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Cake Picnic: Recipes for the Love of Cake & Friends
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26From the founder of Cake Picnic—a series of joyful, diverse, and deliciously indulgent gatherings where every attendee brings a whole cake—this cookbook of 50 baking recipes includes a guide to hosting your own confectionery events and encourages bakers to lean into play, connection, community—and lots of cake!
It all started with a A few friends lounging in the park on a sunny day, eating cake. Elisa Sunga posted the invitation to that first-ever cake picnic and, to her surprise and delight, nearly 200 people showed up. And so, Cake Picnic, a joy-filled gathering where each attendee brings a whole cake to share with friends old and new, was born. Its immense, immediate popularity inspired Elisa to take her picnic series on the road, traveling from LA to New York and beyond. When she realized she couldn’t bring Cake Picnic to everyone, everywhere in the world, she did the next best She wrote this book.
Part how-to guide, part recipe collection, Cake Picnic provides everything you need to host your own delightfully decadent cake picnic. Here is practical advice for planning, hosting, and how to choose a theme, prepare your guests, set up the event, encourage connection, transport whole cakes, and more. But the icing on the—you guessed it—cake is the 50 recipes within.
Organized by theme, from an Autumn Harvest Cake Picnic to an Afternoon Tea Cake Picnic, a Beach Cake Picnic to a Salty-Sweet Cake Picnic, these imaginative recipes will inspire your creativity and tempt your sweet Cherry & Pistachio Buttermilk CakeTorched Rosemary Caramel CakeChocolate & Earl Grey Whipped Cream CakeGuava Cream Cheese Bundt CakeRoasted Apple & Sesame Upside-Down CakePretzel S’mores CakeAnd many more!
Let this book be your invitation to spread joy through baking and plan your own festive celebration. And never apologize for trying ten slices in one sitting—happiness often comes frosted, sprinkled, and cut into generous servings.
THE CAKE PICNIC What started as a sweet idea for a picnic with friends snowballed into a movement. The very first cake picnic had nearly 200 guests, just through word of mouth. The series has since expanded to San Francisco, San Diego, New York, London, and beyond. The multi-thousand-person waitlist is proof that everyone wants to partake in a cake picnic, and now this book makes that possible!
HOST YOUR This beautiful book encompasses both a tantalizing recipe collection and a guide to planning and hosting so anyone can put on a cake picnic. Picnic themes include Confetti, New Year, Floral, Chocolate Everything, and plenty of encouragement to come up with your own!
CREATIVE Recipes include lots of layer cakes with frostings, soaks, and beautiful decoration; interesting flavor combinations, such as lemon saltine, rose geranium, chocolate and star anise; and a range of cake types, including loaf cakes, dome cakes, trifles, and more.
GREAT Beautiful photos and tons of inspiration for pretty cake toppings and floral decorations make this gorgeous book the perfect gift for bakers, food lovers, and aspirational picnickers.
Perfect loversHome bakers of all levelsAnyone who dabbles in baking or enjoys crafty projectsFans of Cake Picnic and picnics in generalFans of Cherry Bombe, Christina Tosi, Broma Bakery, or Natasha Pickowicz
It all started with a A few friends lounging in the park on a sunny day, eating cake. Elisa Sunga posted the invitation to that first-ever cake picnic and, to her surprise and delight, nearly 200 people showed up. And so, Cake Picnic, a joy-filled gathering where each attendee brings a whole cake to share with friends old and new, was born. Its immense, immediate popularity inspired Elisa to take her picnic series on the road, traveling from LA to New York and beyond. When she realized she couldn’t bring Cake Picnic to everyone, everywhere in the world, she did the next best She wrote this book.
Part how-to guide, part recipe collection, Cake Picnic provides everything you need to host your own delightfully decadent cake picnic. Here is practical advice for planning, hosting, and how to choose a theme, prepare your guests, set up the event, encourage connection, transport whole cakes, and more. But the icing on the—you guessed it—cake is the 50 recipes within.
