Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bloggers and bakers have taken spiked cakes to trend-worthy status in recent years, and authors Castella and Stone promote "fun baking" using alcohol-including beer, wine, and spirits-in traditional and creative ways. More than 100 recipes are categorized in four sections: Classic Booze Cakes (including a tiramisu and a rum cake), Cocktail Cakes (such as the Harvey Wallbanger); Cake Shots (with selections like jelly cake shots and Long Island iced tea cakes); and Cakes with a Twist (taking classics up a notch, such as a carrot cake made with 151-proof rum). The introduction includes a clever "Booze Cake Rating System" broken down by "Lightweight," "Feeling It," and "Totally Tipsy." Recipes include easy-to-follow numbered steps, and sidebars are informative-and entertaining-including information on cakes in literature and creative ingredient substitutions. Recipes for homemade liqueurs and additional treats such as cream puffs and gingersnaps round out this well-designed-and beautifully photographed-title that makes a perfect summer gift. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Castella (Crazy About Cupcakes) and graphic designer Stone have mixed the art of the cocktail with the science of baking in this charming cookbook. Filled with intoxicating color photographs and an easy-to-read layout, it contains over 40 recipes with numerous variations for cakes of all kinds. The introduction contains an overview of spirits along with a chart that delineates how much alcohol remains in a cake after baking. Each recipe features a series of icons to identify at a glance the type of cake, number of servings, baking time, occasion, and "Booze Meter." Chapters feature recipes for classic booze cakes (Golden Rum Cake), original recipes based on cocktails (Harvey Wallbanger Cake), cake shots (Blue Hawaii Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes), and classic cakes spiked with alcohol. The final chapters include easy recipes for homemade Irish cream, limoncello, and other liqueurs, as well as garnishes and frostings. Verdict Lucy Baker's The Boozy Baker (reviewed above) is a broader choice for libraries that can only afford one book for bakers who wish to satisfy their sweet tooth and enjoy an after-dinner drink, but the recipes here are more appealing and refined.-Pauline Baughman, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.