This is a baking book with a romantic feel, offering sumptuous recipes with stunning images. With classics that have been honed to perfection amongst creative recipes and many finished products that look impressive – this is the sort of cookbook that will look just as fitting on your coffee table as being (accidentally!) splashed with batter on the bench.
I’m liking
Author Karla Goodwin learnt to bake in London, being inspired by the boutique cupcake and cake shops around her. The introductory chapter goes into some depth about her inspiration, how she came to open her Auckland bakery and what makes her shop, her recipes and techniques unique.
Laid out beautifully, this hardcover book is broken into number of chapters that means it offers quite a lot of value within its covers. Your expected biscuit and cake chapters sit amongst instructions for simple decorations, recipes for drinks and menus for tea parties which genuinely inspire you to put something special together for the important individuals in your life. The chapter on Tea Parties offers a full five- or seven-item menu, savoury and sweet, and has a how-to guide for running a successful event. It looks seamless – and oh so much summery-backyard fun.
Things that made me go hmmmm
It’s not a cheap book, retailing at $49.99. I have to say that it offers something special in terms of the way it is presented and this price is fair, but it would probably need to be the type of special purchase that is well-considered at that price.
The conclusion
There are a few scenarios that this book would suit well. I think it would make a lovely bridal shower or wedding gift, and it would really suit a girly-girl who loves beautiful vintage things and beautiful baking. The sort of girl who collects teacups and thoughtfully puts themselves together. These people will suit this book to a tee: buy it for them!
Bluebells Cakery is published by Random House.