Organized by theme, from an Autumn Harvest Cake Picnic to an Afternoon Tea Cake Picnic, a Beach Cake Picnic to a Salty-Sweet Cake Picnic, these imaginative recipes will inspire your creativity and tempt your sweet Cherry & Pistachio Buttermilk CakeTorched Rosemary Caramel CakeChocolate & Earl Grey Whipped Cream CakeGuava Cream Cheese Bundt CakeRoasted Apple & Sesame Upside-Down CakePretzel S’mores CakeAnd many more!
Let this book be your invitation to spread joy through baking and plan your own festive celebration. And never apologize for trying ten slices in one sitting—happiness often comes frosted, sprinkled, and cut into generous servings.
THE CAKE PICNIC What started as a sweet idea for a picnic with friends snowballed into a movement. The very first cake picnic had nearly 200 guests, just through word of mouth. The series has since expanded to San Francisco, San Diego, New York, London, and beyond. The multi-thousand-person waitlist is proof that everyone wants to partake in a cake picnic, and now this book makes that possible!
HOST YOUR This beautiful book encompasses both a tantalizing recipe collection and a guide to planning and hosting so anyone can put on a cake picnic. Picnic themes include Confetti, New Year, Floral, Chocolate Everything, and plenty of encouragement to come up with your own!
CREATIVE Recipes include lots of layer cakes with frostings, soaks, and beautiful decoration; interesting flavor combinations, such as lemon saltine, rose geranium, chocolate and star anise; and a range of cake types, including loaf cakes, dome cakes, trifles, and more.
GREAT Beautiful photos and tons of inspiration for pretty cake toppings and floral decorations make this gorgeous book the perfect gift for bakers, food lovers, and aspirational picnickers.
Perfect loversHome bakers of all levelsAnyone who dabbles in baking or enjoys crafty projectsFans of Cake Picnic and picnics in generalFans of Cherry Bombe, Christina Tosi, Broma Bakery, or Natasha Pickowicz
- GenresCookbooks
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 19, 2026
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 6, 2026
A cake picnic, SAY LESS! I had never heard of a cake picnic before, but this book instantly made the idea feel irresistible. The cakes featured throughout are stunning and had me eager to pull out my KitchenAid and start baking right away. The recipes are both inspiring and approachable, and the photography is beautifully styled and genuinely mouthwatering. The author covers all the basics for hosting a successful cake picnic, including organization, helpful baking tips, and seasonal ideas, before moving into recipes thoughtfully organized by theme, including seasonal celebrations, themed gatherings, location-inspired picnics, and ingredient-focused collections.
I highly recommend this book. It offers a fun and unique way to bring people together and celebrate both little moments and big occasions. While I may not host a full-fledged cake picnic, I can’t wait to try some of these ideas at family and friend gatherings.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author & the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy—it was so worth it!!!
I highly recommend this book. It offers a fun and unique way to bring people together and celebrate both little moments and big occasions. While I may not host a full-fledged cake picnic, I can’t wait to try some of these ideas at family and friend gatherings.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author & the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy—it was so worth it!!!
November 24, 2025
This is an excellent cookbook! Not only does it offer ample cake recipes with full baking details, but the author gives recommendations on perfect settings to take each to. There is a lot of wonderful info and inspo for “cake picnics” at the start of the book. All of the cakes look delectable! As a professional photographer, I was very impressed with the cohesiveness of the imagery that was captured by various photographers. This would be the perfect gift for someone who loves hosting and baking! I plan to pick up a physical copy myself!
Thank you to Elisa Sunga, Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!
Thank you to Elisa Sunga, Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!
November 25, 2025
This is a really fun cookbook. I’ve never heard of cake picnics, but apparently the author created a movement where lots of people gather in large cities and everyone has to bring a cake. It’s even trademarked. She gives lots of instructions on how to host your own cake picnic and then she has 50 recipes for decadent cakes, with a photo for each.
The cakes are creative with very interesting flavor combinations. They look wonderful and I would love to try almost every one of them.
