Cakes in Bloom: The Art of Exquisite Sugarcraft Flowers

Absolutely exquisite tome of ethereal floral fantasy! I am beyond enchanted with Peggy Porschen's latest entry into her library of well-written and stunning books. This will be a very welcomed book into your cake decorating collection, in particular for those who adore creating floral pieces from sugarpaste! Her attention to the detail of making flowers has been completely focused upon in this book, starting with the very basics to more elaborate creations that can adorn cakes or cookies.The book is large and visually perfect, with a size roughly 10' x 11' and with a sturdy hardcover that encases 224 pages of detailed tutorials for all types of heavenly flowers that one would want to pick from their garden, let alone recreate through Peggy's words and directions. I ordered this through an Amazon partner, as it was not yet available through Amazon. It arrived in perfect condition, this one with a lovely cream-colored paper banding across the flowered front and back covers that presented Peggy's name and title of this cherished new book. The pages are of a matted silk texture with excellent and detailed photography that show even the smallest of detail for the smallest of flowers, such as the lily-of-the-valley.I would highly recommend this even for a beginner, as I cannot see even a novice having a hard time with the thorough instruction that Peggy gives. The photo tutorials are excellent for those with visual learning abilities (like myself) who do better with seeing, and not just reading.The majority of the photo's are very close, including the step-by-step tutorials that accompany each flower lesson. Georgia Glynn Smith has been a most valued and trusted photographer for Peggy's books and she has outdone herself once again. Between the wonderful photography, as well as the food styling itself, you are going to enjoy just visually being entertained, as you look at each photo. You will linger over your idea's of how you will be able to create her projects, but you will be encouraged to come up with your own. The photo's are all in vivid colors that range from the primary colors to the pastels.As an extra bit of sweetness, there is a lovely pink ribbon that you can use as a bookmark, though you would need one for each project as it would be hard to decide on just one.In the "Contents" section, you are treated to an instant thumbnail view of her flower projects with their corresponding pages all prepared for you. Then she begins with "Sugar Flower Basics", introducing the reader to tools and kits necessary as well as recipes and a fabulous chart listing the group photo of the equipment.As I said earlier, the photography is so pristine, that you will be hard-pressed to think that what you are looking at are actually sugarpaste flowers. But they are, so once you're done being excited by what is ahead of you, you get to the "Sugar Flower Designs" section, which begins the projects. Each one contains the project you will begin with a perfect photo, as well as including the "Ingredients" needed and the "Equipment" used. You are then taken to a step-by-step photo tutorial along with the "Method" to accomplish this lovely task. Everything is explained in detail and the instruction coordinates the photo in the tutorial, to the steps listed, so there is no question as to which step is meant for which photo.Wedding cakes, cookies, miniature wedding cakes are all adorned with the most gorgeous sugarpaste flowers! Whether you are preparing for a small affair or something more grand, there are limitless idea's from Peggy. Many of the flowers are simple to create and will require very little time while others are definitely more time-intensive but totally worth the effort (such as the Cherry Blossoms!).Color coordination is a given with each project so the addition of a soft ribbon, or perhaps some feather-light single petal blooms just teetering off the sides of the cake, will inspire you. Your own idea's can be added to the cakes as well, as maybe a light little butterfly lightly landing on an ever-so-delicate rose petal?The flowers that are taught run the gamut from Primroses to English Garden Roses to Sweet Pea's, to Grape Hyacinths, to Ranunculus', to Peonies, and to just about every beautiful flower under the sun that you would find in a perfect garden. Now, I love Sunflowers myself, but they were not in the book, BUT this book has inspired me to make them, so for those flowers that you don't see, they are but a piece of sugarpaste away from being made.At the end of the book, Peggy has her chapter on "Baking & Icing Basics" which will guide you with planning these projects, the basics of making the cakes, her recipes for various cake batters and flavor, as well as icings and buttercream, and how to cover cakes and cakeboards. "Quantity Guides" and a flower glossary are also included, and are very helpful, especially for a novice to this art form.I have several books on making sugarpaste flowers and I have to say, that this book has now become one of my most favorites for teaching and learning. Granted, I acknowledge that I am a devotee of Peggy, and I acknowledge that I have all of Peggy's books, so I am unashamedly saying that I am very prejudiced, but once you see the visually stunning nature of this book, you will probably become a devotee of her too.Peace.

