This book is pure inspiration and is beautifully presented! Guaranteed to get your creative juices going.....
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Toni
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
What an absolute treat!!! Fun, whimsical, and creative idea's all put into a great cake decorating book!
I had first heard of the Planet Cake Shoppe when I had been perusing the Flickr website, and had looked into their baking section. There are untold joys of finding cakes, cookies, and such that are decorated by both non-professional and professionals alike. It was during one of my sojourns that I noted that they were coming out with a cake decorating book and I wasted no time in acquiring it.I needed to go through the "New and Used" section at Amazon in order to acquire it, but I'm hoping that they will be able to get it for the baking faithful soon.
Planet Cake is owned and operated by Paris Culter, who started in finances but had been pulled to cake baking and decorating because that was her real love. With the help and support of husband, family, and friends, plus an incredibly talented staff, Planet Cake stands out as a creative and "outside-the-box" cake company, which has catered to the likes of the average Joe to celebrity events such as the wedding cake for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
For those who are skilled or advanced bakers and decorators, this might be a bit too basic for you, though you will find the idea's refreshing and fun. For those who are just beginning, this is an excellent teacher and guide that will make your work a showstopper the first time out. Large, clear print plus close, vibrant photo's are the reason I found this so helpful. The only drawback I found was that when you began the actual decorating projects themselves, rather than have photo's of all steps involved in the decorating process, colored pencils drawing were used; they were large and detailed enough, but for my thought, I'd rather see photographs. Nonetheless, it doesn't detract from the learning.
Paris begins her book with her WELCOME and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which are sincere and heartening. You do not get to her level of notoriety without the help of really good, trustworthy folks who are as committed to your vision as you are.
"STARTING POINTS" helps you to understand how you must build your foundation of knowledge in order to eventually get to the top.
"HOW TO USE THIS BOOK" brings you to the basics of cake design and temperment; how to prepare, how to design, how to transport, etc all in the mode of giving a solid education of the basics of what to do first. Full page photographs of Icing Equipment, Edible Decorations and Materials, Ganaching Equipment, Decorating Equipment are presented with the tools numbered explained, and it finished with a detailed Glossary. All templates for the projects are included.
"CAKE RECIPES": In making batters for cupcakes, box mixes might be OK, but for cakes, especially those that are to be created and decorated for special events, you need a strong batter that will hold up to the layers of coverings and fillings that will weigh upon them; box mixes will not do. Hence, Paris gives you Vanilla Cupcakes, Chocolate Mud Cake, Carrot Cake, White Chocolate Mud Cake, Coconut Cake, and Flourless Orange and Almond Cake (for those who are dairy and gluten sensitive--woo hoo!!).
"ICING RECIPES": Ganache (methods for both stove and microwave, Syrup, Rolled Fondant Icing, and Royal Icing.
"TECHNIQUES": How to ganach cupcakes, round cakes, square cakes, shaped cakes, 3-D cakes, plus cutting and ganaching rectangular cakes.
"USING READY-TO-ROLL FONDANT": You can make fondant or buy it already made, but there are peculiarities to it, and she gives you the 411; especially with those tricky corners. She shows you how to use it to cover cupcakes, round cakes, square cakes, and shaped cakes.
"COVERING A BOARD WITH ICING": This makes the presentation look finished and coordinated with your masterpiece. You can cover the whole cakeboard, or cover a board around the cake for both regular and shaped cakes.
"TECHNIQUES, TIPS, and TROUBLESHOOTING": How to color icing, how to use a pasta machine for rolling out your fondant, glazing icing, smaking gluing icing for pieces that you attach to the cake, making tassels, piping with royal icing, tracing letters, applying edible glitter, making a bow, making a "zipper" for the purse cake, covering acetate film (this is a wonderful tool for making and applying chocolate and other mediums), making sand icing, making coals, frilling of fondant, basic painting, making an icing roll, marking a paper cupcake case, making a template, how to use a DIY board (helps you to move your cake more easily), mending torn icing (and this happens to everyone eventually!!), covering up cracked icing, mending cracked icing, cleaning stained icing, dealing with humidity, too dry icing, too wet icing, and air bubbles. Whew!!!! She sure covers everything---lucky us!!!
