A cake is de rigeur for any American birthday celebration worthy of the name. Continuing her series of volumes pictorializing her sumptuous cakes, Peters brings her decorative skills to cakes designed specifically for birthday observances. And anyone receiving a cake like one of Peters' creations should be particularly grateful. Peters' skill with milled fondant overshadows that of most other professional bakers. She can carve fondant into tight, sharp geometries, or she can swirl it, fold it, and wave it into silken ruffles and curves that belie its solidity. Line drawings assist the cook in recreating these elegant pastries, but only professionals and those with some formal training in handling fondants and cake-decorating tools and techniques will readily pick up on Peters' barebones instructions. Recipes, too, reflect a professional's approach, measuring by weight rather than volume. Mark Knoblauch
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Synopsis
Included in this collection are cakes for every month of the year and every sort of birthday celebrant. Each month has a sign of the zodiac cake, a birthstone cake and a flower cake. In addition there are unusual cakes, such as a "leather" cake, a doctor's bag and a chess set.

Inspiration from the Best in Cakes, March 10, 2003

Colette Peters is a master of cake design and artistry. She shows us that baking can transcend the limits of the kitchen, and delve into the canvas and paints of the artist. It is no surprise to discover that Miss Peters is a trained artist. It is also not a surprise to discover that her work graces the tables of Bette Midler, the White House, and Tiffany's at Christmastime.

This brightly-colored book is arranged topically: Signs of the Zodiac (12 designs), Flowers of the Month (4 designs), Birthstones (3 designs), and Assorted Party Cakes (14 designs). There are also two chapters devoted to Basic Recipes and Basic Instructions. Miss Peters has thoughtfully included a list of Sources for equipment and supplies at the back of the book.

Each design includes: Number of Servings, List of Ingredients, paragraph-form instructions on how to assemble and decorate the cake, a full-color photograph, and patterns (most patterns require enlargements).

While the instructions are specific, and basic instructions at the back of the book are extensive, I would not consider this a book for the beginning cake decorator. More advanced and intermediate cake decorators will enjoy creating their own cakes based on these ideas. This is a wonderful gift for the aspiring cake decorator.