Steak and Cake: More Than 100 Recipes to Make Any Meal a Smash Hit

by Elizabeth Karmel

Discover just how luscious and indulgent both steak and cake can be with Elizabeth Karmel, Southern baker extraordinaire and one of America’s leading pitmasters.
 
Let them eat cake—and steak! This unique cookbook shares more than 100 recipes that beg to be prepared, paired, and eaten with pure joy. How about a Cowboy Steak with Whiskey Butter followed by a Whiskey Buttermilk Bundt Cake? Or a Porterhouse for Two with My Mother’s Freshly Grated Coconut Cake? Or mix and match yourself—maybe an Indoor/Outdoor Tomahawk Steak paired with a Classic Key Lime Cheesecake?

Not only will you find some of the best recipes ever for steak—and steakhouse sides and sauces—and those all-butter-eggs-and-sugar cakes, but you will also pick up tips and tricks for choosing and cooking steaks and baking cakes. The result is an instant dinner party, the kind of universally loved meal that makes any and every occasion special.
 

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Cooking

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2019

Reviews

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

Steak and Cake by Elizabeth Karmel is the cookbook that I didn’t even know I needed. The first time that I saw the cover for this book, I was instantly intrigued by its steak and cake combinations. This book has a multitude of recipes and ideas to make your next steak night a success.

The layout of Steak and Cake is perfect for a recipe book of this size. The recipes and meal suggestions are all at the beginning and the tips section is at the back. There is also a fantastic index that is both necessary and easy to use. As well, the images included are gorgeous and drool-worthy on their own.

❀ SIMPLE AND COMPLEX RECIPES

I am all about simple cooking and recipes that are quick and easy to follow. Steak and Cake definitely fits this bill. While there are some meals that are more involved, such as a Beef Steak Stroganoff and a Baked Ricotta Cheesecake, there are also simpler ideas like beef tacos and kebabs. I created the Beef Tenderloin Kebabs and Pumpkin Palooza Cake Walk. These kebabs are hands down the best kebabs that I have ever tasted. There were no flare-ups on the grill either, which really impressed me.

The Pumpkin Palooza Cake Walk is also super moist and delicious. All of the cake recipes offer options to make cakes, loaves, or muffins. I opted to create muffins, as they are faster to bake and much more convenient to serve and eat. They turned out wonderfully and are now my go-to pumpkin muffin recipe.

❀ PERFECT FOR STEAK LOVERS

With over 100 recipes Steak and Cake will satisfy the taste buds of anyone who loves a great steak dinner followed by a yummy dessert of cake. If you are a fan of a great steak dinner and have a sweet tooth for cake, I highly suggest picking up a copy of Steak and Cake by Elizabeth Karmel. This is one cookbook that will give you more ideas than you can imagine.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I have what we call “Steak Sundays”. We always have steak for dinner on Sundays and are always looking for fun new recipes to try out. When I saw a cookbook titled “Steak and Cake”, I knew I had to get it! I’m the baker and he’s the steak guy so this book was right up our alley! This cookbook is full of insight and tips into cooking and buying steak, with side dishes and dessert pairings. The photos are beautiful and the recipes doable. We tried the Carne Asada steak, the Mexican Street Corn Salad, and the Chocolate Candy Bar Cake last weekend. They were all delicious and we are looking forward to our next Steak Sunday so we can try another trio of recipes from this book. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Renata]

Despite my vegetarianism, I checked out this cookbook due to my podcast's affinity for Steaks and Cakes. I cannot speak to the steak recipes but almost all of the cake recipes seemed pretty elaborate, requiring pans/tools that a novice baker like myself does not own. If you are a fancy baker and/or fancy steaker perhaps this will be for you. I made the PBJ cupcakes out of this because I DO have a muffin tin. They were...fine. I enjoyed the story attached to the POTUS carrot cake--apparently her aunt was a White House chef and Gerald Ford asked for the recipe for her carrot cake, and the aunt said no because it was a family recipe, and this B Elizabeth is just out here giving the recipe to ANYBODY.

I did not make the carrot cake though because it looked really hard.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect combinations! I love how carefully a steak recipe is paired with each cake recipe. They match in theme and I bet would make only the best party recipes! Fully excited to be a steak and cake lady this summer!