There were a few things I wished were different. For one thing, she talks a lot about how to accommodate all different dietary needs at your cake picnic like gluten free, dairy free and vegan, but she does not include a single recipe for these. She doesn’t even include a base recipe for these with instructions on adapting the flavors of the others to them. As someone who bakes for gluten free family members and sometimes for vegan friends, this was disappointing. These are complicated recipes and no matter what people tell you, it is not as simple as just substituting gluten free flour mix in a recipe, and every frosting recipe had eggs and/or cheese.
Also, almost every frosting recipe was a variation of her standard cooked buttercream recipe over a double boiler and beaten twice. Not only is it complicated, but I really wanted more variety for frosting types. My all time favorite frosting recipe is an easy but delicious cream cheese frosting, for instance, and there wasn’t a single cream cheese frosting in here. There was one that used mascarpone but no cream cheese. I think this might be because the picnics could get warm and a cooked buttercream frosting would hold up better, but I wished for more variety nonetheless.
Also, the author is from San Francisco and the ingredients reflected that — lots of tropical fruits and specialty ingredients.
Lastly, these are definitely decadent cakes with many ingredients and many steps. Each recipe is many pages long. The author says she generally makes them over several days. The vast majority are special occasion cakes that you are not going to whip up for the afternoon.
So I ended up reading the book the way I watch The Great British Bake-off, for fun and entertainment rather than for something that I could personally make. I do love to do that and still enjoyed it. If you are the type to honestly bake like those folks and don’t cook with dietary restrictions, this will give you great recipes. If you just like the inspiration, it’s great for that too.
I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.
The cakes are creative with very interesting flavor combinations. They look wonderful and I would love to try almost every one of them.
There were a few things I wished were different. For one thing, she talks a lot about how to accommodate all different dietary needs at your cake picnic like gluten free, dairy free and vegan, but she does not include a single recipe for these. She doesn’t even include a base recipe for these with instructions on adapting the flavors of the others to them. As someone who bakes for gluten free family members and sometimes for vegan friends, this was disappointing. These are complicated recipes and no matter what people tell you, it is not as simple as just substituting gluten free flour mix in a recipe, and every frosting recipe had eggs and/or cheese.
Also, almost every frosting recipe was a variation of her standard cooked buttercream recipe over a double boiler and beaten twice. Not only is it complicated, but I really wanted more variety for frosting types. My all time favorite frosting recipe is an easy but delicious cream cheese frosting, for instance, and there wasn’t a single cream cheese frosting in here. There was one that used mascarpone but no cream cheese. I think this might be because the picnics could get warm and a cooked buttercream frosting would hold up better, but I wished for more variety nonetheless.
Also, the author is from San Francisco and the ingredients reflected that — lots of tropical fruits and specialty ingredients.
Lastly, these are definitely decadent cakes with many ingredients and many steps. Each recipe is many pages long. The author says she generally makes them over several days. The vast majority are special occasion cakes that you are not going to whip up for the afternoon.
So I ended up reading the book the way I watch The Great British Bake-off, for fun and entertainment rather than for something that I could personally make. I do love to do that and still enjoyed it. If you are the type to honestly bake like those folks and don’t cook with dietary restrictions, this will give you great recipes. If you just like the inspiration, it’s great for that too.
I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.
November 19, 2025
I love cookbooks. I think it would also be fair to say that cookbooks were as huge of a player in my early love for reading as fiction books. That being said, I have read many many cookbooks and my personal collection is pretty extensive! Every cookbook tells it's own story and can be fun, educational, straightforward with no frills and they are all great in their own way.
There have been many days since my childhood where I literally pick one from my collection, sat on my couch, and just read for inspiration......and then my parents would come home to me covered in flour and surrounded by five trays of scones and biscuits. Fun fact, I also went to culinary school so I'm sure this encouraged the behavior, but I highly suggest sitting down with a fun cookbook one day with a nice cup of tea and just getting lost.
ANYWAY
Cake Picnic was such a joy to flip through and read. This is one that I would absolutely gravitate to in the store. This reminds me of one of those books I would sit on my couch and read just for fun. The photos are stunning and I loved the authors introduction with her personal dessert journey/childhood into the segue of the Cake Picnic event itself!
