NPR's Book of the Day: Dorie Greenspan and Paul Hollywood on Nourishing Cake Cookbooks

Episode Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Andrew Limbong (with Robin Young from Here and Now)
Guests: Dorie Greenspan, Paul Hollywood

Overview

This episode explores the gentle allure of cakes and the empowering magic of home baking through two new cookbooks: Dorie’s Anytime Cakes by beloved baking writer Dorie Greenspan, and Celebrate: Joyful Baking All Year Round by Paul Hollywood, famed judge from the Great British Bake Off. Both authors advocate for cakes that welcome, comfort, and bring people together—whether at a bustling party or cozy family table—while sharing approachable techniques and inspiring home cooks to take creative ownership in the kitchen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dorie Greenspan: Elevating the Everyday Cake

(Segments starting at 01:57–12:57)

What Makes a "Welcoming" Cake

• Homey, Familiar, Yet Playful:
  Greenspan stresses her book focuses on simple cakes—blondies, single-layer cakes, and everyday loaves—not show-stopping towers.
  “These are really homey, comforting cakes. You would recognize the ingredients, the look would be appealing, and you'd say, oh, I know that cake.” (03:09, Dorie Greenspan)
• Relief from Baking "Gymnastics":
  Reflects on the nerves of making elaborate cakes (wedding cakes, Darth Vader sculptures) but prefers approachable bakes meant to be enjoyed daily.
  “I love when you said baking gymnastics… These kinds of simple cakes… say, oh, hi, come into the kitchen, have a cup of coffee. Here's some cake.” (04:14, Greenspan)

The Magic of Bundt and Marble Cakes

• Tradition and Modern Touches:
  Marble cakes trace back to German kugelhof and have evolved to contemporary flavors.
  “There’s a recipe for a matcha latte cake in the book… marbled matcha and coconut milk cake.” (05:15, Greenspan)
• Every Cake Unique:
  The swirling technique makes each marble cake beautifully different.

Recipes that Tell a Story

• Visiting Cake:
  A treasured classic, fast to make and ideal for spontaneous gatherings.
  “It was so easy… when you saw people coming up the road… it would be ready… I love that.” (06:33, Greenspan)
• Texas Sheet Cake:
  Big, crowd-pleasing, and memorably simple with hot icing poured over a hot cake.
  "It gets frosted while it's warm. This is a terrific party cake because it's made in a sheet pan.” (08:07, Greenspan)

Empowering Bakers with Playfulness

• Recipe “Playing Around” Notes:
  Small sidebar columns encourage bakers to swap ingredients and make cakes their own after the first try.
  “Follow the recipe exactly as it’s written the first time, and then… tweak it the way you would like.” (09:05, Greenspan)
• Example: Add streusel to walnut mini loaves or bake them as muffins.

Modern Ingredients and Inspiration

• Cookie Butter Blondies:
  Featuring Biscoff cookie butter and cookie chunks for a double punch of spice and texture.
  “I used some of that in the Blondies. And I also took pieces of the cookies. They soften in the batter… you get a double whammy of the spice and the deliciousness.” (09:50, Greenspan)

Dorie’s Essential Baking Tips (Lightning Round)

• Preheat Your Oven:
  “When that little button dinger goes off, don’t believe it. Preheat for another 15 minutes.” (10:29, Greenspan)
• Plump Fruit:
  “If raisins or cranberries are hard… dunk them in hot water for about a minute…” (10:48, Greenspan)
• Loosen Sticky Ingredients:
  “Put oil in your measuring cup first, then the sticky stuff… it will just slide out.” (11:13, Greenspan)
• Know the Difference: Stirring vs. Folding:
  “Folding is when you use a spatula… I actually say this to myself while I’m doing it: Under, up, turn…” (11:33, Greenspan)

Creativity and Longevity in Baking

• Creativity is endless, sparked by unexpected ingredients and serendipity.
  “The more you do something, the more creative you can be.” (12:26, Greenspan)

2. Paul Hollywood: Celebration, Community & Savory Bakes

(Segments beginning at 13:32–24:47)

Purpose and Heart of “Celebrate”

• Baking as Shared Experience:
  Baking is more fun—and memorable—with loved ones.
  “The whole idea … is to get people baking… with family and friends is more fun.” (15:12, Hollywood)
• Personal Recipes:
  Book is a collection of Hollywood’s favorites across the year; “indulgent and… selfish of me” (15:54, Hollywood).

