Thursday, July 16, 2009

Review: Organic and Chic & Giveaway

Summary: "When I bring one of my sweets into the room—whether at a wedding or an intimate dinner party—the expressions on people's faces turn that celebration into a memory I'll never forget. That's what baking should be."

Many people are coming to recognize the merits of eating organic ingredients, but the idea of "organic baked goods" may bring to mind food that is more boring than beautiful and delicious. But in Organic and Chic, custom cake baker Sarah Magid uses her background in jewelry and shoe design to create vibrantly colored, highly original, delicious organic cakes and other desserts that are perfect for all kinds of celebrations.

Filled with gorgeous photographs, Organic and Chic features recipes for delectable baked goods you'll be excited to re-create and serve to family and friends, from modern floral cakes and cupcakes to rustic farmer's-market sweets made with seasonal fruits:

  • Red Velvet Love Cake frosted with Vanilla Whipped Buttercream and garnished with edible flowers
  • Vanilla-Bean Butter Cake filled with Sweet Chocolate Ganache and decorated with hand-sculpted butterflies
  • Minty Strawberry Shortcakes, celebrating the bounty of the summer
  • Goldies, a tasty tribute to America's favorite cream-filled sponge cake

  • Whether you're preparing some simple Double Ginger Cookies for a block party or bake sale, or experimenting with a rich and luscious dark chocolate birthday cake, you can be confident that you're serving desserts that are gorgeous and flavorful without resorting to fake, chemical-laden ingredients. Magid offers detailed step-by-step decorating instructions and enough inspiration to help even the most novice baker create bold cake-decorating effects, including eye-popping flowers, hand-sculpted leaves, and metallic-painted brushstrokes.

    A must for every health-minded baker, this unique cookbook balances exquisite flavors, organic ingredients, and stunning visuals to help you create your own masterpieces.-- William Morrow


    ORGANIC AND CHIC: CAKES, COOKIES, AND OTHER SWEETS THAT TASTE AS GOOD AS THEY LOOK by Sarah Magid is AMAZING! It is absolutely one of the most beautiful cookbooks that I have ever seen. As you can see, the cover photo is just filled with incredible looking desserts; and all of the pictures in the book are just like this. I would actually consider placing this cookbook on my coffee table because it's that gorgeous. Plus, I'd kind of like to have it handy because I really enjoyed looking at all of the recipes and decorating ideas.

    Not only is this cookbook filled with beautiful pictures, but there are just loads of yummy-looking recipes. The book starts with recipes for cakes and cupcakes (along with frosting, curds, and filling recipes), then it has a section on cookies and bars, a section on reformed junk food, and one on farmers' market sweets. There is another section that will appeal to a lot of moms titled children's goodies which has easy, cute recipes geared towards little ones. The book ends with a wonderful chapter on Ms. Magid's design techniques along with step-by-step instructions.

    I was pleasantly surprised by this cookbook not because of its recipes and photos, but rather because the instructions and explanations were so detailed and clear. The recipes and instructions for decorating were extremely easy-to-follow. Now making my cakes as gorgeous as the ones in the book might be a challenge, but I think that's because of my lack of skill and definitely not the fault of the instructions. And since I am not a regular consumer of organic foods, I loved how Ms. Magid explained the benefits of going organic as well as some name brands for organic baking goods. The last few pages of the cookbook also include explanations of various baking tools and how best to use them. I actually learned a great deal just by reading Ms. Magid's advice.

    I absolutely adored this cookbook, and I can't wait to try some of the recipes. Unfortunately, that won't be until after I finish THE GAME ON! DIET later this month. (Although August is the perfect time for me to make cakes, since we will be having three birthday parties over the course of three weekends!) Now that I'm eating so much better, I appreciate how all of Ms. Magid's recipes use organic and natural ingredients --at least be eating "healthier" goodies, right? There is one recipe in particular that I want to try for the "Easiest Chocolate Cake." Not only is the cake vegan, but my little guy can eat it even with all of his food allergies. Of course, there are lots of cakes and desserts that I want to try, especially the "Coco Loco" cake and the "Lovely Lemon Cake."

    Sarah Magid currently has a custom cake business in New York City. In her past, she has worked for Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew, Coach, Liz Claiborne, Frye and Henri Bendel. Her cakes have been featured in some of the most popular magazines including Domino, InStyle Weddings, Brides, and Martha Stewart's The Art of Cakes. With those credentials, it's pretty evident that she has an eye for design!

