500 Cupcakes: The Only Cupcake Compendium You'll Ever Need

by Fergal Connolly

Once upon a time, cupcakes were only a kid-friendly party favorite. No longer! Cupcakes are now the treat of the times, at once simple and chic. 500 Cupcakes is just that: a storehouse of recipes, written in clear instructions and appealingly packaged in bright, modern colors. 500 Cupcakes from front to back provides what bakers of all levels need to produce tempting creations. The introduction provides a comprehensive look at equipment and ingredients, plus a description of the cupcake-making process, from getting started to storing and transporting the yummy results The collection of recipes span from classic flavors and shapes to new favorites for every style and taste?including recipes for alternate diets. Each recipe is written in clear language (great for the novice baker), and every one features three variations on the basic recipe (great for the experienced baker seeking new flavors).

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Cuisine, Food and Drink

360 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've made four cupcakes from this book, and each one ended up being way too dry, they almost had the consistency of cornbread. The flavor ideas are great, but the book itself really isn't that good.

[Becky Cook · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you have never baked a cupcake except from a box do not buy this book! If you have been to Pastry School and need some new ideas do not buy this book. If you collect pink books and think "oh how cute a pink book with a cupcake on it for my collection" don't buy this book.

I am not sure who came up with the formulas for these cupcakes but they forgot a few things like ummmm LIQUID! Each recipe I tried came out dryer than Phoenix in June. Be prepared to drink a gallon of milk with your creation. YUCK!

I am an avid baker and blogger. I have written two posts about this book. My first was about the cookies and cream cupcakes on page 232 http://bscooks.blogspot.com/2010/05/c... a link to my results of these cupcakes. My other post is the lavender & honey cupcakes on page 65 the cupcake part was another dust ball and very flat. The icing was delightful and that I would recommend.


The photography is beautiful and the concept of this book is awesome. But, in this day of cupcake rage the formulas need to be reworked so they do not choke the consumer.

Also each recipe calls for self rising flour. ACK! In my years of baking I have never used self rising flour and I never will. It takes away all of your control. Baking is a science. There are far to many things that can go wrong when using self rising flour. King Arthur All Purpose Unbleached Flour is the only flour that I use for my baking.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neither as complete nor as clever as its publisher thinks it to be, this little book is a less-than-adequate guide to the joys and challenges of making the perfect cupcake. While there are some ideas contained in these pages which are theftworthy, a better general guide is Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, New York: Clarkson Potter, 2005. Fortunately, I bought it off the discount table at Sur la Table and invested neither much money nor reading time in it.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

EVERY single cupcake in this book calls for 3/4 to 1/2 TOO MUCH flour.
I always cut the flour almost in half and mine turn out moist and delicious everytime.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a cheat to call it 500 cupcakes when its more like 100 cupcakes with 400 variations. Still it is a clever concept and great for gathering ideas. The recipes are very basic, nothing fancy or special.

[michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

that if you add sprinkles, it counts as a whole new cupcake!

thank christ this was on sale when i bought it, is all i can say.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. The amount of butter in everything is also amazing but delicious. But cupcakes are awesome and I'm a girly girl who likes to bake.

[Danielle]

So far I've made the banana and the peanutbutter cupcakes

[Truly · Rating 4 out of 5]

good recipes

[Nicol · Rating 3 out of 5]

These include savory cupcakes which to me become muffins by definition.

[Asma · Rating 3 out of 5]

some recipes are nice to try and some are similar to each other just with a twist

[Sydney Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, lots of pictures and some great ideas. There is definitely a cupcake for everyone in here.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too "foo-foo" for me...but what did I expect with 500 to choose from?

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

gGreat cupcake ideas. Easy to make recipes. Plenty of variations. A geat cupcake place to start!

[Megan Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need to learn how to make cupcakes, this one is for you.

[Annamarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little guide, full of good ideas and variations.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every recipe I've tried from this book has been absolutely amazing. They're cupcakes with substance, if that makes sense. There are pistachio cupcakes and chai chocolate chip cupcakes, plus a super tasty recipe for applesauce raisin nutty deliciousness. If you can't tell, I'm a pretty big fan. There are plenty of pictures for inspiration, and the recipes are easy to follow. It's definitely my favorite cookbook I've ever encountered.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

While there are recipes included in this comprehensive little volume, it's less of a cook book and more of an idea/inspiration book for bakers. You won't run out of ideas for flavoring and stylizing your little cakes. Photography is limited but the images that are included are super cute. A must-read for cupcake lovers.

-- Meagan

[UConnCo-op · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect gift for the new baker. Delicious recipes & great pictures for most. - Sharon -

The only negative thing about this book is the amount of exercise you will need to burn off all of the extra calories. This is a must have for any baker. - Nikki B -

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mmmm, can't wait to make the savory tomato and basil muffins. I think they will be perfect with a nice hot bowl of soup. Tiny little book with big possibilities. I like that there are pictures for practically every cupcake.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first cupcake cookbook I got - some of the recipes are pretty good, but it's not the book I go to first.

[Lily]

My friend, Tina has marked some of the cupcakes I need to make and it wasn't all 500!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Secret Santa present I got today. Can't wait to try out some of these recipes!

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this book had not only cupcake recipes but muffin recipes. I love cupcakes but muffins are probably better for me!

[Carrie Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I predict that this will become one of my favorite cookbooks. It's organized, easy to understand, and brimming with unique, creative ideas for delicious cupcakes. Highly recommended reading.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the recipes in there, but there were some weird ones in there. Can't wait to try a few :)

[Sherri]

dont bother with this one.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't made any of these yet, but they are oriented for taste, not just looks. There are a couple cute decoration ideas though! :)

[Ursula · Rating 1 out of 5]

I prefer quality to quantity. Tried 2 recipes and unimpressed

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good range of cakes in here with some nice variation pages. Some need adaption but easily enough to do.