Bakeland by Marit Hovland

My world revolves around cookbooks. Everything about a great cookbook inspires me from the endless possibilities they offer, whether it be the exploration of a new cuisine or soaking in the knowledge of a different culture – they bring the world to me.  I know that I can turn to a cookbook to slip away for a while and take a small adventure into another world. Being on top of the new releases and making sure that I perform my due diligence by bringing you the best of the best, is one of the best parts of my job. I liken searching for cookbook news as the same feeling I get when I go into a thrift or antique store – I never knows what treasure I will come across or bring home. When I happened upon the cover for Bakeland: Nordic Treats Inspired by Nature by Marit Hovland, I was struck by the colors. The dark gray background and wedges of brownie cake that seem to melt into the gray, the creamiest pink of the troll cream and bright pops of crimson from the lingonberries and slivers of green from the pistachios -all worked together for the perfect photograph. Right then, I knew this book was special. When the publisher sent me the electronic version for indexing, I was further drawn into this book’s web and took to social media as a cookbook crier, “hear ye, hear ye, you want this book.” Not long after, the physical copy arrived and I fell further into cookbook nirvana and immediately did my first ever #flipthecookbook post on Instagram. The passion I felt for Marit’s work had to be shared. To state that this book is stunning is an understatement of epic proportions. The last time I was this taken with a book was when Sweet first arrived. Bakeland holds that same charm but in a magical, Alice in Wonderland-esque fashion. Marit’s style is playful and artistic – she gathers inspiration from all of nature’s wonders and casts her spell to create a perfectly imperfect Chocolate cinnamon tree cookie with swirls that mimic the rings of a tree or her Gingersnap pinecone with cocoa that looks as if it fell from a tree. I made the Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze (recipe online) this weekend because I had decided that Sunday morning’s breakfast should be cake.
A few things I learned while creating this cake: 1) make sure your yeast has bloomed; 2) don’t start making it at 10 pm for the second time, see #1; 3) don’t leave it on the counter where a 13 year old boy can wake up before you and deflower it; and 4) it is delicious! It would be the perfect dessert for brunch or any celebration for mom. Of course, my version isn’t as lovely as Marit’s but I don’t believe she had to play doctor trying to recover after four petals were plucked – I can imagine my son saying “She’s going to kill me.” “She’s going to kill me not” “She’s going to kill me”. The only negative I can muster about this title is that I want a life where I can just make every lovely creation that is housed within its covers. On the other hand, the most positive experience I have taken from this book is that somehow Marit has me convinced that my baked goods will turn out just as lovely. Bakeland is a fairytale in cookbook form that we can experience in our kitchen.
Our EYB Book Preview will give you a closer look inside of this title and our EYB Recipe Preview shares the following recipes: Special thanks to the publisher, Greystone for providing us with the EYB Book Preview materials as well as rewarding our passion for this book with four copies for our promotion below. Be sure you take advantage of all the entry options especially visiting the publisher and author on social media to show our support and appreciation.

The publisher is offering four copies of this stunning book to EYB Members in the US, UK and Canada and one additional copy for members outside those regions. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on May 23rd, 2018.

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137 Comments

  • Kristjudy  on  April 13, 2018

    Blueberry crepe torte

  • ltsuk  on  April 13, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling

  • stef  on  April 13, 2018

    I just know my husband would love blueberry crepe torte

  • Lijstjesmeisje  on  April 13, 2018

    Cinnamon macarons with apple filling (page 111)

    We have just harvested our apples (it's Autumn down under).

  • kroshey  on  April 13, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cupcakes

  • rchesser  on  April 13, 2018

    Pistachio brownie cake with troll cream.

  • HelenB  on  April 13, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling. Gorgeous book.

  • ravensfan  on  April 13, 2018

    Coconut oatmeal cookies

  • GillB  on  April 13, 2018

    Chocolate Coffee Mousse

  • KittyPride  on  April 13, 2018

    The cheese cake with cinnamon chocolate crust sounds fantastic.

  • Toomanybooks88  on  April 13, 2018

    Cinnamon macrons

  • Maefleur  on  April 13, 2018

    I want to make the stunning dessert thats on the cover!

  • amyz218  on  April 13, 2018

    Cardamom buns

  • jr0717  on  April 13, 2018

    The soft pistachio cookies with strawberry glaze sound lovely!

  • ebs  on  April 13, 2018

    Coconut oatmeal cookies

  • miggsy  on  April 13, 2018

    Cardamom buns!

  • leilx  on  April 13, 2018

    Apricot coconut chocolate cake, birch bark cookies and anything with cardamom!

  • Livia  on  April 14, 2018

    It has got to be the Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze 🙂

  • Nproulx  on  April 14, 2018

    I'm obsessed with cardamom lately and would love to try those cardamom buns with almond filling!

  • JRumi  on  April 14, 2018

    Lemon poppyseed cupcakes

  • mpdeb98  on  April 14, 2018

    Birch bark cookies

  • JulieQC  on  April 14, 2018

    The apple-filled cinnamon macaroons seem classic yet fun.

  • eliza  on  April 14, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream.

