Following on from the whoopie pie experience in my last post, I’m delighted to announce that I have three copies of Short & Sweet to give away to my readers. Yes, that’s right, the publishers, Fourth Estate, have been very generous and are offering not one but three copies.
As already stated in my previous post, I’m very excited about this book. Dan Lepard’s renowned book The Handmade Loaf, together with his excellent baking forum and weekly baking column in the Guardian have established him as one of the best bakers in the UK. I ordered the book back in April and had to wait six long months before it finally arrived through my letterbox.
First off, this is a nice hefty book with over 550 pages and a distinctive tricolour cover. It’s bound in such a way that the page stays open at pretty much any point, most unusual and very welcome.
In true Dan Lepard style, the recipes are inspirational. I leapt straight to the chapter on cakes of course, but the book starts with the real staff of life – bread. Other sections include biscuits, desserts, savoury pies, yeasted sweet bakes and even a chapter on making your own sweets. Each chapter starts with a few pages of techniques; tips are scattered throughout the book. On reading the tips and techniques section of the cake chapter, I noted several things I was unaware of. I’m an inveterate forgetter of remembering to turn the oven on in time. I was particularly pleased therefore to discover that it doesn’t matter too much if you don’t place the finished cake mixture immediately in the oven. If you transfer it very gently, the “rise” should not be affected.
Dan uses some unusual ingredients in his cake recipes including rye and hemp flours, ground porridge oats and condensed milk. That and some unusual techniques make for an intriguing baking experience. Apart from the chocolate ones (of course), some of the cakes I’m looking forward to making include: cherry beet cake, sticky lemon & poppy seed cake, coconut milk layer cake and saffron peach cake.
Although I like to think of myself as a serious cook, I do find I like to have photographs in my cookbooks. It’s always nice to have an idea of what your aiming for and sometimes it’s the picture alone that seals the deal on whether you bake a particular recipe. This was my one disappointment with Short & Sweet, there are photographs and very enticing ones too, but they don’t cover every bake. A book mark ribbon would also be a welcome addition, but I guess I can live without that.
You can watch a 50 second video of Dan talking about his book here.
As regular readers will know I always give my own views on any items I review. In this case I bought the book for myself so you can be doubly sure that I do indeed think it’s a classic and will make an excellent addition to any baking library.
So, to the giveaway and your chance to win one of the three copies. You must leave a comment on this post answering the question below. You have until midnight on Friday 21st October when the giveaway closes. The winners will be randomly selected after this date. Apologies to oversees visitors, but this is only open to those with a UK or Ireland postal address.
What cake recipe do you consider to be indispensable in a cookbook?
Additional entries can also be made by (but you must answer the question above for these to be eligible):
- Following my blog via Google Friend Connect – leave a separate comment here telling me you have done so.
- Following me on Twitter – leave a separate comment here telling me you have done so with your Twitter id.
- Tweeting this message “win a copy of @dan_lepard Short & Sweet from Chocolate Log Blog @Choclette8 – bit.ly/pE6ARV” – leave a separate comment here telling me you have done so
- Liking this post on Facebook – leave a separate comment here telling me you have done so.
- 78 – Nursey
- 53 – Janice
- 37 – Dom
I’ve followed you on google connect
I just tweeted as well
I follow you on twitter. I’m @gillbla
I also tweeted about this giveaway!
I followed you on Twitter as @Divababu.
A must in every cook book? Definitely chocolate cake, of course! The book just won’t be complete without it.
Oh, in case you’re wondering, I have a UK mailing address too (in case I win…crossing my fingers!).
Hmmm… for me at my current stage in life it would be a failsafe birthday cake, one that will become your family birthday cake, able to be adapted but reliable and a bit special. @mitchdafish
opps I’ve tweeted the competition reminder twitter name totally_forked.
Have tweeted the competition reminder!
We also follow you on Twitter as @astroracoffee and have retweeted the competition reminder.
I have tweeted too
@daisyangel1
I’m following you on twitter too
@daisyangel1
I’m following on GFC
@daisyangel1
A good fruit cake recipe is essential, well thats my opinion!
@daisyangel1
It has to be a good basic Victoria Sponge, although a delicious chocolate cake is also pretty indispensible!
…and will retweet now!…
…and follow you on twitter…
… and I follow your blog!…
I’m always intrigued to see a fruit cake recipe in cookbooks, just to see how different baker’s interpret this classic! Lovely giveaway, and so pleased you like the book- I’m a huge fan of Dan’s too!
What a great review (and look at all of these comments!).
I haven’t read anything from Dan Lepard, yet. I’m still stuck somewhere between Elizabeth David and my Cordon Bleu books.
