Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make

By Alan Richardson and Karen Tack

• If you are a closet cake-decorator but you don't feel up in the ranks of Duff or Colette or Martha, then grab this book and hold on to your socks, because Karen Tack and Alan Richardson will take you on a fabulous decorating ride!!
  
  Wow, wow, and WOW! This veritable encyclopedia of "mini-cake" decorating is so fun and easy that there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to lament "they can't". With the use of food items found anywhere, you will be making the cutest, and most impressive cupcake creations you can possibly think of, and Karen and Alan will make you legendary to boot!
  
  There are 8 chapters between the "Introduction" and the "Sources"; got those socks gripped?........
  
  INTRODUCTION: Your text page begins the journey, and right after, you are given an impressive section of pages that visually, and with text, show you how you will make the many creations through the use of candies, cookies, and types of sugars.
  
  CUPCAKING TECHNIQUES: This was invaluable for those who are novice cupcake bakers or wannabe's. Hints and instructions on methods for pouring batter, spreading frosting, making frosting, and melting chocolate for designs, are shown in close detail. They show you how to make "fur" for the lion cupcakes and "leaves" for flowers. This is followed by methods used to draw "bugs", people faces, and hairstyles by using melted chocolate and candies. The next section shows how you will literally build up these creations, like the bowling pin cupcakes, so instruction is shown in simple and fascinating detail. Part of the more complex designs require a grouping of cupcakes, like "corn on the cob", "rabbits in a hole", or the "alligator", and you are given an idea of the schematics involved in getting them just right!
  
  APRIL FOOL'S THEME:
  Corn on the Cob
  Bagels and Lox
  Buttered Popcorn
  TV Dinner ("peas & carrots", "drumsticks", & "mashed potato" cupcakes!)
  Spaghetti and Meatballs
  Box of Chocolates
  Van Gogh's "Starry Night" in frosting (he'd love it!)
  
  PARTY ANIMALS:
  March of the Penguins
  Fat Cats (cats with their paws on fishbones!)
  Fishbowl (you use those Pepperidge Farm fishies for this one!)
  Panda-monium
  Westies
  Crazy Horses (this uses candy circus peanuts and wafers)
  Pup Cakes (a whole bunch of poochies to choose from!)
  Monarchs (what a great Spring party or bridal shower presentation!)
  Shark Attack (you'll want to go into these waters!)
  Old Swampy the 'Gator
  
  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CUPCAKE!:
  When I Grow Up
  Party Princess (any little girl will just LOVE these!)
  Slumber Party
  Big Birthday Party
  Bowl Me Over (this is soooo darn cute; pins and a bowling ball!!!)
  The Big Top (definitely a more time-required, but great, project)
  
  HOSTEST with the MOSTEST:
  Sunflowers (a veritable burst of green and yellow and Oreo cookies!)
  Black and White Party
  Play Pool (no one will mind the 8 ball!)
  Baby Shower
  Petit Fours (very elegant and delicate)
  Garden Party ( a "garden" of carrots, peas, radishes, and cabbage)
  Easter Eggs
  Rabbit Holes (so unbelievably clever; Karen Tack is a genious!)
  Candy Stars and Stripes Forever
  Family Tree
  Wedding Cake and Monograms
  
  NIGHTMARE BEFORE THANKSGIVING:
  Alien Invasion
  Creepy Crawlers (almost good enough for goin' fishin')
  What a Hoot
  Pumpkin Patch ( absolutely adorable; Alan's photography is superb!)
  Howling Werewolves
  Autumn Leaves (how did they think of this great project?!)
  Larry the Turkey
  
  HOLIDAY ON ICING:
  Edible Ornaments (incredible boxed "ornaments"!)
  String of Delights
  Snow Globes (this was sheer genius by placing the cakes on their side!)
  Gingerbread Boys
  Partridge in a Pear Tree (fantastic!)
  Nutcracker Sweet (you'll be dancing!)
  Frosting the Snowman (too darn cute!)
  White Wreath (Christmas glory in white and red! Awesome!)
  
  CUPCAKES AND FROSTINGS:
  (Cake mix recipes): Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate Chunk Surprise, Chocolate Mint, Orange Spice, Banana Chocolate, Gingerbread
  
  (Homemade recipes): Chocolate Cupcakes, Banana Cupcakes, Carrot Cupcakes, Almond Cupcakes, Lemon-Poppy Seed Cupcakes, Vanilla Cupcakes
  
  (Frostings): Next-to-Instant Ganache (melted chocolate), Homemade Ganache, Almost-Homemade Vanilla Buttercream, Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Frosting
  
  SOURCES
  
  OK, OK.................I have gone beyond fawning but if you're a cake decorating fool like myself, you understand the passion. My deep gratitude to Karen and Alan; you guys ROCK!