Rating: 
Summary: this scratch baker has been converted!
Review: I purchased this book after reading a great review about this in SOUTHERN LIVING magazine ( known for its great recipes I might add,,,)
Each and EVERY recipe I tried ,,,has been requested by others from me,
(I am NOT exaggerating,,,)
Recently I made up a quick brunch cake ,or coffee type cake to take to a morning meeting,,it was the BLUEBERRY MUFFIN CAKE,
Everyone there asked me for " my" recipe!
The addition of orange zest as well as the addition of OJ to my drizzle over the cake( I did it in a bundt pan) was more than fabulous, it was incredible! I brewed a nice latte( as well as good plain strong coffee) and I think they thought I had a bit of " Martha" in me!
This cake was as moist and great as I could have made up on my own, but in all honesty,,,,better (now I could go on and feel insecure about my "scratch baking") but I say if there is a better way,,,,,do it!
I have always been SCRATCH always baking snob,( ok,,,I admit it,,,)so that is one huge compliment to the author of this book
its easier to really look at the cake mixes as basics, and you simply take it from there.
Additionally I did note, that I am more likely to bring dessert to any gathering (or meeting) if I am not sitting in the kitchen for hours and hours ,,( a realistic consideration)
Recently a friend (who I had given the book to for a gift) made up the choc cake with sour creme almond choc frosting for a a barbecue at my home,
not even my MOTHER had a clue that this was a "box mix" at all! ( and mom made wedding cakes , from scratch,,, for a living!!!)
I, too,, was skeptical,, but as they say,,the proof of the pudding , as well as the ENORMOUS amount of compliments I continually recieve on ANY cake I have made from this recipe book. ( one friend, ,,said she had enjoyed the BEST banana cake
ever ) and wondered just what was different about it,,,it was light, moist and had a " touch" of something it was a bit different,,,
hmm,,,,,,,,,,
that something " different" was the touch of some banana liqour( which by the way ,,all alcohol burns out in cooking and baking, only the flavor remains,,,,and,,,,an additional touch, just a teeny touch of cinnamon,,)
her kids wont eat normal banana cake nor bread, but DID enjoy this, ( great if you have some bananas left over and need to use them!!!)
I have also purchased some additional books as presents.
One gift I made up in a lovely gift basket, which included baking pans, good stainless steel measuring cups and spoons, ( etc,,) ,, and other baking equipment,,, a lovely cake server, and a simple beginning decorating kit ( a nice added touch for frosting, even for beginners 101)and a lovely domed glass cake stand,,,,
I need to say that this made up an impressive wedding shower gift basket! LOTS of oohs and ahhs when this was opened,,,and I put it all in a large and pretty gift basket, wrapped with clear shrink wrap,,it looked so professional,,and the bride to be loved it!
Everyone I have given this book to is having a great time using this ( as well as enjoying the results! and, hopefully NOT blaming me for the Xtra pounds they may put on,,,)
This book is great for a new bride or ANYONE ,,male or female ( my son is a great cook and baker also!) who just want make up some FUN recipes that truly ARE great that really do please people.
I dont know about her other books,but this is a winner and now,,,my " cake bible"!!!!!
An added note,,,( now the holidays,,,)
I just made up the carrot cake recipe this weekend for a holiday get-together where many desserts ( of course..) were offered.
Not single slice of cake remained to take home( to my husband's dismay,,),,,it was the BEST I had ever had
that says a lot because carrot cake is MY absolute favorite( and no,,,I didnt eat it all, but recieved compliment after compliment that evening,,,)
and,,,no one knew,,,it all started with a box mix,,,,,,,,,,,,
I just bought several more books for gift baskets,,and I will bet that my 3 daughter in laws( who are all very busy young professional women) will be quite happy that I am giving them a book they will be more willing to use often in their baking years!
Rating: 
Summary: Novelty Wore Off Fast
Review: Intrigued by all the hoopla, I purchased this book and promptly invested in some prepared cake mixes. Five or six disappointing cakes later, I think it's time for me to give up. Although I really do like this as a concept, in my opinion the author's additions do very little to improve upon the cake mixes--there's just more to clean up. When all is said and done, I prefer a little more effort and a scratch cake, or in a pinch a pure box mix, I don't really think the morphing of the two works all that well.
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