Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat Review

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(More customer reviews)i *love* Martha Stewart's cupcake book! for years i've been searching her web site for cupcake ideas for baby showers and my kids' birthday parties. this book is chock full of wonderfully creative cupcakes for all seasons, holidays and special occasions! i've already made the shark and beach parasol cupcakes for my son's ocean-themed birthday party and the beautiful buttercream chrysanthemum cupcakes for a baby shower. you may think you need some special talent to pull her creations off, but all you need is a little practice and patience! there is no way you can leaf through this book without getting inspired...and drooling! After 287 pages of pics of and recipes for mouth-watering cupcakes, she includes informative pages on tools for baking, how to prepare a piping bag, working with fondant and marzipan, pastry tips and even how to display your treats. my husband agrees that this was a wonderful investment since he's seen how many of her baking ideas have come to fruition in our home...plus he's hoping i make him those yummy tiramisu or choc. salted-caramel mini cupcakes for his birthday! ;) yummo! ENJOY!

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The perfect cupcake for every occasion.Swirled and sprinkled, dipped and glazed, or otherwise fancifully decorated, cupcakes are the treats that make everyone smile. They are the star attraction for special days, such as birthdays, showers, and holidays, as well as perfect everyday goodies. In Martha Stewart's Cupcakes, the editors of Martha Stewart Living share 175 ideas for simple to spectacular creations–with cakes, frostings, fillings, toppings, and embellishments that can be mixed and matched to produce just the right cupcake for any occasion. Alongside traditional favorites like yellow buttermilk cupcakes swirled with fluffy vanilla frosting and devil's food cupcakes crowned with rich, dark chocolate buttercream, there are also sweet surprises such as peanut butter and jelly cupcakes, dainty delights like tiny almond-cherry tea cakes, and festive showstoppers topped with marizpan ladybugs or candy clowns. The book features cupcakes for everyone, every season, and every event: Celebrations (monogram heart cupcakes perfect for an elegant wedding); Birthdays (starfish-on-the-beach cupcakes sure to be a hit at children's parties); Holidays (gumdrop candy ghouls and goblins ideal for Halloween revelers); and Any Day (red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for a picnic, or caramel-filled mini chocolate cakes for grown-up gatherings).In singular Martha Stewart style, the pages are both stunning in design–with a photograph of each finished treat–and brimming with helpful how-to information, from step-by-step photographs for decorating techniques to ideas for packaging and presenting your cupcakes. Whether for any day or special days, the treats in Martha Stewart's Cupcakes will delight one and all.From the Trade Paperback edition.--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Mikasa Love Story Pie-Cake Serving Set Review

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(More customer reviews)When the product arrived, there was a large scratch across one of the handles. The scratch was not from the shipping process, it appeared to have been shipped with the scratch. The return process was easy. The next set arrived, and they were just as beautiful as the first set minus any scratches. I am not able to give reviews on the products function, my wedding is two months away. Great price, great product!

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Wilton Armetale Flutes and Pearls Cake Stand Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this cake stand as a housewarming gift. It was even prettier in person and made a lovely gift. My friend loved it and keeps it out all the time.

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Made with Armetale metal, the product will not rust, tarnish, crack, chip, or dent.Armetale serveware is food safe and can be used serving cake or hot and cold tapas. This design is a reproduction and adaptation of an 1821 candlestick base designed by Mr Karl Friedrich Schinkel of the Prussian Empire. The design incorporates Greek, Gothic and Roman influencesinto a grand style that is intended to dazzle with boldness and beauty to express the harmony possible between art and technology, ancient and contemporary. Slightly more formal than many of the other patterns by Wilton Armetale, the classically sculpted effect is adaptable to accessorize a wide variety of classical home decorations and dinnerware patterns. The placement of the elements together directs the eye in a relaxed glance around the smooth center while mirroring itself and objects placed on the highly polished piece. The overall effect combines traditional shapes and elements with a sparkling 21st century interpretation. Its refined classical elegance is unparalleled in today's casual environment, yet is made so practical with Wilton Armetale.

