Simply Spectacular Cakes: Beautiful Designs for Irresistible Cakes and Cookies
Simply Spectacular Cakes: Beautiful Designs for Irresistible Cakes and Cookies
Nothing brightens up a party or makes a celebration out of an everyday gathering like beautifully decorated cookies and cakes. Yet buying from boutique bakeries doesn’t have to be your only option—there’s a simple, fun way to have fabulous desserts at a fraction of the price. Simply Spectacular Cakes is the perfect guide for creating your own elegant, designer-quality confections that will impress friends and family.
Peggy Porschen—professional baker and designer extraordinaire, and author of Pretty Party Cakes—is known for her designs for cookies, mini cakes, and large cakes that are easy enough for anyone. Whether a seasoned baker or eager amateur, you can manage sophisticated designs such as the Tiffany Pearl Tiered Cake, inspired by various pieces of pearl jewelry, or Cherry Blossom Bites, little cakes that when grouped together look like a cherry tree in full bloom. Projects range from easy, such as icing cookies to look like retro candies, to those that call for more advanced handiwork, such as making flowers for the Anemone Cake. Beautiful photographs display the detail in Porschen’s decorations so that you can follow them exactly, or use them as inspiration to customize your own designs that match your skill level.
With vivid color photographs, helpful advice from an expert baker, and an extensive how-to section, this book has all the information you need to make professional-quality cakes and cookies in your own home. More beauty, more fashion, more style— Simply Spectacular Cakes has all the best design ideas for creating gorgeous and stylish desserts.
List Price: $30.00
Sale Price: $18.45
Eligible For Free Shipping
Rating
This is a book of spectacular-looking cookies and cakes as the title suggests but be warned that it is published for the American baker as there are no metric weight measurements or celcius oven temperatures in this volume. Wish someone had told me that earlier as now I will have to convert.
If you’re after the same with metric measurements then you’ll need to buy Peggy Porschen’s Cake Chic (the UK edition).
That aside, the book itself is gorgeous to look at and would make a beautiful coffee table book if you don’t bake.
The amazing thing which Peggy achieves so effortlessly in all her books is the ability to translate fashion into food and her cakes and cookies are all catwalk-ready. The cakes and cookies here are all very stylish and not one cake or cook ever gives the impression that it is over-decorated. The result is always just right and ever-so-chic.
The cakes and cookies in this book are very rich-looking, celebratory creations and certainly not for your average bake sale but everything does evolve around a few very simple recipes – Victoria Sponge, royal icing, and sugar syrups.
This is definitely in rhythm with the author’s other books. This is a decorating book not a baking book.
For decorating cookies, it is good to see the author return to the traditional iced biscuit and make use of Royal Icing techniques.
The cakes are all fondant-based designs.
I am amazed to see the author achieve all her gorgeous piping designs with a pastry bag made from silicon paper – a technique she shares. Not a metal tip in sight! Certainly, this attests to Peggy’s skill with icing. I’m not sure if I’m willing to give up my icing tips just yet.
This a book is not likely to suit a Master decorator as the techniques for gum paste flower-making and piping are all very basic and achievable for many beginner decorators. You will probably need to look into a sugar-crafting book for that purpose but Simply Spectacular Cakes is a great book to make fancy-looking cakes from a home kitchen.
Instructions are straight-forward and seem simple enough for a beginner decorator. Peggy outlines all the ingredients and equipment required and stops short only of providing fully photographed step-by-step instruction. Every finished cake and cookie is beautifully photographed so there is no guesswork as to what the final product should look like.
Rating
My long and excited anticipation of this book was not in vain………it truly is simply exquisite! This has been on the top of my book wishlist for quite some time and like a child, I thought it would never get here. But it has finally arrived and I couldn’t be happier with its beautiful contents!