    Ms. Magid has a beautiful website that you must visit. She has some photographs of her cake designs which are sure to amaze you. She also maintains a blog where she shares a lot more pictures as well as addition information about her designs. I swear I could read about her ideas for hours! If you are interested in learning more about Ms. Magid and ORGANIC AND CHIC, then check out this video of Ms. Magid discussing her book and how she gets her ideas:



    I am so excited that I have some copies of ORGANIC AND CHIC to giveaway courtesy of Harper Collins! To make this contest a little more interesting, I am going to give away one copy of the book for every 15 entries I receive -- up to five copies. To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me what is your favorite type of cake. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post. This contest is open until Thursday, July 30th at 11:59 p.m. EST; and I will notify the winners the following day. This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please! I wish you the best of luck because this is one incredible cookbook!

    82 comments:

    Meghan said...

    I love dessert cookbooks! These recipes look amazing. My favorite cakes are always vanilla with vanilla frosting, but I love to mix it up. One of my favorite recipes is white cupcakes baked with a cookie in the middle; everyone is always shocked and delighted! =)

    meghankk at gmail dot com

    enyl said...

    I would enjoy sharing this with the Martha Stewarts in my family. It sounds like this cookbook has many exotic recipes.

    enyl(at) inbox (dot)com

    Vanessa said...

    My favorite kind of cake is chocolate, of course! I would love to read this and find out how to work some healthier ingredients into my baking.

    gypsyrover21@yahooDOTca

    Anonymous said...

    My favorite cake hands down would be Strawberry Shortcake. mmmm. My mom makes it for me on my birthday every year because it is my favorite..
    Thanks for the giveaway chance!

    lovestoread0708(at)yahoo(dot)com

    bermudaonion said...

    Poor you, having to review a book like this while you're on a diet. The book looks gorgeous - I had to check out the web site and those cakes are almost to pretty to eat. I'm dull, my favorite cake is a pound cake. milou2ster(at)gmail(dot)com

    Beth F said...

    If I win, the book will come AFTER Game On, so I'll be safe! I like spice cake or maybe carrot cake. And our house is about 90% organic, so this is a good one for me.

    BFish (dot) Reads (at) gmail.

    Thanks for hosting this!!!!

    Anonymous said...

    please enter me in the giveaway.My favorite cake is Black Forest.

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    Pam said...

    My favourite kind of cake is anything my friend Courtney makes! She makes a to-die-for coconut cake with a lemon mousse filling. She also makes a fabulous chocolate cake with a raspberry mousse filling.

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    Brittany said...

    My favorite cake is the Vegan Chocolate Death cake from The Grit in Athens, GA. It even makes special appearances in my dreams on occasion. But I'm very curious to compare it with Magid's Easiest Chocolate Cake, so I hope I win! :)

    maki said...

    Does a pavlova count? I love the layers of meringue alternating with cream and fruit. A simple angel food cake with fresh berries is also wonderful in the summer.

    makpar@msn.com

    Ashley said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    Ashley said...

    I'd love to win this. A good friend of mine has set me on the path of good cakes (i.e. not boxed and canned frosting) and these sound like so much fun to try.
    My favorite cake is red velvet, with cream cheese frosting. yum.

    My email address is bellasnovella @ gmail.com

    Beth (BBRB) said...

    This looks fun! Please enter me!

    I love all cakes, but rum cake must be my all time fave, closely followed by lemon.

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

    Cheryl said...

    Sounds like a great book! I love chocolate, but my favorite cake is Strawberry Shortcake. Mmm...

    cheruf79(at)yahoo(dot)com

    traveler said...

    What a delightful and unique cookbook. It looks wonderful. MY favorite cake would be lemon with white icing.Thanks for this amazing giveaway.
    saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    Libby's Library said...

    Wow - this cook book sound great!
    My favorite cake? Chocolate Ganache, Red Velvet, Pineapple Upside Down, the list could go on forever;-)

    Please enter me - thanks.

    libneas[at]aol[dot]com

    Kaizen Fashion Project said...

    My favorite cake is carrot cake with cream cheese frosting!

    heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com

    katylinvw said...

    this book looks fantastic, beautiful pics, too! my favorite cake is german chocolate w/ the coconut frosting :) mmmmm . . . . please count me in :)

    katylinvw(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ChristyJan said...

    Oh! This looks like a delicious book!

    My favorite kind of cake? um... CAKE! I especially love chocolate cake with caramel frosting.

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

    Linda said...

    What a beutiful-looking book. My granddaughter (age 17) has recently become interested in baking and decorating cakes. I'd love to share this book with her. Favorite cake = chocolate bundt cake and/or carrot cake w/ cream cheese frosting. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    The Giveaway Diva said...

