Decorating Christmas Cakes: 14 Spectacular Festive Designs

I borrowed this book from the library and loved it so much decided to get my own copy. Well illustrated with some fun and different projects to try, some fun and some sophisticated. A Santa Down Under in a car on a beach, which I am going to use for my grandson's 2nd birthday.

I haven't (obviously) had the chance to make any of the cakes from this book yet but am really looking forward to having a go. The designs are a mixture of funny and elegant and everything is explained clearly with loads of pictures to illustrate which I find helpful when trying something new. Having had a pretty good look at this book I would say it has plenty a beginner could tackle but a fairly experienced baker could probably find lots of inspiration and new things to learn.Paul Bradford is particularly known for shaped cakes that have been carved and there is a good selection of these bold, dramatic designs. They are surprisingly easy to do though especially with his (included) chocolate cake recipe which is delicious and rich but developed to be easy to carve without crumbling. This I have tried - I took one of his courses to make a teddy bear cake (without the Santa hat) and had a great time making a cake that turned out amazingly well. Heading home on the train it was a real ice-breaker and made everyone smile and laugh, including a rather grumpy looking Glaswegian conductor. The teddy bear needs quite a lot of cutting and carving but there are also plenty of simpler shapes and plain round designs in the book that you could make with your favourite fruitcake or other crumblier cake recipe. All his cakes start off with either a round or square cake so you don't need to spend a fortune on specialist-use-once tins. In fact you should get on fairly well with a couple of cake tins, a rolling pin, coloured fondant icing, food colouring, a few cheap plastic modelling tools, a decent kitchen/bread knife and dried spaghetti.The template sheet at the back is great and does not need to be scaled so you don't need a big photocopier that enlarges - the assumption that we all have access to expensive office equipment is a bugbear of mine with these sorts of books. I have since subscribed to the tutorials on the website (which have video demos) although there are free tutorials there that don't need a subscription. The website has an email address or you can leave a message on Paul's Facebook page - they are very friendly and good about replying to any queries, so it is a book with back up!

I love the projects in this book, there are some funny, amazing and very scary (for the maker) looking projects that can't fail to impress. I think my favourite is the one on the front cover, very funny but there are also others that could be adapted e.g. the wedding cake and could be used for other occasions than just Christmas. Includes recipes for a very dark, rich chocolate cake that is the base for all the cakes as well as chocolate ganache and buttercream. Step by step instructions from carving the cake to making the models and decorations to go on them.Definitely recommend.

lovely illustrations and clear instructions, not heard of the author before, cakes all good fun, but expected an odd "grown up" cake.They are all fun and children type cakes. had expected at least an odd traditional decorated cake with a contemporary feel.Brilliant for what it is but having a few books nothing particularly new or different.Still glad to have it as part of my collection, but if you are looking for more traditional Christmas cakes this isn't what you are looking for.All cakes chocolate but you could adapt to fruit with marzipan and not chocolate toppings

My book arrived 2 days ago and I've hardly put it down all weekend!No matter what craft you do there's always one book that you will pull out time and time again for reference and ideas, this becomes your bible...........having watched Paul's video lessons online and seeing how easily he demonstrates various aspects of cake decorating I couldn't wait to order my copy of his first printed book........and I haven't been disappointed, whipping up the chocolate cake tonight was a dream....the whole house smells heavenly!All the designs are wonderful and adaptable to just about any occasion, I can't wait to try one for Christmas but I know I'll be using the step by step guides for other cakes too.....with a little imagination it would be so easy to change the colour and adapt each design to just about any theme..........So for me it ticks all the boxes..............this is my new Cake Bible!

I had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book and it has not disappointed. As a hobby baker of only 18months I delved into the world of sugarpaste in May this year and I credit the author of this book with how well and quickly I have developed my skills. This book has brilliant step by step instructions and pictures (wouldn't expect anything else from Paul) so even a newbie to cake decorating like me would enjoy and more importantly would be able to make the beautiful cakes. I really can't wait to use this book and have decided to bake my friends and family cakes as Christmas presents which I think is far more thoughtful as its sooooo easy to get caught up in the commercialism that unfortunately goes with Christmas. Thank you Paul & David.Ps When is the next book????!!! ;)Caz