-Booth {book review}

Part travel diary, part memoir, part history & all cookbook, Lavender & Lovage is an invitation from Karen Burns-Booth to join her on a personal culinary journey through the memories of the places she has lived & visited.

That is an excerpt from the back of the book and it gives a brief idea of what this book is all about, but it's so much more. With books it's always hard to describe what's inside to make a potential reader pick the book up, buy it and take it home with them. It's hard to tell them what they will feel when reading it because books, yes even cookbooks, resinate with people for different reasons.

One of Karen's first memories is of food. As she tells us the story of her first bowl of sweet sticky rice, on a hot day during the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong in the 1960's, we get the feel for the rest of her story. If you couldn't guess it features food.

In Karen's book, like her blog, food is the constant. It's the rest of life that is the variable and makes this book a real gem amongst all the other cookbooks out there. I had the pleasure of meeting Karen at a Food Blogger Connect conference back in 2014. It was a brief 'hi what's your blog name?' and I have been a follower before that encounter and since.

The break down of the contents follows most traditional cookbooks with breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and everything in between. Karen's style is all her own, but the way the book is laid out and the passion that shows through reminds me a lot of Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater respectively.

Each recipe has an introduction and tells us where the recipe is from (the index is broken down by continents and countries.) Not only do we get the intros, but some of the recipes have memory snippets, taste notes, travel notes, or historical recipe notes. A few of the recipes even have more than one of these in various combinations depending on the recipe.

As mentioned already this book is more then a book of recipes, it takes you places you may or may not have ever been. The photography is beautiful and all of them are the author's own photos. If everything I have just written doesn't convince you or you want a taste of what to expect the book to be like visit Karen's blog Lavender & Lovage.

It's one of those books that you will keep for years and refer to time and time again. If you or someone you know is a big foodie you can't lose by picking up, yourself or a loved one, a copy of this book.

*I was provided a copy of Lavender & Lovage: A culinary notebook of memories & recipes from home & abroad  to review by the publisher, Passageway Press, retails at £31.37 and available now on Amazon (Kindle edition less, but the physical book is beautiful)! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page for more information.

Homemade Christmas by Yvette Van Boven {book review}

Everyone has their own Christmas traditions, some very classic and some very obscure, but Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without food. If we get down to it a lot of our holiday's and celebrations revolve around food. We indulge and go a bit over the top when it comes to a special day and why shouldn't we?

You may recognise the style of the cover of the book because Yvette Van Boven has several other books out and if you have had the pleasure to own or read them you will know what to expect from Homemade Christmas and if you haven't well there is no reason you shouldn't start with this one!

Not only does the author give us some amazing recipes there are tips to help keep Christmas as stress free as possible. And if you have read any of my older posts from this time of year you will know that this time of year is not my favorite.

Even though I have taught myself over the years to just chill and do what I need to do for my family and myself there is still a level of pressure from ... well do we really even know? Who is in control of all this pressure? Know one really knows.

After reading this book I learned two things. First that with the help of this book I can ease some of that pressure I feel by following some of Yvette's tops tips. And two this book isn't just for Christmas. It's full of heartwarming dishes that are good all autumn/winter long.

The book is broken down starting with Christmas Stress-Relief Tips (which I desperately needed), The Morning, Drinks, Snacks, Soups, Small Plates, Main Courses, Side Dishes, Desserts, all which are pretty self explanatory. The book finishes up with Pantry aka essential things to keep in your pantry followed by Menus. Which is extremely useful because it breaks it down by menus such as Cold Buffet, Romantic Christmas Dinner Menu, as well Christmas Breakfast and/or Brunch and includes menus for Veggies!!

It's an overall great book. I say that a lot and I fear that it is losing it's meaning, but I do love a good cookbook. The thing is I don't talk about the books that I don't keep or that just didn't interest me much. So, when I do say it's a great book I do mean it. Yvette has a great style and clear writing I don't know why I haven't ever read anything else by her before. Definitely something that will need to change!

Even though I am an American living outside of the US I always celebrate Thanksgiving with my children, in hopes that some of my traditions are ingrained in them. This book has offered me some great suggestions and recipes to try for my up coming Thanksgiving meal. When I do I will be sure to share pictures on all my social media channels. 

Have a look at Yvette's website for her other titles as well as recipes! All the photo's of the food are pictures I took of the book. 

*I was provided a copy of Homemade Christmas by Yvette Van Boven (photography by Oof Verschuren) to review by the publisher, Abrams, retails at £26.99 and available now from your local book retailers or online! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page for more information.

Nostalgic Delights by William Curley {a book review}

I am an American, as it says in my blog tag line, so one could argue that some of these treats aren't necessarily nostalgic to me, but that's not so. I believe that I have lived here long enough now to have a history with some of the sweet treats in this book.

