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Marbled, Swirled, and Layered: 150 Recipes and Variations for Artful Bars, Cookies, Pies, Cakes, and More Kindle Edition
“Filled to the brim with recipes for the most splendidly beautiful cakes, cookies, breads, and tarts I think I’ve ever seen . . . a triumph!” —Ree Drummond, “The Pioneer Woman”
Incredible desserts with layers and swirls of flavor that are beautiful and delicious—inside and out When you marble, layer, and swirl doughs, batters, toppings, or frostings, good looks and good taste come together in one total package. Irvin Lin, creator of the popular blog Eat the Love, shows how these techniques open the door to inventive flavor combinations that look as fantastic as they taste.
Bakers of all levels will enjoy recipes ranging from easy brownies and bars to brunch-worthy muffins and morning buns to show-stopping cakes and tarts: cinnamon spiral icebox cookies, pistachio-swirl brownies, triple-chocolate pie, multicolored “Neapolitan” layer cake, and more. Lin offers variations to suit any taste (more than 150 recipes total) plus baking and decorating tips throughout on topics like making your own all-natural food coloring, rolling up jelly roll–style cakes, and discovering the magic of browned butter. Readers (and eaters) are sure to ooh and ahh over every dazzling dessert at first glance—and then again at first bite.
“Irvin Lin gives home-baked treats a twist, ramping them up with a range of contemporary flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.”—David Lebovitz, New York Times bestselling author of Drinking French
“Leave it to Irvin to hit it out of the park with Marbled, Swirled, and Layered. Every recipe is an inspiration! I want to make, and eat, every. single. one.”—Elise Bauer, founder of Simply Recipes
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From the Publisher

Pistachio Butter Swirled Fudge Brownies from Marbled, Swirled, and Layered
Makes 24 small brownies
I know people who swear they could eat an entire jar of peanut butter. But as much as they love peanut butter, when I introduce these folks to pistachio butter, they often go crazy for it! This brownie, which incorporates swirls of homemade pistachio butter, is for all those people who haven’t yet had the pleasure of pistachio butter in their lives. With a deep, fudgy chocolate brownie and a dense, salty pistachio batter married together, this is the showstopper brownie that will have you wondering where pistachio butter has been all your life.
Make the Pistachio Butter Batter
Place the pistachios, salt, and oil in a food processor or blender and process until a smooth paste forms. Add the powdered sugar and process until incorporated.
Make the Brownie Batter
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and then line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, with 2 inches of paper overhanging the edge of the pan on two sides. Place the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds. Continue to cook in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
Add both sugars to the chocolate mixture and stir with a whisk or fork until incor¬porated. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating vigorously to incorporate after each. Stir in the vanilla and then the salt and baking soda. Switch to a large spatula and add the flour and cocoa, folding until just absorbed.
Ingredients: Pistachio Butter Batter
- 2-1⁄2 cups (360 g) shelled pistachios
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons (80 g) extra-virgin olive oil or pistachio oil
- 1 cup (115 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder (optional)
Directions
Scrape half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly to the edges (it’s okay if it doesn’t cover it completely). Spoon three-quarters of the pistachio butter batter over the brownie batter, then spread the remaining brownie batter on top. Stir the matcha green tea powder, if using, into the remaining pistachio butter batter. Spoon the pistachio batter on top of the brownie batter in dollops and use a butter knife or chopstick to swirl it into the brownie batter.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes on a wire rack, then remove the brownies by grabbing the parchment paper by the overhang and lifting straight up and out. Transfer the still-warm brownies to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Alternative: Peanut Butter Swirled Fudge Brownies
Make the brownie batter as directed. For the peanut butter batter, stir together 3⁄4 cup (225 g) smooth peanut butter (not natural), 6 tablespoons (85 g) melted unsalted butter, 1⁄2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt. Assemble and bake as directed.
