Everyday Cake by Polina Chesnakova

Everyday Cake

by Polina Chesnakova

Using ingredients that are readily available, these cakes are unfussy yet sweetly indulgent. Recipes are arranged using pans most of us already have in our kitchens: round, square, loaf, rectangle, sheet, and bundt. Flavors include warm spices, herbs and flowers, and sweet essences, plus chocolate, fruit, nuts, and seeds. An appealingly wide range of cakes will tickle every fancy:
The Vanilla Malted Milk with Milk Chocolate Frosting would be perfect for a birthday celebration
The Lemon and Lavender Yogurt cake would be quick to make and satisfying with cup of tea
The Roasted Strawberry with Whipped Crème Fraiche Shortcake would be the perfect way to end a summer supper.
There's something for every mood and craving in Everyday Cakes.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Everyday Cake is a casual cookbook with 45 recipes developed and curated by Polina Chesnakova. Due out 16th Aug 2022 from Sasquatch Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This book really is comprehensively cake-y. There are cakes which are familiar and beloved alongside new-to-me types of cake. I am a huge cake fanatic and I couldn't think of a single type which isn't represented here in one form or another.

The recipes are grouped roughly thematically: bundt & tube cakes, round cakes, square & rectangular cakes, and loaf cakes. Each recipe includes an introduction, yields, description, equipment, ingredients listed bullet-style in a sidebar with metric and American standard measures included, and step by step specific directions which are clear and easy to follow. Alternatives and special info is included in highlighted in text bars at the end of the recipes.

The photography is superb. Most (but not all) of the recipes are accompanied by one or more color photos. Tutorial/serving shots are clear and easy to understand. The food is well styled and attractive. This is a classic and comprehensive collection and will be a favorite go-to.

Five stars. This collection is full of inspiration for gatherings, potlucks, family get-togethers, church/work/buffets and similar dinners. The included grapefruit poppy seed cake with hibiscus glaze is mind-blowing and will definitely be accompanying me to my next departmental gathering.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

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