80 Cakes Book

UPDATE: My first eBook, Cakes without Borders, is now available, and contains many of the recipes listed below. It is the first installment of the series, and I plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from each book to a global children’s humanitarian organization. Order your copy today!

It all started around 2008 when I realized I had amassed a pretty good list of unique and original cake recipes. Most of the recipes I created were using unusual ingredients I discovered while traveling oversees for my job. The idea of writing a book began, and the name “Around the World in 80 Cakes” was formed. I soon realized, however, that I was no where near the 80 recipes I would need for the book. I loved the name, and the idea the name conveyed, so I chose it as the name for my Cake Decorating business which I started in 2009/2010. Once I started my business the book was put on the back burner…until now.

Last October Hurricane Sandy caused me to temporarily close the 80Cakes kitchen. Being that I am not one to sit still for long I decided to fire up the book idea again. I have written a formal proposal and even sent it off to one literary agent.  Unfortunately instead of the overwhelming “YES, this is an awesome idea” I had hoped for, I got an “it needs work”. I’m not gonna lie, I was discouraged, but that has never stopped me before. It wasn’t the yes I wanted, but it also wasn’t a no. Plus there are plenty of other literary agents in the sea so I plan to keep chugging along full speed ahead. Even if in the end I have to self publish, this book will get made!

I do have my list of 80 recipes complete, and more than half of them have been thoroughly tested already. Over the next few months (or years) I plan to post about the remainder of my recipe testing progress, as well as the progress of the book overall. I look forward to any insights or suggestions anyone has, and I may even reach out to some of you in the future to help me test out some recipes.

Wish me luck!