How to make cakes that are as delicious to eat as they are beautiful to behold. Karen Krasne, the “Queen of Cakes” according to Gourmet magazine, brings a fresh and contemporary sensibility to special-occasion cakes. Instead of the conventional fondant and gum paste, she relies on natural frostings based on chocolate, cream, or butter (which are also easier to make). What makes these cakes showstoppers is their unexpected flavor combinations-take, for example, the Blood Orange Ricotta Torte, the Chocolate Tiramisu, or the Yuzu Tea Cake. These desserts take full advantage of layering-contrasting textures in each bite-as seen in the New York, New York (chocolate ganache, devil’s food cake, chocolate chantilly, and caramelized apples) or the Beau Soleil (mascarpone mousse, peaches, pralines, and honey-soaked pound cake). Krasne favors vibrant touches like fresh fruit and real flowers, which add flair without being fussy. The recipes include tips from her twenty years as a pastry chef, and a step-by-step introduction covers basic techniques. Extraordinary Cakes shows how to create amazing cakes that satisfy sophisticated palates-but are still achievable for the home baker. Some of the luscious cakes included are Toasted Macadamia Caramel Cheesecake, Shangrila (Guava Mousse, White Chocolate Mousse, Fresh Strawberries, Pound Cake), Vallarta (Key Lime Cream, Whipped Cream, Tequla-Infused Genoise), Marco Polo (Vanilla Mousse, Blackberry Gelee, Tea-Infused Cake), Chocolate Nirvana (Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Cream, Chocolate Cake), King Kamehameha (Coffee Mousse, Chocolate, Mocha Pralines, Chocolate Cake), Beau Soleil (Marscapone Mousse, Peaches, Caramelized Pralines, Honey, Pound Cake), Blood Orange Ricotta Torte, Carnaval (White Chocolate Banana Truffle, Chocolate Mousse, Rum), Caribe (Banana, Mango, Passion Fruit, Chocolate Cake), Tortamisu (Marscapone Cream, Espresso-and-Rum-Soaked Cake).

CAKES, BAKING, ICING & SUGARCRAFT. Visit any branch of London's acclaimed bakery Baker & Spice and you will be seduced by the sight and smells of any number of tempting treats - fresh apple and plum tarts, or little tarts filled with rich lemon curd or heavenly chocolate and caramel cakes. There are also countless cookies, marvellous muffins, cheesecake brownies, dreamy doughnuts and huge meringues that melt in the mouth. "Exceptional Cakes" allows the home cook to recreate some of the favourite recipes in the comfort of their own kitchen. Using good quality ingredients and techniques that have been developed to perfection, these recipes are guaranteed to impress. There are also special features on techniques for perfect pastry and special cake making methods all explained in detail and illustrated with step-by-step photographs.

For the first time, famed pastry chef Francois Payard devotes his creative powers solely to chocolate, sharing 100 recipes for home cooks of every level - from novice to advances - in CHOCOLATE EPIPHANY. From easy to challenging, white to bittersweet, a stunning and sumptuous dessert that looks and tastes like ti came from a professional pastry chef awaits on every page. Thanks to Francois Payard's clear and thorough recipes, treats such as bittersweet Chocolate Sorbet, Chocolate Peppermint Toffee, or Milk Chocolate Truffles are not only delicious but also accessible. And for the ambitious, Chocolate Wedding Cake, Chocolate Meringue Tart, or Napoleon of Milk Chocolate with candied Kumquats could be the perfect end to an extravagant dinner party. Whatever your craving, CHOCOLATE EPIPHANY offers the perfect recipe from traditional desserts to innovative sweets.