I probably will not ever host a cake picnic event per se, but I really enjoyed flipping through her theme ideas, storage and transport tips, and tablescape inspiration. And of course, the CAKES. I have tabbed so many recipes already that I'm hoping to try before the holidays are over! We do a lot of gatherings with family and friends so hopefully I can put some of these recipes to good use.
I don't think it quite fits the aesthetic/layout of the cookbook but I personally prefer step by step instructions for cookbooks. Sometimes reading instructions in a paragraph can be a little tricky if you're switching back and forth from looking. This feels a bit more like a "reading" cookbook than a functional easy cookbook. Like I said earlier, I read them all and in all different styles but I've found that for less stressful baking, that is best!
I'm actually a little sad that this comes out next Spring because I would love a hard copy now. This was such a joyful read. Thank you Chronicle Books for the advanced copy! If you're looking for anyone to review a hard copy.....I'm your girl!!! lol
There have been many days since my childhood where I literally pick one from my collection, sat on my couch, and just read for inspiration......and then my parents would come home to me covered in flour and surrounded by five trays of scones and biscuits. Fun fact, I also went to culinary school so I'm sure this encouraged the behavior, but I highly suggest sitting down with a fun cookbook one day with a nice cup of tea and just getting lost.
ANYWAY
Cake Picnic was such a joy to flip through and read. This is one that I would absolutely gravitate to in the store. This reminds me of one of those books I would sit on my couch and read just for fun. The photos are stunning and I loved the authors introduction with her personal dessert journey/childhood into the segue of the Cake Picnic event itself!
I probably will not ever host a cake picnic event per se, but I really enjoyed flipping through her theme ideas, storage and transport tips, and tablescape inspiration. And of course, the CAKES. I have tabbed so many recipes already that I'm hoping to try before the holidays are over! We do a lot of gatherings with family and friends so hopefully I can put some of these recipes to good use.
I don't think it quite fits the aesthetic/layout of the cookbook but I personally prefer step by step instructions for cookbooks. Sometimes reading instructions in a paragraph can be a little tricky if you're switching back and forth from looking. This feels a bit more like a "reading" cookbook than a functional easy cookbook. Like I said earlier, I read them all and in all different styles but I've found that for less stressful baking, that is best!
I'm actually a little sad that this comes out next Spring because I would love a hard copy now. This was such a joyful read. Thank you Chronicle Books for the advanced copy! If you're looking for anyone to review a hard copy.....I'm your girl!!! lol
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I just finished paging through Cake Picnic by Elisa Sunga, and honestly, I'm kind of obsessed. The photography is absolutely stunning—those San Francisco backdrops make every single cake look like a work of art, colorful, mouthwatering, and perfectly styled. But what really hooked me is the whole concept of a cake picnic: everyone brings a cake to share, slices get passed around, and suddenly baking becomes this joyful, communal thing instead of a solo kitchen project. The first photo of all those cakes gathered together at the original event? Magic!
The recipes themselves are wonderfully approachable. There are 50 of them, organized into fun themes like harvest cakes, chocolate-only sections, poolside treats, camping vibes, and more. You get everything from sheet cakes and loaves to domes and trifles, with flavors that feel fresh and creative rather than the same old standbys. I love that the instructions read clearly even for someone who's not super confident in the kitchen, and there's a whole helpful front section on pantry staples, favorite tools, basic techniques, decorating tips, and storage advice. Some ingredients might be a little harder to track down depending on where you live, but nothing feels overly fussy or intimidating.
What stays with me most is how this cookbook is really an invitation to connection. The detailed guide to planning your own cake picnic—location ideas, weather tips, setup suggestions—turns something as simple as sharing dessert into a real event worth looking forward to. In a world that can feel busy and disconnected, Cake Picnic reminds us that gathering friends around sweetness doesn't need to be complicated. It's playful, welcoming, and genuinely heartwarming. I can't wait to host my first one—and I'm already plotting which cake to bring.
