To my parents Monty and Kaye, with love and thanks for all your support
To Mary Doody, whose birthday cakes make more people’s days than anyone else I know
Every day of the year is someone’s birthday, the chance to celebrate with close friends or family, or maybe an excuse for a larger bash. A birthday cake is the centrepiece, ablaze with candles, cut with a secret wish and shared to create precious memories.
In these pages you will find many delicious recipes and ideas, designed to take the stress out of wondering what to bake. Of course you don’t need to wait for a birthday to come along; make any day of the year special and let the cake itself become the occasion.