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Cakes from Scratch in Half the Time: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Bake Cakes Forever Review

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(More customer reviews)I love to bake cookies, pies, tarts, cheesecakes etc. but have always had lousy luck with cakes. I have tried a few from the famous Cake Bible (Rose Levy Beranbaum) and from Gourmet and Bon Appetit, but while I know my way around a kitchen, I had concluded that cakes must not be my forte.
I read through Cakes From Scratch in Half the Time yesterday and baked my first cake last night (chocolate orange passion cake!). I was very impressed . Great texture and flavor. The whole thing was very easy - her methods are simple. She teaches you to assemble all the ingredients, bring the eggs to room temp by placing in hot tap water, soften the butter by placing on top of the preheating stove (or microwaving for a few seconds), and spray the pans with Baker's Joy (which Cook's Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen just confirmed works better than hand greasing and flouring of pans).
This is definitely not fussy cake-making. Most cakes are made in a single mixing bowl, so not a lot to wash. The keys are:
1. Good ingredients (cake flour, whole milk, unsalted butter, good whipping cream, bittersweet chocolate, etc.)
2. Good equipment (inexpensive aluminum light-colored cake pans)
3. Right process (add the ingredients in a particular order, don't overmix, and bake at 400).
I couldn't make the frosting because both Safeway and Whole Foods were completely out of powdered sugar. GO figure. But the cake was wonderful. I made an easy chocolate ganache from another cake in the book to frost it with. I am going to try it later this week for a birthday party with the intended frosting.
One minor nitpick so far - I think she oversimplifies the directions for melting chocolate. She says to put in the microwave on full power for 1 minute, but in my experience (in my microwave) that makes the chocolate sieze up. I have to do 50% power for a minute, then stirring after 30 second intervals until it melts. Trust your own experience there.
I am eager to try more of her cakes, but am hopeful I can get away from cake mixes forever now!

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Pressed for time, many of us have whipped out a box and doctored a cake. But no matter what we do, it never tastes quite like homemade. Enter Cakes from Scratch in Half the Time. This revolutionary cookbook teaches the time-saving methods of baking homemade cakes in a fraction of the usual time. When a last-minute birthday or bake sale comes around, it's easy to impress with one of these fabulous layered confections, sheet cakes, or jelly rolls. No one will guess how easy it was to make (and who's going to tell them?). Borrowing tried and true techniques from professional bakers, award-winning author Linda West Eckhardt has developed simple shortcuts to shave precious minutes off preparation and baking time. Need a little convincing? Just try the luscious Praline Pound Fudge Cake, sweet and tangy Tangerine Jelly Roll, or the deliciously decadent Lemon Curd Layer Cake topped with lemony cream cheese frosting. So, kiss those cake mixes goodbye and forget frantic trips to the bakery. Now anyone can have their cake from scratch and you know they'll eat it too!

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Wilton Tailored Tiers Cake Display Set Review

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(More customer reviews)This is easy to put together and looks great. Just as pictured. I used it for my parents 50th Anniversary cake. I covered each layer in white fondant and put three colors of pink fondant roses around each layer. I then wrapped the separator with wide gold ribbon and used two straight pins to stick it to the foam. It looked great!

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This set of display tools will present your three-tiered special occasion cake with a look of textured elegance. The set includes two 2-inch-high foam separators wrapped in shimmering white satin brocade, one approximately 4 inches across and the other 7 inches. For a personalized touch, cover each of the separators with the set's acetate photo wraps, and insert cherished photos of the bride and groom for a wedding cake, of the wedding itself for an anniversary cake, or of the proud parents-to-be for a baby shower cake. The acetate wraps can also hold handcrafted paper or a coordinating fabric. The set also comes with four smooth-edged separator plates to hold each tiered cake layer. Put together, the display harmonizes beautifully with any floral decoration. The 41/4-inch separator holds cakes up to 6 inches in diameter when used with the 8-inch top plate, while the 71/4-inch separator holds cakes up to 10 inches in diameter when used with the 12-inch top plate. The set also includes a 6-inch and an additional 8-inch separator plate.