Peggy Porschen has once again given us delicate and achievable cake projects with which any cake decorating aficionado would agree. While this might not challenge an experienced or professional decorator, I feel this is geared towards those of us who are in awe of how the professionals do it and we gratefully thank those who take the time to teach us.
Having said that, I feel this book is geared towards someone with a solid foundation of cookie and cake decorating abilities. You need to know why and how the materials and mediums are used and why you could not substitute one for another such as why you can’t use regular icing for royal icing or why fondant cannot be subbed for gumpaste. Though Peggy is quite good at explaining the process in detail, you still need to possess a basic foundation of cake/cookie decorating, though once you do, this book will become a great companion in which to further build your skills and confidence. And lastly, yes, she only uses paper pastry bags in which to decorate so no tips and pastry bags are used; this helps in cutting down on costs for bags, couplers, and tips, plus it is all disposable. But if you have them, I would encourage folks to use them as I am used to them and find it easier.
Peggy has teamed up again with Georgia Glynn Smith, her photographer of her previous book, “Pretty Party Cakes” to deliver large, sharp, close-up, detailed, and well-styled photographs of her projects. Combine that important necessity when presenting a teaching book, along with a great teaching style, and bright, happy colors, and you have a book that is a real treasure.
The contents begin with cookies, then go to mini-cakes such as cupcakes, petit fours, and individual cakes, then to large cakes. Each project begins with the list of ingredients and supplies necessary followed by directions which are layed out step-by-step. The supplies for the various-sized and shaped cookies cutters can be purchased at many cake and cookies decorating shops or online; she also gives some templates for some of the figures needed at the end of the book; more on that later.
And as the first reviewer did mention, there is the matter of weights and measure all done in the standard American system and not metric. I would be curious to write to both Clarkson Potter Pubishers in New York as well as Quadrille Publishing in London to see if the British version of this book has the metric weights listed; I will add an addendum when I find out.
The Contents section of this book contains:
Cookies
Mini-Cakes
Large Cakes
Basics
Glossary
Suppliers
Quantity and Portion Guides
Index
Acknowledgements
Templates
COOKIES
“Ballerina Slippers”: The template for this is very simple and you wouldn’t need to purchase this cookie cutter because is is such a simple shape. The template could be traced onto a piece of sturdy cardboard (like the ones found on the back of a legal pad) then cut out. The 5 easy steps of piping are quick and easy and this would be a wonderful project for a new baker to cut their teeth on; it would eagerly entice you to other projects.
“The Little Black Dress”: Again, a simple project but with spectacular results, as you can customize this to any occasion such as a wedding, prom, etc. For this you could fashion your own template as the outline is simple, though not given in the book.
“Best in Show”: Adorable “Scotties” to be decorated in 6 easy steps.
“Pretty in Bows”: There are 2 types of bows made in this project with one done free-hand and the other with a cookie cutter. Pretty little pearls dot these delicate presentations either by using actual tiny dragees or using royal icing dots.
“Christmas Baubles”: Christmas ornaments with limitless ideas of decorating! Choose any of the various cookie cutters available and then take a cherished or favorite family ornament and recreate the beauty. This would be a wonderful family project during the holidays.
“Silhouette Cookies”: This are reminiscent of a cameo brooch or those outlines of childrens faces. Peggy uses the “flooding” method to make the heads.
“I Want Candy”: Circles of various “candy” you remember from childhood.
MINI-CAKES
“Damask Delights”: These are petit fours coated in chocolate then placed in beautiful silver liners. The icing decor is taken from a beautiful damask pattern in various shades of neon green and red.
“Cameo Cakes”: Now this was a real treat for the eyes!! Mini-cakes covered in pink marzipan and fondant, with a centered fondant cameo, then decorated with pearls of white royal icing and brown fondant ribbon. The base of each cake is covered in matching ribbon as the fondant bows. Absolutely exquiste for a very fancy tea party or bridal shower!
