Sweet Giveaway: A World of Cake by Krystina Castella

Image from A World of Cake by Krystina CastellaConfession: I have sort of a crush on Krystina Castella.

If you're unfamiliar with her work, then you're in for a sweet treat: she's the brains behind such books as Pops!: Icy Treats for Everyone , Booze Cakes: Confections Spiked With Spirits, Wine, and Beer, Crazy About Cupcakes, and most recently (released within a month of one another!) Crazy About Cookies and A World of Cake.

And while there's a lot to love about any book that features recipes for sweet treats, what in my mind really separates Castella from the crowd is her backround as an industrial designer: this is strongly reflected in each of her books, which are beautifully and thoughtfully constructed, both visually and in terms of the actual content. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she's smart as a whip, very clever, and a mean baker to boot.

You know what? The awesomeness that is Krystina Castella is really too much to put into a single post, and so all week I am going to be dedicating posts to her amazing works, including recipes and an interview!

But we'll kick it off with a giveaway, OK? One lucky winner will receive a copy of A World of Cake, which includes over 150 recipes and stories about cakes from all over the world. Not only will you get a ton of delicious recipes, but you might just learn something, too.

How do you enter yourself in the running? Simply leave a comment below stating a cake recipe (it can be international or domestic!) you've been dying to try. Optional: feel free to link to or include a recipe!

The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, November 30th, at 12pm PST; US entrants only this time, please! The book will be sent directly from the publisher, Storey Publishing.

Update on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 by Cakespy

UPDATE: THE WINNER! We have a winner, chosen at random! It's Caitlin, whose next cake adventure is as follows: "I really want to make Pioneer Woman's Strawberry Shortcake Cake! It looks delicious!"

Comments

[Whitney]

I am dying to try Paula Deen's flourless chocolate cake! Bakerella featured it ages ago and I still haven't gotten around to making it... I think this holiday season might be the perfect opportunity!

http://www.bakerella.com/hey-yall/

[cranepuffin]

I've been dying to try a Red Velvet Cake. I know, everyone has tried this but I haven't and I really have been dying to try it. :D

[Sara R.]

I would love to make the chocolate topped princess cake you posted a couple of years ago. It looks insanely complicated to make, which is probably why I never have!

[Daisy]

My husband is from Uruguay (in south america) and they make this delicious cake called CHAJA...

www.southamericanfood.about.com/od/desserts/r/Postre-Chaj-A-Peach-Meringue-Cake-From-Uruguay.htm

[Lindsey]

I'm planning on making a cake for my boyfriend's birthday next week...he wants white cake with raspberries and chocolate; i'm a chocolate cake with white frosting kinda gal myself...

decisions decisions...i have a couple recipes I want to try out from all over the internet. particularly a few from joythebaker!

[mandy gross]

i want to try this cake!
http://paperyandcakery.com/2009/08/cakery-friday-julie-childs-chocolate-cake.html

[Thomandalicia]

I've been wanting to do those chocolate "lava" cakes that look so dang yummy but I'm afraid I just won't be able to pull it off.

[Courtney Heavens]

I have always, always, always loved the idea of creating Parisian style strawberry shortcake (The kind that has sliced strawberries exposed neatly in the cream wedged between two slices of shortcake) or the rolled cake version of this type of recipe. A classic summer treat, and I'd love to learn how to make it for others at some point!

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/strawberry-shortcake/Detail.aspx

[Amanda]

I've been wanting to try to make an Opera cake, maybe some day I'll be courageous enough.

[Darcy]

So, I've been thinking about trying to make a cake my mom used to make called Hawaiin Delight, just have to find the right recipe! Lol pudding & cake... Yum!

But I have to agree the flourless chocolate cake has always been one I'd like to try!

Also Martha Stewart has a recipe for a sweet and salty chocalate cake I'd love to attempt sometime!!

Maybe I'll be lucky and get a new recipe book full of fun things to try!!! :-)

[Courtney]

A Gâteau Basque - it looks simple, but for sure packs a mean punch. I have this recipe bookmarked on my to-do list: http://notsohumblepie.blogspot.com/2010/07/gateau-basque-cake.html

[Olivia M.]

I've been dying to try making molten chocolate cakes!

[BigFatBaker]

http://www.bakeorbreak.com/2008/12/sweet-and-salty-cake/
I have been DYING to try this. It sounds so rich, and awesome. And I always love a challenge!

[Christine N]

Swedish Princess Cake!!!

But I couldn't find a good recipe anywhere... :(

[Marcelina]

I want to make Amelie's Famous Plum Cake every time I watch the movie. Then I usually forget about it until the next time I watch the movie...

http://whiskflipstir.com/2010/10/24/amelies-famous-plum-cake-kouign-amann/

[Faye]

I've been dying to try to do a tres leches cake! i love those, but have never tried to bake them myself.

[Lauren]

A booze cake sounds fun!

[Ellen]

I went to a party recently where several desserts from the "Booze Cakes" book were served. The amaretto cake and the pumpkin-bourbon cake were SO GOOD and I am hoping that Santa brings me the book for Christmas, so I can make them myself!

[Owlchick]

I'd like to try devil's food cake. I can make angel cakes, lava cakes, cheesecakes, and other things, but have never tried my hand a devil's food.

Maybe I should make angel food and a devil's food cake trifle sometime :)

[Allison Weintraub]

I've been dying to make a tres leches cake, it sounds so fun, but I can never find the right ingredients at the store.

[Mary]

i've been wanting to make gateau de saint honore for a loooong time! maybe i'll get around to it this Christmas break..

[Tricia M]

My husband loves simple yellow cake with chocolate frosting...but I have never made one totally from scratch! I am sure it is not such a daunting task, but boxed mixes are just SO EASY! Ha ha ha ha :-)

[Mark Wisecarver]

A few days ago I made the most marvelous Banana Pound Cake.
You may be surprised at how well the flavors partner each other. Delicious.
Recipe is in a wonderful book: Classic Southern Desserts by Oxmoor House.

[arlene]

a chocolate lava cake that i tried once that had praline sauce instead of chocolate oozing out....heavenly!

[Delia]

I really want to try making a chocolate stout cake...booze and baking is a great combination!