Standout Cakes: The Hollywood Touch

• Bake Off Chocolate Cake:
  A showstopper cake, both a birthday staple and a tribute to the series.
• Chocolate Fudge Cake:
  Moist, decadent, topped with decorative chocolate balls (Maltesers or edible pearls), and best served gooey. “A good chocolate fudge cake is gooey. You shouldn’t be able to lift up a slice and not have your fingers coated in chocolate.” (16:54, Hollywood) “Pouring cream or heavy cream… is a thing of joy.” (16:54, Hollywood)

British vs. American Baking Traditions

• Terminology Gaps:
  Flapjacks (oat squares) vs. pancakes, pudding (custards or Eton mess), and more—emphasizing fun crossovers and mutual learning.

Royal Encounters & Traditions

• Chelsea Buns for Princess Anne:
  Describes making the classic swirl bun for British royalty:
  “Took her to her and she loved them… I got a handshake, so I was very happy.” (19:56, Hollywood)

• Wheat Sheaf Bread:
  Describes a showpiece dough shaped like a wheat bundle for the UK harvest celebration, featuring a tiny bread mouse. “Put it in the book, including the little mouse that runs up the side…” (20:10, Hollywood)

Savory Innovation: The Hollywood Hot Dog

• American Inspiration, British Technique:
  Takes a frankfurter, stuffs it in homemade bread dough with toppings before baking for a tidy, flavorful meal. “…a warm hot dog inside with all your onions and mustard, and it’s perfect.” (21:53, Hollywood)

Comparing Bake Off Contestants: UK vs. US

• Skills have leveled up:
  “Five years ago, I would have said the Brits would have trounced the Americans. But nowadays… it’s close.” (22:02, Hollywood)
• Celeb contestants:
  “Terry Hatcher… David Schwimmer… amazing baker. Who knew?” (22:24, Hollywood)

Hollywood’s Top Baking Tips

• Start Simple for Confidence:
  • Make scones, cookies first for a quick win and to get hooked. (22:52)
• Follow the Recipe:
  • “No. Initially, follow it and then adapt. Once you’ve mastered it… tweak it afterwards, not before.” (23:19, Hollywood)
• Oven Tending & Temperature:
  • “Keep your glass clean on your oven so you’re not opening the oven door constantly…” (23:33, Hollywood)
  • Ensure oven is serviced and holds temperature for best results.
• Bake Together:
  • “Get the family involved, get them all baking and just make something that’s gonna taste and look amazing.” (23:50, Hollywood)

Signature Moments

• Even Host Robin Young is swept up:
  “Talk about. Pardon me for talking about my mouthful.” (17:51, Young)
• Hollywood’s Seal of Approval:
  Karen Medson (producer) presented cakes so impressive, Hollywood granted a virtual handshake:
  “That looks amazing. Get a handshake for that one. There you go. There’s your handshake.” (24:36, Hollywood)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dorie Greenspan, on approachable baking:
  “I like bakers to take ownership of their cakes. I like them to be able to say, 'Oh, I don't have walnuts, but I've got pecans.' So why don't I use those?” (09:05)
• Paul Hollywood, on chocolate cake:
  “A good chocolate fudge cake is gooey. You shouldn’t be able to lift up a slice and not have your fingers coated in chocolate.” (16:54)
• Dorie Greenspan, on creativity:
  “The more you do something, the more creative you can be.” (12:26)
• Paul Hollywood, on baking with children:
  “Do you want to play on your PlayStation or do you want to bake with your dad? And he said, 'I’ll bake with my dad.' And I couldn’t believe it. And I went, hang on. Baking’s cool.” (15:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dorie Greenspan Interview Begins: 01:57
• Simple, Homey Cakes Defined: 03:09
• Marble Bundt Cake and Bundt Traditions: 05:02
• Visiting Cake – Origin Story: 06:33
• Texas Sheet Cake – Party-Ready: 08:07
• Playing Around with Recipes: 09:05
• Cookie Butter Blondies: 09:34
• Baking Tips Lightning Round: 10:29
• Creativity in Baking: 12:26
• Paul Hollywood Interview Begins: 13:32
• Purpose of 'Celebrate': 15:12
• Bake Off Chocolate Cake/Fudge Cake: 16:13
• British vs. American Baking Differences: 17:54
• Chelsea Buns for Princess Anne: 19:56
• Wheat Sheaf Bread and Harvest Traditions: 20:10
• Hollywood Hot Dog: 21:07
• UK vs. US Baking Skills: 22:02
• Top Five Home Baking Tips: 22:52
• Hollywood Handshake for Producer Karen: 24:36

Conclusion

This episode is a paean to the joys of home baking, whether through comforting familiar flavors or a spirited leap into holiday and celebratory bakes. Both Greenspan and Hollywood infuse their conversation with warmth, practical wisdom, and stories that encourage beginners and seasoned bakers alike to bake, share, and savor—together.