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Big Book of Cupcakes: Little cakes that will make you happy
It's official: The cupcake craze has taken the world by storm. No longer are cupcakes solely for children-these handheld treats nowmust pass musterwith taste-discriminatingadults equally ravenous for the little frosted jewels. Big Book of Cupcakes sets a new standard with recipes for cupcakes that actually taste as great as they look. In addition to the traditional favorite flavors everyone craves, such as red velvet and carrot cake, this book offers fun, new flavor twists like Maple Bacon and Caramel Sea Salt Mocha, as well as easy decorating and serving ideas, from classic to creative. In this book, which is organized by season and the events readers want to celebrate with home-baked cupcakes-from New Years to Christmas, birthdays to "just-craving" days-author and cupcake-bakery owner Jan Moon shares her secrets and most requested recipes. Whether you're making the perfect batch of cupcakes for a child's birthday party or satisfying a very adult comfort-food craving, the nostalgic treats that fill this book are sure to delight and surprise. Plus, Jan's creative tips on how to serve and display cupcakes for parties are sure to be crowd-pleasers. With more than 10 years of experience honing her craft in the Test Kitchens of Southern Living magazine, Jan Moon has embarked on a venture of her own and opened a bakery in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to wedding cakes and custommade treats, Dreamcakes Bakery specializes in delectable cupcakes, and Jan's unique creations keep her loyal customers coming back for more.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 26, 2011
I'll admit, I normally HATE reality shows and anything on Food Network. But for some reason, I'm obsessed with this new show "Cupcake Wars" on Food Network. What I love most about the show are that bakers are forced to use uncommon ingredients in their creations - Curry powder, lemongrass, feta cheese. I love a challenge, so have decided to venture into this strange new world of "cupcaking."
Most books I found at my library focus on over-the-top (ie, nauseating) decorations. I'm talking gumball clowns that would make Stephen King shudder. In my opinion, while presentation IS important, TASTE is what makes good food, well, good. That's why I really enjoyed this Southern Living cupcake book.
The recipes are written by an award-winning baker who owns her own cupcake business. She uses just a few stock cake recipes (butter, white, chocolate, and lemon), letting the creativity shine through decadent frostings, quirky toppers, and jam or ganache fillings.
I've only made two of author Jan Moon's cupcakes so far.
The first is a triple fudge chocolate cupcake filled with a dark chocolate/mint ganache, topped with peppermint-infused green frosting, topped with a halved mint Oreo.
My second cupcake is by far my favorite: Triple chocolate fudge cupcake topped with a chocolate/espresso frosting, drizzled with homemade caramel, sprinkled with high-quality coarse sea salt, and finished with a dark chocolate-covered espresso bean. The sweet and salty balance is perfect. My taste buds literally exploded.
Next I'll be trying the maple cupcake topped with real pieces of bacon (for breakfast, perhaps?), as well as the lavender wildflower honey cupcake.
This book has inspired me to explore some of my favorite flavors a bit further. I'm in the process of working on a cupcake inspired by my favorite Thai soup (Tom Kha Gai): Coconut milk, a bit of red curry paste, lemongrass, a hint of cilantro, and maybe some crystallized ginger.
I highly recommend this book for bakers, both experienced and novice. The instructions are simple and the ingredients are readily available at any major grocery store (most will probably already be in your pantry). Happy cupcaking!
Most books I found at my library focus on over-the-top (ie, nauseating) decorations. I'm talking gumball clowns that would make Stephen King shudder. In my opinion, while presentation IS important, TASTE is what makes good food, well, good. That's why I really enjoyed this Southern Living cupcake book.
The recipes are written by an award-winning baker who owns her own cupcake business. She uses just a few stock cake recipes (butter, white, chocolate, and lemon), letting the creativity shine through decadent frostings, quirky toppers, and jam or ganache fillings.
I've only made two of author Jan Moon's cupcakes so far.
The first is a triple fudge chocolate cupcake filled with a dark chocolate/mint ganache, topped with peppermint-infused green frosting, topped with a halved mint Oreo.
My second cupcake is by far my favorite: Triple chocolate fudge cupcake topped with a chocolate/espresso frosting, drizzled with homemade caramel, sprinkled with high-quality coarse sea salt, and finished with a dark chocolate-covered espresso bean. The sweet and salty balance is perfect. My taste buds literally exploded.
Next I'll be trying the maple cupcake topped with real pieces of bacon (for breakfast, perhaps?), as well as the lavender wildflower honey cupcake.
This book has inspired me to explore some of my favorite flavors a bit further. I'm in the process of working on a cupcake inspired by my favorite Thai soup (Tom Kha Gai): Coconut milk, a bit of red curry paste, lemongrass, a hint of cilantro, and maybe some crystallized ginger.
I highly recommend this book for bakers, both experienced and novice. The instructions are simple and the ingredients are readily available at any major grocery store (most will probably already be in your pantry). Happy cupcaking!
June 20, 2017
This cupcake book is by far one of my favorite cupcake books. The recipes are simple, easy to make, and delicious
. It also has so many cute ideas for a wide variety of cupcakes. Whether it be for a holiday, baby shower, birthday, or a themed party.
It does recommend a specific type of flour that I personally haven't been able to find, so I have had to improvise.
. It also has so many cute ideas for a wide variety of cupcakes. Whether it be for a holiday, baby shower, birthday, or a themed party.
It does recommend a specific type of flour that I personally haven't been able to find, so I have had to improvise.
January 26, 2026
Great fun with the kids
July 13, 2012
Love this cookbook, everything I've made so far is awesome and yummy. Batches of cupcakes are mostly 18-24, so you're not mixing up huge amounts of stuff. (As I've seen in other cupcake books.)
Has some new ideas, very do-able, and not too over the top, KWIM? The decorating instructions are almost non-existent though, so you better know how to do it yourself. Good list of resources in the back.
Has some new ideas, very do-able, and not too over the top, KWIM? The decorating instructions are almost non-existent though, so you better know how to do it yourself. Good list of resources in the back.
July 11, 2011
Cupcakey food porn at it's finest
February 3, 2012
Lots of delicious looking cupcakes- eager to try the Chai and Lemon ones, as well as the many different ways to decorate them.
September 23, 2012
I want to own this one! We tried a few recipes and want to do many more. Great taste and looks :)
December 3, 2012
This book was awesome! I'm a fan of cupcake books, but this one was really detailed and had a lot of great ideas.
January 27, 2013
I love the pictures in this book.
July 25, 2013
Delicious, uncomplicated yet creative recipes for everyone, and lots of colorful pictures! Really liked this one, and would recommend it to anyone who likes cupcakes:) I'm buying this one!
September 13, 2013
YUM - some of the best cake recipes I've tried in a LONG time. A tip - use baker's sugar for a smaller crumb.
May 1, 2016
Great pictures. I made a frosting recipe and it was great!
May 16, 2011
Lots of good ideas for decorating cupcakes, and most sound pretty easy.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews