Book Description
The secrets of sweet and salivatious cakes and desserts for vegans - The Ultimate Cheesecake, Trifle, 3 types of Chocolate Cake, Lemon Explosion Cake, DIY candy, 2 types of Gingerbread, Microwave Sponge Pudding, and much more. "The essential antidote to health foods for vegans, trainee vegans, relatives of vegans, kitchen scientists, students, frustrated bingers and sugar addicts, people with allergies and curious cooks wanting to know how vegans 'do it' without eggs and cow extracts." ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A Fresh Approach
No time for a cake, no problem! Very helpful book for those last minute cakes and you've run out of ideas. ... Read more

Book Description
Originally published as A Piece of Cake, this baking classic is now back in print, thoroughly revised, and beautifully redesigned.
Author of The Perfect Pie and renowned baking authority Susan Purdy has spent a lifetime mastering the art of baking perfect cakes–those mysterious delicacies that are not too dry, not too dense, and never stuck to the pan. Revealing her secrets for the complete range of easy to elegant recipes, The Perfect Cake gives every home baker an extra helping of confidence.

With Purdy at your side sharing her precise troubleshooting tips and clever shortcuts, layer cakes, sheet cakes, sponge cakes, angel-food and chiffon cakes, tortes, and jelly rolls become wonderfully feasible. Helping readers skillfully create everything from a simple pound cake to Old-Fashioned Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Black-and-White Cheesecake, or Hazelnut Torte, The Perfect Cake features easy decorating pointers that are sure to impress on special occasions. Providing a selection of more than 150 exceptional recipes, this is the book that will keep even the novice from ever resorting to mediocre mixes again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Easy as A Piece of Cake
Susan Purdy explains cake making for the home baker. I truely appreciate her providing the recipes with weights. Makes baking much easier. She also provides several pages of many conversion tables that I found very useful. Recommend this book for the new and experienced baker. Bake and enjoy, your table companions will appreciate your efforts.

Cakes Get Rave Reviews
I spotted this book at the local library and it inspired me to bake a birthday cake for a coworker.The carrot cake was a hit and I heard, over and over, that it was "the best carrot cake I've ever eaten in my entire life!"Requests followed for the next birthday and once again, I heard, "This is best cake I've ever had in my entire life."Past attempts have received compliments, but never to this extreme.I certainly couldn't take the credit for Purdy's recipes, tips and variations.As previous reviewers have written, Purdy goes beyond the recipe to explain (simply) the chemistry behind things.I learned that the processing of the cocoa makes all the diverence in achieving the red velvet color of the cake of that same name.The only negative comment that I could possibly have is to say that I was disappointed to not find a recipe for a German Chocolate cake.I've checked this book out repeatedly from the library and now plan to buy my very own copy!

It Really Is a Piece of Cake!
I borrowed this from the library and have renewed it twice. I'm ready to buy! My son and husband fought over the last slice of the 1-2-3-4 Cake and want me to make it again. I prefer to bake cakes from scratch; they prefer that "light, airy" texture of boxed cakes. This cookbook convinced me to sift the flour - and it made the difference. I like the detail given; it's not just do this, do that. I got an understanding of why the steps were included. A really terrific cake-recipe book!

Wow!This book rules...
The recipes in this book are just plain yummy!Simply delicious cakes that are not too hard to make. Try the chocolate buttermilk cake--it is DIVINE!Mmmmm...so good:)

Pretty Good Cake
The aeration process advocated for shortening type cakes really turns out a light fine textured cake. In addition to great extra cake recipes this book also marches pretty much in lock step with the Betty Crocker Red Book basic tutorials such as for egg,cakesand the ingredient sub list, which is something that I really like. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (5)

modern for its time
The best feature of this book is the layout. As the title suggests, instructions are given out in a most logical sequence. Directions start off with information on sculpting, then covering with fondant, onto to using color, then instant decorations and so on.
The techniques offered here were modern for its time, but now seem a bit dated. The sculpting ideas are good. I like the way she showed how a # 3 cake could be made, and there is some interesting information in the instant decoration section. Using jimmies as a board covering is a neat idea as was the caramel decoration-they looked like little butterflies. Other techniques new to me were the fondant ribbon insertions and modeling applications similiar to the polymer clay Fimo (the striped fondant on the circus cake is a good example).

However most of the other techniques have been better represented in other works.The cake designs shown in the book didn't appeal to me and I was not inspired by her book as it read like a text book. She should of shown a different cake to illustrate painting; a toy top would of been a much better choice, as the example she offered looked amateurish.
Other complaints include having too much information in this book to fit the title listed and the piping techniques being too difficult for a beginner to do. Overall not a great book.

Fine if you like fondant
Like many cake decorating books published in the UK, this book's cakes are not apt to have broad appeal to the US home baker. People who grew up with Aunt Betty's buttercream icing and Mom's frosted cupcakes after school may find the taste of the sugarpaste (rolled fondant) covering used on nearly all these cakes unfamiliar, too sweet, and with a stange texture. Most of the cakes are lovely to look at, but there is not a single one in here that I would actually make.

Beautiful cakes for the advanced cake decorator
The book is beautifully photographed and written, however the tools and ingredients are not for beginners.Ribbons and marzipan are used frequently, rather than plain icing, and the cakes are elaborate.

Only discusses fondant and sugarpaste techniques
This book does not illustrate any techniques used with piped icing.There are some beautiful cakes but they are decorated with either poured or rolled fondant.

I would reccomend this book to many others who are learning.
I have enjoyed reading this book, and learning all the techniques described inside. The recipes, and guidelines to follow are easy for the first time decorator.I will definitly recommend this book to all my friends, who wish to learn the basics about the art of cake decorating.Thank you Janice Murfitt ... Read more

Book Description
With Betty Crocker, delicious desserts are a piece of cake!

