Discover Love is a Pink Cake, the latest cookbook by Claire Ptak, founder of the beloved Hackney-based Violet Bakery. This cookbook features 85 beautifully photographed recipes for morning, afternoon, and night and draws inspiration from Claire’s homes on both sides of the Atlantic. From cookies and cakes to pies and pastries, you’ll find reimagined versions of classic English baked goods alongside fresh takes on Californian staples. Fundamentally, Love is a Pink Cake is a cookbook that celebrates how baking can be an act of love, whether it’s in the form of making a birthday cake for a loved one or the self-loving act of taking the time to whip up a batch of biscuits to enjoy alongside your next cup of tea.
Find out more about Love is a Pink Cake here, and read on to discover 10 recipes from the book that we can’t wait to try first.
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Love is a Pink Cake: Irresistible bakes for morning, noon and night
85 beautifully photographed recipes from the founder of Violet Bakery
From cookies and cakes, to desserts and savoury favourites
Packed with twists on classic English bakes alongside Californian staples
Blackberry and Rose Walnut Crumble Cake
This light almond cake is baked with blackberries and a walnut and rose crumble topping, making it a delicate breakfast cake that’s perfect for serving with coffee mid-morning.
Pistachio Green Plum Cake with Candied Violets
The pale plums baked into this cake contrast beautifully with the pistachios, and the pop of purple from the candied violets adds a lovely touch. Serve it warm with thick Greek yogurt for a decadent dessert.
Rye Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Classic chocolate chip cookies are given an upgrade with rye flour, which lends a chewy texture, and brown butter, which adds a depth of flavor. If possible, use grey salt for its coarse texture that complements the bitterness of the rye flour.
Peaches and Cream Angel Food Cake
Light and spongy, this simple angel food cake is perfect for pairing with seasonal fresh fruit and whipped cream. Claire serves it here with her favourite peeled white peaches.
Basque Cheesecake
This is Claire’s interpretation of the increasingly popular Basque cheesecake. With no pastry base, this cheesecake is all about the ultra-creamy interior, which contrasts beautifully with the scorched exterior. Impressive and indulgent, it’s definitely worth the effort.
Poached Pear Pavlova
This dessert is a melting pot of textures, from the airy crunch of the meringue to the soft Muscat-poached pears, cooling crème fraîche and vanilla ice cream, and sweet honey.
Pear Eve’s Pudding
In this simple dessert, the subtle flavour of pears takes centre stage, flavoured simply with sugar and lemon and topped with a fluffy sponge. Serve warm with plenty of cream for a simple and classic pudding.
Roasted Plum and Brown Sugar Buttercream Cake
This light, tiered sponge cake is sandwiched with orange-spiked mascarpone filling and roasted plums, and is iced with a subtle brown sugar buttercream.
Chocolate Violet Babka Buns
The combination of dark chocolate and violet adds an elegant and unexpected touch to these babka buns. Soaked in a violet liquor syrup while warm, these make for the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon cup of tea.
Lemon and Elderflower Wedding Cake
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without the addition of the famous Amalfi lemon and elderflower cake that Claire made for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018. With fragrant elderflower and sweet, bright lemon, this stunning cake is one for the ambitious baker.
