Presented by Southern Living Big Book of Cupcakes: 150 Brilliantly Delicious Dreamcakes

I borrowed this book from the library in order to get some ideas for my daughters' birthdays. As usual, I requested every single book on the subject that our library had in order to get as much information as I could. I looked over Betty Crocker's cupcake book.... eh. I looked over visually appealing books that use candies and things to make the cupcakes stand out... but they use canned frosting and cake mixes. Don't get me wrong, cake mixes are great, and I've used them faithfully for over 9 years, but this time I wanted to try and stay away from that, so I put those down too. Then I got to this book.This is the best book by far that I've EVER borrowed on cake! First of all, Ms. Moon uses White Lily flour, something that is reasonably priced in every single grocery store, instead of the traditional cake flour. I never get around to scratch cake because every book on the subject calls for cake flour in their recipes, and a tiny box is ridiculously priced... you make one cake and if it doesn't turn out right, you wasted your whole box of flour.Second, Ms. Moon gives wonderful advice on where to find ingredients and what things can be swapped out in a pinch. I knew this would be a great book when she banned the use of margarine when butter is called for. Nothing but butter should be used, because it gives way better flavor.I am the kind of person who buys flour by the pallet, because when I bake, I REALLY BAKE. I have made in the course of 2 weeks almost 200 cupcakes from this book. Each recipe yields just over 2 dozen regular sized cupcakes, except for the butter cake. I had to double that recipe in order to get the amount I needed.Every person who's tasted any of the cupcakes I've made from this book has been completely overwhelmed with flavor. It's like a party in your mouth with every bite. Mixing and matching frosting and cake combinations is fun to do, and really easy. There are pictures for every finished cupcake. I can't say enough good things about this book! I loved it so much, I had to own my own copy, which I ordered yesterday!If you want to bake a DELICIOUS 'from scratch' set of cupcakes, this is the book for you!!!

When this book arrived I wanted to bake right that minute! This book is the ONLY book you need to make cupcakes. All the way from the first page you're given all the information that you need to make gorgeous, tasty cupcakes. Tips on what tools will be handy and the essentials, how to freeze your cupcakes, ice them, store them, etc.. The cupcake recipes are paired...I mean a cupcake cake flavor with a frosting recipe...think of the possibilities changing those up to make your own new cupcake creations! There are cupcake recipes for every occasion, holiday and season. I am making 3 different recipes for Christmas and can't wait until this afternoon to start, Right off the bat, I'm creating my own special cupcakes and not making any of the specific ones shown in the book. I've chosen three cake recipes and 3 icing recipes to create my own that I know my family will love: Poppy Seed cake with Wedding Cake Icing (a little hint of almond flavor), Mocha cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing and lastly Gingerbread cake with Brown Butter icing...YUMMY! I'm starting to think this book could be detrimental to my waistline...or at least what I like to call a waistline at my age anyway, but what a way to go!

I'm surprised this book received even one poor review! This book has singlehandedly changed my opinion on scratch cupcakes.I have been a devoted "doctored cake mix" girl up until now. I tried a ton of scratch cupcake recipes only to be disappointed every single time. I have to have tried at least a dozen scratch vanilla cupcake recipes alone. Some were good, but they were never as tasty, as moist or as perfect in texture like my doctored vanilla. That is, until I tried this vanilla bean cake! Moist, fluffy, light and perfectly vanilla.I also tried the banana's foster cupcake. Oh my heavens, this is a tasty fresh banana cake and the brown butter frosting is divine!!! I drizzled a little of my homemade salted caramel sauce on top. Let me tell you, my coworkers were ready to crown me the cupcake queen! My doctored banana cupcake can't hold a candle to this cupcake.Just from these two experiences, I am antsy to try the rest of the recipes!For those who are concerned about not having access to White Lily Flour, never fear. I don't have access to it where I live, so I just decided to use half cake flour and half all purpose flour. I get the sense that the recipes would work fine using all-purpose flour only.

Ottimo acquisto. Davvero un bel libro per gli appasionati come me di cupcakes .Belle ricette e illustrazioni .Lo consiglierei a tutti.