Take your favorite Betty Crocker SuperMoist cake mix flavor, add a drop of this, a dash of that, stir, bake, decorate, and you've created dessert magic beyond your sweetest dreams! Here's your complete guide to baking with cake mix, packed with foolproof recipes from the ultimate cake mix experts-the Betty Crocker Kitchens. All your favorites are here, easy to make, easier to bake and easiest of all to enjoy! So whether you're a first-time baker in search of tempting treats or an expert ready for a challenge, you'll find plenty of great ideas in Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook.

• Planning a big birthday bash? Decorate a pretty Ballet Slippers Cake to see any aspiring ballerina twirl in delight.
• On the go to a potluck party? Tote along a super-rich Triple-Fudge Cake and all you'll bring home is the empty pan.
• Craving a cookie jar filled to the brim? Bake a batch of Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies for a sure-fire snacking treat.
• Hankering for holiday cheer? Create oh-so-cute Rudolph Cupcakes to make any holiday party merry and bright.
• Surprising someone special with a splendid celebration? Frost an elegant Chocolate Ganache Cake and watch your guests ooh and aah.

Customer Reviews (6)

Betty Crockers Best Cakes
This is a great book if you are not counting calories. The recipes all start with a cake mix and then a few simple touches are added. The lemon cake is unbelievable. If you want great cakes that are easy to make, this is the book for you.

sweet satisfaction
This cookbook is great and the recipies are really easy to follow.The Turtle Cake is awsome.I am looking forward to trying each recipie, specially the holiday cakes.

Great for no fuss baking
I received this book as a gift and absolutely love it. It makes baking simple and uncomplicated. Baking from scratch is good for some but most of us do not have that kind of time. This book allows for great tasting and great looking desserts such that no one would guess you took a shortcut.

Betty Crocker cake mix cookbook
This is an excellent book as the instructions are written in a clear concise format.Recipes include a variety of desserts--cakes, cookies, breads, and special occasion cakes for birthday, Christmas, and other holidays.Even the novice cook would benefit from this cookbook as I believe these are "never fail" recipes which is a good boost to the beginning baker!Tips are also given at the beginning of the book to make sure the baker has all the information he/she needs as well as a consumer Q & A section is given.

Cake Mix Doctor MUCH Better!
Many of these recipes are -follow the instructions on the box- and do something cute with the finished product:cut in pieces and make a bunny cake,a sailboat cake, a butterfly cake, a computer cake, etc., or add food coloring and make a rainbow cake.I was expecting more RECIPES. ... Read more

Book Description
The mania for miniature sweets is gaining momentum–maybe due to happy memories of the magical tea parties of our childhood, or the intimacy of having our own tiny treat in a supersized world, with no need to share!

The mother-daughter team at the Riviera Bakehouse in Westchester, New York, and authors of The Whimsical Bakehouse and Christmas Cookies from the Whimsical Bakehouse now present an abundance of fabulous new recipes for little decorated cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and more–all in fresh flavor combinations, like caramel cake with dulce de leche buttercream or spicy chocolate cake with cinnamon-chocolate whipped cream. This comprehensive introduction to baking in miniature also provides tips on glazing, icing, and making chocolate decorations and offers details on the equipment you need to get started (including a cake pan chart, so that you can use those mini rose pans, heart pans, and other fun shapes to bake unique creations).

The authors are famous for their over-the-top decorations, and they’ll take you step-by-step through the process of creating cakes piped and appliquéd with bumblebees (white chocolate wings and nonpareil stripes make them irresistible!), blooming roses (or, if you prefer, delicate hydrangeas with lifelike shaded petals), wild meringues (dressed with tiger stripes, zebra stripes, or leopard spots), and spiky dragons (right down to the serpentine tail). The recipes in Little Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse are categorized into three levels: one star for easy, two for intermediate, and three for challenging. So whether you want to start with a charming, super-easy star-shaped mini strawberry shortcake or strive for A Day at the Beach pail-shaped cake, complete with cookie-crumb sand, chocolate shovel, and edible seashells, you’ll find a cool confection that fits your skills. If you’re not ready for complicated decorating, this book also provides easy presentation ideas to make simple cakes look grander, ensuring the perfect finish to any occasion.

Little cakes are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat! After all, who’d turn down a bit–and a bite–of joy in their lives? ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Love it!
This book has some of everything in it.If you are interested in exploring methods beyond basic buttercream this is your book!Well written for the average beginner to cake decorating it gives you step by step instructions for so many decorating techniques.A great book for anyone attempting a new technique.You will learn enough to know whether or not you want to persue the technique further.

Debbie

Not for the Buttercream at Heart
This would be an essential guide if you work with fondant, mold gumpaste flowers, or model paste figures.There are step-by-step photos about how to make a wide variety of flowers, how to use basic tips for piping, how to model a variety of animals and people, and how to marbelize fondant.There are some gorgeous fondant designs--my favorites are the stacked pastel square packages, a castle, a teddy bear picnic, and a white-on-white Christmas cake.There are also some wedding cake designs that are quite different from anything you'd find in a Wilton yearbook.

This guide also offers a great section on elegant gateaux, from custard meringue to tiramisu, cappuccino truffle, and pears with a spun toffee halo, all with beautiful pictures.It also includes basic cake recipes, as well as decorating tips with pastillage, run-outs or colorflow, and a variety of other techniques.