"CUPCAKES": This is what got me to her book; I just love the cupcakes!!! My favorites were the Babyface Cupcakes (absolutely perfect for that really special baby shower; so cute and fairly easy to create!!). She also teaches Bow Cupcakes (pink cupcakes with a thin, black bow across; elegant!), Dragonfly Cupcakes (purple cupakes with 3-D dragonflies popping out; very pretty for a spring party); Honeybee Cupcakes (big, bright yellow and brown "bees" with little antennae's!), Green Monster Cupcakes (very green, very easy to make, and very boyish!), Ladybug Cupcakes (like the bees but red and black), Pirate Cupcakes (cute 'Matey cupcake face complete with headscarf, earring, and eyepatch!), Naughty Kids Cupcakes (same facial theme that you can match to whomever your "naughty" kid is!), Crying Babies Cupcakes (too cute with facial cupcakes that have a wide-open mouth and 2 budding teeth on their top gum!).
"ROUND CAKES": Racing Car Cake (a round cake with flat racing cars applied round the cake base; very clever and a great project for a beginner), Round Pirate Cake (perfect with the Pirate Cupcakes, and again, a simple project), Round Present Cake (simple, easy to make, yet elegant round cake with a lovely fondant bow), Princess Cake (lovely, frill-edged cake), Lollipop Cake (very clever and very simple to make in which you insert a dowel at the bottom of the cake and put a fondant bow).
"SQUARE CAKES": Boat Cake (any little sailor---or even a not so little sailor, would love this with its appliques of a boat on the cake along with a fondant life preserver, and nautical rope), Briefcase Cake (a bit more involved but well worth the time), Exploding Star Cake ( multi-colored fondant star appliques and ribbon with fondant stars on wires bursting out of the center of the cake), Record Player Cake (for those of us old folks who remember record players and vinyl discs---yikes!---this is for you; you wouldn't know it from the real thing!; a bit for the more advanced baker, me thinks); and Make-Up Box (simple but adorable).
"SHAPED CAKES": Flag Cake (simple in its concept but so beautiful in the execution b/c you can do so much with color and decor), Ice Cream Cake (this was sooo cute; it looks like a FreezePop that had the top half dipped in dripping chocolate); Flip Flop Cake (super great!! A simple, flat cake who's shape is cut out in sandal form then decorated with "straps" and flowers); Rocket Cake (another simple shape that once decorated with multicolored fondant of stars and stripes, is out of this world---no pun intended, well....actually it was------too cute!); Boot Cake (this cake rocks; it really looks like a ladies go-go boot complete with high heel and bow; awesome!!).
"3-D CAKES": Airplane Cake (this really looks like a infants stuffed airplane that they would carry around, complete with eyes and nose , windows, and wings); BBQ Cake (this looks like a real Weber BBQ grill complete w/ hotdogs, kebobs, chicken---all made from fondant); Giant Cupcake (for this you could use the giant cupcake mold pan and still use the decorating ideas here, if you wish, but if you don't, the cake shaping steps are here), Paint Tube Cake (a giant paint tube); Handbag Cake (outstanding!!! The cover photo of the beautiful handbag with zipper, initial, diamond fabric pattern!).
This book has been a real treasure to find and a treat to read. Consider checking their website, or look for Planet Cake on Flickr. Peace.
I had first heard of the Planet Cake Shoppe when I had been perusing the Flickr website, and had looked into their baking section. There are untold joys of finding cakes, cookies, and such that are decorated by both non-professional and professionals alike. It was during one of my sojourns that I noted that they were coming out with a cake decorating book and I wasted no time in acquiring it.I needed to go through the "New and Used" section at Amazon in order to acquire it, but I'm hoping that they will be able to get it for the baking faithful soon.
Planet Cake is owned and operated by Paris Culter, who started in finances but had been pulled to cake baking and decorating because that was her real love. With the help and support of husband, family, and friends, plus an incredibly talented staff, Planet Cake stands out as a creative and "outside-the-box" cake company, which has catered to the likes of the average Joe to celebrity events such as the wedding cake for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
For those who are skilled or advanced bakers and decorators, this might be a bit too basic for you, though you will find the idea's refreshing and fun. For those who are just beginning, this is an excellent teacher and guide that will make your work a showstopper the first time out. Large, clear print plus close, vibrant photo's are the reason I found this so helpful. The only drawback I found was that when you began the actual decorating projects themselves, rather than have photo's of all steps involved in the decorating process, colored pencils drawing were used; they were large and detailed enough, but for my thought, I'd rather see photographs. Nonetheless, it doesn't detract from the learning.
