Charming presentation of classic (and a couple takes on classics) French cakes. Sure to be a go to resource for the subject.

This is a fantastic cookbook full of delicious French cake recipes! You can learn about French cuisine and try out simple, tasty recipes. I highly recommend this cookbook.

I thought this was a totally thorough and lovely coffee table type cookbook. The school children set the yogurt cake bar high. I was up to it though. High quality and unique illustrations wish there were more. I am not sure I would bake my way through the recipes but the fun for me is mastering one or two...work in progress

Beautiful book and easy to follow recipes. Some recipes seem a little time consuming, but they are worth it

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Gateau.

Anyone who knows me knows I love sweets, especially cake!

This is one of the most well-written, thoughtful cookbooks I've ever read.

It also read as part memoir as the author offers beautiful, heartfelt stories with each recipe, providing context and humor as to why this particular dish resonates with her.

Imagine my surprise when I saw there were no photographs of the cakes I was so desperate to salivate over!

OK, I was shocked. I'm all for doing something different, but I'm not a fan of no photos.

I liked the illustrations but I love color photographs of food, especially dessert. It was a downer not being able to see ripe, glistening fruit or the glossy richness of chocolate oozing over a cake.

You eat with your eyes and I certainly do.

The collection of recipes is comprehensive and well organized and the author includes plenty of variations for certain cakes.

Gateau is ideal for any baker or chef looking to expand their baking horizons.

Some of the recipes are labor intensive and challenging, but are still worth it to do, if you have the time.

This charming cookbook is for those of us that wish more cookbooks utilized beautiful illustrations in lieu of hyper-stylized food photos (that we see endlessly on Instagram, Twitter, etc). Gateau is for those of us that love to immerse ourselves in a cuisine and become red with fury whenever someone admonishes the narratives before a recipe in a food blog.

The writing before these recipes is heartfelt, personal, and wholesome - in the best way. As an American, I am unfamiliar with a lot of these desserts. I LOVED Crapanzano's storytelling that gives context to the dishes. For example (From Yogurt Cake with Strawberries, Rose Water, and Lemon Zest):

"Imagine a bowl of summer strawberries warmed by the sun, brightened by the zest of a lemon. A soft breeze has just blown a rose petal onto the thick dollop of rich yogurt that tops the berries. Its perfume lingers in the air, then grows faint. Now imagine the marriage of these flavors in a moist, light cake. Baking concentrates the taste of the strawberries. Lemon keeps it lively. Yogurt offers a tangy richness. And rose water hovers in the background, discreet but seductive."

While this kind of poetic and visceral language before a recipe may not be for everyone, it is for ME and I adore it. What a way to set the scene! How could I possibly not want to make this cake now?!

There are countless variations and freedom for these recipes. There is a playfulness here that is a joy to read: "How much lavender to include? This is the dreamy part. If you want a faint wisp of its scent, use two teaspoons. If you want a faint but recognizable aroma, use three. If you want to feel like you are standing in a lavender field in Provence --and who doesn't?-- use four teaspoons. If you're not sure, start small, taste and ease your way up."

Loved.

I know this is a review copy and not yet in print, so I am hopeful there will be photos of these beautiful, rustic, cakes.
The recipes all look so good. And the ones I found most interesting I looked up on internet to check out images of them. So excited to have found a berry Gateau recipe for one of my families German kuchens. Aand nother for a pear cake to try out as I can now access so mant different varieties in my area. The sheer number of recipes for cakes in this book can keep a home baker busy for ages. There are also many syrup and frosting recipes to try, along with ideas for using alcohol in leiu of extracts to boost flavor. I even enjoyed reading the introduction. it was interesting to learn about the many influences other countries have had on the baking in France, as well as how the French have used the foods to make them uniquely their own. I had always thought French cuisine was very fussy and difficult. It's nice to learn that's only the hype and that even the French have everyday foods that are simple to prepare and taste good!

So many delicious cakes recipes from easy to more complicated.Looking forward to baking and sharing these treats with my family.#netgalley #littlebrown

We’re a family that likes a little something sweet in the evenings, but we don’t like overly sweet or complex deserts. Sure, when we go out we may order a tartine or a pavlova, but we won’t make one at home unless we’re having company over. This book is the answer to what’s for dessert in our house, whether it’s just us, or we’re entertaining.

Filled with delicious options from simple to more complex, this book for a different dessert for most any occasion or taste we’re yearning for. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. The author has another delicious success on her hands. Well done. Now to decide what to make next.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a great beginner book for all those daunting french cakes you've been avoiding making!