Colette's Birthday Cakes [Hardcover]

Colette;Colette, Peters Peters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

Collette Peters applies her cake-decorating skills to the art of the birthday cake. Here are cakes for every month of the year, and for every sort of birthday celebration, with instructions of every aspect of the decoration process.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A cake is de rigeur for any American birthday celebration worthy of the name. Continuing her series of volumes pictorializing her sumptuous cakes, Peters brings her decorative skills to cakes designed specifically for birthday observances. And anyone receiving a cake like one of Peters' creations should be particularly grateful. Peters' skill with milled fondant overshadows that of most other professional bakers. She can carve fondant into tight, sharp geometries, or she can swirl it, fold it, and wave it into silken ruffles and curves that belie its solidity. Line drawings assist the cook in recreating these elegant pastries, but only professionals and those with some formal training in handling fondants and cake-decorating tools and techniques will readily pick up on Peters' barebones instructions. Recipes, too, reflect a professional's approach, measuring by weight rather than volume. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Colette made the cake for the wedding of Chantal Miller and Prince Pavlos of Greece and she has decorated both the White House and Tiffany's Fifth Avenue windows at Christmas. Her work has also been displayed at the American Craft Museum. She lives and works in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 182 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316702749
• ISBN-13: 978-0316702744
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1.2 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration from the Best in Cakes, March 10, 2003

By 

C. Bennett (New England) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Colette's Birthday Cakes (Hardcover)

Colette Peters is a master of cake design and artistry. She shows us that baking can transcend the limits of the kitchen, and delve into the canvas and paints of the artist. It is no surprise to discover that Miss Peters is a trained artist. It is also not a surprise to discover that her work graces the tables of Bette Midler, the White House, and Tiffany's at Christmastime.

This brightly-colored book is arranged topically: Signs of the Zodiac (12 designs), Flowers of the Month (4 designs), Birthstones (3 designs), and Assorted Party Cakes (14 designs). There are also two chapters devoted to Basic Recipes and Basic Instructions. Miss Peters has thoughtfully included a list of Sources for equipment and supplies at the back of the book.

Each design includes: Number of Servings, List of Ingredients, paragraph-form instructions on how to assemble and decorate the cake, a full-color photograph, and patterns (most patterns require enlargements).

While the instructions are specific, and basic instructions at the back of the book are extensive, I would not consider this a book for the beginning cake decorator. More advanced and intermediate cake decorators will enjoy creating their own cakes based on these ideas. This is a wonderful gift for the aspiring cake decorator.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Colette's Birthday Cakes" definitely worth the wait!, March 23, 2000

By 

Sara Mazzo (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colette's Birthday Cakes (Hardcover)

Last August I, along with people from across the U.S. and around the globe, had the pure pleasure of sitting in a class taught by Colette Peters during the 1999 I.C.E.S. Annual Convention (International Cake Exploration Society) held in Kansas City, Missouri. There she announced that her new book would be available in the Spring of 2000. Rest assured that this cake baker from Oklahoma was not alone in anticipating the arrival of this book. Whether you enjoy creating cakes for your friends and family or for paying customers, Colette's fresh new ideas will inspire you, no matter what your skill-level or experience may be. Her talents are obvious with each new cake and cleverly displayed through beautiful pictures. She has incorporated several well-known cake decorating techniques along with her own special touches to come up with original ideas sure to strike your fancy. The instructions that accompany each cake are consistantly clear and easy to follow. Be sure to add this one to your collection of cake decorating books.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars colette is a creative genius, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Colette's Birthday Cakes (Hardcover)

colette peters is not only a fabulous cake stylist but also the best and most imaginative artist in the field. She has an unlimited imagination and her book reflects this talent. Her instructions are detailed and do not leave out a bit of information...she is generous in her willingness to share all her secrets for creating her wonderful masterpieces!