Over the Counter #189

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Well, I've got a bit of a sweet tooth....

First up was Dress Your Cake by Joanna Farrow.

From Octopus Books:

"Create cakes with a big personalities, and then eat them! Bake, dress and enjoy 50 outrageously adorable designs!Munch on a Millipede! Graze on a Golf Course! Snack on a Skateboard! Give your cakes the ultimate 'bakeover'.

With 40 stunning creations to choose from, here you will find cakes for everyone and every occasion - from rockets and kittens to a hamburger with chips and even a casino table! So whether you want a rainy-day activity to do with the kits or something colourful and different to bake and create for family and friends baking and decorating cakes has never been so much fun! Easy-to-follow makes mean this book has no end of ideas and inspiration. It caters for every taste and style imaginable. Pirate Ship, Super Spaceship and Flamin' Skateboard are perfect for a boy's party, with Toadstool Cottage, Ballerina Shoes and Elephants on Parade ideal for their little sisters!

Treat the man in your life to the golf-enthused Tee Time, the ever-so classy Monsieur Moustache and Poker themed Luck of the Draw. And for the grown-up girls the gorgeous Vintage Birdcage, Japanese Blossom cake and the indulgent Macaron Gift Box should be the perfect focal point for any celebratory occasion. This book has four cake recipes(Vanilla Sponge, Vanilla Cupcakes, Madeira Cake and Rich Chocolate) and four icing recipes (Vanilla Buttercream, Royal Icing, Homemade Rolled Fondant, Dark Chocolate Ganache) giving you an excellent springboard to your decorating endeavours."

Next up was The Icing on the Cake: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Decorating Baked Treats by Juliet Stallwood.

From Duncan Baird Publishing:

"Welcome to the world of baking and decorating! Whether you’ve never picked up a cookie cutter or a piping nozzle before or you’re an experienced baker, this book will show you how easy it is to transform a humble cake, cupcake, biscuit, cake pop, macaron or other baked treat into a stunning creation.

Juliet Stallwood runs a bakery specialising in decorated goodies and is renowned for her unique and imaginative designs. For the first time she is sharing her secrets in a book. In Chapter One of The Icing on the Cake, ‘Decorate to Indulge’, you’ll find recipes for sweet comforts such as Chocolate Swirl Cupcakes and Raspberry Dust Macarons. Chapter Two, ‘Decorate for Love’, revels in the art of romance, including wonderful wedding favours like Kissing Birds Biscuits and a Heart Chocolate Box Cake for your Valentine. Chapter Three, ‘Decorate to Celebrate’, gives you recipes for birthday parties, baby showers and festive occasions, including teddy bear and rabbit cupcakes and a Gingerbread House. The book finishes with a flourish in Chapter Four, ‘Decorate to Impress’, which is full of extravagant show-off pieces like the Ivory Corsage Wedding Cake and Magnificent Mini Cakes.

There are over 50 gorgeous recipes that are completely do-able, all with practical information and clear instructions. Plus, in Chapter Five you’ll find all of Juliet’s ‘Best-Kept Secrets’, from tools and equipment to techniques and downloadable templates, making this a must-have book."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)