I've recently gotten into making elaborate cakes, and have bought several books about decorating. This is the best one of all, with great batters and besides the frosting ideas, there are also beautiful ways to decorate with split figs, nuts, and glazes. Each cake is shown finished, and the method is accompanied by several pictures of the key steps or techniques. Although a book about elaborate decorating, several of the holiday cakes are classics presented in more up-to-date versions, getting away from the icky dried fruits that nobody likes. These could be dessert for French or Italian dinner parties, with guaranteed oohs and ahs. It's an inspiring book, well thought out, great photos, a treasure chest of new ideas. The other reviews offer great comments, too.
Comprehensive cake decorating
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Ultimate Cake Decorator really is an ultimate guide to cake baking and decorating. The style is primarily U.K., although Americans will find a wealth of information here. Full of recipes for both fruit and madiera(sponge) cakes, the ideas abound for more than just icing and piping skills. Recipes include coffee cakes, "swiss rolls", and spiced cake.Skill demonstrations include tinting and coloring sugarpaste, covering cakes, cut-out flowers and fruits, frills, ribbon work and modelling. The text is well-written with the student in mind and the photographs are excellent. I especially like the novelty section with the kids cakes, my favorite is the Ladybug.My only complaint with this book is that for a "comprehensive guide" most of the cakes are one or two layers, and there are very few tiered cakes. Perhaps the authors feel that is a subject of its own and belongs in another book. That would be fine, except they touch upon it with a few cakes, I assume to show how to use exterior columns to hold the tiers. They do not explain or demonstrate fully the use and placement of the interior dowels or "skewers". If your interest is to make tiered cakes, ignore this section and find a specific guide to tiered cakes. Wilton has several very good ones.This is a good book and well worth the price.
The only book you'll ever need for cake decorating!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Easy to follow instructions and tempting photographs for the beginner to expert cake decorator. Includes foolproof recipes for delicious cakes, many types of frostings, fondant, flower-making, borders, and more. Detailed step-by-step decorating instructions make it easy to create professional results at home. Excellent selection of delicious cake recipes with accompanying glazes, fillings, and decorating ideas. This is the most comprehensive book I have read on cake decorating. Tired of leafing through countless bookshelves for recipes, creative ideas, and decorating instructions? This book is for you. The Ultimate Cake Decorator has it all!
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