The Best Cake Decorating Book Ever.

Everyone thinks that cake decorating is an art.Many home bakers would love to create a fancy cake or whimsical cupcakes but are deterred by the complexity of decorating.Never fear.There is a great how to book out now that not only guides step by step but has great ,hints ,suggestions and recipes.Even a novice can create a truly professional looking gâteau with this how to. Carey Madden'Manhattan baker , is the author of this amazing decorating guide and dessert book.It is called Sensational Buttercream Decorating (Robert Rose Press,New York) and it is perfect for any baker.There are many things to like about it,One is that she gives scratch cake recipes from simple vanilla and chocolate to the more complex pink lemonade and sweet potato spice cake.She also includes gluten free and vegan recipes too.(understandable ,since her client base includes Madonna ).Another plus is that actual book is more like a notebook where you can wrote notes in the margins.It also has templates to cut out to insure you have a picture perfect cake. The book is chockfull of good advice.She spells it out what you will need for decorating and shows how to use each tool.Ms. Madden also shows how to create different kinds of flowers from the classic rose to mums and hydrangeas.She also gives pointers on how to write in various fonts, as well as giving suggestions on what lettering to use for different occasions. The showcase of this book are the highly detailed pictures of gorgeous cakes and cupcakes.There are fifty projects to try.One of my favorites is a basket weave icing so named because it looks like an actual basket.This simple looking design is a series of intricate short lines of brown or chocolate icing around the cake's sides.It is the perfect sort for a summer or spring bridal shower.Another breathtakingly beautiful cake is the bow and swag.It is reminiscent of a Victorian hatbox with small exquisite pearl drops of icing. Another design in this vein is the calico cake, reminiscent of a sprigged muslin that a Jane Austen heroine would wear.This is a series of random deep pink rosebuds with sugar pearls. It is a perfect cake for a girl s only brunch.There are also downright fun designs such as the hot pink and black zebra design and the totally neat cheetah icing ,done in the mottled spots of the big cats.Cupcakes are well represented in the book as well.They can be topped with peach colored buttercream rosettes or hydrangeas petals.These would be the perfect little cakes for an afternoon tea or funraiser Fundraiser.There are also whimsical ones with buttercream bumblebees and lady bugs.Ms.Madden also throws in easy decorations with simple ruffled and combed effect. These are lovely in their simplicity. Carey Madden's book is a must have for home bakers longing to create that most beautiful cake or cup cake. Any one can create a picture perfect creation with simple buttercream, dye and tools. The icing and decorations will certainly take the cake!