A taster for a nourishing read

A range of fun and inspiring cookbooks from Irish and UK publishers this year makes Christmas gift shopping a doddle. Roz Crowley picks the best

The Cake Café Bake Book, by Michelle Darmody

The most original cookbook of the year, it surprisingly has no photograph, but with its zany graphics and unusual layout, there is plenty of colour. We don’t need to see what Granny Nora’s porter cake looks like, nor butter-cream icings, nor chocolate ganache, nor lemon and caraway biscuits. There’s a dairy-free sponge, a chocolate gateau, banana bread and carrot cake — all favourites of regular customers of the popular café. In A5 format, the book will make a great stocking filler for young, aspiring bakers, who will benefit from its handy tips. * Published in paperback, by Michelle Darmody and The Cake Café €15.95.