Ingredients: Brownie Batter
- 6 ounces (170 g) unsweetened chocolate, chopped into 1⁄4-inch pieces
- 14 tablespoons (200 g or 1-3⁄4 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1-1⁄4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 g) packed dark brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3⁄4 cup (105 g) all-purpose flour
- 2⁄3 cup (75 g) natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
Editorial Reviews
Review
“My goodness, this cookbook! It’s filled to the brim with recipes for the most splendidly beautiful cakes, cookies, breads, and tarts I think I’ve ever seen. My eyes kept getting wider and wider as I turned every page—both the flavor combinations and the photos are out of this world. Irvin Lin has most definitely outdone himself. This book is a triumph!” —REE DRUMMOND, New York Times best-selling author of The Pioneer Woman Cooks “Irvin Lin gives home-baked treats a twist, ramping them up with a range of contemporary flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. From beer-battered brownies to smoky butterscotch taking a classic cake to the next level, I can’t wait to mix, stir, and bake my way through Marbled, Swirled, and Layered!” —DAVID LEBOVITZ, author of My Paris Kitchen “Leave it to Irvin to hit it out of the park with Marbled, Swirled, and Layered. Every recipe is an inspiration! I want to make, and eat, every. single. one.” —ELISE BAUER, founder of Simply Recipes “Irvin is not only an accomplished and creative baker, he is a generous teacher. Home cooks will find all of the tips and techniques necessary to feel supported and comfortable—as well as inspired—in the kitchen. No one should miss the recipe variations! I love the modern versions of traditional recipes, great new flavor combinations, and—of course—the invitation to use flavorful flours other than wheat!” —ALICE MEDRICH, author of Flavor Flours and Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies “Irvin Lin is a master at creative baking. I’ve admired his Eat the Love blog for the delicious goodies and lovely storytelling. I’m excited to see desserts with such interesting flavor combinations in his first cookbook. They are truly works of art!” —LORI LANGE, author of The Recipe Girl Cookbook and founder of RecipeGirl.com “If the old aphorism ‘Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first’ is true—and I believe it is—then Marbled, Swirled, and Layered should be the cookbook every sweet-loving baker reaches for first. Between its sinfully delicious covers are recipes for some of the most luscious, tempting desserts ever. I dare you not to lick the pages.” —DAVID LEITE, publisher of the James Beard Award–winning website LeitesCulinaria.com “Love this book. It’s packed with all the style and brilliance that made Irvin Lin such a must-read food writer online. This book is all about incorporating big flavors into your baking with style: swirling, studding, and supercharging recipes to a magical effect. Cakes are cut to reveal extraordinary fillings or sliced to show beautiful marbling. Cookies and bars offer striking geometric effects. Recipes are easy enough to encourage, but with enough intricacy to keep you interested and, yes, impress friends and family. Five-star baking at its best.” —DAN LEPARD, food writer and baker “This book is captivating. The recipes are unique, but more so, they are carefully crafted. The ingredients were chosen to complement each other to create the most magical experience. I found myself smiling as I read this book. The combination of amazing recipes and entertaining words makes it one of my favorites!” —AMANDA RETTKE, best-selling author “I couldn’t be more excited for Marbled, Swirled, and Layered. Irvin’s recipes are so unique and his flavor combinations —
About the Author
IRVIN LIN is an IACP Award−winning photographer and nationally recognized blogger (www.eatthelove.com) who has made the transition from graphic designer and art director to baker, food writer, recipe developer, and professional photographer.
Product details
- ASIN : B01IQJ49NU
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Illustrated edition (November 1, 2016)
- Publication date : November 1, 2016
- Language : English
- File size : 40.0 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 352 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #612,913 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #126 in Garnishing Meals
- #204 in Cake Baking (Kindle Store)
- #509 in Dessert Baking (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Irvin Lin is an IACP Award-winning photographer and nationally recognized blogger who has made the transition from successful graphic designer and art director to blue-ribbon baker, celebrated food writer, experienced recipe developer and professional photographer.
Irvin’s blog Eat the Love (www.eatthelove.com), which launched in 2010, quickly became a standout in the crowded field of food blogs. His work has been featured in Best Food Writing 2014, Bon Appetit’s Daily Links, Foodbeast, Food52, TheKitchn, HGTV’s Design blog and BuzzFeed. Eat the Love was nominated for the Best Baking and Dessert blog in the Saveur 2011 Best of the Food Blog Awards and listed in the PBS 11 Food Blogs we’re reading in 2011.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise this baking book for its unique recipes that are more complicated but very accessible, and its gorgeous photos that make it visually attractive enough for gifting. The book features simple explanations of useful techniques and tips throughout, making it straightforward to follow. Customers find the writing style well-written and entertaining, with one customer particularly impressed by the conversational approach throughout the book.
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Customers enjoy the recipes in this book, finding them unique and delicious, with many finding them accessible despite being sophisticated. They appreciate the alternative options provided within each recipe.
"...The alternative recipes are worthy in their own right, not just minor tweaks on original recipes where an author swaps out a single ingredient...." Read more
"...with the less-daunting recipes in this book, there are also many sophisticated desserts that sound excellent...." Read more
"This book was filled with unusual types of cookies, cakes, pies and some breads. A lot of helpful hints on changing up the flavors of each recipe...." Read more
"This cookbook has been a favorite “treat” book for years, and I finally got around to buying my own copy (rather than checking out from the library)...." Read more
Customers find the book visually appealing, praising its gorgeous photos and noting it's nice enough for gifting.