[Michaela Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for review.

I thought this would be an interesting take on a cook book. Like most people I enjoy steak, I also enjoy mostly cooking with cast iron pans so this made me even happier. I'm not huge on fancy cake, but however I was happy to find out that these are more comfort cakes, pound cakes, sliced cakes. Things that in my opinion are good for both dessert and breakfast.

I really loved this cook book. Even if you've never once cooked a steak thinking, I'm not a restaurant - this isn't possible to make it the exact same way.- this clears that up big time, making it simple for anyone to cook that perfect steak. I especially loved the meat cut visual directory in the back, breaking down all those cuts so you can understand exactly what your buying. I know people can get pretty overwhelmed starting into the meat section of a grocery store.

There's also plenty of side dishes or steak butters, rubs to eat in here that anyone can make easily with just a few simple ingredients.

All the cakes were ones I know I'll enjoy, from simple pound cakes, to tweaks on classic from scratch carrot cakes, cheese cake, olive oil cakes etc. Many of these are baked in bunt pans! You can do this, easily! (and enjoy them for dessert and breakfast, haha.)
I can't wait to try all these.

The format is easy to follow and the pictures are stunning!

[Michelle Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to review this cookbook in exchange for a pre-publication sample of the cookbook. It has just about every different versions and tastes of steal along with appropriate side dishes and cake that go well with the steak. I have to buy this cookbook! It even has a recipe for Tex Mex sheet cake (my favorite). I'm always on the lookout for different ways to spice and prep steak. I also love to bake from scratch,

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why author Elizabeth Karmel choose to write a cookbook pairing steak and cake. And really, I don’t cake. I’m just beyond happy that she did! I mean, come on. Steak and Cake! Like I wasn’t going to check this book out.

The first thing I was to say about STEAK AND CAKE is . . . PHOTOS! Yes, this delicious cookbook has big, beautiful color photos (by Stephen Hamilton) for every single recipe! If you follow my cookbook reviews, you know how much this thrills me. Seriously, Ms. Karmel, if you’re reading this, Thank you!

As I continue writing this review, my stomach is growling and I have drool forming. Going back and forth from steak recipes and the best cakes to pair with them for dessert, it has set my taste buds off! Some of the combinations recommend by the author are . . . Red-Hot Cast-Iron Steak with Perfect Crust and Gingerbread with Orange Marmalade and Grand Mariner Glaze, Classic New York Steakhouse Strip with Beefsteak Tomatoes and Sizzling Thick Bacon and Onions and Potus Carrot Cake, Steak Diane with Twice-Baked Potatoes and Retro Chocolate Cupcakes with a Sweet Mascarpone Center, Sizzlin’ Steak Kabobs with Salsa Verde and Pecan-Studded Rum Cake, Hanger Steak with Garlic Smashed Potatoes and Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake, and so many more!

STEAK AND CAKE is a well thought out cookbook. Besides the amazing recipes and fantastic photos, the author offers conversion tables, and steak and cake primers. A perfect mix of savory steaks (with side dishes) and sweet cakes, you have a meal from beginning to end laid out for you in just a few pages!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you aren't hungry before you read this book, you definitely will be when you finish it. Who doesn't love a steak cooked to perfection and cake for dessert? Usually, you would need two different cookbooks, but with this book, you get great steak recipes and great cake recipes all in one book. My mouth is seriously watering right now.

[Penmouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the concept of the Steak and Cake cookbook by Elizabeth Karmel but I wasn't super thrilled with the availability or cost of some of the recipes given. For example the author gives a recipe pairing for Tomahawk Steak and Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Puffs. (The author pairs a steak recipe with a cake recipe to round out the meal in a memorable way.) I've never heard of a Tomahawk Steak and I find it highly unlikely I will find a Tomahawk Steak at my local grocery store. Fortunately the author explained what the Tomahawk steak was in her section called Steak Primer. I found a photo of the steak, along with where the steak is found in the cow, and the cost to buy the steak. In case you are interested the Tomahawk Steak is considered luxury cut.

I did appreciate the author's extensive tips for both cooking the steaks and baking the cakes.

