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I admit it. I am a complete sucker for cake design books. Maybe it’s because I’m a wedding photographer, but cakes and cupcakes to me are art. I’ve just reviewed another book Celebrating Cupcakes and Muffins at 5 Minutes for Books. Please click through and read that review as well, because we all loved those recipes!
They might possibly be my favorite art form (somewhat regrettably) and whenever I see a cake design book I just HAVE to take a peek inside. I kid myself into thinking that it’s possible for me to create such awesome and wonderful cakes myself. A mommy can dream, right?
When offered a chance to browse through and review Kids’ Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse And Other Treats for Colorful Celebrations, I pounced upon it!
This book exceeded my expectations for charm, sheer brilliance and personal inspiration. Authors Liv Hansen and Kaye Hansen design amazing looking cakes. This book focuses on the fun you can have with children’s desserts. In the introduction Kaye says, “This book is for the kids and for the kid in us all. I know I am still a kid at heart and I think that deserves a party.” Amen and Amen! The rest of the book is shared genius, from tips to getting started, some icing recipes, fillings, the basics of cake assembly and patterns for you to following in designing and decorating the cakes which are pictured in this book.
Beyond that though they also provide party ideas focused on particular themes. For example: If you’d like to throw an “Enchanted Tea Party”, these Hansen women provide a recipe for “Pixie Play Dough”, a Woodland Fairies Cake, edible magic wands, tea cup cupcakes and more. (As a mother of boys, I looked through this section and my desire to have a girl next grew all the more stronger!) The ideas and designs in this book are fantastic!
I thoroughly enjoyed browsing this book and have several pages bookmarked for future use. I don’t know about you, but I’m the type that likes to glean information for both family parties and gatherings for friends. My son is a particular fan of sea life and there is a recipe and pattern design in this book for a Sand Castle Cake which I think we’re just going to have to make at some point this summer. In my opinion, cakes are not just for special occasions – they are for making occasions all the more special. Anything that helps prompt some creativity, is going to be favored in my sight. As I was able to gather some really awesome ideas for this summer and then further on down the road, Kids’ Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse
is definitely favored.
I’m delighted to now have a copy of this book in my possession. I’m further delighted (just all aquiver, really!) to offer a giveaway copy to one of you. The Crown Publishing Group at Random House has offered one copy to one of our readers. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only.
Leave a comment if you’d like to win. The winner will be announced here in the 5 Minutes for Books column on Monday 7/19.
I hope that you will find this book to be just the inspiration you need to delight a small child – or a big one! – in a ‘whimsical’ way! Have fun!
The winner of the two books in From the White House to Your House is #26 – Linda Kish
The giveaway for Once Upon a Time in the Kitchen is still open here at 5 Minutes for Mom, so enter now!
Carrie enjoys cakes and cupcakes far more than she really should. She definitely enjoys reading books about these delicious desserts and blogs about them as infrequently as she possibly can over on her own book blog, Reading to Know.
abi says
cool book. thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Wendy Mahaney says
I would love to win this book for my sister. She is a fabulous baker and would love this book.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Christina says
I love making cakes and would love some new inspiration!
debp says
I love cake decorating books. This one is really cute.
[email protected]
Katie says
Would love to win this – cake decorating is such fun!
[email protected]
Beth C says
I also love to look through decorating books. I just wish mine creations would turn out like the books – just once! Thanks for the chance to win this neat book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Mozi Esmes Mom says
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/07/kids-cakes.html
And I’d love a chance to check out the book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
nan lara says
i would love this
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
juli says
Looks fun! Thanks for the chance.
Mary-Frances C. says
What a great giveaway! I just started baking and would love to win this.
Adele says
I would love to share a copy of this book with my grandson. We love cupcakes!
Dee says
This book looks fun! I would love to win this and try some with my daughter and granddaughters.
Magi says
My daughter (4) has really gotten into watching the cake shows with me. We also love making cupcakes together. This would be perfect.
Ashley R says
I’d LOVE to win this for my mom! Thanks for the chance!
Samantha R says
I would love to win this book to try some fun things for my little guy’s b-day coming up!
Dena says
I would love to win this and try some of the cakes and cupcakes.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Alison S. says
One of my sisters is an award winning cake decorator. I bet she would love this book.
barb says
You make this book sound so thrilling that I really want to win it! I love cook books of every type. directorylanesuperstoreATgmail.com
Staci A says
I’m a sucker for cake books too. My son and I both love looking at them!
Sarah - PS Mom Reviews says
This looks like a fun cookbook!
Shannon says
I LOVE doing cakes! This book would be so helpful!
Linda Kish says
My DIL loves to decorate cakes. This would be great for her.
Terra Heck says
This would be a fun book to have to get ideas for cakes. Thanks.
LaVonne says
This does look like such a cute book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Jaimie K says
How fun! I ALMOST have 4 girls, ages 0-4 that would LOVE these cakes! Thanks.
Tracey says
I would love this book. My kids inspire me to go all out with cake decorating!
Marj McClendon says
I have a stack of cake decorating books and am now eager to add anything with decorating cupcakes. I thank you for this chance.
Melissa P. says
Oh I would definitely love to win this book. How cool!
Debra says
OH, I have a little girl and would love to create some fun cakes!!! 🙂
Amber S says
What a fun book – I would love to win, thanks for the chance 🙂
Liz says
I just love any kind of cookbook, baking, kids food, etc. Sounds like a great one to add to my collection.
Hailey says
I love a good cake decorating book! I need all the help I can get when it comes to pretty cakes. 😉
Page Turner / Heather says
This looks like lots of fun! I’d love to win, especially since my cake decorating skills need lots of help!
Mom24 says
Hmmm, could I actually do this? I don’t know, but I’d love the chance to find out. 🙂
JULIE says
I, too, love looking at cakes, and aspire to do well at it. What a book full of wonderful ideas!
Ellen C. says
I woulld absolutely love to win this book. thanks for the chance.
katklaw777 says
What a fun book…thanks for the neat giveaway.
Benita says
Would I ever love to win this. I’m crossing my fingers.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jenifer says
I would love to win this book! I love all things cake and love new cook books! I want to read all about the Enchanted Tea Party too!
Jen says
I would love this! I just got a fabulous deal on a wilton cake decorating kit!
Carolyn says
How fun! Count me in!
Lisa says
I’d love to win. I’m really into cake decorating.
Marilyn (A Lot of Loves) says
I love cake decorating books. If they’re kid-themed then all the better. I really try to go all out for the kids’ b-days.