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Hortense B. Hewitt Wedding Accessories, Cake and Knife Serving Set, Seaside Jewels Review

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(More customer reviews)I found this set and it matched the cake topper i had purchased else where months ago! Im getting married on 7-9-2010 and i cant wait to use them! They seem durable and they are absolutly beautiful!

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Betty Crocker Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes (Betty Crocker Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on the adorable cover, I was anxious to add this book to my collection, however, I was a little disappointed once it got here. If you're going for something cute to take to your child's classroom party, or easy decorating for young children, then this book is for you. To be honest, this is just a glorified version of the Betty Crocker mini-magazines you find at a grocery store check out (as a matter of fact, I own one of those, and there are repeats in this book). If you are thinking of purchasing this book, I recommend you flip through it at a local book store first to make sure it is the level you are looking for.

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Easy cake and cupcake decorating ideas to make any occasion specialWith Betty Crocker Decorating Cakes and Cupcakes, you can turn a delicious cake into a work of edible art! Even if you're a beginning baker, you can make a Ladybug or Butterfly Cake for a picnic, a Bib or Bootie Cake for a baby shower, a Train, Teddy Bear, Kitty Cat or Purse birthday cake for a young child, or a Baseball Cap or Flip Flops masterpiece for a tween. You'll learn step by step how to create and decorate all kinds of delicious cakes for all kinds of events:* Festive holiday cakes like New Year's Cake, Leprechaun Village Cake, Firecracker Cake, Black Cat Cake, Turkey Gobbler Cake or a Holiday Pinecone Cake* Celebration creations like an exquisite Classic White Wedding Cake or whimsical Wedding Cupcakes, an Anniversary Cake, a Mother's Day Hat Cake, a Father's Day Hawaiian Shirt Cake, a Star of David Cake and moreInside, you'll find everything from basic cake-baking tips and delicious recipes (including many that can be made with cake mix and ready-to-spread frosting) to detailed illustrations showing how to add the decorative finishing touches. The simple yet innovative decorating techniques and ideas here will make decorating a piece of cake!For more great ideas visit BettyCrocker.com

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Lenox Holiday Gatherings Cake Knife Review

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(More customer reviews)This item was great for my Fall Wedding - not the usual cake serving set and we will have no regrets using it after the wedding. They look very nice. I bought the Server and the Knife together - neither were in perfect condition (a few dings - glue that shouldn't be there...) but I'm not going to return it. I'd say if you are pickier, find a really good seller. The Items were great - the condition not so great.

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The Wilton Way of Cake Decorating Vol. 1: A Complete Encyclopedia Review

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(More customer reviews)I teach cake decorating and always recommend this book to my students. You will never be out of ideas with this book; wonderful information regarding every decorating tip made by Wilton. You wont be sorry you bought it ... worth every penny of its cost.

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Yamazaki Bolo Pie and Cake Knife and Server Set Review

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(More customer reviews)Cool contemporary design aside this is the best quality set I found anywhere and less espensive to boot. All the sets I found at the department stores were cheaply made. Their two piece design wobbled between the handle and the knife, not the Yamazaki it is strong in design and style.
Awesome Wedding set!

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Satin Finish Flutes and Server Set Review

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(More customer reviews)this is the most beautiful set i have seen and i spent a lot of hours looking!! i was impressed with the customer service, as just a few days after i placed my order, someone called me to ask me about the custom engraving I wanted on the flutes and the cake knife. the set is for my daughters wedding. the satin finish is pretty, but its been in the box for about a month now, as the wedding is still a few months away, and the finish is a bit oxidized looking. i am not worried, i think that a soft cloth and some elbow grease will shine them up without a problem. the engraving is nice, though on the flute it is a little difficult to differentiate some of the letters due to the specific script used. it will probably be easier to read when there is something in the flute. as far as being a keepsake that my daughter and her husband will have for years to come, i think they will be pleased with these.