There was this time, in the early days of me living here, that I was craving chocolate. Just a solid bar. I didn't want any nuts or nougat or cereal or raisins or anything just one solid bar of chocolate. I was recommended a Yorkie, as they are the solidest solid bar of chocolate out there. I went to the till to pay and the guy says to me "Yorkies aren't for birds." I stared at him and asked why anyone would feed chocolate to a bird?

Yeah in this country birds are women. Oh and it was a marketing thing and it said right on the wrapper that they weren't for birds. Anyway, Mr Curley knows his stuff. I have his Patisserie book and it's amazing and this book is amazing.

It's broken down into 7 sections starting with Chocolate Confectionery followed by Bakery Favourites, Patisserie Modern Classics, Ice Cream & Gateau, Afternoon Treats, Frivolities, and basic recipes that you will need for the recipes in the rest of the chapters.

The instructions for each recipe is very precise and clear. It's like the most interesting text book I have ever read in my life. It's also beautifully photographed. There are some recipes that show you in pictures what each step should look like and with a book like this it is great to have that information.

There are so many recipes I'd like to try out! There isn't one for a Yorkie specifically, but there are recipes for other great chocolate bars! Here is a condensed list of recipes I'd like to try!!

Okay before I list the recipes I want to try there is a recipe for Hazelnut Rochers. It's not included in my list because I don't like them, but I know a lot of people do and if you ever wanted to make your own there is a recipe in this book! Just so you know! Now back to the list.

Alpine Chocolates (inspired by Toblerone)
Cartwheel (Wagonwheel)
Walnut Whip
Matcha & Yuzu Teacakes
Cinder Toffee
Caramel Bar
Chocolate Mint Bar
Fudge Bar
Peanut Nougat Bar (Snickers/Marathon)
Curly Wurly
Chocolate Cherry Bakewells
Jam Tarts
Custard Tart
Eccles Cakes
Eclairs
Bee Sting
Fudge Doughnuts
Tropical Snowball (based off of a patisserie marshmallow confection in Scotland)
Black Forest Gateau
Moka (gateau)
Jaffa Cake Tarts
Bounty Ice Cream Bar
Pecan & Banana Cake
Empire Biscuits
Viennese Whirls
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Hob Nobs
Nougat
Marshmallows
Pate De Fruits (Fruit Pastilles)
Whiskey Tablet

That was a lot longer then anticipated! Not sure when I will find the time to make all those things, will need to shorten the list.....

There is so much in here for keen bakers and those who like to experiment in the kitchen! If you have either of those people in your life this book would make an amazing gift!!

last notes: I was given a copy of Nostalgic Delights: Classic Confections & Timeless Treats by William Curly to review by the publisher, jacqui small. Retails at £25.99 and available now from your local book retailers or online! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page for more information.

Want a closer look inside? Here is a short video I made as I looked through the book....

 

Cakes, Chocolate, Bears OH MY!

All Cakes Considered by Melissa Gray

This is a perfect book for those who are starting out in cake making. Gray starts the reader out with the basics including how to read and interpret recipes. The recipes get more in depth and complicated as the book progresses. I borrowed the Brown Sugar Pound Cake for National Bundt Day early this week and the cake was a hit! The recipe I am trying to find an excuse to make is the Heaven and Hell cake. It's angel food cake and devil's chocolate cake layered together with a peanut mousse. I also have to admit while looking through the book it was this recipe that made up my mind when deciding to add it to my collection!!* I picked this up for a bargain at Home Sense, my new favorite store!

Adventures with Chocolate by Paul A. Young

When I went on my first Bakery Tour of London we walked by one of Paul A. Young's shops in Soho. I saw this book in the window and was tempted to go in, but didn't.** I thoroughly regret that now after reading this book. The book almost literally takes you on an adventure. It describes where chocolate comes from and how that determines how chocolate tastes. Not to put anyone off, but if you were to take a class in chocolate this would be your textbook. It is very informative with lots of recipes to drool over. I will be trying my hand at some of these soon!! I also picked this up at Home Sense (for a bargain) after recognizing it from the shop window in Soho. I'm glad I did!

Paddington's Cookery Book

This I ordered for my mini bakers, from The Book People. It's a very cute little book! Lots of recipes sweet and savory! Lots of Marmalade recipes not just sandwiches!! This book would make any Paddington fan happy!! My daughter already has a few recipes book marked! She's my picky eater so maybe she'll actually eat something she's picked out and helped make!

