Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book

by Mary Berry

THis is a collection of over 200 recipes many of which are old favourites, traditional recipes but with new slants, emphasizing quicker finishes and easy decoration, for cakes that have style and quality. "Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book" is a guide for both the beginner and the experienced cook. In addition to basic methods outlined in the main introduction, Berry explains where extra care is needed and gives advice on choosing the best ingredients and equipment and storing cakes. A question-and-answer section to clarify any baking myths has been included, as has information on what to do to retrieve possible disasters. There's a special chapter on chocolate cakes, including Wicked Chocolate Brownies and Squidgy Chocolate Cake. Meringues, creamy cheesecakes and easy-to-make tray bakes (where the cake is cooked, cooled and iced in one tin) are also included. Special occasions and social functions are catered for and there are plenty of inexpensive ideas for the year-round requests to contribute to fetes and bazaars.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Reference, Nonfiction, Food

Hardcover

First published October 13, 1994

About the author

There are multiple authors in the Goodreads database with this name.

Mary Berry is an English food writer and television presenter. After being encouraged in domestic science classes at school, she went to college to study catering. She then moved to France at the age of 21 to study at Le Cordon Bleu school, before working in a number of cooking-related jobs.

She has published more than seventy cookery books (her first being The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook in 1970) and hosted several television series for the BBC and Thames Television. Berry is an occasional contributor to Woman's Hour and Saturday Kitchen. She has been a judge on the BBC One (originally BBC Two) television programme The Great British Bake Off since its launch in 2010.

Reviews

[Philippa Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cookbook with lots of absolute classics - highly recommend to have in the kitchen forever

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book.
It truly is a baking bible. There are recipies in there to suit every occasion...from Christmas Cakes, Simnel cakes, Gateaux, Victoria sponges, batternburg, biscuits etc..

I have made several bakes from this book and the come out perfectly everytime. Fool Proof Bakes.

As always the book has lots of tips, hints and instructions to help guide every baker no matter what your skill.

This book does not have the latest crazes ie, Mirror cakes. But what it does have is timeless classics that work!

Highly recommend, a must for all bakers!

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Mary Berry but I have been so disappointed by this book. I have always used Delia Smith's cake recipes as my standard, but thought I would give Mary Berry's a try. However the cakes I've made just don't turn out as expected. I'm a reasonable baker and regularly make cakes, but I'm sadly going to go back to my old recipes.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this for my mum, who has made cakes for years. She didn't like it. The recipes didn't seem to cook properly in the times given. (We checked our oven temperature with a thermometer, and it was accurate). Some adjustment needed on all recipes, generally adding time. Fine for experienced bakers, just do a few test runs before making something expensive.

[Ariadne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish there had been a picture beside each recipe. There really wasn't enough pictures at all.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite cookery books. Easy to follow recipes. Delicious cakes and biscuits. 😉

[anne-frances imrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great baking book

Love Mary berry books they make baking a joy & so simple to understand. I will buy more . Great read.

[Marit · Rating 4 out of 5]

best brownie recipe ever!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Berry's recipes are fail safe and a joy to bake, I love this book! I'm especially fond of her tray bakes, and her brownies are wonderful.

[^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reliable. An essential on any good cook's bookshelf.