There are a number of recipes and designs to inspire a baker or any decorator with a flair for fondant.If you'd rather pipe your icing and use molded chocolate accents, it's not an essential guide to cake decorating for you . . . just nice to look through the pictures. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Although the wedding cake is usually one of the last details engaged couples settle on before the big day, it's just as important for setting the tone and style of the celebration as the flowers or the invitations. An elegant, towering Croquembouche studded with golden almonds and wrapped in clouds of spun sugar sends a different message than a rich-looking Gianduja Truffle Cake decorated with fresh fruit and dusted with gold powder or a White Chocolate Satin Apricot Cake adorned with flowers (click to see photos). Chef Dede Wilson believes that wedding cakes should be aesthetically pleasing, but above all should "reflect the tastes, beliefs, and desires of the bridal couple." With the aim of creating cakes that taste as good as they look, Wilson lends her expertise and creative spirit to the marvelous constructions in The Wedding Cake Book.

As much a cookbook as a source of inspiration, The Wedding Cake Book takes bakers--novices and experts alike--step by step through the process of conceptualizing, baking, assembling, and decorating wedding cakes of all levels of difficulty. Each recipe page includes the components needed to make the pictured cake (layers, fillings, decorating accouterments, equipment); the number of servings; the level of difficulty (easier, moderate, or complex); and the recipe and preparation instructions. Other chapters cover finishing touches, cake accompaniments such as sauces and fillings, equipment, and resources for special ingredients or professional equipment. Bakers looking for detailed instructions and delicious recipes and brides seeking ideas for the perfect cake for their postnuptial celebration will find what they're after in The Wedding Cake Book.Book Description
The wedding market is a $32 billion business. Experts say that brides-to-be generally buy every book and magazine they can get their hands on when planning a wedding, and yet, remarkably, The Wedding Cake Book is the first cookbook of its kind -- a gorgeous idea book that really shows you how to bake a beautiful wedding cake. There are 30 complete recipes in all, with detailed, step-by-step instructions. A one-of-a-kind resource, with gorgeous photography throughout, The Wedding Cake Book is sure to become a classic cookbook among bakers, and makes the perfect shower gift. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

Don't judge a book by it's cover
I bought this book looking for new ideas. I have been baking wedding cakes for family and friends for years and I am now doing my son's. Notice they don't show you any pictures of cakes in the, "see inside", section that is because they are all ugly except the one on the cover. Fortunately, with Amazon you can make returns easily. Which I did immediately.

Excellent!
This book has all the techniques needed to make your wedding cake.Even for basic cakes it has lots of details on trimming and cooks secrets to perfect looking cakes, and lots of delicious recipes.

The Wedding Cake Book Review
This has to be one of the best books on the market for special event cakes and especially wedding cakes.Ms. Wilson gives many great tips and "how to's" along with some wonderful cake recipes and mouth-watering illustrations.This book is a must for any cake baker.

Creative, unique, and easy to bake recipes
I've had the opportunity to try three of the recipes in this book and every single one has turned out fabulously.The range of cake recipes is fantastic, and most are easy to prepare.I live in a major city, so getting ingredients like cake flour, which some readers have said is difficult, is easy for me.I agree with many of the reviews which say this book isn't really about cake decorating.That's true.But don't most of us have hundreds of cake decorating books and pictures?I want my cakes to taste as good as they look.Starting with a foundation of moist, delicious, unique cakes from this book will make any cake design spectacular.

Tonight I made the Honey Maple Carrot Cake and my house smells fantastic.I'll be trying the Pumpkin cake for Thanksgiving.I'm sure they'll be as wonderful as the other ones I've tried already.

The Wedding Cake Book by Dede Wilson
I thought this book with very average... It just seemed to be the some kind of work though out the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

To Die For
This cookbook is wonderful!Be warned - many of the dozens of recipes are time consuming to prepare. This isn't a cookbook if you are looking for a quick cake.However, the end results are indescribably good.The General Robert E Lee cake, a lemon cake with lemon filling and frosting, is one of the best things I have ever eaten! The book also contains recipes for some of the cakes I used to beg my mother to make: Devil's Food Cake, Harvest Peanut Cake, Lazy-Dazy Cake, and Pineapple Upside-down Cake.There are illustrations, old pictures, and interesting tidbits of information accompanying the recipes. It is as much fun to read as it is to use.

Fabulous Cakes
I have made and tasted about 20 of the recipes in this book and they are all straightforward and delicious. Some of my favorites include the Hoot n' Holler Whisky , Carrot , and Whacky Cakes. My Mom has had a copy of this book for years; I'm delighted to have found one for myself. The recipies are definitely not lowfat but, my, are they good! ... Read more

Book Description
Looking for that unusual cake to make your child's birthday extra special? FamilyFun Birthday Cakes is filled with recipes that will surely be the highlight of any occasion. From mermaids to fire trucks, horses to sunflowers, and ladybugs to treasure chests, these goodies are certain to take the cake. With more than 50 recipes, and easy step-by-step instructions, FamilyFun Birthday Cakes is the perfect resource for planning the ideal centerpiece for any birthday party. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Easy decorating for beginners
This book is full of great ideas for kid birthdays.I am a novice cake decorator and these recipes made it very easy to create a homemade cake that looks great.My 3 year old loved the racetrack cake.I highly recommend this book for beginners like me.

Book has good ideas
But it isn't as creative as I would like it to be. A lot of the cakes seem to be ways to decorate a regularly shaped cake or cupcakes with special candies, etc. I was really looking for a book with more ideas of ways to cut round and rectangle cakes to make 3-dimensional/more original cakes.

The instructions are good. Would also prefer if the pictures were more professional looking. I'm not a great decorator, but on some pages I think I could have done a better job than the decorator for the book.

Cool Cakes & cupcakes foryour child's birthday or party!
Family Fun Magazine is awesome and here is sorta the best of the best of their ideas for the most creative and cool looking cakes that will make the supermarket pre-bought cakes look blah! Don't get me wrong, in a pinch or if you don't have the time, they are OK. These cakes are not that hard to make and will give your children the "wow, that's cool" and other parents and adults - "Who made this? Wow you made it, I gotta have the receipe for my.....!"

What is also nice is that some of the cakes have matching themed cupcakes, there are also ideas from other parents, and ideas for what you can also do themed wise for your party. Each cake has a very nice color photo, how you need to cut the cakes to make a certain shape,easy instructions.

There are cakes & cupcakes for both girls & boys from pre-school age to teen years.For boys there is a Dump Truck, a Bowlingpin & ball, Volcano, and Pirate Ship cake.For girls - Pink Pony head, Garden cake with flower cupcakes, and for teens and adults the hawaiian Beach Cake, Pizza, Burger & Hot dog cake & cupcakes just to name a few. My God-daughter had her friends over for the night and they made the Sleepover cake. It was a huge hit, the girls had lots of fun making it, took lots of photos with the cake and enjoyed every bite!

You just can't go wrong with this or any other book by FamilyFun book or for monthly children's ideas subscribe to FamilyFun's monthly magazine! You'll love it and your children will also enjoy it!

Fabulous..and a must have cookbook
This book is terrific. It has wonderful cakes to make for
children's parties. I already had several basic cake
decorating books but this one had ideas that I had never seen before and which were easy but didn't look it. I made the under the sea cake for my daughters 6th birthday and it was a huge hit. It is my number one go to book when I am about to make a cake for a child's party. A definite must have for every family with children. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Covering cheesecakes, chocolate cakes, fruit cakes, rolled cakes, filled cakes, meringue cakes, nut cakes, coffee cakes, sponge cakes, and pound cakes, not to mention frostings, fillings, and glazes, Nick Malgieri's Perfect Cakes is a "product of a lifetime of collecting and baking." Malgieri is a much acclaimed cookbook author (Cookies Unlimited), pastry chef, and baking instructor, so he's had a lot of practice presenting recipes in a way that makes them easy to follow. The informative chapter on ingredients and equipment will get you started. Ingredients and baking equipment for each recipe are listed in a yellow box; steps are clearly numbered and storage instructions follow every one.

The recipes come from home bakers who are aunts, grandmothers, friends, and friends of friends, as well as food writers and professional bakers; some also come from Malgieri's kitchen, of course. The delectably moist Orange Poppy Seed Cake is as easy a recipe as you can hope to find, and don't miss his Aunt Virginia's Sour Cream Coffee Cake. The19th-century Morris Cake is simple yet elegant, and the truly unique Green Tea Pound Cake comes from Paris's Mariage Frères. Beware the decadent Chocolate Pecan Caramel Cake. Whatever the celebration or occasion, there's nothing like a perfect cake--and you're sure to find it here. --Leora Y. BloomBook Description

When it's time to celebrate, it's time to bake a cake! When it's time to be creative, it's time to bake a cake! When it's time to find comfort in the kitchen, it's time to bake a cake. From weddings to birthdays to something nice for yourself and your family and guests, nothing marks a special occasion better than a freshly baked cake.

Book Description
Three neon-bright layers of cake, tilted at a jaunty angle and adorned with edible chocolate candles; a Jackson Pollock–inspired cheesecake spattered with chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter icing; and a swarm of plump bees perched atop a rainbow of candy-colored cupcakes—these are only a few examples of the unfettered creativity at work at the Riviera Bakehouse. There, mother-daughter bakers Kaye and Liv Hansen turn out some of the most charming, refreshingly eccentric cakes ever to grace a birthday or wedding celebration.

Kaye and Liv believe that a cake should taste as good as it looks, so they skip esoteric (and inedible) decorations in favor of simple buttercream, flavored whipped cream, and tinted candymaker’s chocolate, covering their luscious cakes with amusing designs and gorgeous color that are easy to make and delicious to eat. The cakes themselves are no less enticing, pairing old-fashioned favorites like Banana Cake and Spice Cake with sumptuous fillings such as French Custard and Chocolate Mousse. Simple step-by-step lessons, illustrated with photographs, explain how to re-create Liv’s charming chocolate designs, from the bright polka dots that shine against dark chocolate glaze to the shimmering stars that adorn the enchanting “Starry Night.” Templates for the delightful designs allow you to adapt these techniques to create your own unique decorations.

With time-tested tips and complete information on everything from mixing colors to adjusting pan sizes, the Hansens explain all you need to know to get started. Whether you’re dreaming of an elegant Chocolate Apricot Pecan Torte or a three-tiered butter cake filled with spiked mocha cream and embellished with fantastical spring flowers, The Whimsical Bakehouse is the ultimate guide to creating delicious, showstopping confections that are completely original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

Awesome book
I'm an amateur cake decorater in the process of trying to hone my skills so that I can make this is a part-time profession. Most of the cake decorating books rely on fondant to make the cakes look spectacular which they do..the only trouble is that fondant is horrible in taste ! So, it's hard to justify making a cake which looks wonderful but does not taste so ! With the tips and tricks shared in this book I now have some additional tools to help decorate a cake and make it delicious too ! I'm anxious to make all the cakes in the book ..

Love it!
I got this as one of my Christmas present and since I received, I haven't been able to take my eyes off it! I love the color and the ideas in the book are fun and approachable. The recipes are also really good. In the last week I've tried the vanilla cupcakes and banana cake. The cupcakes were the best I've ever made and it will continue to be my go-to recipe for basis yellow cupcakes.