I don’t like to see a staple thing in any cookbooks – I look for originality and new ideas rather than re-hashing old recipes again and again (unless they have something radically different to say about them).
…and I follow you on googleconnect or whatever it’s called. Thank you for your comment on my birthday photo!
PS what kind of word is ‘mucation’ to have as the security word verification!!??
…and I’ve tweeted the competition…
I follow you on twitter @grazingkate
My first thought was a chocolate cake, but as everyone has said that, I will say the next one that popped in to my head and that’s an easy peasy lemon squeezy lemon drizzle cake! Fruity and delicious my absolute go to cake, every cookery book should have a recipe for this! 🙂
Following on twitter. Twitter name is totally_forked!
A nice simple, rich but decadent chocolate cake recipe is always indispensable to me.
am short on time so that is fine that I can’t enter the comp but I am excited to hear about this book – am a dan fan myself – hope you are enjoying chocolate week – will read that post when I have more time
A classic pound cake!
And of course I follow you on twitter as well.
Christmas cake!
Now for the fun bit – which cake recipe is indispensible???
a really good chocolate cake – non floury, intensely chocolatey, melt in the mouth. My best one so far is chocolate nemesis from River Cafe cookbook x
have tweeted the message !!
have posted to my facebook profile!
following on twitter too
following your blog already!
Tweeted the competition link! (@FoodieEmma)
Following you on twitter (@FoodieEmma)
I think it really is essential to have an ultimate chocolate cake in any cookbook – it’s an absolute must for me! Love Dan Lepard’s recipes so really hope I win a copy! 🙂
Following with GFC
Tweeted @happyfox
Following on Twitter
@happyfox
For me, it would have to be a really good fruit cake. I’m still using a recipe I scribbled down from the TV some 20 years ago 🙂
@happyfox
And I do already follow you on facebook too!
You are right – I do already follow your blog ;0)
I’ve got a copy on its way to me from Amazon, but how nice that they gave you copies of Dan’s book to give away, Choc! 🙂
I have liked your post on Facebook. =D
have shared your post on f/b!
have tweeted @maxineflossy
following on twitter as @maxineflossy
am following via GFC
I’m in retro mode at the moment, so am judging all cook books on the quality of their lemon drizzle cakes – got to be soft, not too sweet and with just the right amount of lemon!
As I’m in full Christmas baking mode, a classic fruit cake is the most essential cake recipe!
I already follow you, but don’t have facebook or twitter.
Great competion!
just tweeted your message
following you on twitter (you can tell i really, really, really want this! 🙂
following your blog
I have sent friend request on faqcebook.
I have tweeted the message
“win a copy of @dan_lepard Short & Sweet from Chocolate Log Blog @Choclette8 – bit.ly/pE6ARV” @walpolegirl
I already follow you on twitter @walpolegirl
I think a nice fruit cake with brandy. @walpolegirl
I have sent a friends request on FB as soon as you accept I will Like!
I have tweeted:
“win a copy of @dan_lepard Short & Sweet from Chocolate Log Blog @Choclette8 – bit.ly/pE6ARV”
@KarenBurnsBooth
I already follow on twitter as @KarenBurnsBooth
I REALLY want this book!
My cake would be a classic, light, airy and fluffy Victoria Sandwich…….
Have tweeted from @monicashaw
Sponge cake for sure. And chocolate cake. Do brownies count? Cuz that should be there too.
Tried to like your post on FB but no joy, so sent you a Friend request instead!
Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve tweeted your giveaway.
I follow you on Twitter
I’m already following you on Google Reader.
The most important cake recipe for me is Nigella’s Chocolate Guiness Cake, it has never failed and is a big hit with men and boys! Oh dear that doesn’t sound right, I mean my husband and sons, of course!
Whoops, didn’t realise my hubby was signed into facebook, so I have now requested a friendship through him. Re-did it for myself. Try not to report him. He is Graham snd not to blame, hehe. Oh and like button wasn’t working so I shared your story on facebook instead, which I figured is even better 🙂
I tweeted your message 🙂
I follow you on twitter 🙂
I follow you on Google connect. Oh, I just noticed the whoopie pies, yum! Must go have a look after I do this.
Why a good chocolate cake of course Choclette 🙂
…. and I have all his unusual ingredients 🙂
i have tweeted as @ashlallan
i follow on twitter as @ashlallan
i follow with gfc as mummy24
@ashlallan
chocolate fudge cake
@ashlallan
Well my only way to enter is through leaving a comment so I’ll give it a go anyhoo. Of course I am going to say the most important cake recipe in any book has to be a chocolate cake, preferably one that can be added to for the personal touch … I rather think Nigella is great at those kind of recipes but I know that kind of goes against the purpose of your post here teehee
I already follow you on twitter
I like to see a plain ‘maderia’ type cake in a cookbook with a list of useful adaptations that themselves can be further adapted. Basic recipes encourage imagination as does a lack of pictures: because you don’t have any idea of what they should look like ther can be no comparison or sense of failure, good for the confidence. Encourages everyone to have a go!
