May Clee Cadman - Sweet And Simple Party Cakes

Sweet and Simple

PARTY CAKES

MAY CLEE-CADMAN
of Maisie Fantaisie

A DAVID & CHARLES BOOK
Copyright David & Charles Limited 2008

David & Charles is an F+W Publications Inc. company
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236

First published in the UK & US in 2008

Text and designs copyright May Clee-Cadman 2008
Photography copyright David & Charles 2008

May Clee-Cadman has asserted her right to be identified as author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

The designs in this book are copyright and must not be made for resale.

The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that all the instructions in the book are accurate and safe, and therefore cannot accept liability for any resulting injury, damage or loss to persons or property, however it may arise.

Names of manufacturers, cake ranges and other products are provided
for the information of readers, with no intention to infringe copyright
or trademarks.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7153-2694-7 hardback
ISBN-10: 0715326945 hardback

ISBN-13: 978-0-7153-2687-9 paperback
ISBN-10: 0-7153-2687-2 paperback

Printed in China by SNP Leefung
for David & Charles
Brunel House Newton Abbot Devon

Commissioning Editor: Jennifer Fox-Proverbs
Desk Editor: Bethany Dymond
Art Editor: Sarah Underhill
Designer: Lisa Wyman
Project Editor: Juliet Bracken
Production Controller: Bev Richardson
Photographer: Ginette Chapman

Visit our website at www.davidandcharles.co.uk

David & Charles books are available from all good bookshops;
alternatively you can contact our Orderline on 0870 9908222
or write to us at FREEPOST EX2 110, D&C Direct, Newton Abbot,
TQ12 4ZZ (no stamp required UK only); US customers call 800-289-0963 and Canadian customers call 800-840-5220.

What gives me the most pleasure after finishing a cake? Simple, watching peoples faces light up when they see it. My hope with this book is for you to experience the joy and satisfaction of creating a delicious masterpiece for yourself.

Ive been making cakes since I was a little girl. My mother, sister and I would spend long, blissful afternoons in the kitchen, trying out new recipes from one of our many cake and pudding books. Years on and the smell of vanilla and fruitcake still hangs in the air, and I feel so fortunate to be dreamily reliving my childhood in my chosen career.

Here, I have picked a selection of my all-time favourite cakes and given simple, step-by-step instructions so you can recreate them and amaze yourself. Cakes that are simple to make but staggering to behold, such as Butterfly Kisses (page 42), Wedding Sunflowers (page 100) and the Birthday Parcel cake (page 92); all of which are guaranteed to create an absolute sensation at any event.

If you are short for time, discover the many ways of adapting the designs to create sensational cupcakes and mini cakes. The smaller versions look just as fabulous as the larger cakes and will suit every occasion, whether its a formal or informal affair. You can even create your own gorgeous wedding cake entirely from mini cakes, as I have done in the pretty Lavender and Hearts design on page 60.

Each cake is beautifully photographed so you can see every detail that makes it special, and there are clear step-by-step instructions explaining how its done. Feel free to adapt the designs to suit your occasion, whether its changing the template, colour, shape or sizes; use the book as a tool rather than a rulebook.

I consider the taste of the cake to be just as important as the decoration, so I have also included a selection of cake recipes on pages 1417 for you to get started with. Baking cakes is good for the heart and soul so give your-self the time to enjoy it. I guarantee your cakes will come out of the oven fluffier because youve baked with a smile on your face!

Lastly, dont wait for an occasion to make a cake, make an occasion around your cake! Most of all, enjoy the whole process the making is just as enjoyable as the eating!
So why not take some time, clear some space, get out
your mixing bowl and turn on the oven!

Over the next few pages you will find the guide to the cake making techniques you need to create the designs in the book. This covers:

Cake making equipment both essentials and more specialist items you may not need every time

Four delicious traditional cake recipes

Different types of icing and fillings, and how to work with them
Putting a cake together icing the board, levelling a cake and assembling tiers with dowels

How to make cupcakes and mini cakes

If you are new to cake making, I suggest you read through this section of the book carefully before starting on your first cake, so you get to know the techniques involved and feel confident about using them. You should find them easy to understand from the step-by-step instructions and photographs. I also explain how to create the decorations for each design using a combination of sugarpaste, flowerpaste and royal icing, along with details of any flowers or other embellishments I am using.

If you are a more experienced cake maker, you will probably enjoy adapting the designs to suit a particular occasion or theme. I am providing further inspiration showing how you can do this by changing the colour, shape or size of your cake or decorations.