Some of the recipe pairings you will find include:

Steak Tacos and Margarita Tres Leche Cake
Hangar Steak and Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Steak Frites and Brown Sugar Pound Cake

I would have probably liked this cookbook a bit more if the recipes were a bit easier to make.

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steak and Cake is a cookbook like none I've previously seen. Elizabeth Karmel says she never orders steak or cake while out to eat as she is almost always disappointed. Steaks and cakes are also two of the most intimidating dishes for home cooks to attempt. Karmel aims to take away this fear, and does so with a bounty of delicious recipes for steaks paired with cakes. Accompanying these recipes are beautiful photographs, which are sure to inspire readers to try their hands at these recipes. But what really makes Steak and Cake a must purchase are the steak and cake primers located in the back of the book. These sections have invaluable information on how to purchase steak, the differences between various cuts, information about buying cake pans, and basic cake recipes. This book is unique and may seem at first to have limited usage, but this book will prove to be a valuable tool.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a genius idea for a cookbook. I loved this book. I found different ways to prepare steak with sauces/toppings and full easy to make cakes that pair well with that piece of meat. I learned all about the different meats and what to look for and so much more. Pictures for almost all recipes so you know what they should look like.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you enjoy cake? Do you also happen to enjoy steak? Well, then, you need this cookbook! It gives some absolutely delicious-sounding recipes for the best combinations of steaks...and cakes. Because once you've gulped down a steak, you should top it off with cake for no other reason than it rhymes. Mmm, steakey cake.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard the title of this cookbook: Steak and Cake, I thought how amazing a combination is that!?! I love cake. And I love steak. And I think it’s possible that Elizabeth Karmel is a genius. But then I read the table of contents. New York Strip with Homemade Confetti Birthday Cake? Bob’s Steak au Poivre with Poppy-Seed Cake? My Mother’s Beef Steak Stroganoff with Baked Ricotta Cheesecake? An Indoor/Outdoor Tomahawk Steak with Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnut Puffs??!!

I was wrong when I said it’s possible Karmel is a genius. I’m certain of it!

The steak recipes range from ones you’d find in a traditional American steakhouse to ones you’d find in France, Italy, or Mexico. The cooking instructions are written in a way to take beginner steak cooks to confidence, and confident steak cooks to experts. There are also lots of tips for choosing and using the right pans, dressing up steaks with sauces and compound butters, handling raw and cooked foods with tongs, and knowing the right steak knife to use.

And of course, you can’t have a steak dinner without sides. From Bloody Mary Salad to Steakhouse Spinach, from a traditional Yorkshire Pudding to Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Karmel has you covered. You’ll be able to serve a delicious steak dinner for a quiet family Sunday or host an impressive dinner party with all the combinations you can create. And of course, there are a couple of recipes for cocktails to boot.

Karmel’s years in restaurants and teaching contribute to her deep understanding of cooking and baking. As a Southerner, she grew up understanding good food, grilling, and cake, thanks to the women around her who also cooked and taught. In fact, her grandmother was the chef for President Gerald Ford. Despite his requests, she never shared her recipe for her carrot cake outside of her family. Fortunately for us, Karmel has included it in Steak and Cake.

With a primer on steak that includes an in-depth look at all the different cuts and where they come from, and a primer on cake that gives you an equal amount of insider information on cake ingredients, Steak and Cake can help you take your dinner game to a higher level. But be prepared, the gorgeous photos and the delicious descriptions will make you want to head straight for the kitchen (or the grill) to make your own steak and cake dinner. It is mouth-watering, incisive, inventive, and frankly, just the best idea ever!

Galleys for Steak and Cake were provided by Workman Publishing Company through NetGalley, with many thanks.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this in January and read through it, then dawdled all year creating an index for it.

There were a few problems with the ARC that were hopefully found and corrected before final publication-- a few dishes were listed under a name or title, but when referenced elsewhere as an alternate pairing, the dish's name was a variant ("Coconut confetti cake" vs. "Celebration coconut cake" sort of thing-- those aren't exact examples but close). There were also a few references to sides that I couldn't find, so maybe the recipes didn't make the final cut but the "see page [000] for [potato side dish] recipe" didn't get caught.

