Fantasy Cakes: Magical recipes for fanciful bakes by Angela Romeo {book review}

When I had my copy of Fantasy Cakes arrived on my door stop my girls took it from me and were immediately book marking recipes. Recipes for their birthday's and not being able to decide on just one were booking for birthday's 2 or 3 years from now.

There was a familiar feel to the style of the book and it came as no surprise that I have one of Angela Romeo's other books that she wrote for Sainsbury's. I am happy to see she has a book that has her name on the cover!

There are the great first chapters that cover an introduction - it's always nice to know a little about the author and their work. A chapter covering equipment, then techniques & finishing touches and then as this is mostly about decorating cakes we get a chapter on the basic recipes needed.

The following chapters are divided by Fruits & Flowers where we see cakes shaped and made to look like a watermelon and beautifully decorated cakes topped with blueberries and lemons and more. Spectacular Celebrations covers all the holiday's which is when the most cake is consumed. I have no data to back up that statement, it is just an observation I have made.

Candy Land, the following chapter, is the most bookmarked with cakes that are covered in candy, chocolates, and doughnuts. The following chapter is all rainbows, mirror glazes, and fantasy cakes and it is aptly titled Psychedelic Treats.

Inspired by days going to the movies, seaside, theatre, or fair these cakes really make you feel like you are on a Magical Day Out. The last chapter is the second most book marked chapter by my girls and is titled Decadent Divas. It includes a gorgeous Sultry salted caramel cake, Pink fizz Cake, and a cake called All that shimmers.... and you would be right to guess that it is covered in gold.

This book would be great for any level of cake decorators! There are some very basic ideas that work well for beginners and some recipes that might take a bit more of experienced skill. Overall it's a beautiful and informative book.

* I was provided a copy of Fantasy Cakes: Magical recipes for fanciful bakes by Angela Romeo to review by the publisher, Ryland Peters & Small, retails at £16.99 and available now from your local book retailers or online! All opinions are my own, I was not given any other compensation nor was I asked to give a positive review, please see my contact/policy page above for more information.
* Sainsbury's Cake book review can be found here.
* Check out Angela Romeo's website!

Brown Sugar Cookies

In a world where only over the top food things reign, for example the trending freak shake and anything rainbow, I think basic, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treats get over looked just because they aren't loud and in your face.

Don't get me wrong I am the first to hit that like button on something loud, big, and amazing because they are amazing. Drooling over food pictures is a daily occurrence for me. Food is a form of art and I am always impressed with the creativity of chefs and home bakers.

For some bakes there is only so much you can do to it. Cookies for example can be sandwiched or iced or be 'overloaded' with add-ins, but they will always be a cookie. And sometimes there is nothing better then a good old plain sugar cookie.

And sometimes there is something better .... a brown sugar cookie.

Brown Sugar Cookies

340g plain flour
2 tsps cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
228g butter
300g dark brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tsps vanilla extract

Heat the oven to 170C/350F and line your cookie sheet(s) with grease proof paper.
Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together and leave aside.
Beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
Add the egg and vanilla and beat until just combined.
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture at a time and mix well between each addition.
Scoop out with a large scoop and leave each mound of cookie dough about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. They don't spread much, but they will spread.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Once out of the oven leave to cool on the sheet for a couple minutes before leaving to cool completely on a wire rack.

Although these cookies may not be something to look at they are delicious and it is very hard to just have one! It is always fun experimenting with different sugars when baking because the results will always be different. The dark brown sugar gives these cookies a deeper flavor then regular sugar cookies.