Variations on a Theme: Cupcakes

My previous post spurred a blog idea: Variations on a Theme. I will take one subject and list some books about, on, related to, or in some way connected to said subject.

(Let's see if I actually keep up with this.)

The inaugural topic: Cupcakes!



Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas For Everyone's Favorite Treat
Martha Stewart Living Magazine

-- While some of the decorating schemes in this book are kinda hokey, you can't deny that Martha has mad skillz when it comes to baked goods. This book covers all the classics (vanilla, chocolate, red velvet) as well as numerous other frosting, fillings, and flavor combinations.



Hello, Cupcake! Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make
Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

-- This book is more art than eats. Sure there are recipes and such, but it's decoration that is the name of the game. Some of the ideas are friggin brilliant (I've seen the sunflower cupcakes used at a wedding) while others are rather questionable (the party princess looks more like a bloated, Pepto Bismal colored nun). I commend the authors for making use of mini-cupcakes and gallons of frosting. (I am a frosting nut.)


Cupcakes!
Elinor Klivans

-- I actually own this book and have tried a few of the icing recipes (I'm a frosting nut if you recall). It's a pretty basic cupcake cookbook, but it is a nice one to have around when you feel the need to bake. Cupcakes! also contains some interesting cupcake ideas - that could boarder on muffins - for those who are looking for something a little different (cinnamon sugar puff and lemon angel are just two).


If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
Laura Numeroff

-- I have not read this book, but I sure as heck want to. Working of the fame of previous children's book, Numeroff demonstrates why felines and frosting are not the best combination (the paw prints alone would be a pain to clean up.) As with the other books in this series, the story is silly but fun and the illustrations are fantastic.



500 Cupcakes: The Only Cupcake Compendium You'll Ever Need
Fergal Connolly

-- This book is thick and chock full of fantastic information. If you only want to own one cupcake cookbook (but why would you?) this book is it. There are enough recipes for cake and frosting in here to allow for endless mixing and matching. As a bonus, Connolly throws in decorating as well as packing tips, tricks, and hints. The downside to this book, it's so thick it may be hard to use while baking as it does not lie flat.


Penguin and the Cupcake
Ashley Spires

-- Must. Get. Hands. On. This. Book. I love cupcakes and I have a thing for penguins, so clearly this book was written just for me. Most penguins are happy with eating a diet of fish and more fish. This little guy wants something fluff, light, and sweet. My kinda guy.



Other Cupcake Related Titles:

101 Gourmet Cupcakes in 10 Minutes - Wendy Paul (Cookbook)
125 Best Cupcake Recipes - Julie Hasson (Cookbook)
Bones and the Cupcake Mystery - David A. Adler (Juvenile Literature)
Crazy About Cupcakes - Krystina Castella (Cookbook)
Crushed Cupcakes - Peter E. Lee (Fiction)
Cupcake - Rachael Cohen (Juvenile Literature)
Cupcakes from the Cake Mix Doctor - Anne Byrn (Cookbook)
Cupcakes of Doom: A Collection of YARG Piratey Comics - Ray Friesan (Juvenile Literature)
Fudge Cupcake Murder - Joanna Fluke (Mystery - #5 in Hannah Swensen Series)
Indulgence Cupcakes - Christabel Martin (Cookbook)
Little Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse: Cupcakes, Small Cakes, Muffins, and Other Mini Treats - Kaye Hansen and Liv Hansen (Cookbook)

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