Finishing Touches: The Art of Cake Decorating

This book contains many unique decorating ideas and instructions (which I didn't find in other books). Most of them are with beautiful step by step colored photographs and illustrations. It also has helpful templates with most designs so you won't get lost. Some of the decorating ideas are very unusual. I loved the royal icing cradle and the marzipan mouse with rice paper leaf. The designs are sorted by gumpaste, royal icing, marzipan, rice paper etc. There's even a chapter on Easter egg decoration and chocolate. However, if you are looking for buttercream decoration, this book won't come in handy. The book is very European / Australian style, with careful attention to details. It also showed how to ice a cake with marzipan, fondant and royal icing. You can buy Professional Touches/the Art of Advanced Cake Decorating by Lesley Herbert as part 2 of this book. Both book contained beautiful decorating ideas mostly using royal icing and some very helpful tips.