    This is my type of giveaway!!! Mmm I love anything to do with cake! My favorite would have to be cheesecake! Any kind!

    nicolemarielum@ gmail.com

    Fokxxy said...

    My favorite type of cake is icecream cake. But chocolate falls a very close second!!! :)

    ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

    Bonnie said...

    This sounds like a wonderful cookbook! I am gearing my family towards more organic foods so this is especially interesting to me. I have many favorite cakes but Cheesecake and Lemon Cake would be at the top of my list!

    I've blogged about this in my sidebar under Other Blog Giveaways.

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

    Bonnie said...

    I just tweeted about this but am not sure how to find the link!

    Sue said...

    I love Carrot Cake! Thanks for the fabulous giveaway~

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

    Piebird said...

    I love "Doberge" cake -- it has lots of tiny layers interspersed with chocolate ganache! Yummy!

    chey said...

    My favourite cake is chocolate! I'd enjoy checking out these recipes.

    chey127 at hotmail dot com

    Karlie said...

    This book looks amazing. My favorite type of cake would be chocolate with peanut butter frosting.

    nfmgirl said...

    I'd have to say maybe a triple chocolate cake! Something with a light mousse-like chocolaty layer!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    holdenj said...

    I love chocolate cake!

    Thanks for a tasty sounding review!

    JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

    I ♥ Book Gossip said...

    Sounds like a cool cookbook. Please count me in. I love baking cakes.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

    Kim said...

    Julie-- you may have already received this award that I am offering you on my Musty Meanderings blog, on my profile, but I love reading your reviews. I have a bookclub blog as well, and can't believe how many Kreativ people there are!

    Icedream said...

    I have never entered to win a cookbook- until now! What a gorgeous book and I love the idea of using organic ingredients for desserts!
    My favorite cake is Vanilla Pound Cake. But I think that "Vanilla-Bean Butter Cake filled with Sweet Chocolate Ganache and decorated with hand-sculpted butterflies" could become my favorite. :D

    waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

    Bridget said...

    Hi! Just posted this contest on Win A Book. No need to enter me, though.

    Icedream said...

    I tweeted.
    http://twitter.com/BloggerIcedream/status/2679139833

    waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

    The Tome Traveller said...

    Oh, my very favorite cake is Red Velvet...the very first one you listed! I first had it about twenty years ago at a hotel Easter buffet and I went nuts trying to find a recipe, had to go through all of my Grandma's cook books (no internet around back then).

    Hubby loves white cake/white icing, so that was our wedding cake. It was lovely.

    I'm trying to transition to more organic eating, so this would fit right in. Thanks for a great contest, please enter me!

    ANovelMenagerie said...

    WOW! A lot of entries! I would love the opportunity to win this! I wonder if they have a recipe for red velvet cake?

    Enter me, please.

    Sheri
    A Novel Menagerie

    A Reader said...

    Red velvet cake is my favorite.


    kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

    A Reader said...

    I listed this giveaway under my current giveaways on my sidebar.
    http://metroreader.blogspot.com/

    Anonymous said...

    Definitely carrot cake with cream cheese frosting - not that I would consider eating such a thing! At least not during July!!!

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

    Anonymous said...

    So how hard was this to review while doing the challenge?? I think you should get bonus points for not succumbing! :-D

    I love chocolate cake... warm and with ice cream.

    fizzybeverage at gmail dot com

    Victoria said...

    I love red velvet cake!

    victoriah40@yahoo.com

    Lee P said...

    Wow, I was just at Sarah Magid's website and her cakes are works of art! I love the chocolate one with the pink flowers. That is just too pretty to eat. My favorite cake is chocolate. Thank you for this very nice giveaway and please count me in

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

    Unknown said...

    My favorite cake is Angel food cake with pudding frosting yum! Thanks for entering me into this giveaway.
    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Lesley (aka Upper West Side Writer) said...

    My favorite cake would have to be carrot cake, but it's very hard to choose, as I love baking.

    Thank you!

    lesleymfan(at)gmail(dot)com

    throuthehaze said...

    my fave is Banana cake
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    Unknown said...

    Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

    CatCrazy7 said...

    What a great review! Thank you so much! I guess my favorite cake would be banana with cream cheese frosting although devils food with white frosting comes in a close second.

    espressogurl at hotmail dot com

    Stacey said...

    I am a pastry chef with my own book being published this fall. My favorite cake is a linzer torte. This sounds like an exciting book! Please enter me in the giveaway!

    Anonymous said...

    This sounds like a delicious cookbook...My favourite cake is 'apple' served w/ cinnamon ice cream...

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Lisa N. said...

    My favorite type of cake is carrot cake. This sounds like a really interesting book! I would love to win a copy!

    rocket_kay at hotmail dot com

    ikkinlala said...