The Birthday Cake Book by Fiona Cairns

As my collection is growing I have become more selective on which books I buy. I always want ones that come from bakeries (not sure why?) and fellow bloggers who have had the opportunity to publish a book. Anything else goes through a process. A few steps of the process: repeated recipes vs new ones, cost, and design^ and I read reviews. I look around the Internet and don't just rely on amazon or other book sites. Anyhow, my point^^ is I wasn't completely sold on this book, but it kept popping up in different places. It was after having a look at it in a store and then finding it at a great price (The Book People again!) that I caved. I'm in the middle of it and it's great! Like All Cakes Considered, it starts with easier projects progressing too more complicated ones. I'm about half way through and am thinking I bought it at the right time! I have 3 birthdays in December to bake for. I'll be using this for sure!! Fiona Cairns is now famous for designing the cake for Will and Kate's wedding! To be honest that was also a selling point. I didn't share this with many but I was totally into the wedding. I watched most of it and was very enthralled with it all! Can't wait to share anything I make from this book with all of you!

The Shelf.

Feeding my addiction is getting a little expensive, but these four books were all bought at low prices! That’s what I’m telling myself! I have 2-3 must-have books for Christmas. My New Year's Resolution (yes I know it's a bit early) will be to bake one or two things from every book before I'm allowed to buy a new bakery book or that I'm not allowed to buy any bakery books until May (my birthday). I'll figure something out! The problem is new books are being published all the time! So many books so little time!

I hope you've enjoyed reading more about the books I've been collecting! If you have any favorite bakery books you think I need to look at then please leave a comment! I love recommendations!!


*I'm sure I could have found a recipe online, but I'll use anything as an excuse to buy a book!!
**Will definitly stop in next time I'm in London!!
^I have openly admitted before that I judge books by covers. I'm a sucker for a great cover and page desgin!
^^I'll get there eventually!

Note: These are my thoughts and opinions. I am not being paid to review books. These were all purchased by me!
Resource: Home Sense, Quinn's Baking Diary (heaven & hell cake), Book People , Paul A. Young, Fiona Cairns, Royal Wedding Cake

Veggie Desserts + Cakes: Carrot Cake and Beyond by Kate Hackworthy {review}

To be honest with you I've not ventured far into the world of baking with vegetables beyond the "normal" things like carrot cake and pumpkin pie. Kate's book has opened my eyes and my mind to the possibilities of the roles vegetables can play in my baking!

Kate Hackworthy is a fellow blogger and baker and after following her blog on social media for the last few years I jumped at the opportunity to review her new book Veggie Desserts + Cakes! Not only does she write for her own blog, but she always writes a column for Vegetarian Living magazine where she writes about healthy recipes for kids.

This book isn't an "how to hide vegetables in your baking to make it healthier" this is a book that showcases vegetables as the star of the show! With recipes for Kale and Apple Cake with Apple Icing and Avocado Chocolate Cupcakes with Cherry Icing and Sweet Potato and Salted Hazelnut Cookies there is no hiding that these recipes are still going to hit the sweet spot!

Those are just a few of the recipes I would love to try out! The chapters cover Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies, Squares + Traybakes, Pies + Pastries, Frozen Desserts, and more Sweet Treats. All the things you can expect in a great baking book! I should know I have read many baking books over the years!

As with all book reviews I do I always like to make a list of recipes I'd love to try and with 60 original recipes choose from it's hard not to list all of them! But I've narrowed it down to these...

Kale and Apple Cake with Apple Icing
Beetroot Chocolate Bundt Cake with Earl Grey Icing
Pea and Vanilla Cake with Lemon Icing
Pear and Parsnip Cake with Salted Honey Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache
Cucumber and Lemon Cake with Gin Icing
Chocolate Mashed Potato Cupcakes with Espresso Icing
Avocado Chocolate Cupcakes with Cherry Icing
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Avocado Icing
Sweetcorn and White Chocolate Cookies with Blackberry Glaze
Sweet Potato and Salted Hazelnut Cookies
Pumpkin Gingernuts
Parsnip Coconut Macaroons
Sweet Potato and Pecan Brownies
Carrot, Parsnip and Coconut Flapjacks
Beetroot Seedy Squares
Black Bean Chocolate Brownies
Mascarpone Tart with Beetroot Pastry
Avocado Lime Tarts
Pumpkin Pie with Chai Cream
Beetroot and Vanilla Sorbet
Chocolate Beetroot Baked Doughnuts with Blueberry Glaze
Butternut Squash Cinnamon Rolls with Almond Glaze
Sweet Potato Dessert Waffles
Sparkling Carrot Lemonade

As you can see there is a lot of variety of baked goods and different vegetables to choose from! If you are looking for a new way to use up vegetables or just to try something new give Veggie Desserts + Cakes a look!! This weekend I will be trying out the Pumpkin Cupcakes with Avocado Icing and I can't wait to share with you how they turn out!!

This book offers so much and to get a taste of what the book is like visit Kate's blog Veggie Desserts or see more of her delicious recipes on one of social media channels - Facebook or Instagram or Twitter! 

*I was given a copy of Veggie Desserts + Cakes: Carrot Cake and Beyond by Kate Hackworthy to review by the publisher, Pavilion, Retails at £14.99 and available now from your local book retailers or online! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page for more information.