I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for review.
The recipes themselves are wonderfully approachable. There are 50 of them, organized into fun themes like harvest cakes, chocolate-only sections, poolside treats, camping vibes, and more. You get everything from sheet cakes and loaves to domes and trifles, with flavors that feel fresh and creative rather than the same old standbys. I love that the instructions read clearly even for someone who's not super confident in the kitchen, and there's a whole helpful front section on pantry staples, favorite tools, basic techniques, decorating tips, and storage advice. Some ingredients might be a little harder to track down depending on where you live, but nothing feels overly fussy or intimidating.
What stays with me most is how this cookbook is really an invitation to connection. The detailed guide to planning your own cake picnic—location ideas, weather tips, setup suggestions—turns something as simple as sharing dessert into a real event worth looking forward to. In a world that can feel busy and disconnected, Cake Picnic reminds us that gathering friends around sweetness doesn't need to be complicated. It's playful, welcoming, and genuinely heartwarming. I can't wait to host my first one—and I'm already plotting which cake to bring.
I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for review.
November 24, 2025
Cake Picnic is an absolute delight!
As the title suggests, this is a book about picnics where the star is cake. From the outset, author Elisa Sunga says, "Consider this book your enchanted map to a world where cake becomes more than just dessert -- it transforms into a reason for gathering, celebrating, and turning ordinary afternoons into memories you'll treasure." Sunga offers suggestions for how to plan various cake picnics, including tips on supplies, hosting duties, and even cake sampling etiquette.
The photography is fantastic. The photos of cakes and cake picnics are so good you can feel the sugar buzz from the various cakes dripping off the page. Each recipe includes one or more wonderful photos of the finished cake. If the title and description of the cake doesn't make you want to bake the cake, the photographs will seal the deal.
After the basics of organizing a cake picnic, the book jumps into cake recipes, sorted by topic: Seasonal cake picnics (new year, summer, autumn, winter); Themed cake picnics (floral, color, afternoon tea, confetti cake); Location cake picnics (beach, camping, poolside); Ingredient cake picnics (chocolate, citrus, corn, salty sweet). There are some classic cakes, but plenty of new ideas (to me, at least) that I'm looking forward to trying. Basil and blackberry dome cake? That sounds amazing. Champagne confetti and cranberry curd cake? Sounds like a New Year's tradition about to begin. Pretzel S'mores cake? Skip the camping trip, I want to head to the kitchen and make s'more of that.
As the title suggests, this is a book about picnics where the star is cake. From the outset, author Elisa Sunga says, "Consider this book your enchanted map to a world where cake becomes more than just dessert -- it transforms into a reason for gathering, celebrating, and turning ordinary afternoons into memories you'll treasure." Sunga offers suggestions for how to plan various cake picnics, including tips on supplies, hosting duties, and even cake sampling etiquette.
The photography is fantastic. The photos of cakes and cake picnics are so good you can feel the sugar buzz from the various cakes dripping off the page. Each recipe includes one or more wonderful photos of the finished cake. If the title and description of the cake doesn't make you want to bake the cake, the photographs will seal the deal.
After the basics of organizing a cake picnic, the book jumps into cake recipes, sorted by topic: Seasonal cake picnics (new year, summer, autumn, winter); Themed cake picnics (floral, color, afternoon tea, confetti cake); Location cake picnics (beach, camping, poolside); Ingredient cake picnics (chocolate, citrus, corn, salty sweet). There are some classic cakes, but plenty of new ideas (to me, at least) that I'm looking forward to trying. Basil and blackberry dome cake? That sounds amazing. Champagne confetti and cranberry curd cake? Sounds like a New Year's tradition about to begin. Pretzel S'mores cake? Skip the camping trip, I want to head to the kitchen and make s'more of that.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cake Picnic is less a cookbook and more an invitation—to gather, to celebrate, to make something a little sweet with the people you love. Yes, there are cake recipes (and good ones), but the real charm is how the book expands the idea of cake beyond the kitchen. There’s a whole, generous section devoted to hosting cake picnics with friends: how to set them up, how to share the joy, how to make cake a communal event rather than a precious, perfect thing. It feels playful and welcoming, not fussy or intimidating.
