The Perfect Cake: 150 cakes for Every taste and Occasion

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent baking
Review: I am an avid baker and recently borrowed this book from the library. I am a Food Scientist who has worked in the baking industry for 10+ years and this book impressed me. It states the information simply for the average baker and also delves into the chemistry and science of baking for the curious and more advanced.

Excellent explanation of how and why while also providing interesting histories behind various recipes. Attention to detail is obvious. I have baked two cakes from it already as well as two frostings and fillings. All terrific, obtaining rave reviews!

Ms. Purdy knows her stuff and knows how to present in a comfortable and inviting manner. After renewing the book 3 times I'm finally on line to buy it. Happy baking!

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent baking
Review: I am an avid baker and recently borrowed this book from the library. I am a Food Scientist who has worked in the baking industry for 10+ years and this book impressed me. It states the information simply for the average baker and also delves into the chemistry and science of baking for the curious and more advanced.

Excellent explanation of how and why while also providing interesting histories behind various recipes. Attention to detail is obvious. I have baked two cakes from it already as well as two frostings and fillings. All terrific, obtaining rave reviews!

Ms. Purdy knows her stuff and knows how to present in a comfortable and inviting manner. After renewing the book 3 times I'm finally on line to buy it. Happy baking!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good Cake
Review: The aeration process advocated for shortening type cakes really turns out a light fine textured cake. In addition to great extra cake recipes this book also marches pretty much in lock step with the Betty Crocker Red Book basic tutorials such as for egg, cakes and the ingredient sub list, which is something that I really like.

Rating:
Summary: Special effects, flavorings, and decorative techniques
Review: The Perfect Cake: 150 Cakes For Every Taste & Occasion by baking expert Susan G. Purdy is quite simply a definitive, single volume compendium designed to enable the family cook to have a wealth of delicious, imaginative, desert choices for any occasion from daily family dining to special celebratory events. Enhanced with a wealth of "tips, tricks and techniques" for everything from measuring ingredients to preparing pans for baking, the profusion of cake recipes are grouped into Butter and Shortening Cakes; Cheesecakes; Sponge and Foam Cakes; Elegant and Special Cakes; as well as Filings, Frostings, Icings and Glazes, Sauces and Syrups. Of special interest is the section on Decorating Cakes covering special effects, flavorings, and decorative techniques. Before you bake your next cake, browse through Susan Purdy's The Perfect Cake!

Rating:
Summary: Wow! This book rules...
Review: The recipes in this book are just plain yummy! Simply delicious cakes that are not too hard to make. Try the chocolate buttermilk cake--it is DIVINE! Mmmmm...so good:)

Rating:
Summary: "The Perfect Cake" is a perfect book.
Review: Unlike many cook books that are simply collections of recipes and a few photos of what the finished product should look like, Purdy's "The Perfect Cake" goes further. It is a "why" book, explaining how the different ingredients interact as you mix them then bake them. It also discusses the different qualities those ingredients have and offers advice on what you should choose and why. And perhaps more importantly, why not.

The book also gave me the confidence to experiment with some of the basic recipes. And I didn't mind eating the results, thank you very much.

I borrowed a copy of the book from my local library, learned a lot, and enjoyed it so much that as soon as I submit this review I will buy my own copy.

Rating:
Summary: "The Perfect Cake" is a perfect book.
Review: Unlike many cook books that are simply collections of recipes and a few photos of what the finished product should look like, Purdy's "The Perfect Cake" goes further. It is a "why" book, explaining how the different ingredients interact as you mix them then bake them. It also discusses the different qualities those ingredients have and offers advice on what you should choose and why. And perhaps more importantly, why not.

The book also gave me the confidence to experiment with some of the basic recipes. And I didn't mind eating the results, thank you very much.

I borrowed a copy of the book from my local library, learned a lot, and enjoyed it so much that as soon as I submit this review I will buy my own copy.