Julie Van Rosendaal has long been a trusted voice in Canadian kitchens, known for her approachable recipes, comforting food wisdom, and warm, no-nonsense style. In her latest release, You Are Human and You Need Cake, she delivers exactly what the title promises: a joyful reminder that baking isn’t about perfection—it’s about nourishment, generosity, and the small pleasures that connect us to one another. https://www.dinnerwithjulie.com/
The book grew out of online cruelty that seems to have taken root in our social media platforms. While we all have opinions, crossing the threshold to insults, threats and downright meanness, have silenced many people. Not Julie…she turned the ugliness of social media into a book…about cake!
We first met Julie with her book Dirty Food at https://canadiancookbooks.ca/dirty-food/ as well as a contribution to What We Talk About When We Talk About Dumplings with her perogies recipe: https://canadiancookbooks.ca/nellies-perogies/
From the very first page, this cookbook feels like a conversation with a good friend. There’s none of the intimidating precision or rigid seriousness that can sometimes make baking feel like a science experiment. Instead, Julie’s tone is invitational: “You are human. You deserve cake.” It’s a manifesto for anyone who has ever burned a batch of cookies or wrestled with a collapsed sponge cake. Her philosophy? Cake is never wasted. Even if it doesn’t look like a magazine photo, it can still bring sweetness to the table.
The recipes themselves cover an impressive range, from everyday snacking cakes to celebratory showstoppers. Classic combinations like lemon pound cake and traditional chocolate cakes sit alongside more elaborate creations—think Baked Alaska, Rhubarb Biscoff Icebox Cake, or Nanaimo bars masquerading as “cake.” Each recipe is straightforward, using accessible ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. That’s part of Julie’s genius: she knows what real people actually keep in their kitchens, and she respects our time and budgets.
Snack cakes appear throughout the book making baking approachable and comforting. These are the kind of recipes you can throw together on a weekday afternoon without special equipment or an endless list of ingredients. They’re perfect for school lunches, coffee breaks, or just having something comforting waiting on the counter when family or friends drop by. Her Saucy Fruit Spoon Cake has already become a staple in my own home—moist, tender, and just indulgent enough.
But the book is more than recipes. Scattered throughout are little reflections, anecdotes, and gentle reminders that food is about community as much as it is about sustenance. Julie emphasizes that cake is inherently about sharing—baking a cake for someone else is a universal gesture of care. In a world that often feels rushed and transactional, that reminder lands deeply. With the holidays around the corner, make the Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake in our Recipe section. No extra decorating as it comes out of the pan ready to be displayed. Ok, maybe a dollop of whipped cream!
Visually, the book is gorgeous but not fussy. The photography feels real and achievable, with cakes that look like they were baked in a home kitchen rather than a studio. It’s refreshing to see imperfect swirls of frosting and slices that actually look like something you could plate yourself. The design is cheerful and bright, echoing the spirit of celebration that underpins every page.
What I appreciate most about You Are Human and You Need Cake is that it lowers the barrier to entry for anyone intimidated by baking. Julie doesn’t just hand you recipes; she hands you permission—to make mistakes, to improvise, to bake for no reason other than it brings you joy. And in that sense, the book feels less like a manual and more like an act of kindness. Purchase all of Julie’s books at https://www.dinnerwithjulie.com/books-2/ or win a copy of You Are Human and You Need Cake in our Giveaway section. Great stocking stuffers and hostess gifts for the foodie on your shopping list!
If you’ve ever wanted to rekindle your love of baking—or if you just need a gentle reminder that cake is always the answer—this cookbook belongs on your shelf. It’s not just about cake. It’s about being human. And sometimes, being human really does require a slice.
Contents and images used with permission by Dinner With Julie. https://www.dinnerwithjulie.com/