With my husband’s birthday coming up, this book has me genuinely excited to bake, despite the fact that I’m not really the baker in our family. The cakes don’t look overly complicated (some more tropical ingredients may be hard for me to source though), which gives me just enough confidence to try. And honestly? If it turns out a little Nailed It-adjacent, I’m calling that a win as long as it’s delicious. There’s something comforting about a book that doesn’t demand perfection, only enthusiasm and a willingness to try.
I especially loved the themed sections—poolside cakes, camping cakes—each one a reminder that cake belongs everywhere, not just at formal celebrations. It’s joyful and a little whimsical. I was bummed to miss the Cake Picnic event when it came through Denver (ironically, it was my own birthday and we already had plans), but reading this book felt like being let in on the magic anyway. Truly, what a delight. Bonus: amazing photography throughout. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
With my husband’s birthday coming up, this book has me genuinely excited to bake, despite the fact that I’m not really the baker in our family. The cakes don’t look overly complicated (some more tropical ingredients may be hard for me to source though), which gives me just enough confidence to try. And honestly? If it turns out a little Nailed It-adjacent, I’m calling that a win as long as it’s delicious. There’s something comforting about a book that doesn’t demand perfection, only enthusiasm and a willingness to try.
I especially loved the themed sections—poolside cakes, camping cakes—each one a reminder that cake belongs everywhere, not just at formal celebrations. It’s joyful and a little whimsical. I was bummed to miss the Cake Picnic event when it came through Denver (ironically, it was my own birthday and we already had plans), but reading this book felt like being let in on the magic anyway. Truly, what a delight. Bonus: amazing photography throughout. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am not a baker but I love to eat baked things like cakes and cookies - you could say I have a “sweet tooth.” But my one granddaughter has inherited her mother’s baking skills so in thinking about a different kind of birthday gift for her I came upon this book and was mesmerized.
First the photography is stunning (San Francisco is a beautiful setting too). The cakes look mouthwatering and are posed and situated beautifully. Second while I’m not sure I could make any of the cakes, as I’m reading the instructions I find they are easy to follow - another plus to my way of thinking. Third how awesome to have a cake picnic: everyone’s brings a cake to share - the picture of all the cakes brought to the first one the author started was amazing! Looks like there are kindred spirits in the cake world.
The author gives you instructions/ suggestions on how to have a cake picnic - set up, location, weather, etc. . She divides her cakes into themes (Harvest Cake Picnic for example), flavors (chocolate gets its own) and others. All in all there are 50 cake recipes (and lots splendid looking cakes to salivate over).
I found this book intriguing for the idea of how to create community through the art of baking. It reminds us all that coming together can be simple. Bravo to the author!
My thanks to NetGalley and the Chronicle Books for allowing me to review this “delicious” ARC.
#cakepicnic
#elsasunga
#chroniclebooks
First the photography is stunning (San Francisco is a beautiful setting too). The cakes look mouthwatering and are posed and situated beautifully. Second while I’m not sure I could make any of the cakes, as I’m reading the instructions I find they are easy to follow - another plus to my way of thinking. Third how awesome to have a cake picnic: everyone’s brings a cake to share - the picture of all the cakes brought to the first one the author started was amazing! Looks like there are kindred spirits in the cake world.
The author gives you instructions/ suggestions on how to have a cake picnic - set up, location, weather, etc. . She divides her cakes into themes (Harvest Cake Picnic for example), flavors (chocolate gets its own) and others. All in all there are 50 cake recipes (and lots splendid looking cakes to salivate over).
I found this book intriguing for the idea of how to create community through the art of baking. It reminds us all that coming together can be simple. Bravo to the author!
My thanks to NetGalley and the Chronicle Books for allowing me to review this “delicious” ARC.
#cakepicnic
#elsasunga
#chroniclebooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cake Picnic by Elisa Sunga is such a beautiful and joyful cookbook. As a lover of all things cake, I genuinely could not resist requesting this one on NetGalley, and I am so glad I did!