“Mini Orangery Cakes”: This is a stunner! A mini cake prepped with marizpan and fondant but then a “cage” of royal icing is placed on top! Therefore, within this cage, you can see sugar flowers or whatever small visual feast for the eyes you wish! Lovely!!
“Mini Monogrammed Cakes”: Exactly as titled, little individual cakes with letters, or monograms, or numbers to personalize the reason for the occasion.
“Cherry Blossoms”: The cover project!! How absolutely delicate and enchanting! Glistening pink petit fours with chocolate bands along the base toppped with delicate pink cherry blossoms! The photography and styling for this particular project was perfect! If you are well-versed in sugar flowers, the sky is the limit in other flowers to use.
“Peggy’s Purses”: This is definitely more labor intensive but the end result is just adorable. And the sky’s the limit on how to decorate and personalize these sweet little purses.
“Cupcakes in Bloom”: Silver liners carrying those delectable cupcake goodies with beautiful hydrangea sugar flowers on top.
“Dots & Bows”: This project requires you to dip the cupcakes in liquid fondant, then “paint” them with royal icing dots and finish with a gumpaste bow. I have found this to be a very elegant, neat, and sharp way of presenting these cupcakes.
“Ice Crystal Cakes”: Wow!! What a treat for a wedding or shower, let alone a Christmas party! Beautiful, small, individual cakes covered in pastel fondant, then royal iced in delicate crystal patterns on top. For a splash of “wow”, silver dragees are used in strategic spots to catch your eye!
“French Fancies”: Delicate petit fours made up of 3 layers of orange buttercream, covered in pastel fondant icing, a band of chocolate at the base, then decorated with designs of thin chocolate icing on top. Wow!
LARGE CAKES
“Pure White Perfection”: An all-white cake that has been covered in white fondant and “painted” with delicate vines using white royal icing. Place a white ribbon band at the base and again, bead it with royal icing pearls. But the real show-stopper of this cake is the simple white flowers you make with graduated small circular cutters (the kind that come in the multiple-sized, shaped cutter sets) to make the leaves. When completed, add some luster or pearl dust and dot the center of the flower with a tiny ball of fondant or a white dragee. An absolute star at a party!
“Summer Symphony”: Starting with a 10 inch square base, add 3 more graduating smaller stacks of round cakes, covering each in different pastel colors, then decorate each stack in different patterns and textures. This makes for a most alluring spring or summer cake that will put a smile on anyones face!
“Pink Poodles”: LOVE this cake!! As a loyal Francophile, this is a joy. Using the French theme of “Paris and poodles” in reddish-pink and black colors, 3 tiers of graduated square cakes are covered in white fondant. Thin black ribbon with tiny white polks dots is placed around the base. Templates of the Eiffel Tower and poodles can be used to make royal icing run-outs which are then placed on the front of the cake with the Tower on the top tier and those adorable poodles on the bottom tier. The middle tier makes no confusion as to the reason for the event and “Bon Anniversaire” is written with tiny little gumpaste hearts scattered about, and a red ribbon on the top tier. For this cake, rather than use the templates provided, I used Eiffel Tower and poodle cookie cutters to make their outline. Oooh la la!!
“Anemome Cake”: Once again, a simple basic cake taken to different limits because of the decorating style used. A round cake covered in white fondant dotted with black royal icing. A large 1-1/4″ cream-colored ribbon around the base with another 1″ ribbon (black with tiny white polka dots) is then placed around the base on top of the cream-colored ribbon so as to have 2 layers. But the stars of the show are the white anemomes with black centers and stamens, that Peggy teaches you how to make, using anemone petal cutters and gumpaste.
“Mochaccino Dots”: A 4 layer rectangular cake with creamy chocolate and vanilla buttercream, and chocolate ganache. Because the sides of the cake are not covered in anything, the cake is beautiful to behold, let alone the round fondant dots, within the palette of the brown family, that are placed on top of the cake, in order to give a contrast to this linear cake.
