Customer Reviews

The Artful Cupcake: Baking & Decorating Delicious Indulgences

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was delighted to find this book since, a few weeks ago, I looked through all my many books on baking for a simple cupcake recipe and I could find but one true cupcake recipe. And this was with a cake recipe on which I was not keen. I was doubly surprised to find not a single decent cupcake recipe at the Food Network web side at the time.

Upon reading this book, the first thing which struck me was that it was as much or more a craft book than it was a book on baking. The first clue is that the publisher specializes in craft books. It is not one of those major cookbook houses like Knopf, Clarkson Potter, Wiley, or even Ten Speed Press. The next clue is that the author's previous books are all on craft topics such as decorating with lights, gel candles, silk flowers, and scarecrows. The story becomes clearer when it is evident that the name on the front cover, Ms. Marcianne Miller, is probably much more a collector and editor of ideas than an author, let alone a baker. Among the fourteen (14) `Contributing Designers' names at the end of the book, her name appears last. A minority of the thirteen other individuals named and profiled here are professional bakers. Most are amateurs whose main vocation is in the arts, crafts, or non-baking part of the food service industry.

All this is to make the impression on you, dear reader, that this book is less about baking cupcakes than it is about baking AND DECORATING cupcakes. This is not to say this is a poor book. Just the opposite is true. This is a very good little book on baking AND DECORATING cupcakes.

The book begins, as expected, with basic baking. On this matter, the book is brief, but flawless in giving you the essentials of cupcake baking. As part of this introduction, it describes silicone muffin pans and mini-bundt pans, neither of which have I taken much notice until I saw them here. The section on basics includes an extremely useful instruction on how to convert all but sponge cake recipes into a cupcake recipe, based on the size of cake pan for which the recipe is scaled. The introduction continues with basic instructions on frosting and icing and how to use piping bags and other decorating equipment. The most important information in the intro is the three basic cupcake recipes for Classic White, Easy Yellow, and Chocolate Buttermilk cupcakes. This is followed by three basic recipes for classic buttercream, ivory buttercream, and cream cheese frostings.

Each of the remaining thirty-six main sections are a pairing of a cake recipe with a topping or decorating technique. Most of the cake recipes are familiar, but some such as the key lime tarts and the chocolate truffle cupcakes are quite a pleasant surprise. Not every section introduces a new cake, but every section does introduce a new decorating style, technique, or topping. Some of the toppings are borrowed from well-known standards such as a Maple Walnut Streusel and white chocolate roses. Many other toppings are elaborate. Some are elaborate in the extreme such as the chocolate domes which are worthy of a major pastry talent such as Jaques Torres or Pierre Herme.

The cupcake styling chapters are interspersed with sidebar sections on special techniques and ingredients such as baking with nuts, baking with fruit, fruit glazes, baking with spices, small decorative touches, and decorative sugars. I found no deep insights, or even any new facts in these sidebars, but they were often assuring me that my experience was not taking me off in the wrong direction.

If, like me, your primary interest is in baking and not in crafting, you will probably get your money's worth from the cake, frosting, and icing recipes. If you are primarily a craft person, you will get the straight scoop on the baking and lots of ideas for show-off decorations.

As a sturdy hard cover book for less than twenty dollars list, this book is a worthy addition to your library, as long as you have the need to make cupcakes, especially for kids, at least three or four times a year. The only thing the authors overlooked was to provide at least one cupcake suggestion for each major holiday where a cupcake might be an appropriate dessert such as New Years Eve, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Halloween, Christmas, and a child's birthday. I guess you will have to rely on Martha Stewart for this.

Highly recommended if you have the time and inclination to do fancy cupcakes.

This is a fun little book that provides all the basics and beyond for creating your own show-stopping cupcakes. So many other cupcake recipes result in cutesy, childish cupcakes. This book contains fun ideas that could be used for kids, but also takes it several steps further and provides ideas and techniques for beautifully elegant adult treats. In addition to providing specific instructions on how to achieve these, it also gives me inspiration to come up with new ideas of my own.

I have tried only one recipe thus far - the lemon cupcakes with meringue frosting. The cupcakes were easy and very tasty. The meringue frosting was a bit more tricky to handle than I expected, but it quickly became apparent that with a little practice, I would be able to make mine look exactly like the ones in the book. I will definitely be trying other recipes in the future and am looking forward to the "oohs" and "aahs" I will receive for my beautiful creations!

I love cupcakes! They are easy to make, easy to dress up and lovely to eat!
I didn't know what to expect from this book, since I saw contrasting opinions, but now that I have tried some recipes I can say I'm glad I bought it.
Well, some of the recipes take several hours, maybe days, to complete (for example: butterfly cupcakes and cupcake flower vase), but there are also others that are easy and yet stunning, like the Cabernet Chocolate Cupcakes and the Winter Spice Cupcakes.
I like the fact that recipes for chocolate modelling clay, fondant and royal icing are included and I also like the "cake to cupcake" conversion chart.

