Two mothers in London wanted to produce cupcakes from natural ingredients, using no preservatives and no artificial colors, ingredients, or flavors. And, equally important, they wanted them to look amazing and totally distinctive. They went to the US, to Italy, to Australia, and to the Philippines in search of original and appealing decorations ? flowers, sprinkles, animals, butterflies. These simple recipes are for every possible occasion and public holiday ? from Valentine?s Day to Halloween, from weddings to birthdays.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Swift and Thomas of London's popular Primrose Bakery usher readers behind the counter to share their recipes for cupcake success, with dependable results. After offering a handful of basic recipes for vanilla, chocolate, lemon and carrot cupcakes, the bakers offer six buttercream frostings (standard vanilla and chocolate as well as coffee, lime and coconut, orange cream cheese and lemon) that the form building blocks for the rest of the collection. Little more than variations on a theme, many of the duo's recipes employ either a twist on a frosting (chocolate liqueur) or the cake itself (Earl Grey tea, malted milk, etc.), with a selection of "special occasion" cupcakes (for events like christenings, anniversaries, and birthday parties) that merely suggests decorating ideas like jimmies and plastic cake toppers. While their photography and style is eye-catching and their recipes perfectly acceptable, Swift and Thomas offer few surprises; novices interested in testing the frosted waters will find this a practical collection, but experienced cupcakers (bakers and consumers both) will likely be disappointed.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
These are simple, classic cakes, expertly executed and presented with Primrose's own quirky sensibility. The coffee and walnut cake--yes, they go beyond cupcakes--comes with icing only on top and between layers, leaving the sides rough and doughy. The peppermint cupcakes, dolloped with spearmint-colored buttercream and red-and-white-swirled candies, look straight out of Whoville. And we might just take to topping our cream cheese icing with grated orange zest after seeing how beautifully the authors dusted their carrot cupcakes with citrus-y flecks. --Bon Appetit, May 3, 2010
Multiple batches of the authors' recipe for vanilla cupcakes -- topped with super-sugary chocolate buttercream or vanilla buttercream frostings -- delighted crowds, including office guinea pigs, er, colleagues. Another sugar high: unusual cupcake varieties such as Earl Grey and Amaretto. --Washington Post, Express Night Out, May 19, 2010
Highly recommended for libraries that are looking for an advanced cupcake book--chefs will find plenty of party ideas. --Library Journal, starred review
Multiple batches of the authors' recipe for vanilla cupcakes -- topped with super-sugary chocolate buttercream or vanilla buttercream frostings -- delighted crowds, including office guinea pigs, er, colleagues. Another sugar high: unusual cupcake varieties such as Earl Grey and Amaretto. --Washington Post, Express Night Out, May 19, 2010
Highly recommended for libraries that are looking for an advanced cupcake book--chefs will find plenty of party ideas. --Library Journal, starred review
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By GenXmom
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is seriously one of the very best cookbooks for baking cupcakes that I have ever purchased. One of my daughters loves to bake and decorate cupcakes, and found this book at our local library. Once I looked through it, I knew it was a book I had to buy. It was written by two moms from the U.K., and the recipes are simple, and wholesome, yet the finished products have a stylish look to them. I love the photographs in this book, they are very "vintage", and really accentuate the beautiful simplicity of the baked goods. The book came in pristine condition, as have all of the books I have ordered directly from Amazon. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys baking simple but beautiful cupcakes.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I baked the strawberry cupcakes right away and served them at my brother's wedding. They are fabulous! Recipes use good, natural ingredients...nothing artificial here. Simple and pretty designs for the cupcakes too.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By S. Khan
Format:Paperback
Initially I bought this book because of all the pretty pictures. I've tried most of the recipes and I loved all of them; only the carrot cupcake didn't come out as well as I had hoped. The recipes are simple and uses natural ingredients that I usually have around the house. So I always find myself reaching for the book for a sweet treat as it doesn't require much prior planning & no fear of potential cupcake hazards. I made the Ovaltine cupcakes for my little brother's holiday party,their faces were worth seeing when I told them I used my brother's Ovaltine to make it. The frosting recipes are great also; this was the first buttercream recipe I tried and came out perfect. I have never actually been to Primrose Bakery but the cupcakes reminded me of cupcakes I usually pick up from Magnolia Bakery in New York. I would highly recommend this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ingredients left out of directions and failing recipes
Ive tried two recipes, and made two attempts at the caramel cupcake. Some ingredients were left out of the directions list, but I understand that the dry ingredients should be... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Vanessa M. Long
3.0 out of 5 stars
At least the pictures are pretty
I was looking for a new cupcake recipe book and stumbled on to this one. It looked good so I bought it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by BJA
2.0 out of 5 stars
Missing directions!
I tried three different recipes, none of them turned out as they should. The last one had baking soda and salt listed on the ingredients list but neither were mentioned in the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jana S. Chain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Recipes!
I really love this cupcake cookbook. Great recipes, love the pictures and I especially love that the ingredients are more wholesome! Just the cookbook I was looking for. Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. Spillers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best cupcake book!
I purchased this book to make cupcakes for an event. It was the best book I found as all the ingredients are natural and not a single recipe calls for a box of cake mix like some... Read more
Published 13 months ago by D. Tougas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where are the page numbers?
I've made several cupcake and frosting combinations from this book, and they've all turned out wonderfully. Thank you to the bakers for clear instructions and great tips. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Laura Reaves
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty Good Book
This book is pretty good for the average baker. Basic and easy to make. I am always looking for "extrordinary" recipies, these taste good but are not too fancy.
Published 15 months ago by baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Service
I received great service. The book is great very helpful and full of useful tips. I received the book in a very timely manner.
Published 16 months ago by kfielding
5.0 out of 5 stars
Consistently delicious cupcakes
This is one of the few cookbooks that the authors seem to have tested out all of the recipes to make sure the ingredients and directions would be correct for the home baker. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Rachel M. Candelaria
4.0 out of 5 stars
review
I enjoyed making cupcakes from this book but was dissappointed in not finding carrot cupcakes or one or two recipes for diabetic/ gluten free cupcakes
Published on April 24, 2011 by Gwendolyn Felder
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