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CAKE HEART HANDLE - CAKE KNIFE/SERVER SET, HEART HANDLE, SILVER PLATED. Review

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(More customer reviews)Something had originally gone wrong with my first order, but seller was very prompt in returning emails. Seller was also very friendly, cooperative, and helpful in my attempt to correct the mistake. Fast shipping. I LOVE my cake knife and can't wait to use it on my wedding day! Great buy!

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A World of Cake: From honey cakes to flat cakes, fritters to chiffons, meringues to mooncakes, tartes to tortes, fruit cakes to spice cakes, 150 ... traditions from cultures around the world Review

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(More customer reviews)We made the German Chocolate cake this weekend- It was a 10 out of 10. The combination of textures between the filling and the frosting were sublime.
The histories of the cakes within their cultural origins created "an experience" beyond making a dessert for our dinner party. Everyone left a little more enlightened and insisted on taking a piece home for a family member. My Fiance's mom loved it too. One can only hope all history books are this exciting to read and fun to experience. Bravo Ms. Castella!

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What's a cake? If you're living in the United States, a cake is a sweet, often layered dessert treat, usually frosted and served at a celebration such as a birthday, a wedding, or an anniversary. In France, patisseries offer edible works of art, combining architectural skill with a facility in combining sugar and flour. China is home to the mooncake, England gives us 'puddings" (which are often cakes!), Australia perfected the Pavlova meringue cake in honor of the Russian prima ballerina, and bite-sized fruit fritters are popular in West Africa. Author Krystina Castella became intrigued by the cultural history of cake when she hosted a bake sale with the international students she teaches and each student brought a cake from his or her family's heritage. This collection of international cakes was the beginning of A World of Cake, an adventurous exploration of global cake culture. The fascinating culinary journey includes all kinds of fun-to-read facts, such as 'A Field Guide to Cakes," 'A World Tour of Cake Holidays," and 'Family Trees" for each kind of cake. Clear instructions, illustrations, and hundreds of color photos accompany the recipes. Who knew that edification could be this much fun? Or this delicious? Including doughnuts, fritters, dumplings, milk treats, candy, and frosting, A World of Cake is more than a cookbook, more than an anthropology lesson, and way more fun than a textbook. Where else could readers Find an entire section devoted to cakes named after famous people? With subcategories? Castella embraces the spirit of celebration with this big, must-have book for anyone who loves making, eating, or just enjoying any version of a sweet treat.

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Revolving Cake Decorating Stand Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a dedicated (amateur) home baker who bakes several times a week, and there are two final frontiers still unknown to me: yeast breads and fancy layer cakes. Unlike simple Bundt cakes or single-layer cakes, layer cakes are composed of two (usually three) or more layers of carefully arranged cakes glued together with some sort of icing (fudge, chocolate, buttercream, etc.). If you're trying to assemble and frost a layer cake on a stationary cake stand, it's much harder to achieve a smooth finish when frosting the outside as you have to keep manually turning the stand, which can cause the cake to wobble and become crooked as you're trying to ice it.
I decided to take the plunge and invest in an Ateco revolving cake stand. It has a very solid cast iron base with a lovely vintage white finish and a 1/8" aluminum top. It also comes with a nonstick pad that can either be used under the stand to keep it anchored to the countertop, or on top of the stand to stabilize your layer cake.
There are several different companies (Magic Line, Wilton, Ateco) that manufacture similar cast iron revolving cake stands, but I chose Ateco based on prior brand purchases (cake decorating equipment) and the fact that the stand is constructed in the USA (other than Nordicware, Libbey and Anchor, it's increasingly difficult to find items made in-country!). It came highly recommended by America's Test Kitchen as well. The packaging was very secure and I received my stand without any scratches or dents.
This is a hefty stand, both in weight and cost, that will stand up to a lifetime of use and is well worth the investment if you're a professional baker, pastry chef, or a home cook who makes a lot of layer cakes. If you're just a casual layer cake baker, consider Ateco's US-made plastic revolving stand for 2/3 less. But this is the rare piece of kitchen equipment that is not only useful, but aesthetically pleasing as well; I leave mine displayed on my baker's rack when not in use.
If you're looking for starter ideas for layer cakes, some of my favorites are The Pastry Queen: Royally Good Recipes from the Texas Hill Country's Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe by Rebecca Rather (Texas-inspired layer cakes and baked goods), Baked: New Frontiers in BakingKaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague (Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito), and Kaffeehaus (Rick Rodgers).

