Rose's Heavenly Cakes

July 6, 2009
Beranbaum, specialist of baked goods that make people's eyes light up, tops her renowned The Cake Bible
with an updated, modern collection of delicious confections. Bakers who have already dog-eared every page of that earlier book need not worry: this is far from a duplicate, with only the occasional repeat or adaptation. The recipes range from towering creations for weddings and other special events to baby cakes for bite-size indulgence, and from the simplest apple upside-down cake and yellow butter cupcakes to the elegant rose-shaped genoise and the stunning holiday pinecone cake. Beranbaum goes into great detail in her recipe instructions, yet still manages to keep the lengthy guidelines friendly, accessible and unintimidating, whether she is describing how to make a whipped ganache topping or beurre noisette, an integral part of her delicate array of financiers. Chocolate, fruit, cream, spun sugar: Beranbaum enlists the best ingredients (which she reviews in a helpful glossary) to create knockout cakes, and with her patient, meticulous description of the measurements and process, anyone with a good mixer and spatula, some time and determination will be able to turn out impressive sweet sensations.

August 15, 2009
Beranbaum, author of the James Beard Award-winning "The Cake Bible", treats home bakers to another round of cake recipes, which vary from simple to complex and include plenty of tips and tricks to make every baker feel like a professional. Recipes are organized by butter and oil cakes, sponge cakes, mostly flourless cakes and cheesecakes, baby cakes, and wedding cakes. Fans of "The Cake Bible" will find more of the same herecakes that are beautiful but intimidating for novices. For experienced bakers; beginners are better off with "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook" or Nigella Lawson's "How To Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking". [The publisher says a supportive accompanying web site will feature step-by-step instructional videos.Ed.]

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 1, 2012

When it was published in 1988, The Cake Bible won the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) cookbook of the year award for a good reason: the book is a superb guide to the art of cake baking. Beranbaum provides a solid introduction to all the ingredients, supplies, and techniques a baker needs, and her precise, detailed instructions ensure culinary success for both newbies and pros. With Rose's Heavenly Cakes, Beranbaum, who also has her own popular blog Real Baking with Rose (www.realbakingwithrose.com), expands the boundaries of her first title by delving into new cake frontiers (including oil-based cakes). Both are essential for all public library collections.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.