Cooking is a necessity-everyone needs to eat-but baking is different. No one needs a chocolaty cake or a delectable sweet to survive. That is, until that moment when a chocolate cake is exactly what you need to survive.

Author Samantha Seneviratne believes that every baking project begins with a spark-a desire, a craving, a memory, or a feeling-and through baking that spark is made real. Inspired by the gumption and charm of the classic, bestselling cookbook The Joy of Cooking, this cookbook focuses on the joys that make up everyday life and 75 ways to bake yourself back up when you feel like you've hit the bottom. Each chapter explores one of five themes and provides recipes paired with touching, humorous, and thoughtful essays and beautiful photos throughout.

• Chocolate Cardamom Swirl Babka
• Apricot Frangipange Phyllo Tart
• Nectarine Galette with Sour Cherry Jam
• Strawberry Rhubarb Cake with Bay and Orange
• Coffee Crème Bundt Cake

For all the happy and joyous moments, for every stage of love, lovesickness, and everything in between, when you need a moment of comfort and solace, there's always dessert.