I made the banana cake this weekend. I filled it with fresh whipped cream and crumb coated it in the chocolate buttercream frosting. I then covered it with the chocolate glaze and decorated it with colored-candy coating. This is known as the "fling" cake in the book. Not only did it look cute, it tasted so good! The cake was light and rich and the glaze took the edge off the sweetness.

I love how detailed the directions are in the book, and the pictures are beautiful. Some of the recipes make large quantifies (buttercream and chocolate glaze), but they are very easy to halve.

All in all, I think this is a very good book to start with if you are new to decorating cakes.

This is it!!!!
This is the book if you are looking for fresh ideas on cake decorating.It brings the colorful side in you.The recipes are amazing and the techniques are explained step by step. Very nicely done.

cakes taste very good
The tastes of the recipes were outstanding and well received. I also found the chocolate method easy and very fun to do, and everyone loves eating chocolate off the cakes (especially kids). I found the charts explaining how much batter and cook time per pan size very helpful. I did have some difficulty with the complexity of the cake recipes, as I'm a beginner baker, but with practice I'm getting better.

Beautiful cakes!
Great book for people who want to learn how to make cakes that will look nice. The book has great tecnics and many details, making it easy to use. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

One of the best cake cookbooks ever!
I just started making cakes about a year ago, and as a newbie, I was searching for a recipe for strawberry cake from scratch.This was the only book I found that had one.The cake came out looking and tasting great--it looked just like the picture, and I am looking forward to making more cakes from this book for the holidays.The pictures are beautiful (a picture of each cake is shown), and the recipes are easy to follow. ... Read more

Book Description

150 tempting designs with no-fail instructions.

The Cake Decorator's Motif Bible presents 150 foolproof motifs to create that special cake for any occasion, from simple and fun to elegant and elaborate. Using easy-to-follow instructions and illustrated templates, the book takes the home baker through all the steps: from making the right amount of fondant or marzipan, to choosing and sizing a design and transferring it to the cake.

The book includes icing and fondant recipes, seasonal designs, patterns and borders, 3-D models, marzipan fruits and figures, and sugar flowers. Features include:

• 188-page design directory
• Large full-color photograph of the finished motif
• Black-line template size guides
• Dough gauge showing how much fondant to make
• At-a-glance color listing in recipes
• Flat, low-relief, three-dimensional and piped motifs
• Tips on application
• Mixing and matching motifs
• Designs graded for difficulty.

The Cake Decorator's Motif Bible is wiro-bound for easy lay-flat use. It provides innovative inspiration with complete and truly fail-safe instructions for unforgettable results every time.

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome book!!!
I really love this book! I took a chance when I bought this book and it has never let me down. It has the easiest designs to follow especially if I am in need of any quick fondant motif ideas. I would highly recommend this book. I am a home baker and I think the instructions in this book are easy to understand. I hope the author comes up with another book like this. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Great For Ideas
I think if you are trying to figure out what kind of a cake you want for your wedding this is a very helpful book. The cakes are beautiful and varied. As a pastry student I found it very helpful as far as getting ideas for my wedding cake project.I like the fact that there are formal and informal wedding cakes. Someone reviewing commented that some cakes were "sloppy" but many people prefer less formal cakes and this gives you plenty of both for ideas.

Beautiful cakes
This is a great book, if your looking for ideas. The pictures are beautiful and inspiring. It does not have any instruction on how to make these cakes, therefor, it seems best suited for someone looking for an idea to present to their local baker, or someone that has intermediate to advanced cake decorating skills.

Just okay...
I have to be honest, I wish that I would not have bought this book.I bought it because I was under the impression that I was going to see classy cakes like the cake on the cover.When I opened the book I was confused.Page after page were pictures of sloppy cakes.There are only a few pictures out of the entire book that are worth seeing, for example Margaret Braun's cakes at the tail end of the book.Get her book before you buy this one!

Cakes (For Your Wedding)
This book is very good for getting ideas of different designs for your wedding cake.If you'er looking for a more instructional book on how to decorate the cakes, this book is not it.However the pictures of the cakes are beautiful with little or no information about the number of servings, decorations etc.It is exactly what it says Cakes for you wedding.Just a book of pictures for ideas.If this is what you're looking for then this book will do.

Cakes for your Wedding
This book is a great resource if you are looking for ideas.My caterer liked it so much, she bought it off me! ... Read more

Book Description

The 300 best cake mix recipes, in a new concealed wiro format!

Cake Mix Magic and Cake Mix Magic 2 have sold a total of 300,000 copies and still continue to sell. The books' winning recipes transform a basic cake mix into a great cake that tastes homemade, simply by adding a few readily available ingredients.

Complete Cake Mix Magic combines these two original cookbooks with 30 new recipes, and is now full color throughout.

Here is a selection of the great cakes:

• Single-Layer Cakes: Apple Crisp Cake, Triple Lemon Cake, Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cake
• Multi-Layer Cakes: Black Forest Cake, Apricot Hazelnut Cake, Mocha Toffee Cake
• Tube and Bundt Cakes: Chocolate Macaroon Ring Cake, Butterscotch Swirl, Hummingbird Cake
• Special Occasion Cakes: Choo Choo Train Birthday Cake, Chocolate Yule Log, Pumpkin Pie Squares
• Cookies: Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Crispy Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Hazelnut Biscotti
• Bars and Squares: Raspberry Dream Bars, Toffee Chocolate Bars, Cherry Cheesecake Bars
• Frosting, Fillings and Glazes: Very Peanut Buttery Frosting, Chocolate Ganache, Lemon Butter Cream

These 300 recipes provide results that taste homemade in less than half the time it would take to bake from scratch. Practical tips and techniques throughout the book ensure perfect results every time.

