Hello. You have not entered the text to which this question refers, which makes it impossible for it to be answered accurately. However, I will try to help you in the best possible way.
It is likely that this text is referring to a recipe, in this case, we can assume that if Atwood used the word "conjure" instead of "make" or "bake", it is because she is referring to this recipe as a magic ritual that intends to invoke something spiritual, divine, like the bread or cake that this recipe may be referring to.
i dont think there is any reason. you might find that the author has the same themes that he/she likes to write about but idk i think you need to read the book