Paris begins her book with her WELCOME and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which are sincere and heartening. You do not get to her level of notoriety without the help of really good, trustworthy folks who are as committed to your vision as you are.
"STARTING POINTS" helps you to understand how you must build your foundation of knowledge in order to eventually get to the top.
"HOW TO USE THIS BOOK" brings you to the basics of cake design and temperment; how to prepare, how to design, how to transport, etc all in the mode of giving a solid education of the basics of what to do first. Full page photographs of Icing Equipment, Edible Decorations and Materials, Ganaching Equipment, Decorating Equipment are presented with the tools numbered explained, and it finished with a detailed Glossary. All templates for the projects are included.
"CAKE RECIPES": In making batters for cupcakes, box mixes might be OK, but for cakes, especially those that are to be created and decorated for special events, you need a strong batter that will hold up to the layers of coverings and fillings that will weigh upon them; box mixes will not do. Hence, Paris gives you Vanilla Cupcakes, Chocolate Mud Cake, Carrot Cake, White Chocolate Mud Cake, Coconut Cake, and Flourless Orange and Almond Cake (for those who are dairy and gluten sensitive--woo hoo!!).
"ICING RECIPES": Ganache (methods for both stove and microwave, Syrup, Rolled Fondant Icing, and Royal Icing.
"TECHNIQUES": How to ganach cupcakes, round cakes, square cakes, shaped cakes, 3-D cakes, plus cutting and ganaching rectangular cakes.
"USING READY-TO-ROLL FONDANT": You can make fondant or buy it already made, but there are peculiarities to it, and she gives you the 411; especially with those tricky corners. She shows you how to use it to cover cupcakes, round cakes, square cakes, and shaped cakes.
"COVERING A BOARD WITH ICING": This makes the presentation look finished and coordinated with your masterpiece. You can cover the whole cakeboard, or cover a board around the cake for both regular and shaped cakes.
"TECHNIQUES, TIPS, and TROUBLESHOOTING": How to color icing, how to use a pasta machine for rolling out your fondant, glazing icing, smaking gluing icing for pieces that you attach to the cake, making tassels, piping with royal icing, tracing letters, applying edible glitter, making a bow, making a "zipper" for the purse cake, covering acetate film (this is a wonderful tool for making and applying chocolate and other mediums), making sand icing, making coals, frilling of fondant, basic painting, making an icing roll, marking a paper cupcake case, making a template, how to use a DIY board (helps you to move your cake more easily), mending torn icing (and this happens to everyone eventually!!), covering up cracked icing, mending cracked icing, cleaning stained icing, dealing with humidity, too dry icing, too wet icing, and air bubbles. Whew!!!! She sure covers everything---lucky us!!!
"CUPCAKES": This is what got me to her book; I just love the cupcakes!!! My favorites were the Babyface Cupcakes (absolutely perfect for that really special baby shower; so cute and fairly easy to create!!). She also teaches Bow Cupcakes (pink cupcakes with a thin, black bow across; elegant!), Dragonfly Cupcakes (purple cupakes with 3-D dragonflies popping out; very pretty for a spring party); Honeybee Cupcakes (big, bright yellow and brown "bees" with little antennae's!), Green Monster Cupcakes (very green, very easy to make, and very boyish!), Ladybug Cupcakes (like the bees but red and black), Pirate Cupcakes (cute 'Matey cupcake face complete with headscarf, earring, and eyepatch!), Naughty Kids Cupcakes (same facial theme that you can match to whomever your "naughty" kid is!), Crying Babies Cupcakes (too cute with facial cupcakes that have a wide-open mouth and 2 budding teeth on their top gum!).
"ROUND CAKES": Racing Car Cake (a round cake with flat racing cars applied round the cake base; very clever and a great project for a beginner), Round Pirate Cake (perfect with the Pirate Cupcakes, and again, a simple project), Round Present Cake (simple, easy to make, yet elegant round cake with a lovely fondant bow), Princess Cake (lovely, frill-edged cake), Lollipop Cake (very clever and very simple to make in which you insert a dowel at the bottom of the cake and put a fondant bow).
"SQUARE CAKES": Boat Cake (any little sailor---or even a not so little sailor, would love this with its appliques of a boat on the cake along with a fondant life preserver, and nautical rope), Briefcase Cake (a bit more involved but well worth the time), Exploding Star Cake ( multi-colored fondant star appliques and ribbon with fondant stars on wires bursting out of the center of the cake), Record Player Cake (for those of us old folks who remember record players and vinyl discs---yikes!---this is for you; you wouldn't know it from the real thing!; a bit for the more advanced baker, me thinks); and Make-Up Box (simple but adorable).
