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**Baking with Blondie blogger Mandy Merriman takes the guesswork out of delicious and beautiful cakes --starting with boxed mixes and then adding flavorful ingredients and creative decorations--for occasion-worthy cakes any baker can make.** I'll Bring the Cake features stunning and mouthwatering cakes for any occasion or holiday, but there's a twist--each gorgeous creation begins with a humble boxed mix. Starting from a mix takes the guesswork out of baking and ensures perfect results, leaving more time for getting creative with Mandy's whimsical, jaw-dropping decorating ideas. Step-by-step photo tutorials accompany special holiday-themed decorating projects as well as an essential primer on stacking, filling, and frosting to get you started. And Mandy's expert advice and tips set you up for success in every project. Standout flavor combinations include:* Shamrock Shake Cake with Vanilla Mint Buttercream* Rocket Pop...
Dedication
For my husband, Ryan, and our blondie boys, Jake and Liam. Thank you for believing in me and for being okay with living with a kitchen covered in sprinkles forevermore.
And for my dad, who was taken far too soon. I miss you every single day.
This ones for you, with an extra slice of your favorite carrot cake.
Del Hillary 19542020
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Introduction
Cake Tools for Decorating Success
Buttercream Essentials
Vanilla Buttercream
Small-Batch Vanilla Buttercream
Baking Tips and Troubleshooting
Assembling and Frosting Basics
Chapter 1: Springtime Bakes
Lemon Blackberry Poppy Seed Cake
Lavender Cake with Honey Lavender Buttercream
Dark Chocolate Huckleberry Shake Cake
Rose Water Cake with Raspberry Rose Water Buttercream and Raspberry Filling
Crme Brle Cake with Vanilla Bean Caramel Buttercream and Custard Filling
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar Cake with Strawberry Crumble
Lemon Almond Cake with White Chocolate Almond Buttercream
Strawberry Malt Swirl Cake
Pistachio Cake with Pistachio Buttercream and Marshmallow Filling
Almond Cake with Raspberry Buttercream
Pink Velvet Heart Cake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Cake with Chocolate Ganache Drip and Filling
Shamrock Shake Cake with Vanilla Mint Buttercream
Hummingbird Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream and Candied Pecan Crumble
Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream
Carrot Cake with Almond Cream Cheese Buttercream
Rainbow Ruffle Cake
Rainbow Stripe Cake
Robins Egg Speckled Cake
Bunny Sprinkle Cake
Lambeth Cake
Chapter 2: Summer Sweets
Apricot Upside-Down Cake with Honey Brown Sugar Buttercream
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Raspberry Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache
Passion Fruit Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream and Passion Fruit Curd
Toasted Coconut Lime Cake with Toasted Coconut Buttercream and Lime Curd
Strawberry Cheesecake Cake with Graham Cracker Crust and Strawberry Filling
Orange Meringue Cake with Orange Vanilla Buttercream and Orange Curd Filling
Strawberry-Peach Cake
Pia Colada Cake with Coconut Buttercream and Pineapple Curd
Cherry Lime Swirl Cake
Cherry Pie Cake with Graham Cracker Buttercream and Cherry Pie Filling
Blueberry Shortbread Crumble Cake
Raspberry Lemonade Swirl Cake with Raspberry Lemonade Buttercream, Lemon Curd, and Raspberry Filling
Mango Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream and Mango Curd
Triple Berry Cobbler Cake with Cinnamon Vanilla Bean Buttercream, Berry Filling, and Oatmeal Crumble
Grapefruit Poppy Seed Cake with Grapefruit Poppy Seed Buttercream and Grapefruit Curd
Guava Cake with Guava Curd and Cream Cheese Buttercream
Flag Cake
Rocket Pop Piata Cake
Chapter 3: Fall Favorites
Cannoli Cake with Cinnamon Mascarpone Buttercream and Ricotta Filling
Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Dark Chocolate Buttercream
Poached Pear Caramel Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream
Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Cake with Brown Butter Maple Pecan Buttercream and Pecan Pie Filling
Pumpkin Cake with Gingersnap Crust and Gingersnap Buttercream
Black Forest Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting and Cherry Filling
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cake
Triple Chocolate Cake
Horchata Cake
Salted Caramel Pretzel Cake
Banana Cake with Hazelnut Buttercream and Nutella Filling
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Buttercream and Ganache Drip
Ultimate Caramel Cake with Brown Butter Salted Caramel Buttercream and Caramel Filling
Chocolate Biscoff Cake
Banana Caramel Cake with Peanut Butter Caramel Buttercream
Witches Brew Ice Cream Cone Cake
Candy Corn Stripe Cake
Fall Foliage Cake
Chapter 4: Whimsical Winter Bakes
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Filling
White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cake with Cranberry Filling and Sugared Cranberries
Chocolate Orange Cake
Eggnog Latte Cake
Funfetti Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Cake with Vanilla Almond Buttercream and Cookie Dough Filling
Chocolate Peppermint Molten Lava Cake
Coconut Almond Hot Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Filling
Pomegranate White Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie Cake
Gingerbread Cake with White Chocolate and Gingerbread Buttercream
White Chocolate Peppermint Cake
Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Cake with Ginger Cookie Crust, Spiced Cream Cheese Buttercream, and Ginger Swirl Cookies
Peppermint Oreo Swirl Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache Drip
Chocolate Cranberry Cake with White Chocolate Ganache Drip
Festive Wreath Cake
Cut-Out Tree Cake
Black-and-White Countdown Cake
Midnight Bubbly Cake
Sweetheart Celebration Cake
Sprinkle Heart Cake
Chapter 5: Birthday Hits and Everyday Cakes
Classic White Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
Yellow Cake with Cocoa Buttercream
Double Funfetti Cake
Red Velvet Cake with Almond Cream Cheese Buttercream
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream
Chocolate Malt Cake
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cake with Peanut Butter Buttercream and Marshmallow Filling (Fluffernutter)
Better Than Anything Cake
Superman Cake
Cosmic Brownie Cake
Chocolate Cake with Cookie Dough Filling and Cocoa Buttercream
Samoa Cookie Cake
Twix Cake
Thin Mint Cake
Monster Cookie Cake
Hostess Cupcake Cake
Rainbow-Striped Lucky Charms Cake
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Red Velvet Oreo Cake
Chocolate Soda Cake
Circus Animal Cookie Cake with Almond White Chocolate Buttercream
clair Cake with Graham Cracker Crust, Whipped Chocolate Ganache, and Custard Filling
Funfetti Cotton Candy Cake with Striped Cotton Candy Buttercream
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author
Copyright
About the Publisher
Introduction
We celebrate some of lifes most special moments with a beautifully decorated slice of cake. Whether were blowing out the candles to commemorate another year older and wiser, watching a couple slice into a beautiful wedding cake surrounded by loved ones, celebrating the milestones in our lives (big or small), having a simple family gathering on a Sunday afternoon, or merely baking for the pure love of it, cake is something that will always be there to make any and every day extra special.