Whether it's for ourselves, to show love for a child, friend or partner, or to celebrate a rite of passage, there is no denying the incredible effect that cakes can have. Claire Ptak has been running her West-London bakery, Violet Cakes, for nearly two decades, using her harvest-led philosophy to create incredibly flavourful and beautiful cakes, puddings and savoury treats.

Featuring 85 beautifully photographed recipes, Love is a Pink Cake is packed full of tempting cookies, cakes, desserts and savoury favourites. With chapters spanning bakes for mornings, afternoons, after dinner, parties and holidays, you will discover the perfect recipe for every occasion and any time of year, with seasonal ingredients championed throughout. Claire draws inspiration from her homes on either side of the Atlantic, mixing reimagined versions of classic English bakes with Californian staples, and exploring how baking keeps us connected to home.

Fundamentally, Love is a Pink Cake is a cookbook about how baking is an act of love, whether it’s the self-loving act of whipping up a batch of biscuits for our next cup of tea or the gesture of making a birthday cake for a loved one.