  • ToPieFor  on  April 14, 2018

    The Spice cake with cinnamon almonds caught my eye. 2nd choice is Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze.

  • Patoliv1312  on  April 14, 2018

    Cheesecake with cinnamon chocolate crust.

  • matag  on  April 14, 2018

    Nut cake with chocolate liqueur cream

  • sarahawker  on  April 14, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cupcakes

  • kmn4  on  April 14, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling

  • inflytur  on  April 14, 2018

    I think I would start with the cardamom buns.

  • Vintage_Kitschen  on  April 14, 2018

    Lime and strawberry macarons sound so good! <3

  • contest718  on  April 14, 2018

    I want to make them all!!! Seriously lol
    Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze
    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream

    Arg have to stop looking at this book…hmmm lemon poppy seed cupcakes…nom nom nom

  • janv  on  April 14, 2018

    A serious YUM to Pistachio marzipan pears

  • demomcook  on  April 14, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream!

  • Steben  on  April 14, 2018

    Pistachio brownie cake with troll cream

  • fionajk42  on  April 15, 2018

    Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze, sounds delicious as do all the other recipes

  • ncollyer  on  April 15, 2018

    Bun wreath with cranberries.

  • lean1  on  April 15, 2018

    Spice cake with cinnamon almonds sounds wonderful.

  • Dutchmary  on  April 15, 2018

    Birch bark
    cookies

  • shellee  on  April 15, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream

  • Barbara14  on  April 15, 2018

    The blueberry crepe torte would be my first choice! <3

  • Julia77  on  April 15, 2018

    Pistachio brownie cake with troll cream

  • Debraj76  on  April 15, 2018

    The Rosemary Cupcakes with Lemon Cream are hopefully going to be made today…my first foray into this beautiful book. What a lovely way to celebrate Spring!

  • ktwalla  on  April 15, 2018

    Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Filling

  • MadMom  on  April 15, 2018

    Lovely book with so many lovely recipes. I would love to try the macarons with passion fruit cream or the cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze!

  • allthatsleftarethecrumbs  on  April 15, 2018

    The sesame-ginger buns with lemon icing.

  • jluvs2bake  on  April 15, 2018

    Sesame-ginger buns with lemon icing

  • v.t  on  April 15, 2018

    Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze – it truly does look delicious!!

  • LaurenE  on  April 15, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cupcakes

  • thecharlah  on  April 15, 2018

    White chocolate lime cake with almonds

  • cheftina888  on  April 15, 2018

    I have a major sweet tooth and I'd have to bake the cheesecake with the cinnamon chocolate crust and the lemon poppy cupcake and then follow up that with the coconut oatmeal cookies

  • ADeeRD  on  April 15, 2018

    I would like to try the Birch Bark cookies- what a name!

  • dbielick  on  April 15, 2018

    Pistachio brownie cake with troll cream

  • iza27  on  April 16, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cupcakes.

  • Joyceeong  on  April 16, 2018

    Cheesecake with Cinnamon-chocolate Crust

  • kgmom  on  April 16, 2018

    Cinnamon bun cake with rum glaze. They sound delicious!

  • NaomiH  on  April 16, 2018

    Gingersnap macarons with cream cheese

  • jmay42066  on  April 16, 2018

    Coconut oatmeal cookies

  • nesshawk  on  April 16, 2018

    Gotta be the Pistachio Brownie Cake with Troll Cream!

  • RNJessicaK  on  April 17, 2018

    Carrot Cake with Maple Icing

  • heyjude  on  April 17, 2018

    Snowflake Ginger Cookies

  • kprovost  on  April 17, 2018

    Chocolate coffee mousse

  • Karla123  on  April 18, 2018

    Chocolate wood with berries and nuts…love the combination of flavors.

  • MiMi60  on  April 20, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream… both will be a first for me!!

  • linmin  on  April 20, 2018

    pistachio brownie cake with troll cream

  • tamt  on  April 20, 2018

    Wanut pavlova with whipped cream and berries

  • t.t  on  April 20, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream

  • Trins  on  April 20, 2018

    Cinnamon macarons with apple filling

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  April 21, 2018

    I would like to make Cardamom macarons with blueberries and cream cheese.

  • RSW  on  April 21, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream

  • Karen.2018  on  April 21, 2018

    Carrot cake with maple topping

  • lgroom  on  April 21, 2018

    Lemon poppyseed cakes

  • sugo  on  April 22, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream

  • ralucamelania  on  April 22, 2018

    Nut cake with chocolate liqueur cream

  • sgump  on  April 23, 2018

    Ooh–what's not to love in the apricot coconut chocolate cake?

  • lebarron2001  on  April 23, 2018

    Coffee ice cream cake with chocolate meringue

  • verorenee  on  April 23, 2018

    Gingersnap macarons with cream cheese

  • EmilyR  on  April 24, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream

  • aldebaran  on  April 26, 2018

    Cardamon macarons sound super intriguing.

  • essptee  on  April 26, 2018

    Cardamom buns for sure

  • sipa  on  April 26, 2018

    Chocolate cake with passion fruit filling

  • Terrill  on  April 26, 2018

    Birch Bark Cookies sounds really interesting

  • lpatterson412  on  April 26, 2018

    Raspberry Mousse Cake with mint chocolate!!!! YUM!

