Make baking your happy place. It’s not so much a science; it’s practice plus play, which becomes instinct and then art. And even the failures are delicious.

Welcome to First, Cream the Butter and Sugar – the ultimate guide for everyone who loves cake. Whether you’re here for the only choc chip cookie recipe you’ll ever need, or you’re setting your sights on conquering an opera cake, a raspberry passionfruit tart or becoming a choux-master, Emelia Jackson has done the homework on behalf of us all.

For those who love a good homemade cake but don’t love sifting flour and icing sugar (is it really necessary?) and enjoy a shortcut (do I need to wait hours for my eggs to reach room temp?), Emelia breaks down the steps that truly matter and dispenses with those that don’t. Packed with advice for every level of home baker, this is the modern baking reassurance you need, whether it’s the night before the birthday party or just a Sunday afternoon for baking something sweet to get you through the week.