What I especially loved is how Sunga begins the book by explaining what a “cake picnic” actually is and how to host one. The opening sections are filled with thoughtful guidance on planning, baking tools, storage tips, and even etiquette for sharing and sampling cakes.
The recipes themselves are wonderfully creative and well organized. They are grouped by themes such as seasonal cake picnics, ingredient-focused picnics, locations, and color or occasion-based themes. While there are some comforting, familiar flavors, many of the cakes feel fresh and exciting. The photography also deserves special mention. Every cake is beautifully styled, and the picnic scenes throughout the book genuinely would make you want to pack a blanket and start baking immediately. The photos are inspiring and absolutely stunning.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves cake or hosting!
What I especially loved is how Sunga begins the book by explaining what a “cake picnic” actually is and how to host one. The opening sections are filled with thoughtful guidance on planning, baking tools, storage tips, and even etiquette for sharing and sampling cakes.
The recipes themselves are wonderfully creative and well organized. They are grouped by themes such as seasonal cake picnics, ingredient-focused picnics, locations, and color or occasion-based themes. While there are some comforting, familiar flavors, many of the cakes feel fresh and exciting. The photography also deserves special mention. Every cake is beautifully styled, and the picnic scenes throughout the book genuinely would make you want to pack a blanket and start baking immediately. The photos are inspiring and absolutely stunning.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves cake or hosting!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I had never heard of a cake picnic before this book but now I want to plan and/or attend one myself! Cakes have always been somewhat of a weakness of mine when it comes to baking so I was so thankful for some of the tips and tricks at the beginning of this book. This is not just a collection of recipes, it's also a guide to how to make great cakes in general. I loved that there were pictures of each of the cakes (I need to know if my own attempts look anything close to how they should). And a whole chapter on chocolate cakes? Yes, please. Some of the recipes include ingredients that might not be the easiest to come by, but the instructions are not overly complicated. I can't wait to give these recipes a try!
I had never heard of a cake picnic before this book but now I want to plan and/or attend one myself! Cakes have always been somewhat of a weakness of mine when it comes to baking so I was so thankful for some of the tips and tricks at the beginning of this book. This is not just a collection of recipes, it's also a guide to how to make great cakes in general. I loved that there were pictures of each of the cakes (I need to know if my own attempts look anything close to how they should). And a whole chapter on chocolate cakes? Yes, please. Some of the recipes include ingredients that might not be the easiest to come by, but the instructions are not overly complicated. I can't wait to give these recipes a try!
November 25, 2025
Cake Picnic by Elisa Sunga
Just looking at the photos in this book will make your mouth water to taste these delicious looking cakes.
I like how in the beginning of the book the author talks about what a picnic cake is and how to have one. It also includes baking tools and storage guidelines.
Some of the cakes I would like to try are Dark Chocolate Mousse and Red Velvet Cake, Peaches and Cream Truffle, and Lavendar and Lemon Poppy Seed Cake.
This book is packed with recipes to keep any home baker happy for days to come.
I really recommend this book to anyone who loves to bake and would make a great gift for the baker in your life.
Just looking at the photos in this book will make your mouth water to taste these delicious looking cakes.
I like how in the beginning of the book the author talks about what a picnic cake is and how to have one. It also includes baking tools and storage guidelines.
Some of the cakes I would like to try are Dark Chocolate Mousse and Red Velvet Cake, Peaches and Cream Truffle, and Lavendar and Lemon Poppy Seed Cake.
This book is packed with recipes to keep any home baker happy for days to come.
I really recommend this book to anyone who loves to bake and would make a great gift for the baker in your life.
December 7, 2025
A delightful cookbook for cake lovers. The concept of having a cake picnic is darling and the book presents recipes for cakes by season, theme (e.g., afternoon tea), location (e.g., poolside cake), and ingredient (e.g., citrus).
