Customer Reviews

Colette's Christmas: Spectacular Holiday Cookies, Cakes, Pies and Other Edible Art

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
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This book is breathtaking. The creativity and imagination of a very gifted person shine through in this book. This book may not be for the beginner, but it is for the willing. The book does give clear instructions, and recipes for everything in the book. I love that she gives you patterns in the book and tells you exactly how much to blow up the patterns so they will work for you. The book has recipes for all sorts of ginger bread houses, cookies, Christmas tree ornaments and much more. If you like to decorate, and add those extra special touches, or if you want to be amazed at what you can do with food, this book is for you.

I treated myself to "Colette's Christmas" by baker extraordinaire Colette Peters while on vacation. It seemed a strange thing to read while at the beach, but I was absolutely captivated. What a fevered imagination Ms. Peters has! The showstoppingly gorgeous desserts and projects she shows within include a layer cake covered with fondant that has been pieced and quilted to resemble and antique quilt (and it surely does); a chocolate bowl filled to overflowing with spectacular chocolate spheres (the cover photograph); hinged, jointed cookies which really move and make splendid Christmas ornaments (all in human forms, like Santa, Raggedy Ann, and so on); gift boxes made entirely of decorated cookie dough; a shimmering "stained glass" cake; and a three-dimensional Christmas gazebo constructed around a towering decorated Christmas tree made of piped icing.

Even if the projects herein appear way too complicated or time-consuming for most people--as they do for me, I'll admit--Ms. Peters gives splendidly clear, concise directions in a conversational tone that make starting your own gingerbread house seem, somehow, not as daunting as it really should be.

Each year I prepare the desserts for my husband's office Christmas party (over 400 guests). I always try to come up with one special "show stopper" and Colette's chocolate bowl and ornaments was it for last year! I'm certainly a beginner but, with a little practice and Ms. Peter's clear instructions, I was able to create pieces that were the talk of the night. Several people even asked to take one home to show their family. I can't wait until next Christmas when I can try something even more amazing!

Once again, Colette establishes herself as the numero uno in desserts and sugar craft. The items shown are very sophisticated and tasteful. The directions are succinct and not pretentious. She does everyone a favor by putting this out! Definitely one of my favorites.

I'd definately give this book six stars if they had the option!!! The descriptions on each item are incredibly detailed making it so ANYONE can follow the directions and have it turn out as nice as the pictures. The book takes what looks INCREDIBLY complicated and makes it so even the novice could recreate it. Definately a must have in any Christmas or baker's collection!!

If you're a Christmas junkie like me you'll *love* this book. The author manages to make breathtaking edibles that capture the season and will have you trying them out regardless of the time of year. Truly inspirational!!

Great photos, amazing decorations. Not for beginners though, most things described require quite a bit of time and skill.

when will i have the time to make these cakes. some look so outdated. duh i should have known. but i love Collete Peters and am glad to have one of her books.

This is a wonderful book filled with imaginative creations. The instructions are explained in very clear detail and even a beginner can create some of them. I loved it!