Customer Reviews (2)

Cake Mix CookBook
I bought this to start a collection of cookbooks for my granddaughter.I love it.She is going to be so excited to receive this as a gift.She is an avid baker and will love it.

I was impressed with this book and the service from Amazon.com with my ordering process.

Bring Friends
The standard Cake Box is full of unimaginative sin. Active ingredients: Air and sweetness. (Like a politician on election eve?) With the help of this book and the zany ingredients suggested, your Cake Mix becomes something else entirely.

You will need a friend or two. The whimsical nature of these "recipes" brings a touch of hilarity to the kitchen that is best shared. Rolling around the floor in fits of laughter by your self is just not proper. You will also need a friend to help you eat the resulting behemoth. 3 bananas, after all, do add a certain bulk to the product.

This is a fantastically fun kitchen fantasy. Just don't get carried away. You will need some place besides your own tummy to tuck these treats.
... Read more

Book Description

When you're pressed for time, what's the easiest way to prepare a moist, delicious cake for dessert? A cake mix, of course! Just follow the instruction on the package, pop the cake in the oven and it's ready in no time. With that kind of convenience, it's no wonder that North Americans buy over 400 million cake mixes a year.

But let's say that with just a few more ingredients and a little more preparation time, you could turn a good cake into something even better. That's where Cake Mix Magic can help.

Here you'll find over 125 fast and easy recipes, each starting with a basic cake mix and turning it into a scrumptious dessert. In minutes you'll be baking up a delicious Cinnamon Brunch Cake or Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake. Need to prepare something special for a birthday party or family gathering? You'll be amazed at the "made from scratch" flavor of Chocolate Raspberry Torte or Chocolate Toffee Crunch Cheesecake.

With Cake Mix Magic, the sorcery extends far beyond cakes. You can make a wide variety of other baked treats, including Cranberry Pecan Buns, Butterscotch Nut Bars, Chewy Cherry Bars, Gingerbread People, Peach Cobbler and Black Forest Trifle. Who'd believe cake mixes could be so versatile?

Simple recipes, basic ingredients and no experience required -- all the elements necessary for dependable and outstanding results. Whether you are an experienced baker or a novice, this book will give you great recipes that work every time.

DUNCAN HINES®
Since 1951, the Duncan Hines® brand has been identified premium-quality food products, particularly its "good as homemade" baking mixes, and is today one of the most recognized trademarks in the world. The Duncan Hines® commitment to quality -- to making a great cake even better -- is an essential feature of Cake Mix Magic.

Customer Reviews (6)

EASY BAKING. SERVE AND ACCEPT THE COMPLIMENTS!
Love great desserts but hate spending all that time shaking and baking? Talk about just desserts! Jill Snider has compiled a volume of nifty recipes that promise tasty treats that are, well, a piece of cake. Thought he Duncan Hines logo implies the book has been sanctioned by them, you can use any boxed cake mix, even your favorite store label. Starting with a box of mix immediately cuts out several time-consuming steps, such as measuring and sifting. And those cake mixes will help create scores of incredible edibles --- not just cakes, but cookies, muffins and tortes.techniques The (few) color photos enhance the
easy-to-follow recipes. Just add your appetite.

Easy to Use, But With Challenges
Jill Snider proves the versatility of cake mixes in her book Cake Mix Magic: 125 Easy Desserts...Good as Homemade. Snider uses basic cake mixes to create Pineapple Mandarin cakes, Lemon Glazed Cheesecake Squares, and even a Chocolate Yule Log. In total, there are over 150 recipes in this book.

The most popular recipe in this book in my household is the Chocolate Nut Bars, on page 148. The recipe only uses ingredients that I readily have on hand: chocolate cake mix, eggs, butter, brown sugar, canned icing. The recipe was simple, easy-to-follow, and tasted great.

While I had success with the Chocolate Nut Bars, many of the recipes in the book rely on ingredients that I don't have readily at hand. For example, sour cream, cream cheese, light cream, plain yogurt and heavy cream are called for in many of the recipes. These ingredients spoil quickly, and I only buy them when I need to "plan" for some baking. If the idea of this book is for use by cooks "on the go," I'm not sure how successful they will be using the recipes in a hurry if planning is required for the ingredients.

The format of the book made it easy to use. The pages utilized white space effectively, and the side bars containing tips and variations really added value. However, the recipes were lacking nutritional information. In today's health conscious society, nutrition information is essential, even if the recipes are far from "health conscious." For a future revision of this book, I would strongly recommend adding that information.

When compared to The Cake Mix Doctor, I'd buy that one instead, on pictures alone. With over 150 recipes in Cake Mix Magic, there are only 11 pictures of the cakes, and no decorating ideas or tips.

Easy with fabulous results
This is an easy to use cookbook, and oh boy, the results are fabulous.A real family pleaser.
Highly recommended!

better books out there
Overall not a bad cookbook but I think that there are better cake cookbooks out there. I much prefer the Cake Mix Doctor cookbook by Ann Byrn along the same lines and here's why. There is a picture of every cake, something that is missing in this book. Also there are recipes for homemade frosting, glazes etc instead of just instructing you to use canned frosting. Just a little something more to give it the "homemade" feel.

