Mali Bakes By Patti Chimkire
In her new cookbook Mali Bakes, Melbourne pastry chef Patti Chimkire invites readers into a world where colour and nostalgia meet in equal measure—with recipes to bake the retro cake of your dreams.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos DANIEL HERRMANN-ZOL
‘Mali Bakes started humbly in my little share house kitchen back in 2019,’ shares Patti Chimkire.
Vietnamese coffee flan cake from Mali Bakes.
‘From the moment you gather ingredients at the markets to the quiet joy mixing, folding and baking, cake has a way of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary,’ says Patti Chimkire.
“Every order is more than just flour and sugar—it’s a reflection of someone’s joy, a chapter in their celebration.”
Ginger & black sesame swirl cake from the pages of Mali Bakes.
Mali Bakes by Patti Chimkire is out now.
‘A layer cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a beautiful harmony of textures and flavours, with each component contributing its unique note to a sweet symphony.’
The colourful rosy plaid cake, reminiscent of a classic picnic basket!
In her new book Mali Bakes, Melbourne pastry chef Patti Chimkire, founder of Thornbury’s beloved bakeshop Mali Bakes turns retro cake dreams into a modern, make-able practice.
Part guide, part celebration, the book moves from simple bakes to layered showpieces, pairing bold flavour with buttercream technique and colour-forward decorating.
More than a collection of recipes, Mali Bakes is a guide to joyful creativity in the kitchen, a love letter to the cakes that first inspired Patti’s cult bakery. From the buttery elegance of an apple and yuzu upside-down cake to the layered decadence of pistachio cake with cardamom-roasted rhubarb, each recipe balances whimsy with precision.
Beginners can start with simple bakes before working up to show-stopping celebration cakes, complete with buttercream piping techniques and 15 playful decorating projects designed to spark confidence and imagination.
Patti’s visual language takes cues from vintage 1970s decorating books, reimagined through a modern lens. The result is signature Mali Bakes: pastel swirls, sculpted peaks, and saturated hues that transform buttercream into sculpture. Her approach celebrates imperfection and individuality: cakes that are tactile, generous, and made to be shared.
Born as a lockdown side-project, Mali Bakes has evolved into one of Melbourne’s most-loved cake studios, defined by a fearless use of colour and a nostalgic sense of joy. Through her new book, Patti opens the doors of her bakery, offering both inspiration and instruction. Whether baking for a birthday or an afternoon tea, readers are encouraged to embrace the process—to mix, pipe, layer, and decorate with abandon!
This is an edited extract from Mali Bakes by Patti Chimkire, published by Thames & Hudson Australia. Out now