"...And most recipes have unique variations included, adding extra value...." Read more
"...It’s handsomely printed and bound (I work in paper/printing, so this matters to me), and the desserts are delicious. It's a lovely book." Read more
"...So good! Every recipe we’ve tried so far has been a winner." Read more
"Love this gorgeous cookbook!..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to use, with simple explanations of useful techniques and easy-to-follow recipes throughout. One customer particularly appreciates the helpful section for beginners on kitchen tools.
"...Not so fast! You are sure to pick up a few handy tips no matter how experienced you are as a baker...." Read more
"...I love the guide at the beginning of the book - it’s crucial for beginners like me, and makes you feel like you’ve been armed with some expert..." Read more
"...A lot of helpful hints on changing up the flavors of each recipe. My only complaint is that there was not enough pictures...." Read more
"...I also greatly appreciate the enormous amount of easy-to-understand information in the beginning of the book from which I learned a lot, even as an..." Read more
Customers appreciate the creativity of the book, describing it as a well-thought-out collection of totally unique recipes, with one customer noting that every chapter is filled with inventive ideas.
"...knowledge/mastery with the reader, and I like his straightforward, affable and humorous writing style...." Read more
"...forward to trying all the flavor variations which are creative but not esoteric...." Read more
"...The recipes have a familiarity to them but with a uniqueness all its own. Before I made anything, I read the comprehensive Introduction...." Read more
"...They were fancy bakery good--both in the way they looked and tasted...." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as well-written, with one customer highlighting the author's amazing talent for crafting perfect recipes and another noting its humorous tone.
"...with the reader, and I like his straightforward, affable and humorous writing style...." Read more
"...are fresh and interesting, and Irvin has an amazing talent for writing perfect recipes. I made the cake on the cover for a party...." Read more
"...than to find a recipe but in this case it actually makes for a very good read; much like his blog Eat the Love...." Read more
"...Irvin's stories are heartfelt, funny, and well-written, and the photographs are mouthwateringly gorgeous...." Read more
Customers find the book entertaining and interesting, with one mentioning that the conversations throughout the book are enjoyable.
"...The flavor combinations are fresh and interesting, and Irvin has an amazing talent for writing perfect recipes...." Read more
"This cookbook is to die for. Not only are the recipes innovative and intriguing but Irvin prefaces each recipe with an aside that is quite..." Read more
"...Irvin's stories are heartfelt, funny, and well-written, and the photographs are mouthwateringly gorgeous...." Read more
"The pictures are all beautiful & mouth-watering, the 150 recipes are unique and I can't wait to make all of them!..." Read more
Customers appreciate the great photos in the book.
"...The photographs are SO beautiful, if you never made a single thing, it's a joy to visualize all the deliciousness...." Read more
"...are heartfelt, funny, and well-written, and the photographs are mouthwateringly gorgeous. You will find yourself wanting to lick the page...." Read more
"This book is a beautifully photographed and well thought out collection of incredible recipes...." Read more
"...I look forward to making more items! And enjoying the gorgeous photography!" Read more
Customers find the book makes a great gift, with one mentioning it's particularly suitable for baking enthusiasts.
"...This would make a great gift for any baking enthusiast." Read more
"Great recipes and great gift" Read more
"Nice book; great gift" Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2017Alright, let's just say with over 2,000 cookbooks and many of them baking books, I can be a tough cookie to impress!
And yet impressed I am, VERY, by "Twirled, Swirled And Layered. From the first read, I have become author Irvin Win's cookbook groupie who wants to join his fan club, ensuring I am first to know when he releases his next book. ( hint, hint, Irvin!)
Right off the bat Irvin has taught me a few new things. Usually the kitchen tools section is something I quickly skim past. Not so fast! You are sure to pick up a few handy tips no matter how experienced you are as a baker. It made me feel like Irvin was personally sharing his insider knowledge. The same goes for the ingredients and the gluten-free conversion sections. In other words, this is a cookbook worth reading.
Onto the recipes...
Categories are: Cookies; Bars; pies, Tarts, Cobblers, and Crisps; Muffins, Breads, and Breakfast Goods; and A Little Bit More.
What is "A Liitle Bit More"? I will let Irvin explain:
"From cheesecakes to parfaits, from ice cream to eclairs, here are a few extra recipes that are unexpected in their flavors or execution. Think of this as my own twist ending, but a little sweeter and a lot less expensive than anything Apple would announce."
Can I volunteer to be a recipe tester? A baking elf on the shelf in his kitchen? I love this book and want more. Be sure to check out his blog. I did after purchasing his cookbook.
Do you like photos? This book has yummy full-page pics for some recipes. One look and photographer Linda Xiao has made me want to rush to get out the mixing bowls---until I realize it is after midnight on a workday, lol. I do wish there was a photo for each recipe but will take more recipes over more photos if forced to make that Sophie's Cookbook Choice.
But it is the actual recipes that earn this tome a place in my cookbook hall of fame and prompted me to write this review.