I found the work of Mrs Porschen beautiful, pretty artistic.This book comes fom England so it took about 30 days to get.There are several flower decoration projects, it presents materials and technics used, very well explained.In all is a wonderful book,

Love this book! Its illustrated beautifully and the directions are very easy to follow. She has chosen a large variety of blooms that are favorites.

A book that is worth it.A book that has a lot of good information, worth buying as a great pastry tool and aid.

Very well done! Instructions are clear and easy to follow. A beautiful book that is also a keepsake!

I have a great collection of baking books and this will be added to my continuous learning and skills.

You must buy this book !!

so love this book, very detail instruction, fine quality of printing, love this book!

Peggy presents artistry in a unique softly beautiful context...her work is precise but exudes subtle elegance !!!! Love her work and her shared instructions. Her recipes always turn out with ease and exquisite taste ! Thank you Peggy for sharing your art with us

Wonderfully explained with step by step pictures. Has Everything you need to start crafting your own sugar flowers!

Excellent livre pour les passionnés de fleurs en sucre. Pour les debutants, Il vous faudra quand meme un minimum de materiel adapté pour avoir un resultat satisfaisant...et le plus dur...beaucoup de patience er de persévérence.

At the beginning of the year I started a cake decorating class and it was not long before I became interesting in making sugar flowers and searching for books on the topic. During one of my Amazon searches I discovered that Peggy Porchen whose flower skills I had long admired was bringing out a book on the topic and I promptly pre-ordered a copy. I then eagerly counted down the days until the books release -hoping that I would not be disappointed.The book includes instruction on how to make a wide variety of flowers including daffodils, pansies, dahlia, roses, iceland poppies, sweet pea, peonies and many many more as well as how to make these into sprays or cascades and other ideas for using the finished flowers.The projects are beautifully set out with a clear guide of exactly what you will need right down to the exact shades of colour used. This is great as it ensure you can have everything you need laid out to hand before starting. Nothing worse than starting a project only to discover that you do not have half of the stuff that you need.The book includes a great range of ideas for finished projects in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles - with those to suit all levels of ability and all occasions including wedding cakes.One of my favourite things about this book is the beautiful photography both of the flowers and finished projects but also the step by step guides which are also written in a way which makes them easy to follow. The book is so beautiful it is tempting to keep it on the coffee table.The book includes a very clear and detailed guide to the tools and equipment used throughout with clear pictures as well as a recipe for making florist paste- which is the paste used to make sugar flowers.The book also includes some basic cake recipes such as victoria sponge, rich dark chocolate cake and luxury fruit cake as well as recipes for buttercream and ganache.There is a handy guide for those new to icing and covering cakes with marzipan with step by step pictures.A guide at the back also runs through all the terms used when making sugar flowers and gives clear explanations.~Advantages~Absolutely beautiful photography of the finished flowers as well as the finished projects. Very clear step by step photos clearly illustrating each and every step - which are all well written and easy to follow.A wide range of projects to suit all abilities and ideas on how to use the flowers created.~Disadvantages~Despite trying really really hard I cannot think of single disadvantage this book really is amazing and perfect in every single way for those interested in making sugar flowers from the beginner to the advanced.~Recommend?~This book is quite simply the best book I have come across for making sugar flowers- the projects are very modern and inspiring. The photography is absolutely beautiful and the instructions are clear- i cannot recommend this book highly enough it is an absolute joy.

The book is totally worth buying, its very detailed step by step explanations will show you how to create the most wonderful sugar flowers! I've been with Peggy in London making some of these flowers and can say that it's easy to follow if you are on your own with the book.