Aleksandra Crapanzano
Crapanzano attended New York University where she received a Master of Fine Arts degree. She also attended Harvard College.
Aleksandra Crapanzano is both a screenwriter and a respected food writer. She’s earned the James Beard Foundation’s M.F.K. Fisher Award for her writing. In addition, her work has appeared in well-known magazines like
The New York Times Magazine,
Food & Wine,
Saveur,
Elle,
Departures, and
The Wall Street Journal, where she’s been sharing her food insights for nearly a decade.
Her writing has also been featured in major food writing collections, including
Best American Food Writing. She’s the author of
The London Cookbook, a celebration of the diverse food culture in London that features recipes from top restaurants and small local spots.
Though she lives in Brooklyn today with her husband John Burnham Schwartz and their son, Aleksandra feels a strong connection to Los Angeles. It’s where she first discovered her passion for film while working as a teen intern on a TV set. That early spark eventually led her to write screenplays for Hollywood studios. Whenever she’s in L.A., she loves exploring the city’s food scene and reconnecting with close friends and family.
In
Gâteau, Aleksandra Crapanzano gives readers a peek into how the French really bake at home. Forget the fancy pastries in shop windows - this book is all about the everyday cakes Parisians make in their own kitchens. From classic yogurt cakes to holiday favorites like
bûche de Noël, these recipes are surprisingly easy, yet full of elegance and flavor.
Crapanzano draws on her time spent with home cooks in Paris and shares more than just recipes - she captures a way of life. She explains that the French don’t try to outdo professional bakers. Instead, they embrace simple, flexible cakes that can be made with whatever’s on hand. These aren’t showstoppers meant to impress - they’re meant to be enjoyed, shared, and adapted. This practical, no-fuss approach is what makes the cakes so appealing.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the book is how it challenges common assumptions about French baking. The cakes in
Gâteau are often less sweet, more subtly flavored, and never overloaded with icing. A dash of liqueur, a swipe of ganache, or a sprinkle of sugar is often all that’s needed to finish a cake. The book also includes savory options - hearty, flavorful loaf cakes made with herbs, cheese, or ham that are perfect for a light lunch or picnic.
The book is filled with over 100 carefully tested recipes, along with whimsical illustrations that bring the French baking spirit to life. Whether you're looking for a simple cake to serve after dinner or something special for the holidays,
Gâteau offers recipes that are both practical and delightful.
In short,
Gâteau proves that French cakes don’t have to be complicated to be wonderful. With warmth and clarity, Crapanzano invites you to bake like the French - confidently, creatively, and always with joy.
Related Authors
Fans of Aleksandra Crapanzano also enjoy these authors:
- Karin Slaughter, author of the Will Trent Series.
- Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
- James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.
- John Grisham, author of the Jake Brigance Series.
- Bill Bryson, author of the Bill Bryson Travel Books.
Aleksandra Crapanzano: F.A.Q
What was the first book Aleksandra Crapanzano wrote?
The first book written by Aleksandra Crapanzano was The London Cookbook, published in 2016.
What was the most recent book Aleksandra Crapanzano wrote?
Her most recently released work was Gâteau on September 27th, 2022.
Are there upcoming new books by Aleksandra Crapanzano?
Aleksandra Crapanzano does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has Aleksandra Crapanzano written?
Aleksandra Crapanzano has written 3 books. All of her books are in the Cookbooks.