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Cakes to Dream On: A Master Class in Decorating
Colette peters, the celebrated queen of the confectionary arts, unveils an inspiring resource for serious home bakers, professional chefs, and aficionados of Colette's incredible edible architecture. The ingenious cake decorator - whose miraculous and luscious concoctions have appeared everywhere from White House Christmases to royal weddings - presents a master class in cake design and decoration, alongside an all-new selection of her own cake designs. With Cakes to Dream On, Colette's inspired creations can now be rendered into show-stopping cakes of your own.Cakes to Dream On reveals the secrets to fashioning gorgeous and utterly distinctive cakes for all occasions - whether it's an opulent marriage reception (the majestic Ivory Wedding Cake) or a fanciful children's party (the whimsical Homage to Dr. Seuss). Colette presents designs for cake architecture ranging from the imperial splendor of Dolce de Medici, to the elegant grace of Bride's Vintage Cameo, to the topsy-turvy daydream of Mad Tea Party.
Colette begins with the foundations: she illuminates step by step the process of constructing a multitiered cake, from determining serving sizes and choosing appropriate cake pans to making fillings, and ultimately stacking layers so they don't tumble off the table. Cakes to Dream On also discloses insider tricks of the trade: Colette's easy-to-follow instructions in techniques such as sugarwork, gumpaste, brush embroidery, and piping will help readers recreate the spectacular effects of this singular confectioner's toolbox.
Bakers - and their enthusiastic audiences - will discover that these sensual masterpieces tantalize the palate as much as they do the eye. Colette's cake recipes include the Coco-Loco Cake, an alluring marriage of coconut and coffee; the Meringue Buttercream and its luscious lemon, raspberry, and mocha variants; and the ambrosial caramel-tinged Heavenly White Cake.
As breathtaking as Colette's cake works appear, her clear explanations of technique are meant to stimulate readers' creative instincts and give them ideas for crafting their own distinctive confections. With more than 150 dazzling full-color photographs illustrating both processes and finished presentations, and more detailed instruction than ever before, Cakes to Dream On will inspire readers to create their own mouthwatering masterpieces. Colette's master class is truly a launchpad for cake lovers' own confectionary visions.
Colette begins with the foundations: she illuminates step by step the process of constructing a multitiered cake, from determining serving sizes and choosing appropriate cake pans to making fillings, and ultimately stacking layers so they don't tumble off the table. Cakes to Dream On also discloses insider tricks of the trade: Colette's easy-to-follow instructions in techniques such as sugarwork, gumpaste, brush embroidery, and piping will help readers recreate the spectacular effects of this singular confectioner's toolbox.
Bakers - and their enthusiastic audiences - will discover that these sensual masterpieces tantalize the palate as much as they do the eye. Colette's cake recipes include the Coco-Loco Cake, an alluring marriage of coconut and coffee; the Meringue Buttercream and its luscious lemon, raspberry, and mocha variants; and the ambrosial caramel-tinged Heavenly White Cake.
As breathtaking as Colette's cake works appear, her clear explanations of technique are meant to stimulate readers' creative instincts and give them ideas for crafting their own distinctive confections. With more than 150 dazzling full-color photographs illustrating both processes and finished presentations, and more detailed instruction than ever before, Cakes to Dream On will inspire readers to create their own mouthwatering masterpieces. Colette's master class is truly a launchpad for cake lovers' own confectionary visions.
260 pages, Hardcover
First published November 9, 2004
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 11, 2011
An absolutely amazing collection of recipes for out of this world cakes, aimed at the more advanced home baker and professionals, although it will provide inspirational for the learner baker (like myself). Despite being for more advanced chefs, the recipes are still accessible for the untrained and there are some very useful tips at the back of the book about techniques and even how to transport your cake to its destination unharmed (and what to do if it is harmed). These really are cakes to dream on!
October 18, 2019
The book features the beautiful and intricate cakes all made by the author, but while it claims to be a masterclass in decorating it really is just a showcase for her work. Sadly, beyond offering layouts for a few of her cakes it really didn't break down how master cake decorating works.
June 1, 2023
This really is a master class in decoration. I have not made cakes like these but maybe someday. It does push the imagination, which is always a good thing.
February 19, 2014
I normally write reviews for fiction, so this one is a little different and new to me.
It needs to be said that I am in no way near being a master at cake decorating. In all honesty, I bought Cakes to Dream on: A Master Class because it was beautiful. The cover, the cakes inside, all of it, it's just amazing! My mom was a cake decorator for years, so for this review I asked her opinion on the book.
The instructions: Very easy to follow. The diagrams and drawings are thorough, as they not only tell you what you need to do, they also show you. I learn from seeing much faster than I do from words alone, so the sketches, patterns, and diagrams are a HUGE plus.
Practicality for the average person: For just the average, everyday person?? Not the most practical. These aren't cakes that you would be making for a kids birthday party. Part of what makes this book so amazing IS the fact that you won't see these cakes anywhere else. They are equal parts unique and amazing!! Being hardbound, if you bought the book at a regular store, it would be a bit pricey at $40. Luckily, I got through Amazon for around $25, and I consider that a steal!
