A great book full of lots of recipes that are very easy to make.

This book annoys me because I want to be the kind of baker who is a snob about cake mixes not being "real" baking, but @annebyrn really knows her stuff and proves me wrong about that. I love how these recipes make baking something delicious and beautiful so accessible. Also the author includes some of the best high altitude adjustment instructions I have seen which is kind of a big deal. I've received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

Before I started to bake as a hobby, and then professionally, every time I had the need or opportunity to bake, it was a big production. I’d take a long list of ingredients to the supermarket and buy flour, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, etc. I’d bake the cake, cookies, pie, or bread and then all those ingredients would sit in my cabinets and often be expired by the time I needed to use them again. Not only was it wasteful of food and money, it meant the next time I had to bake, I would need to start over and restock my pantry. I wish I had this book back then! Using a cake mix as a base to build upon, means no need for a lot of ingredients I really won’t use much, but having a result that is more special than just a boxed- cake-mix cake. This book is written by the author of the very popular book, The Cake Doctor. Some recipes are updated from that book, but mostly there are new recipes, with lots of photographs. The new recipes take the more basic cake-mix-based recipes up a notch to a level that closely resembles a “from scratch” baked good. In fact, there will be some “from scratch” components (recipes included in the book) in the finished baking project…but usually with ingredients and equipment that one might normally have. (You might want to buy a new baking pan here and there, but the resulting beautiful cake that started out as a boxed mix will be worth it.) And don’t let the title fool you…this book is not only about cakes. With a cake mix in the ingredients list, you can find recipes for all kinds of cakes, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, bars, and more. Thank you Clarkson Potter. I’ve received a free copy of this book in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

I have long been a fan of Anne Byrn, and have been baking from her original Cake Mix Doctor books since 1999, always to compliments. I was intrigued by this new book, wondering what could really be new while at the same time being enticed by the prospect of not having to adapt old recipes to the ever changing sizes and formulations of today’s boxed cake mixes. Well, I have been cooking from this new book since before Thanksgiving, and I can say without hesitation this book did not disappoint. It is such a convenience to have new recipes that don’t require upsizing the cake mix! As always, Anne’s directions are clear, and there are photos which accompany most recipes to give you an idea what the finished product should look like. The book demonstrates the endless versatility of boxed mixes, with recipes for sugar cookies, doughnuts, and even cheesecakes! Old favorites have been updated, and there are numerous options for new diet concerns, including recipes for the vegan and recipes without gluten. The peanut butter and jelly cake was a favorite treat for the kids in my family that do not like a lot of frosting, and the microwave mug cake proved very popular for an easy, portion-controlled treat that was perfect with a scoop of ice cream. The overwhelming favorite addition to our Thanksgiving dessert buffet was the apple skillet cake, so popular it was requested again for Christmas after we discovered it was just as good with a cup of coffee for breakfast! The only decision you will have to make after buying this book is if someone asks you for the recipe, whether or not you want to divulge it begins with a mix. That’s up to you! Thank you Clarkson Potter for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. This book enhanced my holiday baking, and I know I will be turning to it again and again throughout the new year!

Really easy recipes and so creative. Pictures are wonderful too. This book makes me want to bake!

My favorite cookies are made using cake mix, so I was excited to try a book full of cake mix recipes. I tried a simple cake and bread, and both turned out yummy. However, I don't always have cake mix on hand, so I made the bread using a DIY cake mix. The bread still turned out great. The book has a nice mix of different recipes, and I really liked how the index had a picture of each finished recipe. I'm looking forward to making more of these fun, simple recipes! I've received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

When I opened up A New Take on Cake by Anne Byrn I was intrigued with the idea of easier baking. I’m normally a from-scratch baker but I read the introduction, which Byrn titled “From Cake Mix to Cake Magnificent” and thought that she was on something. That, plus the table of contents is page after page of small photos of each recipe so you can look and decide what to make by seeing it rather than imagining it. So I read through the recipes and knew I had to try some. I made the Apple Cider Bundt Cake and it was delicious. I never would have thought a cake made with a boxed cake mix and a package of instant pudding could be doctored up and taste that good. I’m so intrigued that I’m going to buy a couple copies for friends that are box-mix cake bakers. And I can’t wait to try the Peanut Butter cookies that use yellow cake mix and the Kahlua Marbled Cheesecake Brownies that start with a brownie mix in a box. This is a perfect cookbook for anyone who likes to bake from cake mixes or who might be intimidated by baking from scratch. Using these recipes will expand your baking and impress your friends. I’ve received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

A New Take on Cake by Anne Byrn is a fantastic cookbook for anyone who likes cake. The book is useful for ANYONE – from beginners to skilled bakers. It would make a great gift, particularly around the holidays. I cannot stress enough how Byrn makes cake baking into a stress-free experience. Byrn’s book takes cake mixes and turns them into delicious, unique creations. Our family has one of Byrn’s older volumes (from the Cake Mix Doctor series), so we appreciated the updated take on the series. One example of the important updates to Byrn’s classic recipes: the book’s measurements reflect the current size of commercially available boxed cake mixes (i.e., boxed cake mixes are smaller than they were when the original Cake Mix Doctor series came out). The book provides options for classic Bundts, as well as cupcakes, layer cakes, snacking cakes, and more. Byrn also provides a visual table of contents, so you can choose your recipe by seeing the final product right away. The recipes in the book are clearly well tested and contain helpful tips that are useful for home bakers. For example, we appreciated Byrn’s advice on the best techniques for greasing Bundt pans. We made “Our Favorite Pumpkin Cake” using a mini skull Bundt pan for an outdoor Halloween gathering. One of our neighbors is not a huge fan of sweets and devoured one of the mini cakes. The recipe came together incredibly quickly with the yellow cake mix base. The cake was moist, flavorful, and so easy to make. This will be an autumn tradition for our family. There are number of other incredible options in the book, including Triple-Layer Caramel Cake, Chocolate Boozy Baby Cake, White Chocolate Peppermint Chiffon Cake, Eggnog Cake with Bourbon Cream and Maple Nut Coffee Cake. This will be a frequently used book in our household. I’ve received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review. All opinions expressed above are my own.