The recipes all look good and seem reasonable. The sauces and side dishes are well-matched. There were a few fancy ingredients that I might not be able to get in town, but most everything is pretty standard.

The general information on types of steak, how to identify them, and how to cook them, looks great. (I can't say how accurate it is since I don't actually cook much steak.) The primer on cakes and icings has excellent information.

Overall, very good quality production with great photos. Recommended for any grill masters and bakers.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing book, like who doesn't love Steak and Cake? This is a brilliant book which combines both of my favourite things to eat. The recipes are very good, the cakes in particular look amazing and I cannot wait to try some of them out.

I will be buying a few copies of this to put away as Christmas presents.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Patrica Liebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the Workman Publishing Company for an honest review.
This book was an amazing book filled with what will become family favourites in fact I went ahead and purchased a copy for my cookbook shelf which is already groaning with books. The recipes are very inventive for steak and very inventive for the cake part. Loved the layout and loved the recipes . 5 star rating and a highly recommend from me.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

No summer/ holiday/ family gathering would be memorable if it weren't for the food! And what does everyone ask for? Steak and cake! After toting the same recipes to the first few gatherings, you want something new and different. I found a treasure trove of new and different in this book. My family has divvied out the recipes so we could try them all and give a resounding 5 stars to Elizabeth Karmel.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures of recipes? Yes.
Commentary on recipes? Yes.
Nutrition facts? No.
Recipe Style? See title.
Any keepers? A couple.

An interesting concept. It does cover a wide array of steak options, and the recipes aren't just variations on the same theme. There was a good variety of cakes with varying degrees of difficulty. Certainly an interesting title for those looking for a cookbook that isn't just more of the same.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of the Worst Bestsellers podcast and steak lover, I had to pick up a cook book about steaks and cakes.

Most of these recipes are pretty elaborate. But I like that there's photos! And there's a nice pairing of steaks with various cakes that suit them. Most of these recipes require a grill and/or a number of baking pans and tools I don't have so I haven't tried any of these yet. But it seems like a good book to aspire to.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! I love this book. TheEverything sounds so yummy and the pictures will make you drool. I will be trying some of the recipes and I plan to gift this book to quite a few people. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearings on my review,

[Jeanne Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. I LOVED THIS COOKBOOK. I made the Cowboy Steak and Whiskey Buttermilk Bundt Cake several times to rave reviews. I am cooking and baking my way through this book and enjoying every minute of it! I will be giving this out for birthday and Christmas gifts. It’s a keeper!

[InformationSuperhero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like the title says: Steak and Cake.

Not taking too much away from this (The author's only focus for doneness was the rare side of medium rare. Kinda turned me off reading it every 2 pages. Could have put "to temperature" instead).

Going to try 1 cake and 1 frosting recipe (not together): Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake & Cocoa-Frangelico Frosting.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Informative

I initially wanted to read this only for the cakes lol I found a lot of information and good recipes for steaks too. It pairs up so many different combinations for dinner party ideas. A bit of storytelling and background for each recipe. A lot of useful guides and tips.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steak and Cake cookbook offers a unique way of pairing over 100 recipes with sweets.

You can try out the Cowboy Steak with Whiskey Butter. Now, how yummy is that?

An excellent instructional guide that is easy to follow with great illustrations.

[Margaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with the book pr se, just much more limited than the cookbooks I'd usually purchase.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these recipes, I have marked quite a few I want to make. The deep dive into streaks and the kinds, cooking methods were wonderful and very helpful.i learned so much.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Not sure how many of the recipes I will make but I really enjoy her pairings and the stories that went with them.

[Gladimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want all!!!

[Mary Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun for people who don’t think of dessert as an afterthought. Enjoyed the information on beef.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steak and Cake: More Than 100 Recipes to Make Any Meal a Smash Hit by Elizabeth Karmel from Working Publishing is a beautiful, fun cookbook. It has amazing pictures. The large beautiful pictures make this coffee table type book quality. The recipes are interesting and look good and they are formatted well making them easy to follow.
Anyone who loves cook books will love this beautiful book.
I received an ARC which in no way influenced this review.