Showstopping Cakes: Mastering the Art and Science of Baking

by Rahul Mandal

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

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised that I didn't like this book more because Rahul is a family favorite of all the Great British Bake Off contestants. I learned a lot about baking techniques and baking science in the introduction and the cake decoration was cool but the flavor combinations fell flat for me. I just didn't want to bake anything out of this cookbook. (And I bake! I have madeleines and quiches in prep at this very moment.) I was annoyed at all the grammatical errors. That said, the photography is beautiful and the author is adorable. There's a lot to learn here.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some delicious-sounding recipes, and the technique sections seem sound enough. I wasn't wowed by the photography in this book, nor the decorating styles chosen. We know Rahul from his amazing decoration skills on GBBO, but here, he's chosen very plain designs. It's a bit perplexing that there wouldn't at least be a little more variety in style. I'm definitely going to try some of the recipes, though - the whipped caramel sounds right up my alley.

[TKD · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can hear Rahul's voice in the writing and I love it. He is an absolute gem. However, the recipes are exceedingly intricate and not for beginners.

[Amanda Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a fun cake textbook, this is it! Rahul is great at explaining more advanced techniques and his flavour combos will never fail you.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful, unmanageable (for my skill set!) cakes! I can't wait to see his next cookbook

[Beth E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very thorough and comprehensive look at cake baking and different components, such as icing. I would go as far as to call it scientific. A very good resource for serious bakers.