“Couture Hatboxes”: Another time and labor intensive project that will garner you “ooh’s” and “aah’s” from those who see it. Using the hexagonal shape of your choice (though you can make any shape you wish; round hat boxes come to mind immediately for me), bows, handles, and “leather” stripes are made to create a vintage hat box.
“Coco’s Corsage”: A tribute to Coco Chanel with it’s simple diamond patterned lines against this 2-tiered cream-colored fondant cake, its base wrapped with a 2 inch band of black ribbon with a bow on its top tier then bedecked with a beautiful pearl brooch on the bow. Real, silk, or sugar paste cream roses are placed on top. Coco would swoon!!
“Button Flowers Cake”: A most unusual cake consisting of 4 square tiers of 2 different sizes colored in pink, ecru, and peach fondant. The base is wrapped in a thin ecru-colored ribbon. The adornments consist of ivory, peach, pink, and dark brown flowers and “buttons”.
“Tiffany Pearls”: This was a stunner! 4 various round tiers are covered in pale blue fondant then decorated in the most delicate and tiny royal icing swags and pearl drops. The swags and pearl drops were then painted with pearl luster dust to give them that “pop” that draws your eyes to it. The base of each tier was wrapped in the most tiny white satin ribbon. An excellent choice for a wedding cake. (Once again, the staging of this photograph was perfect as they used a white and pale blue background as well as glass and crystal to present this).
BASICS
“Tools”: Numbered photographs of tools used with a corresponding chart to see what you need as your basic equipment list.
“Food Colors”: Types of food colors used, their explanations, and their various forms of liquid food colors, paste food colors, blossom tints and dusting colors, edible luster and pearl dust.
“Recipes”: Basic sugar cookie recipes and gingerbread cookie recipe. How to line the pans so that your cakes come out easily and unbroken every time (lining is a must for perfect cakes). Recipes for Victoria Sponge Cake, Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, Marble Cake, Sugar Syrups (to coat the tops of your cakes and add flavor). Buttercream frosting, Belgian Chocolate Ganache. How to layer and ice cakes (especially those mini cakes; those are the hardest for me so I really appreciated this part). Peggy’s favorite cake and filling combinations. Covering, frosting, and assembling large cakes. Covering cake boards (this makes for such a complete and elegant presentation!). Assembling tiered cakes. How to make petit fours. Dipped cupcakes using liquid fondant icing. Different types of royal icing consistencies. How to make a paper pastry bag. Piping techniques.
GLOSSARY: The meaning for the different mediums/terms used in this book.
SUPPLIERS: She gives a listing of known suppliers within the US, Canada, UK, and Asia. (Personal note: For more places within the US, you can just “google” cake decorating supplies and you’ll get a further list of places from which you can purchase supplies. Also consider shopping at places such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels or “google” craft stores. And if you feel really ambitious, “google” cake decorating websites and get recipes to make your own fondant, gumpaste, etc as well as how to make your own cookie cutters and such).
QUANTITY GUIDES: A much appreciated chart and explanation of the amounts needed of cake batters, fondant, buttercream, etc when planning your cakes and projects.
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: If you see something used in the styling of the projects, Peggy lists where certain products were purchased. A very, very wonderful and thoughtful addition to this book.
TEMPLATES: Templates used for the Ice Crystal project, numbers and calligraphy letters, mini-monogram cakes patterns, template for positioning the dowel supports for your cakes, poodle and Eiffel Tower templates, and the Ballerina Shoes template.
Yes, I know this was a long review, but I just love cake decorating and anything or anyone associated with this art form, and Peggy is definitely one of the best! You will thoroughly enjoy this book and all it will do to enhance your skills. I would also suggest you consider her first book entitled “Pretty Party Cakes”.
Enjoy! Peace!
Rating
This book, even though wonderful, also is the same exact book under a different name – Cake Chic. I now own both which are EXACTLY the same. Don’t be fooled.