Ptak grew up in California and was Chez Panisse trained. She's a seasonal baker and an artist. An endearing reference to Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Cookbook with illustrations by Warhol. I love that Vanderbilt book just for the illustrations alone. Meanwhile, whisk together the lemon juice and icing sugar until smooth. Spread this glaze over the cooled Bakewell, then slice into fingers. Decorate each slice with a preserved cherry. I want to read, cook and devour the gorgeous food of brilliant Claire Ruth Rogers, author of the 'River Cafe Cookbook' Amazing recipes and heartfelt stories Christopher Kane, Creative Director and Founder of Christopher Kane

Love Is a Pink Cake offers glimpses of Ms. Ptak’s personality, as well as of her personal life . . . Rich in color (a pistachio-green plum cake with candied violets) and texture." New York Times - Emilia Petrarca It is auspicious (if not intentional) timing that both Claire Ptak’s Love Is a Pink Cake and a revised and updated reissue of Mary Berry’s Baking Bible are now out in the U.S., right on the heels of the coronation of the earnest if stilted King Charles III. The two books, published within a week of each other, are authored by ambassadors of British baking, representative perhaps more so of the idea of it than individual recipes — although they both have some great ones, and Pink Cake in particular is indispensable. Ptak’s love for nature’s bounty shines through in this collection for fans of farm-to-table baking." Booklist - Jessica S. Levy London's East End meets Northern California in 75 indulgent bakes from the author of The Violet Bakery Cookbook. I know that all I’ve pretty much done is shout recipe titles at you, but it’s hard to temper my excitement, and I’m not sure I’d ever want to. I regard the happiness I get from Love is a Pink Cake as a real gift, and I’m so grateful to Claire Ptak for it. It remains for me to do no more than tell you that the recipe I’m sharing with you today is her mother’s Lemon Meringue Pie Bars.The complete set of 25 offset lithographs, on pale blue paper, the full sheets, unbound (as issued), in collaboration with Ralph Thomas Ward (Corkie) who wrote the poems. Whether it's for ourselves, to show love for a child, friend or partner, or to celebrate a rite of passage, there is no denying the incredible effect that cakes can have. Claire Ptak has been running her West-London bakery, Violet Cakes, for nearly two decades, using her harvest-led philosophy to create incredibly flavourful and beautiful cakes, puddings and savoury treats. Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake baker Claire Ptak at the Love is a Pink Cake launch party at Rochelle Canteen Marco Bahler Put the butter, sugar and oil into the bowl of a stand mixer and cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time until combined. Indispensable . . . Not only is Ptak's book compelling--her baking is excellent.--Rachel P. Kreiter "Eater"

Claire's recipes are generous, intuitive, and beautiful. This is a celebration of life, and the bounty of the earth. You will feel as though an old friend is taking you by the hand and teaching you how to make the perfect fluffy blueberry muffin. Pull up a chair. Claire is the friend everybody needs in their life. Laila Gohar Fiona Leahy, Claire Ptak, Felicity Blunt and Stanley Tucci at the Love is a Pink Cake launch party at Rochelle Canteen Marco Bahler There's some cookbooks you enjoy reading and there's some that you read for the delicious recipes. This book is the latter. (Besides, not to sound like an old fart, but the type is tiny.) Delightful . . . Claire has also given us a very delicious recipe for a dessert of muscat wine and raspberries, which I have already bookmarked for my own Easter lunch." Guardian - Nigel Slater Not to say this undermines the book. For a hobby baker wanting to sharpen my skills, the challenge is part of the allure. Meanwhile, other recipes offer failsafe reliability. A Big Sur cookie uses up leftover granola; it’s not only a great cookie, but an exciting paradigm: Any recipe using up the dregs of my cupboard is a winner, and the final product will vary greatly by granola. Ptak’s bakewell bars are buttery, nutty, and laced with tart jam. They cut beautifully, look great on a stand, and make a traybake out of the most British possible tart. It was Violet that first opened my eyes to the potential of bakewell, a U.K. bakery case staple that can be stodgy, gummy, or bland. These, on the other hand, are now on my roster, along with those rye brownies.Indispensable . . . Not only is Ptak’s book compelling—her baking is excellent." Eater - Rachel P. Kreiter

Stir in the chopped almonds, flour and baking powder just to combine. Dollop this over the jam – don’t worry about spreading it evenly as it will melt into place in the oven and spreading it can cause the jam to get mixed in rather than remaining its own layer. Return to the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until golden and set. Allow to cool for 20 minutes. For the topping, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy but not fluffy. Add the extracts, salt, eggs and egg white, then beat well. Claire’s desserts are more than just a conclusion to a great meal; they’re bites of special memories for me . . . Her cakes have been at the center of some of our most cherished family moments." New York Times - Meghan MarkleFor the shortbread base, combine the flour, icing sugar, salt and butter in a food processor and blitz until the mixture has just come together into a ball. Press the pastry evenly into the prepared tin. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown, then remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 160°C fan/180°C/350°F/ gas mark 4. Let the base cool for 10 minutes before spreading the jam gently over the top. It's the transferable wisdom that makes Love Is A Pink Cake invaluable . . . And you will find that even the classics--yellow sheet cake with chocolate frosting, treacle tart with whipped cream--can be improved upon by following Ptak's advice.--Hayley Maitland "Vogue" It’s the transferable wisdom that makes Love Is A Pink Cake invaluable . . . And you will find that even the classics—yellow sheet cake with chocolate frosting, treacle tart with whipped cream—can be improved upon by following Ptak’s advice." Vogue - Hayley Maitland A lot of the photos depict the setting of the sections, Northern California and England. While there might be more scones in the England section, I really couldn't classify the recipes as being strictly NoCa or UK. They all sound worthy of making.

When ready to finish the cake, unwrap it, turn out onto a turntable or cake plate and cover the top and sides with the remaining coconut icing, then lightly press desiccated coconut to cover. Read More I met Dr Barbara Sturm in the Maldives – and this is what she taught me about holiday skincare Claire Ptak is the coolest girl I know. She makes baking sexy ... in a wolrd of saccharine this is the antidote Fiona Leahy Read More Chef Ruth Rogers and photographer Matthew Donaldson on breaking new ground with The River Cafe Look BookClaire is my favourite baker. I know so many of these recipes will become favourites baked again and again. A Violet recipe always works perfectly. Anna Jones, author of 'One: Pot, Pan, Planet' Add half of the dry flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar and mix well. Then add the coconut milk and vanilla and mix again. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl. Mix well to incorporate all of the ingredients, but do not overmix or this will make your cake tough.