  • jd5761  on  April 26, 2018

    Chocolate Coffee Mousse for me

  • Julia  on  April 26, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling

  • trudys_person  on  April 27, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream !

  • Dannausc  on  April 28, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling

  • stitchan  on  April 28, 2018

    Cinnamon macarons with apple filling

  • hibeez  on  April 28, 2018

    my husband loves passion fruit, so it has to be Macarons with passion fruit cream.

  • antpantsii  on  April 28, 2018

    Maple leaf cookies – just because I’m Canadian

  • rachael_mc  on  April 28, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream

  • Laura1  on  April 28, 2018

    lemon poppyseed cupcakes

  • MiMi60  on  April 28, 2018

    Chocolate Coffee Mousse

  • Lizzbethh  on  April 29, 2018

    I'd start with the Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream, and then I'd work my way through the book from beginning to end. This is a REALLY desirable book!!!

  • Werepanda  on  April 30, 2018

    Chocolate cake with passion fruit filling – I looooove passion fruit

  • kennethjohngilmour  on  April 30, 2018

    think I would start with a recipe with two of my favourite flavours, the soft pistachio cookies with strawberry glaze found on page 87

  • sywcindy  on  May 1, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream!

  • chasteph  on  May 1, 2018

    Cinnamon bun cake with glaze looks so nice.

  • motherofpearl81  on  May 1, 2018

    Licorice macarons with raspberry filling

  • sdg8trgrl  on  May 1, 2018

    White chocolate lime cake with almonds

  • jillrowe  on  May 1, 2018

    Spice cake with cinnamon almonds

  • sipa  on  May 2, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream

  • FuzzyBee  on  May 4, 2018

    Pistachio brownie cake with troll cream

  • smartie101  on  May 4, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cupcakes

  • Lmocooks  on  May 4, 2018

    Looking to start with the basics : Macarons

  • FireRunner2379  on  May 6, 2018

    I'd like to make the Carrot cake with maple topping.

  • Shelley.b  on  May 6, 2018

    Birch bark cookies

  • Radley  on  May 7, 2018

    White Chocolate Seashells with raspberry filling

  • Katiefayhutson  on  May 8, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling

  • icicle  on  May 8, 2018

    Birch bark cookies — they look so cool and you can't go wrong starting with Oreos…

  • AnnaZed  on  May 9, 2018

    Macarons with passion fruit cream

  • Veestar14  on  May 10, 2018

    Lemon poppyseed cupcakes sounds great.

  • amferrer  on  May 10, 2018

    CINNAMON BUN CAKE WITH RUM GLAZE

  • Knordahl  on  May 11, 2018

    Shall I try the cream on buns or the carrot cakes? Maybe those birchbark cookies.

  • mrscahughes  on  May 11, 2018

    walnut pavlova with whipped cream and berries

  • herby  on  May 11, 2018

    There are so many appealing recipes that it is hard to choose where to start. Here are the three To be made ASAP: pistachio marzipan pears, walnut Pavlova with whipped cream and berries and cardamom macarons.

  • Julia  on  May 11, 2018

    Cardamom bunseith almond filling

  • MaryEllenSeavey  on  May 11, 2018

    Cardamom buns with almond filling

  • lils74  on  May 12, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cupcakes

  • PennyB2309  on  May 12, 2018

    sesame-ginger buns with lemon icing!

  • TanyaD  on  May 12, 2018

    Chocolate almond cookie eggs

  • BMeyer  on  May 12, 2018

    cinnamon macaroons filled with apples

  • sequoia55  on  May 13, 2018

    apple-filled cinnamon macaroons

  • Curlyfatkins  on  May 13, 2018

    Chocolate rocks with fruit and nut filling

  • catmommy9  on  May 13, 2018

    White chocolate lime cake with almonds

  • RickPearson54  on  May 14, 2018

    Birch bark cookies

  • nicolacowburn  on  May 15, 2018

    Lemon poppy seed cakes

  • Ishtar  on  May 15, 2018

    Birch bark cookies

  • sparkfan1965  on  May 16, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream! I love rosemary and lemon.

  • leilx  on  May 16, 2018

    coconut oatmeal cookies for my partner; cardamon buns with almond filling for me.

  • littleminxgirl  on  May 18, 2018

    I would love to learn how to make macaroons

  • Siegal  on  May 19, 2018

    Cardamom buns are my fav

  • orchidlady01  on  May 20, 2018

    Cheesecake with cinnamon-chocolate crust

  • marsmomma  on  May 20, 2018

    Apricot coconut chocolate cake

  • eatysmith  on  May 23, 2018

    "Which recipe in the index would you try first?" Walnut Pavlova with whipped cream and berries!

  • kbsteffens  on  May 23, 2018

    Those rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream look amazing and would be first on my list!

  • sgp  on  May 23, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes!

  • tarae1204  on  May 23, 2018

    Rosemary cupcakes with lemon cream – seems like everyone wants to try that, myself included.

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