Dreamsicle Punch Bowl Cake

Every once in a while you meet someone for the first time and they are so warm and down-to-earth you bypass all the initial intervals of awkward silence, filler conversation, fidgety efforts to be at ease. That’s Jocelyn, author of the newly released Grandbaby Cakes dessert book and creator and author of GrandbabyCakes.com.

I met her last year in Nashville and she’s all that and pretty much just plain awesome. Her friendliness and charm make you want to draw her near, hang out, chat and eat cake of course! And her book, well apparently it’s a family thing. You will love the recipes and the stories she shares of about her family. Each recipe has a headnote about where, how and who inspired the recipe. The book is as much about the beautiful desserts as it is about her family.

Today, I’m sharing Jocelyn’s Dreamiscle Punch Bowl Cake because I love the the flavors and I have a thing for trifles. Of course in the book she shares it as the title suggests: in a punch bowl. I flipped it to glasses because I love serving individual desserts.

With all that said, let’s do this book review:

By the numbers:

• 50 classic cake recipes
• 5 chapters broken out into: Pound Cakes, Layer Cakes, Sheet Cakes, Baby Cakes, Celebration Cakes and Seasons and Holidays
• Approximate book cost: $17.95

What I liked and you might too:

• The book contains some recipes that have an option for box mixes for those that want to fast-track their way to a belly full of cake and an option for scratch-baking.
• Easy recipes with many offering helpful hints and notes for ease of prepping and success. Along with that, Jocelyn has a primer chapter about key ingredients, methods, tips and tricks.
• Read the headnotes! It’s where half the fun is, by the end of the book you will feel like a welcomed guest in her home.

A few of my favorite recipes:

• Neapolitan Cakelettes ~ This was the first recipe I made from the book. I can’t help it, Neapolitan anything gets me every time. On top of that, they are so incredibly easy to make and have such a great whimsical factor to them. Of course, I also couldn’t help adore the baby picture of Jocelyn that accompanied the recipe—what a cutie!
• Snickerdoodle Gooey Cake ~ I’m a sucker when it comes gooey cakes of any kind. I love the the ratio of tender, chewy cake crumb to gooeyness. And who can deny the buttery richness of a gooey cake, if you agree with me, then you must make this. Along with all that, I love that Jocelyn created this cake in honor of Uncle BB, and man I don’t even know him, but I want to be at a party with this “funny uncle”.
• Pineapple Upside-Down Hummingbird Pound Cake ~ This is the kind of cake you bring when you are invited to any gathering. It’s a show-stopper, easy to make, loaded with flavor and a crowd pleaser. I love that Jocelyn mashed-up two Southern classics into one.
• Arnold Palmer Cake ~ Admittedly, this one take a little more time, like all layered cakes do. But this is one you won’t regret. The pay off is there with a cake that will please your palate with its lemon-like sweetness and slight undertone of tartness. As if that pairing wasn’t enough, the sweet tea buttercream rounds everything out for that promised Arnold Palmer flavor.

Now enough of my rambling, let’s get to the goods . . . To celebrate the release of her book there’s a pretty rad giveaway, so go enter and good luck!

Disclaimer: The giveaway will run from September 15th- October 5th.  Winners will be randomly selected on October 6th and notified.  The contest is only open to United States residents.  All items will be shipped separately by each brand.