Fun & Fancy Cake Decorating: Tips and Techniques for Decorating Unique Cakes for Any Occasion

I give Kate's designs five stars but have to mark her down a star because I feel like most of the cakes are lacking in some vital details. For instance, she never tells you how many cups of cake batter or buttercream you'll need for a given recipe. She'll list equipment like cutters but then not say what size to buy. For example, the dogwoods and butterflies cake just says to use dogwood and butterfly cutters. But a quick search of cutters on various cake supply sites turned up a variety of sizes. Cutters aren't cheap so I wish that she would spell things out a bit more. Also it would be great to be told how many servings the cakes make. I know there are websites that tell you based on pan size but I think it would be helpful to have that info in the directions.

What I like about this book is that she gives insider tips. She gives her history and she's all about doing things the easy way. I haven't made anything or tried the decorations yet... still amassing my collection of necessary items. It has some fun ideas, however, if you are looking for more buttercream ideas or how-to's, you're much better off just getting the Wilton 1,2,3 course books. This book is mostly about fondant. The pictures are great and I am looking forward to developing my hobby!

Saw Kate Sullivan on the Food Network and liked how she progressed from kitchen baker to an internationally known cake professional. I collect cooking books, and Ms. Sullivan has made it easier for us amateur cooks by furnishing templates of her ideas to work with - makes you think you want to take a crack at baking something special. This is a down to earth book and that is what makes it special.