Cakewalk: Adventures In Sugar With Margaret Braun

Cakewalk showcases and makes available for the first time the superbly decorated cakes that have earned cake decorator and sugar artist extraordinaire Margaret Braun her stellar reputation.

This book contains easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for constructing fifteen of Braun's greatest creations. In addition to offering the tools and a foolproof decorating method for each featured cake, Braun also provides the creative and culinary background on each of her confections. Each sugar masterpiece is the result of many influences--all of which are conveyed through Braun's own words and an elegant blend of imagery that includes her diverse visual references, magnificently drawn and hand-lettered schematic cake plans, illustrations done in food coloring, and especially commissioned photography by renowned photographer Quentin Bacon.

Braun also reveals her secrets for beautiful cakes, such as achieving the perfect consistency for fillings and icings, mixing colors to get the right hue, and combining colors and motifs successfully. A visual glossary covers every decorative motif featured in the book, describing its creation through clear visuals and easy-to-follow text. The volume also includes Braun's favorite recipes, including basic cakes, an array of icings and ganaches, rolled fondant, pastillage, marzipan, and family recipes like Braun's mother's flourless chocolate cake. Finally, a detailed listing and description of the necessary cake-decorating tools and a sources section round out this definitive work.