Decorated: Sublimely Crafted Cakes for Every Occasion Hardcover – October 14, 2014

This book is just stunning! Not only are the recipes easy to follow and incredibly delicious (I've already tried the Simple Store Cupboard Chocolate Cake, the Gingerbread Cake with Whiskey Caramel Sauce, and the Pistachio Choux Buns--all to rave reviews) but it is a beautiful book to look through! Although I am an experienced home baker, I think that this would be a very easy book for someone new to baking to start with. April Carter gives a nice overview of basic cake baking technique, required equipment, and pantry essentials at the start of the book. Even more appealing are the last chapters that have piping and decorating techniques. This really is a book for everyone. Beautiful simplicity sums this book up (just look at the cover photo--a wedding cake to die for)!Next up for me? The Apple, Parsnip and Rosemary Syrup Cake. This is not the kind of cake I would normally find myself salivating over but the beautiful photograph, a cake topped with a sugared halo of rosemary, makes it worth an attempt!

In my conclusion after baking 3-4 cakes from this book, the cakes are a bit dense, too sweet, and heavy. I think it's the imbalanced proportion of the ingredients. Some recipes in the book have too much liquid and the side of the cake caved in a bit. Cake structure lies between pound cake and basic American cake. Adjustment to the amount of sugar had to be made by reducing it to half the amount given in the recipe. Personally, I don't prefer frosting/buttercream recipes in this book. Grant that they are very easy to make but again too sweet for my taste. It reminds me of those cakes from grocery stores.The first time I used this book I was a novice cake-baker. The book didn't state an important tip on how to use stored buttercream. So I beat the cream while it was semi-cold, which turned out nasty! Not until I studied RLB book to learn that before use, buttercream needs to be rebeat at room temperature, otherwise, it will be curdle. Tips like this shouldn't be skipped in a published book.The book is beautiful to look at and to get some inspiration. The no-fuzz decoration makes you realize that cakes don't have to look smooth and highly decorated with perfect flowers, etc. You can be creative. Adding rustic personal touch is very acceptable.

Made one cake- the blueberry cake... flavor is good, but a tad too sweet especially the frosting.. I am worried that the rest of the recipes will probably be too sweet too..

There may be calories just looking at these lovely cakes...you've been warned! :)

My daughter bought me April Carter's Treats cookbook last year for Christmas I loved it so much I searched for other cookbooks This is beautifully written with practical guidelines

Lovely photography. Great book.

i love this book. i made this cake on the cover for church. everyone loved it! great tasting too!

Can't wait to bake the cover cake for my daughter's bridal shower. A gorgeous cookbook!

I love this book! It's really upped my cake game.I've made the store-cupboard chocolate cake about 4 and everyone adores it. The decoration is inspirational and the section at the back which guided you on various techniques is really helpful.I've never played by the rules so you won't find this cake in the book but I did use the recipe for ganache and followed the instructions on how to create ombré effect buttercream.I'm psyching myself up for the 4 tier, salted-caramel number next.

beautiful book with comprehensive guidelines to achieve a beautifully decorated cake

Good

Loooooooove this book. That is all.

Beautiful book which arrived quickly. Can't wait to start baking!