Rating: 
Summary: Only for open minds
Review: Anne Byrn's The Cake Mix Doctor has been a contoversial book from it's first mention.I have baked for years, usually, but not always, from scratch. However, as I expanded my bread baking, my cake baking decreased. I found that many scratch cakes which call for all-purpose flour were disappointing in texture, but I did not feel like buying cake flour for just one or two cakes.No cookbook I have used has a perfect track record. Some well written, well edited books have a few less- than-successful recipes.I have made four cakes from this book, and they have all been very good. The most popular one with my friends was the Orange Almond Angel Food cake from the "lighter" section.Yes, I agree that the cheesecakes are more attractive when baked in a springform pan, but Byrn is realistic enough to recognize that not everyone has a springform pan, and that not everyone wants to buy a springform pan.This book is for: Time pressed bakers, inexperienced bakers who want to progress beyond un-doctored mixes, but feel uncertain about scratch baking, and for those random cake bakers, like me. (I bake more bread, now)I wish there was a chart that listed finished cakes by cake mix-which cakes start with white mix, which cakes start with spice mix, and so on.The sidebars are interesting, and the whole book is very pleasing to read.
Rating: 
Summary: baking in beaumont
Review: i love this book and i'm eagerly awaiting the new chcolate edition. i'm very busy with a family and like to bake when i can. but i've made so many lousy homemade birthday cakes that we end up throwing away after the party--too dry, too crumbly. now i feel like i've been set free thanks to anne byrn's no nonsense approach and easy tricks for making great cakes with a mix that don't have a weird mix taste. there's something in there for every occasion from fancy rich chocolate ganache frosted cakes to a gingerbread house to that old classic bacardi rum cake. what a great chronicle of american culture. let's face it, cake mixes are foolproof and convenient, with a little homemade help they're fabulous.
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck
Review: I purchased this book partly based on the great reviews, but also partly on the dream that you could make great cakes in a snap. Maybe I am a purist, but cake mix still tastes like cake mix, no matter how you "doctor" it.I tried several recipes, and they all still tasted like cake mix. I even served some to a friend, and she asked me if it was cake mix. If you are really looking for good cake, don't expect it here. Take the time to make it from scratch -- it is worth the effort!
Rating:
Summary: No Fuss and Fabulous
Review: I love to bake and I love to read, this book encompassed both of my passions. Not only are the recipes easy and good, the tips and sidebar comments are fun as well. I've made four of the cakes so far and they turned out great! Makes a great gift too. I purchased a second copy for the busy mom I know that occasionally has to knock out a quick birthday cake or dessert for company and she loved it too.
Rating:
Summary: Many easy recipes, delicious results!
Review: This cookbook is well written and well organized. The recipes are easy to follow and the results are FANTASIC! My friends and family have loved everything I have made from this cookbook. Highly recommend... especially the Fresh Orange Cake and the Susan's Lemon Cake. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Improving on a mix? It's a piece of cake!
Review: I finally took this book out of the library, to see what all the fuss was about. I figured that if there were a few appealing recipes I'd copy them before I returned the book. Who could possibly need a 400 page book on cake mixes? Well, the book is going back to the library early, and I'm buying my own copy. There is nothing particularly new and starting in this book. Many of us have been fiddling with cake mixes for years. But this well-organized, informative book has a lot of good suggestions in one place, and the helpful, friendly tone makes it a pleasure to read, too. I don't expect to love every recipe. If we all had the same tastes, one cookbook would serve the world. But there are clearly enough recipes worth trying in here to make it worth owning.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: I really enjoy this book. I have impressed not only my friends, but myself with the tast creations this book showed me how to make. My favorite cake is the simple white, or maybe chocolate, and this book makes the most scrumptious simple cakes you could ask for. In addition, its more exotic cakes are not only delicious, but easy and gratifying. And the ICINGS! The buttercream frosting is absolutely the BEST TASTING STUFF. And the chocolate pan cake's frosting is as delectable as fudge. This book is wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: You gotta love a book that makes your life easy
Review: I feel in love with this book immediately. This book was after my own heart by combining cake mixes with a few extra ingredients and turning out something extra special. Who knew you can make delicious cookies, fancy cakes, muffins, and so much more with a cake mix. This book helps to take the work out of baking and makes creating something tasty easy. You will enjoy this book, as it really has some wonderful recipes, and it is easy to read, and best of all simple instructions.
Rating:
Summary: It's All in the Mix
Review: I love this book. I was really wary because I fancy myself a baked-goods snob. I usually make all my baked goods from scratch but I thought I would give this book a chance. I figured it might come in handy when I needed to whip something up for a bake sale or picnic or whatever. I was pleasantly surprised. This book is a real treasure. The recipes (and there are oh-so-many choices) are easy to read and follow and the author's tips and comments are very useful. Try the Kahlua Chocolate Cake or the Cherry Chocolate Cake or the Better than ---? Cake or the Bluberry Muffin Cake. The biggest issue with these recipes is the type of cake mix you use! This will determine whether or not the finished product will have that cake-mix taste! Experiment with Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, etc. and let your palate decide which one works the best. (I buy whatever is on sale.) In summary, this book is great for those times when you don't or can't make an elaborate from-scratch cake but still want it to taste good.
Rating:
Summary: The Bakers Secret
Review: No self respecting southern cook should be without a copy of this book, I can't understand why it has not been advertised nationally, altho I'm glad, then no one knows my secret when I take these terrifficccc cakes to the sick or to church....I just say, "It's a new recipe", I did share one recipe with my 55 year old friend who has never baked a cake in her life. She was delighted! I totally recommend "Darn Good Chocolate Cake"
|
