Icing on the Cake: Baking and Decorating Simple, Stunning Desserts at Home

I've used many a cake cookbook, some purchased and some though the library, to varying degrees of success. When I saw Tessa Huff's first book "Layered" I was stuck by the depth of both flavors and instruction in her recipes. Literally every recipe I've used in that book was spot-on. The recipes are perfect and work everytime. I was excited to see "Icing on the Cake" available as she has included other desserts like pies and macarons. I never thought I'd make French macarons, but with Tessa's precise step-by-step directions, it was easier than I thought (still working on the piping to get the tops perfectly flat). I've made several recipes from this new book and, just like the first, the recipes are rock solid, guaranteed successes. I know I can choose any one and, barring user error, I'll have a spectacular end result. As you flip though the book you'll notice the photos are both gorgeous and inspiring, inviting you to spend a little time in the kitchen working on a new project. Tessa has included intros to each recipe which are insightful and delightful, as if she's speaking to you like a fellow baking friend. "Icing on the Cake" and "Layered" are front and center on my cookbook shelf, and they should be on yours too.

I strongly believe that reviews should be about the product, not the shipping outcome, which is totally irrelevant. I pre-ordered Icing on the Cake so long ago that there was no product description. Based on the title alone, I was expecting another cookbook all about cake. Much to my surprise, Tessa Huff's second book has recipes for cakes, yes, but also pies, pie pops, cheesecake, tarts, macarons, cupcakes, and everything that goes along with those deserts (buttercream, marshmallows, etc). One reason Tessa is such a special baker and cookbook author is her ability to create incredibly elaborate as well as sweetly whimsical cakes. Yes, you'll find some standard flavors here, and you can mix-and-match, but the magic is in Tessa's genius ability to dream up fantastical cakes (and tarts and pies, etc. ) you never even considered before. Her London Fog cake from Layered is still all over the internet (and Pinterest and magazines and instagram) - her Sticky Toffee Date Cake, Pink Lemonade Cake, and Blackberry Elderflower Vertical Cake from Icing on the Cake are certain to achieve the same resounding success. It's not just about the clever flavor combinations though. Tessa is also an extraordinary teacher and there is a substantial trove of valuable tips interspersed throughout Icing on the Cake. This is a cookbook to bake from, but it's also a book to snuggle up with on the couch and read from cover to cover. One of the most important questions for any cookbook is - can I recreate the dish at home? are the directions clear and are the ingredients easy to source? The answer here is a ~90% yes. Some people might struggle to find passion fruit concentrate and pistachio paste, but those are the only two ingredients that really leapt out at me as challenging, and they're only featured in three of the cakes. Tessa's instructions are confident, concise, and meticulous and her recipes include both weight and volume measurements. So far, I've only made the pink lemonade cake (a strawberry cake with lemon cream, meringue buttercream, and her lemon-strawberry macarons). It is absolutely worth the effort and the cost/space Icing on the Cake takes up on my bookshelf. I can't wait to try more recipes in the next few weeks.

Whenever I bake, I almost always reach for Tessa's first book, Layered, so when I heard she was coming out with another one, I was super excited! This book is a stunning work, filled with not only cakes, but pies, macarons, and other delicious treats. I love the layout, and how she describes the recipes. The decoration ideas are all stunning, and range in difficulty, but with her detailed explanations, a baker with any skill level will churn out stunning desserts. So far I've only made the Sparkling Champagne cake (raspberry curd is to die for, will be using in many other recipes), but am looking forward to many many others. Congratulations on a stunning book! Update: also made the Pink Lemonade cake (cover photo) and I didn't even get to try some because it was gone so quickly! Everyone came up to me and said it was the best cake they've ever had. Cannot go wrong with this book.

Tessa Huff's second book is as gorgeous as her first and has all new recipes. WOW!! Gorgeous cakes, pies, tarts, macarons, cupcakes, even a wedding cake-style Victoria Sponge! Detailed instructions, with many clear photos, of decorating options (plus all the recipes for frostings, glazes, etc). Superb book.

Got my book delivered today in Nashville. The top left corner was a bit smashed but nothing extremely noticeable. Now that's out of the way... this book is absolutely stunning! There are tons of beautiful photos and so much detail in her instructions. I bought this as a gift to myself since I am a new home baker and let me tell you, I feel so inspired to get into the kitchen just going through this cookbook! This would make an excellent gift too as the quality is amazing (the hardcover book has some heft to it - kind of like a textbook). Overall, I totally recommend buying this book - it's definitely worth the price!

This book was terrific. Great recipes! Plenty of instructions and guidance. Absolutely beautiful pictures and plenty of them! Happy to see links to sources at back of book always good to have.

This is a magnificent cookbook for bakers. She has great tips and explains techniques well, and there are lots of wonderful ideas for baking, well, anything. I definitely recommend this book.

Another fantastic book by Tessa Huff!! I am obsessed with her first book, Layered -- everything I've baked has been amazing. Her cakes are so beautiful and the flavor and texture combinations are amazing. The new book inspired me to finally try making macaron for the first time! Her detailed instructions gave me confidence and they turned out great. Buy this book!

Muy buen producto con ideas e información relevante

Beautiful cookbook filled with incredibly looking and tasting cakes. Instructions are clear and easy to follow.

I love this cookbook. I borrowed it from the library as part of a cookbook club assignment. I loved it so much that I ordered it and Tessa Huff's first book - Layered - from Amazon. I've made a chocolate cake and the buttercream recipes from this book, both were delicious. The explanations are clear and the recipes are easy to follow.

This book has the most amazing selection of recipes which I can’t wait to get started on, I would not recommend this for beginners but if you’re looking for next level baking then this is the book to try. I can’t comment on whether the recipes work well as I haven’t made anything yet. Even if you never make anything from this book it’s worth buying for the illustrations!

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