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

[jenna k.]

I would like to try a buttered rum lava cake that was emailed to me from the pillsbury website! It looks delicious!

[k]

I want to replicate the chocolate chip ricotta cake from Claire's Corner Copia in New Haven. It's insanely good.

[Christine]

I definitely need to try a Tres Leches Cake, but I also want to find a really good recipe for Rum cake.

[Lindsey W B]

I was reading Food and Wine a month or so back and there was a recipe for a special Italian cake that caught my eye, mostly because it was prepared with whole grapes in it! I've never seen such a thing before. The recipe is still sitting on my shelf, I hope I get to try it soon :)

[Emily]

I've been wanting to try a booze cake ever since I heard about the book. Sounds AWESOME. :)

[Amy I.]

Tartine Bakery's lemon meringue cake. I'm going to make it for my birthday!

[Janelle R.]

I'd love to try to make red velvet cake by Pioneer Woman. I've never made one before and hers looks delicious!

[Pilar]

I want to try and do a croquembouche, if only winter and dry air would arrive to Houston

[Dana]

Probably a Hummingbird Cake or a Lady Baltimore Cake (mostly because I just love the elegant name :)

[JLW]

Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Guinness Cake:


http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chocolate-guinness-cake-3086

It looks dense, seasonal & totally delicious! Also reminds me of chocolate gingerbread, which I looooooove. Can't wait to try it out

[Julia]

I'm dying to make the gorgeous cake pictured at the top of this post! What is it? Some sort of blueberry deliciousness, I gather. I want it in my mouth.

[Cheryl]

A good old-fashioned Hummingbird Cake is on MY list of cakes to make soon! Sooo yummy!

[Sarah F]

I would love this book! I always love trying new cakes :)

[Meg]

Bolzano Apple Cake- makes 6 to 8 servings
(from A Whisk and a Spoon)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped and reserved
1 1/4 pounds (3 to 4 small to medium) Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup AP flour, plus mor for dusting the pan
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk, at room temperature
Powdered sugar for dusting

-Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the base of an 8-inch springform pan with parchment, then smear with thick layer of butter. Dust with flour; turn pan over and tap lightly to remove excess flour.

[andrea young]

I'd love to try making a pumpkin pound cake.... mmmmmm yum!

[Sara]

This book looks awesome! I was looking through the book's index, and I think I'd like to try the Carrot-Rice Cake with Yogurt Sauce, because (let's be honest) it sounds so wrong, but it probably tastes so right!

[YummyChunklet]

My co-worker keeps referring to a gooey cake by Paula Deen...hmm...

[Jess]

Is seriously wanting to try Rick Tramonto's olive oil cake with passion fruit and mango crema from his book, "Osteria"!

[Jessica]

I'd love to try my hand at angel food cake. I lack the pan, so I'm hoping to make it in cupcake form soon!

[Rachel]

There are many cake recipes I'm dying to try, but these have been on my list for a while:


La Peche en Rose: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/08/la-pche-en-rose-rosy-peach-cake.html (and I have peaches in my freezer!)

And Mrs. Kay's Date Cake: http://www.dietdessertndogs.com/2008/07/20/mrs-ks-date-cake/
(also have dates in my fridge...)

[Jess]

Chocolate Lava Cake!

[Sheila]

I want to try to make a King Cake!

[Vivian]

i've seen an episode of the best thing i ever ate on the foodnetwork
and i was introduced to popovers! :D
they look so delicious but i can't make them for several reasons,.
popover pans are too expensive for me
i can't seem to find a decent recipe with a decent picture
and time is something i do not seem to have a lot these days ):
but i will achieve my goal one day! ^^

[lou]

POP cakes...do they qualify as a cake? They are soooo darn cute.

[MJ]

I love to make cakes! For a quick cake I use Trader Joes Vanilla Cake, I mix about two Tablespoon of flour and brown sugar together add it to the bottom of the pan along with some fresh or frozen mix berrys on top and then the cake mix and bake in the oven. Following the box direction. Makes a great upside down cake..You can use pineapple and cherries too!
Yum