Showstopping Cakes: Mastering the Art and Science of Baking

by Rahul Mandal

Overview

How to make and decorate showstoppingly impressive cakes by the popular GBBO winner

In this step-by-step guide to creating beautiful cakes, Rahul shares his unique approach to baking, focusing on techniques and scientific explanations, to ensure a perfect bake every time. 

Whether it is how to avoid a curdled cake batter or buttercream, stacking a 2, 3 or 8 tier cake or perfectly piping decorations, Rahul brings forensic insight into why things don’t work and how to fix them. He also discusses how to achieve the perfect flavor pairing, the different elements of cake fillings and decorating techniques, as well as how to make some of the most popular cakes from his Instagram feed, including drip cakes, fault-line cakes and a geode cake. 

Since his victory on the UK’s most famous baking show in 2018, Rahul has been honing his skills further, combining his scientific knowhow with his artistic talents to create bakes that are not only delicious but also things of beauty. This is the handbook that Rahul wishes he’d had when he started baking and should be the book that all aspiring bakers turn to when they want to create a cake for a special occasion

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781914239236
Publisher:	Octopus Books
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	493,742
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 10.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Winner of The Great British Bake Off 2018 and GBBO New Year Special 2020, Rahul Mandal won the hearts of the nation with his self-deprecating, shy demeanour as he quietly baked his way to glory with some of the most stunning creations the show has seen. A research scientist at the University of Sheffield, Rahul spends his spare time practicing his baking, painting and gardening. He has a dedicated following of 374k on Instagram and writes regularly for The Times. He has recently worked on social media campaigns with a number of brands including Castello, Panasonic and Cadbury.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

My baking journey 7

Why cake is so special 8

The Great British Bake Off 9

What makes a cake work? 10

Baking techniques 12

Ingredients 20

Equipment 22

Tips and solutions to common problems 24

Flavour pairing 28

Fillings and Frostings 30

Buttercream 32

Cheese-based frosting 37

Pastry crème 40

Bavarois 43

Caramel 44

Ganache 49

Fruit compote and jam 56

Curd 62

Decoration and Accessories 64

Marzipan 67

Royal icing and honeycomb 70

Chocolate 75

Chocolate decorations 77

Buttercream flowers and Decorations 84

Transforming Everyday Cakes to Showstopping Cakes 98

Decorated Cakes 144

Meringue-Based and Gluten-Free Cakes 188

Tiered Cakes 212

Acknowledgements 236

Index 238

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2022

Scientist and Great British Bake Off winner Mandal showcases his love of both cakes and science in his first cookbook. Growing up in India without an oven, he didn't bake his first cake until 2016, after he had moved to the UK. Writing the book he wished he had when he started baking, Mandal offers tips and explains some cake baking techniques along with details of the chemical and molecular reactions that happen to cake ingredients while baking. He begins with a chapter on frostings and fillings and then moves on to décor, such as marzipan, buttercream, and paste flowers and chocolate decorations. Several different types of cakes are featured, ranging from classics including genoise and Swiss rolls, although often updated with interesting flavor combinations, to more modern decorated cakes such as fault-line and geode. Additionally, there are meringues, dacquoise, and cheesecake, ending with several tiered cakes. These bakes look intimidating but seem attainable thanks to Mandal's detailed written instructions. VERDICT Featuring many elaborately decorated cakes meant to impress, this is best for ambitious bakers hoping to recreate some Bake Off magic at home.—Melissa DeWild

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