“My Parisian friends, who are really busy and come home and want to whip up something…they think of baking in much the same way they think of fashion. The reality is, if you own one or two great scarves, and you really know how to tie them well, you can dress up anything.
That is actually really true of their approach to cooking. The recipes the French make, that are learned usually when you are a child, they become part of your comfort zone. And once you have these back pocket recipes, popping a cake into the oven becomes something infused with ease. And I will say, the French really do like to end every meal with something sweet. Dessert is not an option, it is an essential part of dinner.” –Aleksandra Crapanzano, Cooking with Mark and Bruce podcast
What booksellers are saying about Gateau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes
- Whimsical illustrations and simple instructions! I loved the stories leading into each recipe. I’m ready to conquer the French cake! ―Jessica Nock from Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina
Buy from Main Street Books
- I am head over heels for this gorgeous cookbook! The art is scrumptious and the recipes are approachable and delicious. The perfect gift for a loved one or for yourself!.
―Mary Louise Callaghan from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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- More than a thorough treatise on the subject of Gallic cake-making, this charming and chatty book captures the lifestyle of the French people who enjoy these delicious baked goods. The recipes are detailed without being fussy, and for the most basic cakes, the author includes dozens of delicious variations. ―Anne Peck from Righton Books in St. Simons Island, Georgia
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About Aleksandra Crapanzano
Aleksandra Crapanzano is a James Beard–winning writer and dessert columnist for The Wall Street Journal. She is the author of The London Cookbook and Eat. Cook. LA., and her work has been widely anthologized, most notably in Best American Food Writing. She has been a frequent contributor to Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Food52, Saveur, Town & Country, Elle, The Daily Beast, Departures, Travel + Leisure, and The New York Times Magazine. She has years of experience in the film world, consults in the food space, and serves on several boards with a focus on sustainability. Aleksandra grew up in New York and Paris, received her BA from Harvard and her MFA from NYU, where she has also taught writing. She is married to the writer John Burnham Schwartz, and they live in New York with their son, Garrick, and Bouvier des Flandres, Griffin.