A mouth-watering collection of outstanding recipes
In Cake Magic, expert cake baker Jill Snider has compiled an impressive and mouth-watering collection of outstanding recipes for cakes, bars, squares, and more. From Lemon Tote Cake, Apricot Hazelnut Torte, Pumpkin Cheesecake; Apple Nut Coffee Cakes; and Brazil Nut Fruitcake; to White Chocolate Macadamia Oatmeal Cookies; Applesauce Loaf;Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake; Lime Daiquiri Cake; and Peach Cobbler, Cake Magic recipes are showcased with clear and easy-to-follow instructions. Wither a novice in the kitchen or an experienced family cook, Cake Magic will be the cookbook of choice when planning deserts for all manner of family meals and celebratory events. ... Read more

Book Description
A romantic Three-Column Wedding Cake adorned with fresh roses; eye-catching Kalei-doscope Cakes iced in geometric designs; glittering Bollywood-inspired lollipop cookies—you don’t have to go to a high-end bakery to be able to serve these beautiful desserts at your next party. Master cake decorator Peggy Porschen shares her designs for the gorgeous cookies, cupcakes, and cakes that have graced some of the world’s most discriminating tables—and they’re as easy to create as they are spectacular. Written for everyone from beginning bakers to seasoned pros, each design in Pretty Party Cakes is broken down into basic steps that turn even complicated cake sculptures into rewarding, accessible creations.

Pretty Party Cakes is brimming with dozens of innovative designs that are all based on fundamental recipes provided in Porschen’s introduction to the basics. This section also covers the equipment and techniques needed to make her luscious creations.Once you’ve mastered the key skills, you can confidently move to chapters on cookies, cupcakes, miniature cakes, and large cakes. Designs range from sparkling heart cakes and butterfly-topped pastel cupcakes to enchanting, edible Treasure Boxes that can be used to present gifts. Ambitious bakers can create stunning desserts such as the Romantic Rose Tower cake and Gift Box Cake, and even simpler sweets such as Alphabet Cookies and Chocolate Canapés will wow your guests with their alluring presentation.

Packed with tips, step-by-step images, and striking photographs to accompany every design, Pretty Party Cakes brings together everything you need to re-create Peggy Porschen’s delicious masterpieces.Whether you’re preparing a wedding cake for dozens of guests or creating a showstopping dessert for an intimate dinner party, these stunning designs will be sure to rival the cakes that line the windows of the chicest designer bakeries.

An all-encompassing guide to creating shockingly simple—yet stunning—cakes, cookies, and cupcakes that rival those from even the most fashionable designer bakeries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Very pretty indeed
Beautiful ideas here.Has some nice designs that would work for a variety of events.She organizes her books in sections, cookies, minicakes, andlarge cakes.Her ideas are very fresh and pretty and also within reach for most people with a little experience decorating cookies and cakes.There are even a few designs that are more masculine, which can be hard to find.

Be Inspired
This book is small, but mighty!It is amazingly simplistic yet provides a wealth of inspiration for you creative ideas.The photography is breathtakking.

I think that with practice you can master the cookies, marzipan, gumpaste and fondant decorations in this book. Piping royal icing flowers is a bit more daunting.I would suggest a class or video for royal and butter cream icing flowers, Wilton How to Make Icing Flowers DVD because they can be a bit tricky (at least for me.)

This book provides six basic recipes for cookies, cakes and frostings.My hope is that you are purchasing the book for decorating ideas and instruction, not for the recipes.The author's decorating syle is clean, but very elegant.The book provides a strong decorating foundation -- you can use this as a springboard for your imagination.

This is the perfect book if you want to make your first decorated cookies or petit fours.If you are making your first tiered cake this book will provide inspiration, but you may need to supplement it with other sources for complete instruction.

Artistic
This is another of those step-by-step cake guides that was very well worth the money.This particular book kept selling out at Michaels so I had to go online and purchase.Definitely not disappointed

Great resource!
I just got into cake making and sugar craft and this book is the first I ordered. It is great and I've had a lot of success following Porschens' advice. My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that not all temperatures and cake pan times needed are included. For example, I made a cake from two square 8x8 pans and the only baking directions I could find were for either cupcakes or a sheetcake. Instead of baking at 400 degrees as suggested I lowered the temp to 350 and just kept checking until done. Still came out great, thank goodness. The basic cake recipe tastes wonderful with the soaking syrup (I'd never tried that before)but the sugar cookie recipe was a little bland. Beautiful cookies though! I REALLY like this book and will be happy to take credit for Porschens beautiful dessert designs for years to come!

Really pretty party cakes
One of the best. I own a lot of cake decorating books and this is one of my bibles. As somebody said, it's looks as good inside as looks outside. Porshen work is so fresh, clean and neat that you can not stop checking it over and over. I do not like make recommendations, but either if you are a beginner or a professional, you will love this book ... Read more

Book Description
With Betty Crocker, delicious desserts are a piece of cake!

Take your favorite Betty Crocker SuperMoist cake mix flavor, add a drop of this, a dash of that, stir, bake, decorate, and you've created dessert magic beyond your sweetest dreams! Here's your complete guide to baking with cake mix, packed with foolproof recipes from the ultimate cake mix experts-the Betty Crocker Kitchens. All your favorites are here, easy to make, easier to bake and easiest of all to enjoy! So whether you're a first-time baker in search of tempting treats or an expert ready for a challenge, you'll find plenty of great ideas in Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook.

Planning a big birthday bash? Decorate a pretty Ballet Slippers Cake to see any aspiring ballerina twirl in delight.

On the go to a potluck party? Tote along a super-rich Triple-Fudge Cake and all you'll bring home is the empty pan.

Craving a cookie jar filled to the brim? Bake a batch of Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies for a sure-fire snacking treat.

Hankering for holiday cheer? Create oh-so-cute Rudolph Cupcakes to make any holiday party merry and bright.

Surprising someone special with a splendid celebration? Frost an elegant Chocolate Ganache Cake and watch your guests ooh and aah. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Excellent Cake Book!
This book has tons of great recipes for a cake mix.I honestly didn't know you could do this much with one!I can't wait to begin trying them out.I highly recommend this book!