If you are looking for easy, uncomplicated recipes, I suggest you try "Cupcakes" by Ceri Hadda: I found a load of interesting and yummy recipes and none is too complicated.

Of course, this Artful Cupcake is "another planet", but, like any work of art, many of these project require a lot of time.

This book has lots of ideas: Flowering Vase created with a Lemon-Poppy seed pound cake and cupcakes covered with beautiful fondant flowers (all recipes included for fondant, etc.), cupcakes with chocolate roses (uses chocolate modeling clay...again, recipe included), butterflies with sugar wings (these are absolutely beautiful!) and so much more. I have tried the chocolate cupcakes, yellow cupcakes, chocolate roses and they are just fine. I look forward to trying the lime curd cupcakes (shown on the front) and maple cupcakes with crumble topping. Lots of GREAT ideas and even if you dislike all the recipes, I feel the ideas alone are worth the $$! For a book only about cupcakes, this defnitely gets five stars:)

NOTE: The other reviewer is correct in saying the ideas are 'basic', but this book is not meant for the professional baker!

Wow, What a marvelous little book!!!
With these recipes at hand, any "amateur" pastry chef can wow a crowd. Well I hope professionals are not looking for recipe ideas here!!! Expecially at $13.00.
It gives equipment needed, directions,awesome pictures, and a wealth of advise.
Napkin Wrapped Cupcakes on page 43 was a hit at our law office.
Creativity and Presentation is the hardest to achieve and this hits the mark!!! You won't regret it...
PS. They go great with a cappuccino!!!

Oh, I do so love this book. As I have stated in another review of cupcake books: I own six (to date...) and I love this one for its easy accessibility and beautiful photos.

There is nothing about the book description to add after B. Marold's review, but I will reinforce the "crafting" aspects of the cupcakes. One can find good, basic cupcake recipes almost anywhere, right? But why bake cupcakes if you are not going to have fun with the decorations, unless of course, you are baking for the school bakesale and they have requested 416 dozen...

The cupcakes in this book are exactly as the title describes: "Delicious Indulgences" and that includes time and effort, but you also don't require a certification from the Wilton School of cake decorating: Fourteen pastry bags and 23 tips are not a requirement to produce elegant to clever little cakes; maybe just one or two.....

For a chance to "play" and hone some decorating skills, as well as sit back to the oooohs and aaaaahs of your adoring, drooling public, this book is loads of fun. Enjoy!

Made the red velvet cupcakes for my son's birthday. The recipe called for a ton of baking soda. Since it was the 1st time I made these, I followed the recipe exactly. The cupcakes were INEDIBLE. The kids were literally gagging from them.

Many recipes call for a tablespoon of baking soda instead of a teaspoon. Don't know if it's a typ-o, but it's in a few places in the book. Having that much makes them taste disgusting. Also there is too much sugar in each recipe as well. The recipes must be altered in order to make them edible.

The book has some beautiful pictures and decorating ideas. The book is not for the beginner, since you have to doctor recipes.

I purchased this book to get more ideas for beautiful cupcakes. This book did not inspire me much. I looked around and found a number of other books that have really beautiful cupcakes - this book does not fit into that category.

The Artful Cupcake includes everything you ever wanted to know about cupcakes, with explanations about how to use quality ingredients, equipments and displays. It also has great tips for baking basics, decorating, storing and supplies for beautiful cupcakes.

The cupcakes in The Artful Cupcake ranges from the very elegant -- chocolate ganache cupcakes -- to fun creations for kids -- caterpillar and friends made with choux pastry parts.

My favorite is the Tropical Paradise cupcakes made with coconut and fruit cake, frosted with orange cream cheese frosting, then topped with coconut strips and pecans! Showstoppers, like the "Show Off Cake Vase with Fondant Flowers," would make a stunning centerpiece at any event. And the Cupcake Solar System would be a fun and delicious science fair project!

The book is filled with a wonderful variety of styles and flavors, with thirty-five different recipes! The recipes have been contributed by designers, each with a strong baking background, and each with their own special flair, from Southern cooking to vegetarian. The bakers offer interesting ideas for artistic toppings of everything from fondant to fruits.

The Artful Cupcake also includes suggestions that will assist you in enhancing your cupcakes, like how to crystallize flowers or making celtic, spiral cardholders. Another example is a detailed, filigreed chocolate dome that fits over the top of the cupcake and makes for a striking presentation.

There are tips scattered throughout, from how to toast nuts, to making a napkin nest as a cupcake holder. I liked the idea of the napkin as holder for a cupcake, since you could have it match the cupcake and it would be nice as a take home gift for your guest, as well. If you love cupcakes and would like to branch out with more variety in taste and style, The Artful Cupcake: Baking & Decorating Delicious Indulgences is an excellent resource!

This book is a gift for my daughter who is interested in baking/decorating cupcakes. Illustration/photos are amazing.