Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the trouble
Review: Boy, I still don't understand all the hoopla about these cake mix books. I purchased the first one in hopes of finding some new technique. What I found were chemical tasting cakes of rather poor texture and adaptability. They also cost more than baking from scratch. After buying the mix, the pudding, and all the other things (that are in a homemade cake anyhow!) these things get expensive. I am a baker. I'm not against shortcuts, but there are certainly a lot of basic cake books out there that can take the pressure off of baking. If you really think about it, if you learn to make one good pound cake, a chocolate layer cake, a vanilla flavored cake and one specialty item, that's about all you need. I would recommend you look at other books before trying this stuff. Give yourself a chance to taste real bakery - no chemicals to make the shelf life longer than the new millenium. Take a look at Cook's Illustrated Baking Book - just released. You will find tons of hints and they walk you through each step. And the end product will REALLY wow your audience.
Rating: 
Summary: levate the lowly cake mix a step further
Review: Chocolate Cake From The Cake Mix Doctor is a fine marriage of gourmet cake-making paired with the convenience of using cake mixes and failsafe baking techniques to produce a polished result. Introductory pages provide small fancy color photos of finished cakes, inspiring the reader to look further for easy recipes for delectable delights. Elevate the lowly cake mix a step further with the additions proposed by these recipes.
Rating: 
Summary: Homemade Chocolate Cakes, Without The Work!
Review: Do you want the taste of rick, thick, homemade chocolate cakes without all the fuss of measuring flour and sugar and cream of tartar? Here's your answer! Chocolate from The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn is a great resource for busy cooks. My favorite recipe from this book is the 'A Lighter Chocolate Pound Cake' on page 109. I used this recipe for a three-dimensional stand-up teddy bear cake. No one even noticed that it was lower in fat! As if the recipes themselves were not enough, there are tips and tricks sprinkled throughout the cook. For example, 'How to cut the first slice of cake like a pro' on page 35. These hints and tricks really added value to this book. While there are 'lighter' recipes in this cookbook, this book is not for the cholesterol conscious. Many of the recipes begin with adding a stick of butter to the cake mix. While it tastes delicious, the nutrition information is not provided. I use this book often ' it is speckled with remnants of chocolate cake mixes. My only suggestion for improvement for this book is please make it spiral bound!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Get the First Book
Review: I agree with the reviewers who said not to bother getting this book if you have the first one. I was really looking forward to this book and it was a real let-down. The best recipe in this book, darn good chocolate cake (excellent, by the way), is available in the first book. I get the feeling the author was desperate to try to create enough recipes to fill this book, and it shows. Like another reviewer pointed out, the combinations are odd and often very unappetizing. Why on earth would she include not one, but TWO versions of chocolate lime cheesecake and not even one basic chocolate or chocolate chip cheesecake recipe? I can't comprehend that one. Stick to the first book, which is well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Baking 101
Review: I am a pretty good cook, but have never been much of a baker. But now, with this cook book (and her first one), I am fooling everyone into thinking I am a pro! Everything I have made from this cookbook has been easy (the second most important criteria...the first one being CHOCOLATE!)and delicious. I hate to share my secret, but I am giving this book to my daughters-in-law for Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: Baking 101
Review: I am a pretty good cook, but have never been much of a baker. But now, with this cook book (and her first one), I am fooling everyone into thinking I am a pro! Everything I have made from this cookbook has been easy (the second most important criteria...the first one being CHOCOLATE!)and delicious. I hate to share my secret, but I am giving this book to my daughters-in-law for Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: Chocolate Lover's Paradise!!
Review: I am definitely a fan of cooking things from scratch, but this but does away with that necessity!! If you're ever in a pinch for a desert, this book give you endless speedy recipes that will literally have everyone asking you for the recipe!! Her decadent frosting recipes are a must for finishing off these yummy cakes. My copy of this book has many chocolatey pages stuck together! A must have for all kitchens!
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!
Review: I had purchased and enjoyed the first Cake Mix Doctor and was pleasantly surprised that this one seems even better! There is such a nice variety of layer cakes, loaf cakes, cupcakes, brownies, even cookies and biscotti. Just like the first book there is a small color photo of each recipe that really helps. The author offers lots of advice (ie How to flod in ingredients). I have made several of the recipes and have been delighted every time. I made the Cookies and Cream cake for an adult birthday party and everyone raved about the results. The cakes neither look nor taste like mix cakes, but have an old fashioned look of homemade to them. Some of the recipes are very chocolatey, but there are many to please those who like other flovors as well! This is also fun to just flip through! I am looking forard to working my way through all of the recipes!
Rating:
Summary: Quick and Easy!
Review: I have made several of the recipes in this book and found them all to be delicious! What is so fun is people think you spent all day in the kitchen. I own the other "Cake Mix Doctor" cookbook and it also is wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Quick and Easy!
Review: I have made several of the recipes in this book and found them all to be delicious! What is so fun is people think you spent all day in the kitchen. I own the other "Cake Mix Doctor" cookbook and it also is wonderful!
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