Book of Cakes (National Trust)

by Linda Collister

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The National Trust Book of Cakes is a superb collection of 55 classic cake recipes and tutorials curated by Linda Collister under the auspices of the National Trust. Due out 18th June 2024 from HarperCollins on their Collins Reference imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

The book's introduction covers tools, supplies, general info, background on ingredients and more useful tips and tricks to get the best results. The recipes are grouped thematically into chapters: loaf, fruit, sponge, and small (individual serving) cakes such as tiffin, rock cakes, Welsh cakes, muffins, etc. 

Recipes contain a description in a short introduction, ingredients in a bullet list, and step-by-step cooking instructions. Ingredient measurements are supplied in metric measurements. The nutritional information is not included. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. The classic recipes are all to be found here, making it a valuable reference book. There's a spiced gingerbread loaf I remember very well from my own childhood, and there are so many others. The recipes are traditional in the UK, and will be most familiar to readers from the UK, some of them less so to readers from the USA.

There are no photographs included, and the whole has a very cosy retro feel, with line drawn illustrations throughout. 

Five stars. This is a wonderful resource and will be a classic go-to for casual to light formal occasions. Highly recommended for library acquisition, as well as for the home library. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.