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Easy Elegance 3-Tier Single Use Cake Stand Review

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(More customer reviews)I based it o nthe picture and its nothing like that. You would think That it would hold the cake but Im even scared to use it. Im trying to return it I got it 2 days ago and Im not happy at all. I hope they can help with a refund or an exchange for an actual plastic or glass one. I will pay the difference atleast I can have a reliable one that my cake wont fall. Im so upset, its nothing like the picture.

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1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes (1000 Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)This was an interesting journey that surprised me in that, thinking that there might be some tutorials to go along with the photo's, this is instead literally 1000 photographs of cakes and cookies and cupcakes.
Within the covers of this paperback book are full-page or half-page or quarter-page photographs of cookies, cakes, and cupcakes that will definitely inspire. Under each photo is the name of the person that created the baked delight. Though some of these credits will be just the names of the decorators, some will have the accompanying website that you can access for further idea's. If you do go to the websites offered, there you will find more photo's along with some beautiful tutorials and/or instruction as well as more information on the decorator. So with a little extra effort, your journey will take you to many parts of the world to learn more on the photo's that piqued your interest. Each photo is full color with wonderful detail.
The book is set as such:
First there are 5 sections of groupings that showcase each set of pictures and each photo has an accompanying number.
Elegant Entertaining
Baby and Child
Holiday
Just for Fun
Weddings and Engagements
After the above groupings, the next section is "Frosting Recipes" for:
Meringue Buttercream
Simple Buttercream
Gananche
Royal Icing
2 Recipes for Fondant (as well as amounts needed to cover cakes)
Gumpaste
Marzipan
The next section of the book is labeled "Image Directory" and this is where you look up the number of the photo which is accompanied by a very short description of the baked good, which might include what type of frosting used or cookie cutter, etc.
The last section of the book is the "Contributor Directory" which lists each of the bakers and decorators, in alphabetical order, with their websites and contact information.
I think that this is a lovely book, especially for beginners, to help your decorating interest but understand that it is not a teaching book. You will have to be more of a detective with this book in that you need to check out the websites offered, which may or may not include specifics, but which will put you in contact with the artists. For those with advanced skills, perhaps you would like to look at other authors/books. Peace.

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A sugar-coated feast for the eyes and the imagination—this exciting 1,000 collection presents glorious full-color photographs of beautiful, outrageous, and deliciously decorated desserts, from extravagant wedding and birthday cakes to cupcakes and cookies that are miniature works of art.
Like all of the books in our 1,000 series, this is not an instructional book, rather, it is a visual showcase designed to provide endless inspiration for anyone who loves decorative baking and entertaining.

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Wilton 307-859 3-Tier Cakes N More Party Stand Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this 3 tier cake stand to present a wedding cake that had separate small, medium, and large layers to be set on the 3 platforms. The stand was affordable and looked presentable in the picture, and hence I picked it. It came with clear assembly instructions, was easy to assemble, and was very sturdy once assembled (although see below). Note that the 3 plates on the stand are clear molded plastic, not glass or thick plexiglass. Also, it's a bit hard to see from the product photo so I'll note that the 3 plates don't overlap each other above and below - they're fully offset so you can put things on them that are taller than the height between them. Overall the stand did turn out to be clean looking and presentable. For the formality of the wedding reception we draped it with white linen napkins, but I would definitely use it undraped at home for desserts or appetizers at a less formal party. My only complaint is that one of legs was missing the notch needed to stop it from slipping through the slot in the base (the bottom large silver circle you see in the product photo) that holds all 3 stands together to form a stable platform. I didn't have time to deal with it before our event so we jury-rigged it with tape and it worked great; I've since called Wilton's customer service, which was friendly and helpful, and they're sending a replacement leg now, no questions asked. So if you're looking for a nice-looking, sturdy, inexpensive way to present desserts or other things I definitely recommend this product.

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