Cake Keeper Cakes by Lauren Chattman

An article by Joanna    1 Comment

Cake Keeper Cakes: 100 Simple Recipes for Extraordinary Bundt Cakes, Pound Cakes, Snacking Cakes, and Other Good-to-the-last-Crumb Treats
Publisher: The Taunton Press
Publication Date: 10/27/2009
ISBN: 9781600851209
Author: Lauren Chattman

It may be impossible to pick a favorite cake from this book. Lauren Chattman, pastry chef extraordinaire, who you may have seen on the Today Show or in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Cook’s Illustrated or even Redbook, was inspired by a cake keeper she received for Mother’s Day to return to the old tradition of always having a bit of cake around for drop-ins and family meals. These simple cakes are not fussy, but you can still serve them with pride to even your foodiest of guests.

My grandmother doesn’t keep cake in her cake keeper anymore, but she does still have it out on display with cookies and, on a rare occasion, brownies. When I received a multi-tasking cake keeper/punch bowl as a wedding present, I knew it had a calling to be displayed – and filled – as often as possible. I enjoy baking, but at times the recipes from my favorite cookbooks can be boring and too much for a hot summer day. Not so with Ms. Chattman’s book – these recipes vary, but you can definitely find something quick, easy and that captures the essence of any season – even a great Summer cake!

Now that I have so many options to fill my cake keeper, I might eventually have to pick a favorite, but for now I’m happy to be the only mom on the block with a cake keeper on display and filled. If I practice enough now, by the time my toddler is in school we might just have the coolest house on the block. A mom can hope, and with Ms. Chattman’s help, a mom can bake!

Disclosure: I have received no compensation for writing this review. The book was provided as a free galley by the publisher.