Made a Believer Outta Me!
In my circle of friends, I'm known as a Master Chef.I can whip up delightful lemon curds, Sky High Meringue Pies, and shortbread that floats off the plate.BUT....I had NEVER baked a cake, never wanted to BAKE a cake, and didn't even LIKE cake...thanks to the miserable examples that I grew up trying to swallow in the 1960's!Dry, chemical tasting; they were featureless and a sure sign, in my myoptic view, of "Lazy Cooks", especially where Box Cake Mixes were concerned.

Enter 2005: I am asked to cater a British Tea Party...and one of the projects was to bake and decorate a CAKE!I expected to 'job it out' (having a bakery make it) but decided to tackle the Beast Formerly Known as Cake, instead.

I signed up for Wilton Cake Decorating Class.The instructor, who runs a famous bakery in Michigan, SWORE by cake mixes and insisted that they "had improved since my childhood".With her 30+ years of experience, she recommended ONLY Betty Crocker Cake Mixes and also recommended THIS BOOK, as a way to personalize the taste of cakes.

Well, in for a penny, in for a pound of butter, I say.I started the classes, I ordered the Betty Crocker Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook, and four weeks later, I've baked over 12 examples from the book, pulled off the British Tea to accolades, AND...learned that CAKE.IS.GOOD!

This book is incredible! It has a history of HOW cake mixes have changed throughout the years; it explains what the ingredients "do" in a recipe, and it offers ways to make crisps, cookies, bars and other goodies with a mix.

Out of my 500+ cookbooks, THIS cookbook has been the MOST used one in the past month!And I've brought it to class, where the other 5 students also ordered it!!!

When professional bakers, who are making their mortgage payments and sending their kids through school via cakes, tell me that they use mixes 80% of the time, it's time to listen!You'll LOVE this book!!!

My favorite cookbook
I love cookbooks and this one, a gift from my sister-in-law, is my favorite.These easy cakes are unique and delicious!Impress your friends and family and save time too.I cannot recommend it enough.

From now on....It's dessert every day!
I love baking cakes & making sweets. But being a mother of two little ones I don't have enough time (or energy) to make cakes from scratch. This book is a treat for me, because I don't need a lot of planning ahead nor to spend too much time in the kitchen!!

A few days ago I made the Peanut Butter Cake & it looked impressive and was delicious!! I felt like a million dollars presenting it.

The book is full of appetizing pictures for nearly all the recipes, easy to use & follow directions, and has lots of tips & ideas. It also tells you how many calories are in a slice (for all you gals who want to know, although my advise is to skip that particular line).

In the book you will find all kinds of recipes for cakes, trifles, cupcakes, cookies & more.
Indulge yourself & your family.

Fun and delicious!
Every recipe in this outstanding cookbook is easy to make and delicious to eat!This book is in colour with lots of pictures, so you can decide what to bake based on how the cake looks as well as how the recipe sounds.

From quick "bake-and-take" cakes for church potlucks, to elaborately designed masterpieces for parties and weddings, to brunch cakes, this book has it all! Why no try the decadent Tres Leches Cake, or the fun Chocolate-Chip Cookie Surprise Cake, or maybe you want a cake in the shape of a train.This book has it all! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Darn, can't find a copy to buy...
I see Mr. Schloss has written other books of a similar nature - one on cookies, chocolate, pasta, and another using 3 ingredients for meals.Haven't checked those out but this cake book is great.Rich simple cakes, what's not to like?Going to try the lemon poppyseed today and I already have the ingredients for the sauerkraut cake and the sesame one.(Shucks, I'll just xerox the recipes I'm dying to try since I can't find a copy of the book).

Wish I could pay the... purchase price...Its worth it!
I just happened to have checked this book out of our local library and it is breaking my heart to return it!
I've gone from hearing,
"This cake tastes like bread, Ma" and
" Whats wrong with the cake, Ma?" and
"Jen, maybe our oven is a bit wonky"
To hearing this:
" This is the best cake EVERMa!"and
" My goodness, Jeni, I have got to get this recipe from you!" AND my husband-- who usually claims to not enjoy baked goods--is eating his words---and my cakes now! I only wish that I could afford the... price tag! I'll just have to write down nearly every recipe in the book!
If you can afford this book----BUY IT!

Quick and Creative Versatility!
We do a lot of large group entertaining, intimate dinners for small groups, and carry dishes to church, school, and people's homes.This book is a must.With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can create something delicious and hold your head proud.I enjoy using various pans for an added touch.Sometimes I'll pipe a little lemon curd, fruit preserves,or fresh fruit on top to guild the lily.If you use an oval pan, around 3x9 or so, you can get two cakes from one recipe.That gives one to take to a friend and one to keep for yourself at home.I find the recipes very versitle, which is great, depending on what you have in stock.I highly recommend it.Enjoy!<><

An AWESOME Cookbook
I absolutely love this cookbook. Most of the ingredients can be kept on hand for those last minute dessert needs, recently discovered bake sale. The results are consistent and yummy. All recipes can be made using just a pot, a spoon and a baking pan so you will love the clean-up. This cookbook has a lot of variety -- some of my favorites are Amaretto Cake, Chocolate Almond Torte, and Vanilla Butter Cupcakes.

Simply The Best!
I have also never written a review for a book before, but I must say I couldn't pass this up!This is a staple in my kitchen.Whenever I have company, go over to someone's house, participate in an event, I know I can pull this book out of the cabinet and whip up something wonderful in under an hour.I hardly make desserts from anything else anymore, it's too much work!!! Bottom line: This should be a part of everyone's cookbook collection. ... Read more