Must-have for any cake baker. ( )

This truly is a cake 'bible', the ultimate resource for bakers. Just about any cake you could hope to make is covered here and some of the science behind it, too. Rose has made me a believer in weighing ingredients rather than just measuring. I give it only four stars for two reasons: one, the directions are clear and precise, but if you stray from them at all, disaster follows. These are not forgiving recipes. So you really have to be on your toes. Second, there are not enough pictures. But despite these two things, I highly recommend this book. ( )

Part 1 of the cookbook contains recipes that range from easy to difficult within several categories. The categories are recipes using all egg yolks, recipes using all egg whites, recipes with no cholesterol, cakes better made ahead, cakes for Passover, and quick to mix cakes. Part 2 has recipes for frostings, fillings, icings and embellishments. Part 3 discusses ingrediants distributors and Part 4 is for cake professionals as it discusses wedding cakes.

I found my favorite yellow cake recipe in The Cake Bible. It is called the All Occasion Downey Yellow Butter Cake on page 39 and I love using the Classic Lemon Buttercream Frosting on page 234. I have tried several cake recipes and loved most of them. Rose uses unsalted butter exclusively. If you have ever tried to leave it on the counter to soften you know it takes most of the day. Then you are too tired to bake. Ingrediant measurements are given in both pounds and kilograms so both Americans and Europeans can use the book.

Rose has written anecdotes before each recipe which makes you feel like she is talking to you personally. If you are not a baker but like to read cookbooks, The Cake Bible will keep you reading because her writing style is so personable. The science surrounding baking is also discussed in the book. You will feel like a graduate of a cooking school when you finish it. The Cake Bible is a treatise on cake baking that all bakers should have in their library . . . And the cakes aren't bad either! ( )

If you ever want to make a really great cheesecake, or chocolate cake, or just plain ol' cake - visit Rose! ( )

Obsessive cooks and bakers will love this one. Ms. Beranbaum gives explicit directions including weighing ingredients; her decorating skills match her baking skills. The rest of us can dream over the beautiful photos of cakes. ( )