Ohh how exciting! This is a hard question. I think after much thought I’d say it wasn’t necessarily one type of cake recipe, but rather a cake recipe that the author/chef considers to be their signiture cake. The one they are most proud of or famous for. Everyone likes to be able to reporoduce a masterpiece 🙂
Just tweeted your giveaway @queenocuts – hope I’m lucky
Many of the nice cakes Dan comes up with in The Guardian would qualify, of course. However, I think everyone needs one good foolproof recipe for a chocolate cake: a type which isn’t fussy, doesn’t require anything fancy and always works, that can be “dressed up” with a bit of cream or ice-cream or some nice frosting perhaps. But if we keep those who don’t like chocolate in mind (not too many, surely), then a good “everyday cake” is a must: a nice, moist, not-too-sweet, goes-with-everything type of cake, with everyday ingredients, perhaps with some fruit, that can be whipped up quickly when the afternoon urge strikes (or friends visit unexpectedly).
I also follow your blog and follow you on twitter.
i think three are indispensible: basic sponge, basic chocolate and basic fruit from which many varieties can be created.
I have liked your facebook post x
I have tweeted your message x
I follow you on twitter and blog
I WANT THIS BOOK!!!… I think a perfect chocolate ake is what’s needed in a good cookbook
Obviously a good chocolate cake 🙂 I would love to win one of these!!
I follow you on Google Friend Connect.
I tried to think of something different from the cake most mentioned in the previous comments but as Chocolate Cake was my first thought it seems pointless thinking of something else. So there you have it – a very good chocolate cake is indispensable.
Cake recipe simply a must in any book has to be devils chocolate cake that is full of chocolate.
I have tweeted – @beachrambler
I am following on Twitter – @beachrambler
post liked on facebook – Teresa murphy, @kibibidesigns x
I am following via GFC – Hazel Rea
@beachrambler
(My posts are not showing up so trying using Anonymous!)
There should be a robust sponge cake recipe because you can make so many variations.
@beachrambler
I mean Fruit cake lol !
Following on facebook as Amanda Letch xx
I have tweeted your tweet and i am following as @CHOCOAJ xx
It would have to be friut cake for me 🙂 @CHOCOAJ x
Followed you on twitter @kibibidesigns, Google friend – Teresa murphy, request sent on facebook and your link has been posted on twitter. Every good cook book needs a fabulous chocolate cake recipe, the one your kids will love and people will ask you for, that gets used at birthdays, parties, and picnics and you never tire of. Teresa xx
I think it has to be a very good and very easy chocolate cake. Would you expect a different response?
No book is complete without a classic Victoria sponge – so many other more advanced cakes are based on the technique. And a slight twist on the recipe or a change inpresentation can make it unique to the book.
Have added you as a friend on Facebook (Nicola McCandless) and once you accept, I will like your post 🙂 x
Have just tweeted your link as well x
Am already following you on Twitter (@NicsNotebook) x
Have followed via GFC as Nicola (@NicsNotebook) I was already following via RSS feed! x
This book looks and sounds amazing!! Every cookbook should have a fabulous chocolate cake recipe – my absol fav!!! 🙂
Following you on twitter@simplyf00d
Shared this announcement on twitter @simplyf00d
Already following your blog.
Liked your FB page.
tweeted @bospherous
Have tweeted @janesgrapevine
Have followed you on Twitter @janesgrapevine
Have followed you with GFC (thought I already was, but apparently not) – Grapevine
I clicked the link to ‘like’ your facebook post, but it lead to your information page, I was unsure which bit to like, so.. I shared the Dan Leopards link you had posted on your wall. I am Rach Lines on facebook. (A picture of a pink troll – you can search me looking for user – stralisemiai to confirm this step)
Hope this is satisfactory, @Stralisemiai
I have also tweeted your fab giveaway and hope many others come to read your blog, I followed JanesGrapevine here after seeing her tweet on twitter.
@stralisemiai
Following you on twitter @stralisemiai
I have followed your fantastic blog through GFC, @stralisemiai
The cake that should be a staple in every cook book has to be the good old chcolate cake, I adore it in any shape or form, with a twist, boozy, nutty, sticky or gooey! I am bias however, as like I said, I do like choclate. @stralisemiai