Baking with Marian Keyes

Back in February, I told you guys about my anxiety attack, and how I tried different coping mechanisms (like reading a book by Kristan Higgins) to stop my brain from freaking out over and over.

What I needed was a way to distract myself for a while until I could find my equilibrium again. Even though I’d completely lost my appetite for days, one thing that calmed me was baking.

I’ve always loved baking, and I often resort to it when I’m stressed. There’s something about the need for precision, the physicality of beating and whipping ingredients together, and the instant gratification of being able to consume your handiwork that is so soothing.

The same week I was battling my freaked-out brain, women’s fiction author Marian Keyes came out with a new book. But this book didn’t feature stressful jobs, quirky neighbors and unexpected love.

This was a cookbook. A cookbook about depression.

Marian Keyes has recently been suffering from what sounds like pretty severe depression. One day she made a cake. And then another. And then some cupcakes. Eventually, she was learning how to cope at the same time as learning how to frost.

My mum-in-law bought me Saved by Cake a couple of months ago, and I’ve made a few of the recipes. The book is gorgeous, and Marian’s caustic humor shines through all the pink glitter.

It’s meant to be a book for beginners, but there seems to be a spectrum of recipes for bakers of different levels. And despite the title, there’s more here than just cake. There are classics like rhubarb crumble and exotic sounding delights like wasabi & white chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel icing.

I’ve made a few of the recipes so far, but unfortunately two of them haven’t worked for me. One was very definitely my fault. The other I’m blaming on my oven, which I’m still getting used to.

But I’ll certainly be making more. There are some recipes that look so delicious I have to refrain from licking the photos.

Do you have a favorite cookbook? How do you cope with tough times?