Zoe Bakes Cakes (First edition)

Cake is the ultimate symbol of celebration, used to mark birthdays, weddings, or even just a Tuesday night.

Yet too many people use chemical-laden mixes even though a cake is so easy to make from scratch and infinitely more fun to share.

In Zoë Bakes Cakes, bestselling author Zoë François demystifies the craft of cakes with more than 100 easy-to-use recipes, showing how to get gorgeous confections on the table to mark any occasion, big or small.

In the opening chapter, Zoë explores the techniques and tricks of cake baking, using step-by-step photos to break down baking fundamentals like creaming butter and sugar and whipping egg whites, making it easy to follow along.

In the following chapters she gives simple, straightforward recipes for loaf cakes, layers, fillings, frostings, and more-including treats like Apple Cake with Honey-Bourbon Glaze, Lemon Curd Pound Cake, Coconut Candy Bar Cake, and Chocolate Devil's Food Cake.

There's even a tutorial on how to make a wedding cake from scratch, complete with constructing the layers.

With Zoë's encouragement, as well as her light-hearted approach, delicious homemade cake is within reach for any celebration imaginable.