"SHAPED CAKES": Flag Cake (simple in its concept but so beautiful in the execution b/c you can do so much with color and decor), Ice Cream Cake (this was sooo cute; it looks like a FreezePop that had the top half dipped in dripping chocolate); Flip Flop Cake (super great!! A simple, flat cake who's shape is cut out in sandal form then decorated with "straps" and flowers); Rocket Cake (another simple shape that once decorated with multicolored fondant of stars and stripes, is out of this world---no pun intended, well....actually it was------too cute!); Boot Cake (this cake rocks; it really looks like a ladies go-go boot complete with high heel and bow; awesome!!).
"3-D CAKES": Airplane Cake (this really looks like a infants stuffed airplane that they would carry around, complete with eyes and nose , windows, and wings); BBQ Cake (this looks like a real Weber BBQ grill complete w/ hotdogs, kebobs, chicken---all made from fondant); Giant Cupcake (for this you could use the giant cupcake mold pan and still use the decorating ideas here, if you wish, but if you don't, the cake shaping steps are here), Paint Tube Cake (a giant paint tube); Handbag Cake (outstanding!!! The cover photo of the beautiful handbag with zipper, initial, diamond fabric pattern!).
This book has been a real treasure to find and a treat to read. Consider checking their website, or look for Planet Cake on Flickr. Peace.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Sfmommybaker
Format:Paperback
This book was given to me as a Christmas present. Thought it would be just another beginner cake decorating book but I was wrong. Planet Cake book is like being in their classroom. It's very informative, provides detailed instructions and pictures, recipes, and truly unique fun designs. It introduced me to the art of ganaching a cake (which I have difficulty with), how to make ganache and techniques on how to keep the cakes moist. I absolutely love this book and would recommend it to any beginner cake decorator like myself.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cake decorating couldn't be easier. The cakes in this book are fascinating. My particular favourite is the beautiful knee length book. Totally stunning. I have already made the record player cake - I was very pleased with the outcome. Brilliant ideas and easy to follow.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE the pictures/descriptions
I love the instructions along with pictures in this book. I've been decorating about a year and wanted to expand my knowledge. Read more
Published 4 months ago by KBarnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Found the best cake decorating tip ever in this book
This book was marvelous in it's own right but so worth it just for the one tip on using white choc ganache as an undercoating to allow for the thinnest layer of fondant ever, if... Read more
Published 10 months ago by LeaC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Tips
I recently obtained the book, so I have only been able to try a couple of the designs.
The book has very useful tips (one of them has already helped me improve my... Read more
The book has very useful tips (one of them has already helped me improve my... Read more
Published 17 months ago by R. AREVALO
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good
I really like the ideas in this book. I would definitely say they are for the more advanced cake decorator. So far I've only made some of the cupcake ideas which are easier. Read more
Published 17 months ago by rr2sweet
5.0 out of 5 stars
Planet Cake
I haven't had the opportunity to try any of the recipes or designs yet but the book was all that I expected and more. Read more
Published 22 months ago by tracymkconsult
4.0 out of 5 stars
So much fun in one book!
I was so impressed with this book that I had to write a review. It was full of so many fun cake recipes that are surprisingly not to difficult. Read more
Published 23 months ago by pupalucci
4.0 out of 5 stars
Planet Cake is Awsome
I bought this book to learn how to make a cake purse, It had so many other ideas as well that now I have new ideas on cakes decorations. Read more
Published on October 18, 2010 by Lborges
2.0 out of 5 stars
TOO SIMPLE
IT'S A VERY GOOD BOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO HAS NO IDEA ABOUT CAKE BAKING/DECORATION. I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO HAVE MORE HOW TO'S ON CUPCAKES.
Published on October 17, 2010 by mnn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book on cake decorating!!
Wonderful photos of beautiful cakes and ideas with great step by step instructions. I just love reading this book while eating breakfast and have started on recipes and projects... Read more
Published on May 6, 2010 by Jacque
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
This is a great book. She explains everything step by step. There are recipies, and a detailed list of items you will need for decorating with fondant, as well as explanation if... Read more
Published on March 15, 2010 by M. Taylor
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