    This book looks amazing! My favourite kind of cake is poppy seed.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

    Debbie said...

    That looks and sounds incredible. My favorite cake is lemon cake. Yum!
    fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail(dot)com

    Sue W. said...

    There is someone in my area that makes a delicious key lime cake. So guess that is my favorite but my good old stand by is strawberry shortcake.

    roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net

    Sue W. said...

    I twittered this giveaway. My tweet is kona15hilo

    roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net

    nfmgirl said...

    I tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/nfmgirl/status/2705665003

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    elaine said...

    My favorite cake is Devil's Food Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Coffee Frosting-big chocolate fan!

    Elaine R
    emrosser@shaw.ca

    Rachel C. said...

    I really like a traditional, Southern red velvet cake with cream cheese icing. Yummy!

    Rachel
    rlcohee at hotmail dot com

    Mark said...

    Love dessert cookbooks and am new to making cakes but really like traditional white cake with white icing.

    mcohee@charter.net

    Mozi Esme said...

    Black forest - or any GOOD chocolate cake...

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    Anonymous said...

    i love carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

    flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Dawn M. said...

    My favorite cakes are German Chocolate and Spice Cake. Yum!

    Thanks! :0)
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

    Gaby317 said...

    This looks great - my favorite cakes are: spice cakes, the lemon cloud cakes, strawberry shortcake, and Cardamom Coffeecake from the Moosewood cookbook. You can likely tell that my diet isn't working that well.

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

    Belinda M said...

    New york cheesecake is my all time favorite

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Anonymous said...

    My absolute, all-time favourite cake since I was a little girl is Red Velvet Cake!!

    Thank you :-)

    Jodi
    jdemitri@dccnet.com

    Sagan said...

    Thanks for such a wonderful review!

    My favorite kind of cake is cheesecake. I'm also a fan of angel food cake and chocolate cake. And apple spice cake.

    ...actually, just cake in general. Tasty tasty.

    Unknown said...

    This sounds heavenly.

    One of my favorites is my mother's Chocolate Zucchini Cake, often made when the veggie started taking over the garden!

    I also blogged about this in my right sidebar at:

    http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com

    jgbeads at gmail dot com

    Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

    This looks wonderful! My favorite kind of cake? Either homemade chocolate cake with homemade frosting or sour cream pound cake with fresh strawberries and cream!

    Esme said...

    This looks like a wonderful cookbook-chocolate cake is usually my favorite.

    thank you

    I hope I get to bake from it

    chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

    Esme said...

    tweet this delicious cookbook

    http://bit.ly/4cRkoJ Organic and Chic cookbook giveaway

    chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

    Sheila DeChantal said...

    I have a friend who owns a bed and breakfast. She cooks organic all the time for their guests and her recipes are OOOHHHHH so good! I would love to win this fr her. She would be thrilled!

    My favorite cake? Anything chocolate. Actually the more chocolate the better. :)

    journey through books @ gmail dot com

    Sheila DeChantal said...

    I added you to mu giveaway link and twittered (tweeted?) about this as well. The link to the giveaways is here, just click on my name in this post! Thanks again!

    Unknown said...

    My favorite cake is red velvet with cream cheese frosting. YUM! I'd love to have this book. :)

    I will tweet (@mybookbuds) and post a notice on my blog.

    Nancy said...

    sounds delish! count me in!

    Unknown said...

    This book looks amazing and I'm a huge fan of baking!

    My favorite would have to be a light lemon cake with a vanilla buttercream - yum-my!

    Please enter me into this drawing!
    steppincloser(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Thanks!

    Anonymous said...

    Yaay for Organic and Yaay for cookbooks! reylte (at) gmail (dot) com

    Misusedinnocence said...

    Carrot cake is my absolute favorite! :)

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

    rubynreba said...

    I'd love to have this cookbook! My favorite cake is chocolate with lots of white frosting!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    Michele said...

    I love to bake and this cookbook looks Awesome! I love a dark chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I have passed this down to my sons, also. They are both chocoholics! Thanks for sharing!

    michelecollins923@hotmail.com

    Bcteagirl said...

    This book sounds wonderful! I love to bake, and I love organic. Also interesting is the section on Farmers Market sweets (How did you know I was there on Sat??). It would be fabulous to win this book!

    My favourite cake is black forest. But lately I have been having coconut cravings. Will have to think of a creative way to combine the two :P

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

    Bcteagirl said...

    Tweeted under the same name!

    teagirl1 at telus dot net

    remarker/fcffollower said...

    My favorite cake is chocolate mousse