Amazon has released another coupon for 25% off any book (expired!)... which nudged me to finish this post I started last week (oops!).   The code is at the bottom, but please check out my list of favorite cake books and leave me a comment if I'm missing one that you think I must have!!
A couple of weeks ago I shared my favorite cookbooks with you and I also wanted to share my most favorite cake books with you! Â I'm always looking for new cake books to add to my collection, but for now - these are the ones I love and reach for most often!
1, 2, and 3. Â Cake Mix Doctor Books by Anne Byrn: Â if you like to bake starting with cake mixes, you need one or more of Anne's books in your collection!
There are hundreds of recipes for every kind of cake under the sun in her books and she also has book on Baking Gluten Free and Cupcakes (I don't have either of those - but I just though I'd share 😉 )  Here are the ones I have:
4.  The Contemporary Buttercream Bible.  Ya'll know buttercream and I don't always get along... so I bought this book hoping to better my craft.  The truth is - the cakes in this book are out-of-this-world amazing - and I'm still not sure I could pull them off!  The buttercream skills demonstrated in this book by by Valeri Valeriano and Christina Ong blow.my.mind.  Â
All I can say is one day.... maybe.... I'll have a fraction of their skills! Â If you want to up your buttercream game - this book is for YOU!
5.  Sharon Wee Creations: Adorable Cakes for All Occasions (not available on Amazon): As far as I can tell, this book is only available at BakingArts.com here in the US but if you live somewhere else, you can check availability here.  I bought a copy of this before it went to print and all I can say is - this book is beautiful.  The cakes are beautiful.  The tutorials are amazing!  It's a book I could look at all day long and learn something new every time I pick it up!
6. Â The Cake Bible. Â I bought this book early on in my cake decorating ventures... when I was still trying to find my way, find recipes I loved, and learn my craft. Â It is an encyclopedia of knowledge for a cake decorator at any level- especially if you want to learn the science behind scratch baking and all of the nuts & bolts of cake decorating. Â It covers everything from cake recipes to frostings to techniques and equipment and structure... you name it - it's in The Cake Bible!
7 & 8.  Debbie Brown Books.  If I could get my hands on them I'd own every book Debbie Brown has written regarding cake (and there are lots of them!!).  Her tutorials are fantastic and details and they lend themselves to cakes for every occasion!!  For now - I have two of them:  Easy Party Cakes and 50 Easy Party Cakes (not the same book!).
9.  The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Cake Decorating.  Again, this is one of the very first books I bought when I was trying to learn about cake decorating.  It mostly focuses on fondant decorating and while I still use it as a reference from time-to-time, it's definitely what I would consider a beginner book.  I learned a lot from it but the reviews on Amazon are mixed so really read all the details before you take the plunge on this one!
10.  (not in my photo) Artisan Cake Company's Visual Guide to Cake Decorating.  This book is not in my picture because I don't have it yet... I'm waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox!  😀  But I can say with confidence that I'm going to love it because I love everything Elizabeth Marek touches.... don't you?  This book is brand new (released Dec. 1), so it would make a wonderful gift if you have a cake decorator in your life!!
And that's it, I think! Â After taking this photo and working on this post for a few days, I found a few other cake books on my shelf but I'll save that for another day maybe. Â If you want to buy one of these books (or any book for that matter), be sure to use code BOOKDEAL25Â to get 25% off one book on Amazon!!
Tell me, tell me... what are YOUR favorite cake books for recipes, decorating, etc.? Â I'd love to hear if I'm missing a must-have book on my shelf!!
Claire Adams
Hi Rose! I love your cakes and sunny commentaries 🙂 I asked my husband to get me Amanda Rettke's 'Surprise Inside Cakes' recipe book for Christmas. It was definitely my favourite gift!!! She is so talented and clever, I could read that book for hours and still be amazed. My favourite addition to my recipe book collection - hopefully one day I'll work up the courage to make some of those incredible cakes! Blessings 🙂 P.S. I'm amazed at how frequently you post with all your caking and family responsibilities. I hope you know that, and aren't too hard on yourself 😉
Rose
Thanks Claire!! I'm happy to have you here reading and yes, that's a great book!
sola
Hi,
love reading your blog,just saw this post-Cakes in Bloom by Peggy Porschen is a good one and May Clee-Cladman and Zoe Clark have lovely books as well.
You are right about Debbie Brown her books are lovely,and Carol Deacon to me is amazing.
Keep up the good work and take care.
Rose Atwater
Thank you!