There are tips for how to set up your own cake picnic as well as guidance on cake baking equipment, cake storage, and decorating ideas. Each recipe is accompanied by lovely photos showcasing the end product. This would make a fine addition to any baker's shelf. I can't wait to make the chocolate & Earl Grey whipped cream cake and the sour cherry & pistachio buttermilk cake!
Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
There are tips for how to set up your own cake picnic as well as guidance on cake baking equipment, cake storage, and decorating ideas. Each recipe is accompanied by lovely photos showcasing the end product. This would make a fine addition to any baker's shelf. I can't wait to make the chocolate & Earl Grey whipped cream cake and the sour cherry & pistachio buttermilk cake!
Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
December 17, 2025
I didn’t know what a cake picnic was but now I definitely need to have one!
As if anyone needed another reason to love cake, here’s a great one. Cake as a tool for building community and connection is a beautiful thing. There’s a wide range of recipes and a guide for planning/setting up your own cake picnic. There’s so many ideas! I had never heard of a corn cake before reading this cookbook.
The tip for dividing cake batter evenly by using weight was so smart. The tip for defrosting frozen cake slices was great for me and bad for my pants.
Can’t wait to try the sweet potato loaf cake and confetti Ritz icebox cake recipes!!
As if anyone needed another reason to love cake, here’s a great one. Cake as a tool for building community and connection is a beautiful thing. There’s a wide range of recipes and a guide for planning/setting up your own cake picnic. There’s so many ideas! I had never heard of a corn cake before reading this cookbook.
The tip for dividing cake batter evenly by using weight was so smart. The tip for defrosting frozen cake slices was great for me and bad for my pants.
Can’t wait to try the sweet potato loaf cake and confetti Ritz icebox cake recipes!!
November 22, 2025
I'm one of those people who read cookbooks like novels and what's even better is when cookbooks actually do read like a novel!
I absolutely love this book! It's not just a cookbook but a true guide to planning a delicious picnic just for cakes from beginning to end. It's a must read for sure! I really love recipes and I've been dying to try out a few of them just in time for the upcoming holidays! I can't wait to see how it goes!
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love this book! It's not just a cookbook but a true guide to planning a delicious picnic just for cakes from beginning to end. It's a must read for sure! I really love recipes and I've been dying to try out a few of them just in time for the upcoming holidays! I can't wait to see how it goes!
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!
A cake picnic - yes please 😏
The cakes featured in this book look incredible and the pictures are beautiful. Each of the recipes are very thorough and make me want to whip out the baking stuff. There are no super complicated steps or hard to find ingredients and I loved that!
There’s heaps of info on how to create a successful cake picnic with notes on organisation, baking tips and seasonal suggestions! I can’t wait to try out some of these ideas
A cake picnic - yes please 😏
The cakes featured in this book look incredible and the pictures are beautiful. Each of the recipes are very thorough and make me want to whip out the baking stuff. There are no super complicated steps or hard to find ingredients and I loved that!
There’s heaps of info on how to create a successful cake picnic with notes on organisation, baking tips and seasonal suggestions! I can’t wait to try out some of these ideas
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my goodness, this is just luscious!
Glorious photos, wonderful recipes, and so many cakes. You'll want to eat cake for every meal - and there are options for that lol!
I've tried a few recipes now and each one has been divine. A couple were a little more complicated, but the instructions were clear and the results were fantastic.
Enjoying my cake journey!
Glorious photos, wonderful recipes, and so many cakes. You'll want to eat cake for every meal - and there are options for that lol!
I've tried a few recipes now and each one has been divine. A couple were a little more complicated, but the instructions were clear and the results were fantastic.
Enjoying my cake journey!
December 10, 2025
A Fun premise with creative and unexpected cake ideas such as Blood Orange Chai Cake with BayLeaf Buttercream icing and Chocolate Cake with Potato Chip Toffee. Includes 50 recipes and beautiful pictures. Thanks to Netgalley and Chronicle Books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gorgeous photos, delicious recipes, terrific ideas for throwing cake parties that will bring joy to you and all who attend make this a spectacular book for anyone who adores cake and parties. A delight!
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