Customer Reviews

The Cake Mix Doctor Returns!: With 160 All-New Recipes

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not much to say, except -- if you have the other Cake Mix Doctor books, you do not need this one (unless you simply want to complete the library). It it mostly a rehash of the first two cake books...and the "low-fat" changes do NOT improve the recipes. Here's an example of a repeat: "Key Lime Cheesecake". The recipe is a repeat of the same one featured in "The Cake Mix Doctor Does Chocolate"...except it does not have a chocolate crust and pecans are added. The "lighter" version of "Darn Good Chocolate Cake" is NOT as good -- just stick with the original recipe. The change in the "Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars" is NOT for the better. For those of you who have made them (featured in the second Cake Mix Doctor book), the coconut is in the original recipe for a reason...it holds the chocolate filling together. Taking it out in the "revised" recipe is NOT an improvement. Apparently, the publisher wanted to squeeze another book out of the series, and did what Southern Living/Oxmoor House is infamous for -- printed a "new" book filled with recipes from other books in the same series. For those of you who have none of the Cake Mix Doctor books -- bypass this one and purchase the original "Cake Mix Doctor". It's the best and comes highly recommended.

I just received this book so I have not yet attempted any of the cakes contained in it. Still, I wanted to post a quick review to say that, while each of the recipes may be "New", many are just revised or reformulated versions of recipes in her earlier books. There are pictures of each recipe up front (which is nice) and the introduction section is excellent, as in all prior books.

Still, it was disappointing a bit to see so many familiar recipes with just a minor variation (one is even the same cake, but as a sheet cake instead of a layer cake). The book definitely acknowledges the repeats--but still.

That being said, I was THRILLED to see a new version of the Coconut Icebox Cake that did NOT require the ever-elusive frozen, unsweetened coconut which was a requirement in earlier versions.

So, I'm excited by the book, but was hoping for more totally new recipes.

Luckily I picked this up at the library as there really is very little new in the book. I own Ms. Byrn's cupcake cookbook and many of these recipes are in that book. Taking them from cupcake to layer cake doesn't really make it a new recipe. I would have been very disappointed had I purchased the book.

I also would have liked larger photos. The cakes are displayed in the front few pages of the book approximately 16 photos to a page.

But on the plus side the recipes really are very good and most are very easy so if you don't already have one of her books, go ahead and purchase this one.

OK, I must admit up-front that I haven't bought this book and haven't made anything from it yet. I saw it in a bookstore and thought, "How can there be anything new to say on this subject?" After flipping through it, my suspicion was confirmed -- there is NOTHING new to say. It's almost nothing but shameless repeats from her other books! (With the exception of a couple of lightened-up recipes, which I intend to photocopy from the library's copy.) It's the exact same batters as in the previous books, just baked in different size pans or with a different type of frosting. (For example, "Sock-it-to-me muffins" instead of "cake". ) And, by the way, the original CMD had a lot of repeats within itself, too. I am really disappointed in Ms. Byrn and her publisher. Save your money.

A couple years ago, I borrowed the original Cake Mix Doctor from my local library and had been wanting to purchase it, but just put it off (clearly a non-essential!). When I saw this new book had come out, I took the plunge and bought them both. Looking at them side by side, there are many similarities. I'm not sure how they defined "NEW" for the 160 new recipes but many of the recipes were very similar. All in all, I like what it offers, though one of the two would probably have been enough for my collection.

I decided to get this from the library before purchasing to be sure that it met my needs/expectations. Sadly, there is much duplication and truly not enough "new" to make it worth purchasing if you already have the original Cake Doctor and the Chocolate Cake Doctor. If you just want the entire series and don't mind having only a very few new recipes it is fine. If you don't have either of the first two and are looking for a book using cake mixes it is worth purchasing....you just don't need all three.

I loved the first cake mix doctor book, so I was excited to receive the new one. I have already made the Banana Cake with Caramel Icing and it was divine! It's unbelievable how truly easy it is to take a store bought cake mix and transform it into a dessert that has everyone raving about how delicous it is. I can't wait to try more cakes from this fabulous book.

I am always looking for a way to spice up or add to a recipe, this book does it. I have all of Anne's books and am happy with all of them. I especially love her take on making a white cake mix tasting like a store bought butter cake.

simple recipes, elegant cakes that look and taste great! Love this book, have given it as a gift and it has been enjoyed and loved by all! Highly recommend it!

Vendor ships really fast; is true to the book description; is extremely fair with shipping charges; and has many other books to choose from. Will be ordering more as soon as I have the time. I recommend this seller.