Everyone dreams of opening their own business and becoming filthy stinking rich, right? Well, I thought my way to millionairism was through the bakery. Boy, was I ever wrong, but it doesn't hurt to dream does it?

A few years ago, being a new mom, struggling to make ends meet and trying to scheme my way to be home with my baby, I came up with the idea of catering. I was going to make desserts to market to local restaurants and country clubs. My grandmother gave me some of her treasured recipes to start me off right, but I needed a little more diversity. I chose Treasured Recipes From the Charleston Cake Lady by Teresa Pregnall to get me started. I'll go ahead and tell you that my catering business has yet to get off the ground, but don't count me out! This book is packed with awesome recipes, so who knows when you'll be seeing my name up in lights?

At the beginning of the book, we are given a bit of background about the best cake-maker in Charleston. She had a life-long love of baking, so when she found herself retired, it seemed only natural to want to take cake orders to develop her own small business. After building her own kitchen and some savvy marketing moves on her part, she now has a successful baking business that keeps her especially busy during the holiday season.

One of my favorite things about this book is that most of the recipes are very simple. We've all seen the recipes calling for odd ingredients such as candied ginger, vanilla powder or castor sugar; none of that here. These recipes are based on down-home southern goodness. And everyone knows, nobody cooks like your grandmother.

In this book, Pregnall not only shares recipes for her famous cakes, but gives tips to help your cake baking, business or pleasurable, more successful. She gives hints for using ingredients such as using only the freshest ingredients available and being careful when making substitutions. Baking is chemistry, and altering ingredients could alter taste or texture in a negative way.

Other tips given are about the types of equipment you will need in your kitchen. Even if you aren't starting your own business, this is a wonderful section. I purchased several of her suggested utensils and pans and now don't remember life without them. Other tips include storage ideas. She gives hints for successful freezing strategies and also how to keep fresh cakes fresher longer. The final tips are for shipping, and these are indispensable if you are interested in a mail order business.

The first chapter of recipes is titled Best-sellers from the Charleston Cake Lady. It begins with a little introduction to pound cakes. For those of you who aren't familiar with this treat, a pound cake is a dense, moist cake that is generally made in a bundt pan. She includes several flavorful varieties, and I can attest that they are all wonderful. Some other delightful cakes include a Macaroon Cake, a Sherry Nut Cake, a Blackberry Wine Cake and a Chocolate Chip Cake.

The next section is entitled Charleston Classics. I am biased, I know, but southern cooks just know what it's all about. I've tried the Charleston Tea Bread, and can tell you that I wasn't that impressed, but it is more of a sweet bread than a cake. Just know what to expect and you won't be disappointed. Some other classics include Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Punch Bowl Cake (like a trifle), Chocolate Chess Pies (a southern delicacy!) and Pineapple Muffins.

The next section is called A Baker's Dozen of Family Favorites. Here she includes recipes on desserts I remember from my own childhood such as Hummingbird Cake, Old Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake (present at every family gathering) and Buttermilk Coffee Cake.

Finally, Pregnall includes some non-cake treats in her last section entitled Snacks and Picnic Treats. Some of my favorites are Charleston Chews, Old Fashioned Brownies and Walnut Kisses.

If you would like to start your own business, or would like to become a better baker for your family, this is an excellent resource to possess. In addition to the multitude of tips you get some really fantastic recipes that are easy to boot! If any of the recipes I've mentioned above have piqued your interest, write to me at Mom2Ty@aol.com and I'll be glad to send you a copy. You won't be disappointed!





Recommended: Yes