Put Flavor First with 60 Easy, Stylish Cakes Unlock a whole new world of flavor with Benjamina Ebuehi’s signature cakes. Inspired by her journey to The Great British Bake Off and beyond, Benjamina’s groundbreaking recipes put flavor at the forefront by letting the star ingredients—toasted nuts, fragrant spices, bold herbs and ripe fruit—do all the work. Creations like Plum & Black Pepper Cake, Masala-Chai Carrot Cake and Caramelized Plantain Upside-Down Cake are as impressive as they are simple. Beautiful, minimal finishing touches make a big impact, highlighting the exciting ingredients within. These irresistible treats will amaze your friends and family as easily as they will spice up your week. Full of beautiful, of-the-moment cakes with unforgettable flavors, The New Way to Cake brings out the best baker in everyone.

From Yolanda Gampp, host of the massively popular, award-winning YouTube sensation “How to Cake It,” comes an inspiring “cakebook” with irresistible new recipes and visual instructions for creating spectacular novelty cakes for all skill levels. On her entertaining YouTube Channel, “How to Cake It,” Yolanda Gampp creates mind-blowing cakes in every shape imaginable. From a watermelon to a human heart to food-shaped cakes such as burgers and pizzas—Yolanda’s creations are fun and realistic. Now, Yolanda brings her friendly, offbeat charm and caking expertise to this colorful cakebook filled with imaginative cakes to make at home. How to Cake It: A Cakebook includes directions for making twenty-one jaw-dropping cakes that are gorgeous and delicious, including a few fan favorites with a fresh twist, and mind-blowing new creations. Yolanda shares her coveted recipes and pro tips, taking you step-by-step from easy, kid-friendly cakes (no carving necessary and simple fondant work) to more difficult designs (minimal carving and fondant detail) to aspirational cakes (carving, painting and gum-paste work). Whatever the celebration, Yolanda has the perfect creation, including her never before seen Candy Apple Cake, Party Hat, Rainbow Grilled Cheese Cake, Toy Bulldozer Cake and even a Golden Pyramid Cake, which features a secret treasure chamber! Written in her inspiring, encouraging voice and filled with clear, easy-to-follow instructions and vibrant photos, How to Cake It: A Cakebook will turn beginners into confident cake creators, and confident bakers into caking superstars!

IACP AWARD FINALIST • The expert baker and bestselling author behind the Magnolia Network original series Zoë Bakes explores her favorite dessert—cakes!—with more than 85 recipes to create flavorful and beautiful layers, loafs, Bundts, and more. “Zoë’s relentless curiosity has made her an artist in the truest sense of the word.”—Joanna Gaines, co-founder of Magnolia NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME OUT Cake is the ultimate symbol of celebration, used to mark birthdays, weddings, or even just a Tuesday night. In Zoë Bakes Cakes, bestselling author and expert baker Zoë François demystifies the craft of cakes through more than eighty-five simple and straightforward recipes. Discover treats such as Coconut–Candy Bar Cake, Apple Cake with Honey-Bourbon Glaze, and decadent Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake. With step-by-step photo guides that break down baking fundamentals—like creaming butter and sugar—and Zoë’s expert knowledge to guide you, anyone can make these delightful creations. Featuring everything from Bundt cakes and loaves to a beautifully layered wedding confection, Zoë shows you how to celebrate any occasion, big or small, with delicious homemade cake.

Stunning cake designs and technique how-tos from top cake artist Maggie Austin A former ballerina, Maggie Austin turned to baking when an injury ended her dancing career—and has since become one of today’s most sought-after cake artists, serving celebrity clients and even royalty around the world. Her design hallmarks are instantly recognizable to the legions of fans who follow her work: ethereal frills, dreamy watercolors, lifelike sugar flowers, rice-paper accents, graceful composition, and other impeccable details. Here, she shares a collection of her edible works of art and the methods behind their creation, with a “theme and variations” organization that shows how mastering any single technique can open the door to endless creativity. Each is broken down into clear instructions and illustrated with step-by-step photos that are easy to follow whether you’re a professional baker or an amateur enthusiast. From a single sugar blossom to a multi-tiered cake festooned with pearls and intricate appliques, there’s inspiration for bakers and crafters of all stripes.