Martha Stewart's Cupcakes – Review

A Beautiful Addition to the Martha Stewart Kitchen Library

Aug 16, 2009

The newest edition in the Martha Stewart homemaking library, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes is a beautifully designed, easy-to-use, and unfailingly reliable cookbook.

As the book’s introduction notes, nearly everybody loves a cupcake, and with 175 recipes for the delicious treat, this cookbook makes an essential and fun addition to any cook’s library. The recipes are comprised of the techniques and high-quality ingredients for which Martha Stewart’s cooking bibles are well known.

Intuitive and Logical Layout

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes is divided into eight sections: Swirled and Sprinkled, Dipped and Glazed, Simple and Sweet, Filled and Layered, Piped and Topped, Birthdays, Holidays, and Celebrations. Each section includes a plethora of recipes for cupcakes ranging from simple, everyday indulgences to cupcakes worthy of inclusion in the most elaborate celebrations, including weddings. Some of the highlights include recipes for:

Not Your Average Cupcake Recipes

The sections devoted to “Birthdays,” “Holidays,” and “Celebrations” are the most fascinating chapters of the book, devoted as they are to intricate recipes that yield cupcakes, which cannot help but impress and inspire awe. Not only do these recipes create tasty treats, these artistic creations are also stunningly beautiful.

For example, included are several recipes for themed-cupcakes appropriate for children’s’ celebrations, such as Dinosaur cupcakes, Animal cupcakes (the fondant monkey cupcakes are especially cute), and the Cupcake Caterpillar. Likewise, the Monogram Heart cupcakes, Chrysanthemum cupcakes, and the chocolate-covered sunflower seed-inspired Sunflower cupcakes are sure to please adults.

Tips and Advice for Ingredients and Techniques

In addition to the clear, step-by-step instructions in each recipe, the book is particularly useful because it includes detailed “how-to” chapters. In “The Basics,” the book reviews the essential ingredients for successful baking, and reemphasizes the necessity of quality ingredients. Moreover, this section also reviews the tools necessary for baking and decorating, and provides a helpful primer on key techniques, such as how to work with fondant, marzipan, and frosting. Also included are a range of frosting and icing recipes.

To complete the primer, the book includes a creative section on presentation, display, and wrapping, for those readers wanting to use their baking for weddings or to give as gifts. Truly, this book can take the most inexperienced baker and turn him or her into an impressive creative genius.

Like all of Martha Stewart’s books, this one is well organized, clearly laid out, and beautifully photographed. It might benefit from an alternative binding that would lay flat during use, such as a coil binding; however, it is such a beautiful book, it would seem a shame to change anything about it. A welcome addition to any kitchen, this book would make an excellent gift for any baker.

Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone’s Favorite Treat

The copyright of the article Martha Stewart's Cupcakes – Review in Celebrity Cookbooks is owned by Carrie Prefontaine. Permission to republish Martha Stewart's Cupcakes – Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.