The recipes: These are the same recipes used in bakeries with some bonus variations.
The best feature: While the photography is stunning, the cakes brilliantly unique, what sells me the most are the diagrams, sketches, and patterns. They are definitely the biggest selling point.
Even if I had never planned to do any of the cakes out of here, I would still keep the book on my shelf just as a conversation piece!!
It needs to be said that I am in no way near being a master at cake decorating. In all honesty, I bought Cakes to Dream on: A Master Class because it was beautiful. The cover, the cakes inside, all of it, it's just amazing! My mom was a cake decorator for years, so for this review I asked her opinion on the book.
The instructions: Very easy to follow. The diagrams and drawings are thorough, as they not only tell you what you need to do, they also show you. I learn from seeing much faster than I do from words alone, so the sketches, patterns, and diagrams are a HUGE plus.
Practicality for the average person: For just the average, everyday person?? Not the most practical. These aren't cakes that you would be making for a kids birthday party. Part of what makes this book so amazing IS the fact that you won't see these cakes anywhere else. They are equal parts unique and amazing!! Being hardbound, if you bought the book at a regular store, it would be a bit pricey at $40. Luckily, I got through Amazon for around $25, and I consider that a steal!
The recipes: These are the same recipes used in bakeries with some bonus variations.
The best feature: While the photography is stunning, the cakes brilliantly unique, what sells me the most are the diagrams, sketches, and patterns. They are definitely the biggest selling point.
Even if I had never planned to do any of the cakes out of here, I would still keep the book on my shelf just as a conversation piece!!
January 16, 2008
This is one of those books that you look at with your mouth open. Beautiful pictures and wonderful ideas (excluding Cake-A-Roni). The cakes are INCREDIBLE. However, the reviews on Amazon said this book would be great for beginners, and I would have to disagree. The instructions aren't exactly step-by-step, and there are not many pictures to guide you along the way, just pictures of the finished products. I loved reading about how Peters made each cake and where she gets her ideas, but I will definitely need a book that is more beginner-friendly before I can tackle her projects.
May 6, 2011
Cantik-cantik banget dekorasinya, seperti perwujudan kue yang ada di komik atau film kartun :)
Teknik yang diajarkan jelas bukan untuk penghias kue pemula. Mesti udah biasa menghias kue.
Jadi judul bukunya memang pas banget: Cakes to Dream On.
Mimpi kali bisa langsung bikin cake kaya gitu.
Kalaupun bisa bikin, nggak tega juga makannya. Penuh gula dan zat pewarna gitu.
Oh ya, dari buku ini saya jadi tahu ada pewarna kue yang berbahan dasar alkohol. Hmm.. jadi harus waspada kalau mau makan kue berwarna-warni deh :)
Teknik yang diajarkan jelas bukan untuk penghias kue pemula. Mesti udah biasa menghias kue.
Jadi judul bukunya memang pas banget: Cakes to Dream On.
Mimpi kali bisa langsung bikin cake kaya gitu.
Kalaupun bisa bikin, nggak tega juga makannya. Penuh gula dan zat pewarna gitu.
Oh ya, dari buku ini saya jadi tahu ada pewarna kue yang berbahan dasar alkohol. Hmm.. jadi harus waspada kalau mau makan kue berwarna-warni deh :)
April 14, 2009
Colette Peters is just fabulous! This book makes me drool! Her cake designs are just absolutely breath-taking! This book is not for newbies! This book is for daring, bold, experienced cake decorators ready for a challenge! Colette likes to present her designs as very do-able and attainable, but be prepared to be overwhelmed! Especially when it comes to the construction and stacking of her crazy topsy-turvy tiers! Everything in this book is fan-tabulous!!!
March 22, 2008
The Gold Standard in cake decorating, although I can't imagine anyone other than a pro attempting to recreate any of these cakes. The instructions are vague, and there are no in-progress shots at all. Instead, this book is more of an inspirational reference, I think. And it is a lot of fun to look at the pictures...
April 15, 2008
Colette is the master of fabulous fondant designs and this book does not disappoint. Her cakes are so fun to look at. I love to just pick this book up and look at the pictures. Coletter has very good instructions however this book might be a little hard for a beginning decorator. The cakes take hours to make but are well worth it.
March 13, 2008
not realistic..but if i had thousands of dollars and time to kill, i'd turn it out like Colette too!!
November 4, 2008
Wow, Colette Peters is the master! She makes all these amazing cakes- great ideas, fun colors and designs. She's the creator of the tilted cake. The Dr. Seuss cake is my favorite.
June 24, 2009
Again, this is one of those to be repeatedly opened and to be seen. Very inspiring and full of education for anyone...
June 16, 2013
Got a couple of great tips and a great royal icing recipe.
May 26, 2011
Lots of really cool cakes in this book. Wish I had time to experiment with a few.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews