Magic Cakes

If your dream is a layer cake without the endless steps of making cake and filling separately, a magic cake may fit the bill. These cakes have a single batter that magically transforms into three layers of a custardy, fudgey, spongey cake, which looks like it took hours to put together. Magic cakes can be chocolate or plain vanilla, a tiramisu cake reimagined, or an unconventional cardamom-scented sweet potato cake. This book contains 40 recipes for cakes, frostings, icings, and other extras that are easy to make and delicious to eat, complete with 30 full-color photos. Each cake can be topped with a frosting or a simple dusting of powdered sugar-and a little magic.

Kathleen Royal Phillips is a writer, recipe developer, tester, and food stylist who works regularly with clients such as Time Inc., Pillsbury, and Betty Crocker. Her recipes and food styling have been featured numerous times in Southern Living and Cooking Light cookbooks as well as Christian Woman, Coastal Living, and Parents magazine. She lives in Gardendale, Alabama.