The Italian Baker

Book excerpt: Melissa Forti is the Italian Baker. In her tea room in an idyllic medieval town near Tuscany, she bakes beautiful cakes that combine Italian traditions with her own modern twists. This book is a collection of Melissa's favourite tarts, celebration cakes, loaves, biscuits and coffee-time treats borne out of her unique style of baking. Every recipe is a treat, taking in deliciously popular Italian ingredients like olive oil, mascarpone, almonds and stunning fresh fruit. Melissa gives perennial favourites like carrot cake, brownies, chocolate cake and cheesecake a fresh, Italian makeover, as well as sharing traditional Italian recipes and others handed down through her family. Every cake and cookie tells a story, reflecting Melissa's travels, her passion for good food and the love of her Italian heritage.