Nancy Soriano, editor-in-chief of Country Living
magazine, introduces this celebration of cake by noting, "If you think back to some of your favorite celebrations, chances are many of them involved a... cake." Bakers, experienced or amateur, will be pleased by this work's clear instructions, tantalizing photos and expert tips for creating cakes for memorable celebrations. The "Baking Basics" section clues in cooks, pointing out that full-fat sour cream is the "most luscious" and explaining how double-acting baking powder works. The clever layout—each spread features a left-hand page listing ingredients on the left and recipe text on the right, and a right-hand page displaying a photo of the cake—will help keep the book safe from floury or buttery fingers, and nutrition information details the consequences of those full-fat ingredients. Stacked Applesauce Cake, Grandma Stonesifer's Spice Cake, and Rich Chocolate Layer Cake are among the classic recipes, while Nutmeg Sweet-Potato Cake, Cranberry-Apple Upside-Down Cake, and Coconut Cloud Cake will encourage experimentation. The book's colorful, detailed photos also showcase an astonishing array of lovely-looking cake plates. (Dec.)