The recipes are original in a good, not weird, way. And most recipes have unique variations included, adding extra value. The alternative recipes are worthy in their own right, not just minor tweaks on original recipes where an author swaps out a single ingredient.
For example, I randomly flipped open the book to:
Honey Lavendar Cheescake Bars (a lovely light purple swirled delight). The alternative variation is:
Slow-Roastes Balsamic Strawberry Cheescake Bars.
Or how about: Dark Chocolate Whoppie Pies with Raspberry Marshmellow Filling? Oh yeah, baby! Alternative variations: Classic Whoppie Pies with Vanilla Bean Marshmellow Filling; Sweet Potato Whoppie Pies with Triple Ginger Marshmellow Filling, and Butterscotch Whoppie Pies With Apple-Cream Cheese Filling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am supposed to say Doris Greenspan's new book on cookies is my favorite buy of the holiday season. And don't get me wrong, that IS an awesome cookbook. But we're all friends here, right? Got to say THIS is the one I am grabbing if my house catches fire during a late-night, sleep-deprived bake in 2017.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2016I don’t usually bake, but this book has inspired me to start (and to enjoy it). It’s much more than just a collection of recipes - the author has put his all into the book. He’s generous about sharing his knowledge/mastery with the reader, and I like his straightforward, affable and humorous writing style. I actually feel inspired to make almost every recipe after reading his intros.
I love the guide at the beginning of the book - it’s crucial for beginners like me, and makes you feel like you’ve been armed with some expert knowledge. It also includes plenty of information that I imagine experienced bakers would still glean a lot from.
While I feel comfortable starting my baking “career” (haha) with the less-daunting recipes in this book, there are also many sophisticated desserts that sound excellent. And since creative recipe/ingredient alternatives are offered alongside each original recipe, you start to view the desserts in a more open-minded manner, rather than feeling like you’re bound to one rigid recipe (don’t get me wrong, you still have to follow the directions, but there’s some freedom with picking your preferred version).
I had high hopes for this book, and it has far exceeded my expectations. It’s handsomely printed and bound (I work in paper/printing, so this matters to me), and the desserts are delicious. It's a lovely book.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023This book was filled with unusual types of cookies, cakes, pies and some breads. A lot of helpful hints on changing up the flavors of each recipe. My only complaint is that there was not enough pictures. For a man who is a professional photographer he ought to know better.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024This cookbook has been a favorite “treat” book for years, and I finally got around to buying my own copy (rather than checking out from the library). So good! Every recipe we’ve tried so far has been a winner.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016Love this gorgeous cookbook! Now that winter has arrived, I find myself snuggling under a blanket with this book almost nightly just to look through the pictures and recipes trying to decide which to make next.
I believe the phrase "life-changing" was used as a friend was stuffing a Spiced Pumpkin Pie Bar on Chocolate Shortbread Crust with Mascarpone Frosting into her mouth. Another friend was sensitive to the grapefruit zest in the Grapefruit and Earl Grey Bread which made her mouth tingly but insisted on eating three pieces of it because it was just so darn delicious (her words). And the Cinnamon Honey Bun Cookies? I literally saw someone at work eating them whole. Repeatedly.
So needless to say, Irvin Lin's recipes are amazing. I'm really looking forward to trying all the flavor variations which are creative but not esoteric. I also greatly appreciate the enormous amount of easy-to-understand information in the beginning of the book from which I learned a lot, even as an avid baker, as well as the WEIGHT measurements offered which makes baking so much more efficient. LOVE WEIGHT MEASUREMENTS.
So in summation, if you like to bake, and/or like eating delicious baked goods, you should immediately buy this book, and/or buy it for people you know who are likely to bake things for you, because everyone should have the experience of eating the deliciousness that springs forth from these pages.
Top reviews from other countries
- Fixer upperReviewed in Canada on June 15, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Pastry Cookbook
Everything I hoped it would be
- lamaclellanReviewed in Canada on July 30, 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars Hit and miss
I liked it, I didn't love it. I am finding all bakery books now focus on weird ingredients to set their books apart. I don't have a problem with unique ingredients, but these ingredients are not lending any special flavour or texture to any of the finished products. For example the Semolina and Blood Orange cake with Pistachio- Thyme filling - flavour profile did not work. It was very off and I blame the thyme. No one I served it to liked it either. However the Smoky Butterscotch and Vanilla cake was to die for and that cake vanished in one day. So the book for me is a lot of hit and miss. Banana Crunch Beer Brownies - hit. Apple Cinnamon Coriander Swirl Cobbler- miss.
I buy a lot of cookbooks and can appreciate a good one. This is written well, photographed beautifully and has both classic and unique recipes. Some work and some don't but that could be a flavour preference you might love thyme in the blood orange cake. The book format is square and I think all cookbooks should be this size and shape as it works perfectly in the kitchen.