Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make

Clever ideas for outstanding cupcakes--something for everyone in this book from kids to adults. The cupcake decorations do require some searching for materials, but most were candies quite readily available (starbursts, licorice strings, m&ms). The authors do include photos of the items needed, recipes for the actual cakes and which frostings to use and how to do every step of the process. VERY detailed instructions, clear and easy to follow with LOTS of photos. LOVED the designs (animals, faux tv dinners, insects, flowers, gorgeous monarch butterflies, pool balls and bowling pins) and ideas for simpler fare like initials and patterned white designs. No fancy equipment is used--not even a pastry bag; they show you how to use a simple zip top plastic storage bag!
Most designs do require time, however, and require time to round up the necessary items as well as bake and cool cakes, frost them and then the decorating. GREAT concepts, easy instructions and wonderful results--just plan on several hours to decorate unless you are either skilled or artistic (neither of which I am :-).
I recommend this book to all MOMS, Grandmoms and hostesses.

I read all of the 5 star ratings and thought this would be a great addition to my cookbooks. However, with much disgust, I am already halfway through the recipes and have yet to find even ONE recipe that does not state in parenthesis ingredients can be found at "specialty baking stores" or "online sources." What?! I was under the impression we could find "most" items in our local grocery store or convenience stores as the book states and not have to go to "gourmet candy stores," "baking supply store" or "online sources!!!!!!" Not ONE recipe so far calls for all items we'd find at a grocery store! Black food coloring? Orange food coloring? Moss green food color? Brown food color? (All found at baking supply stores). Dark blue paper liners? Chocolate covered sunflower seeds and black chocolate covered sunflower seeds? (Found at gourmet candy stores). Black, pink and white decorating sugar? Popcorn boxes? Orange melting wafers? Chocolate and white chocolate melting wafers? White, chocolate and carmel jimmies (found at baking supply stores). Blue silver dragees (baking supply stores). Brown paper liners? Striped paper liners? And what the heck are Nonpareils (available at baking supply stores!) There are a few items I've never heard of before. Do not get this book thinking that you can find the decorating candies, food colorings and such at a grocery store! I could list more items not found locally but the above is just the first half of the book's recipes! Granted, yes, the book lists two pages of sources where to get the ingredients NOT found in grocery stores, and yes, the photos of the finished cupcakes are fabulous...now, if I could only make them without all the fuss of buying the ingredients! If I knew what I know now, I would NOT have bought the book!

I love this book! I am a real novice when it comes to cake decorating but my first two attempts were very successful. I am getting ready to try another creation and I look forward to it! It is a great way to include the whole family, there is something for everyone to do.

I just love this book and highly recommend it. I recently had my granddaughters (age 5 and 10) for a sleep-over. We made cupcakes with all the funny faces and they had a blast. It was so much fun to see their creations inspired by the pictures in the book. I love how everything is made with things that you get straight from the grocery store. No running around looking for unigue or hard to find ingredients. I'd give it 10 stars but since that is not an option I will have to settle for five.

My daughter bought this book for a friend's birthday; she gave it to her with cupcakes she made from the book - the elephants and the circus peanuts! They were adorable! She got such an immediate sense of satisfaction. it inspired her to take a cake decorating class which turned out to be "boring" and "old fashioned" compared to what you can learn from this book. It truly inspires creativity.