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The Cake & Cookie Closet: All Dolled Up in Sugar

Debra J. Mosely
Author House (2010)
ISBN 9781438971339
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads.com (06/2010)


 Cookbooks are always fun to look at and “The Cake & Cookie Closet” is no exception.  It is a delight for little girls to gush over.  My little granddaughter was salivating at the photos!  The Author, Debra J. Mosely, presents doll cakes (that is where those old Barbies went!) and decorated cookies that showcase her creativity and inspire her reader to design little masterpieces of her own.  She presents decorating options for centerpiece cakes and individual mini-cakes with instructions for embellishments using both butter cream and fondant (a bit like edible play dough).  She offers sections on creating dresses, hats, shoes, and other accessories using cookie cutters and a simple sugar cookie recipe.  What a wonderful activity to share with friends or children!  This could give rise to quite inventive designs and a lot of fun.  Be aware that there is a learning curve involved and “practice makes perfect.”

I found that the construction of the book was a bit odd.  I would have preferred the recipe, equipment and technique sections to be in the beginning of the book, followed by specific examples of the cakes and cookies. The recipes are not extraordinary finds.  Many are made with a store bought mix and enhanced.  Perhaps the point is that this is a book about presentation, not taste.  The section on storing and transporting cakes is an asset for any baker, especially after all the energy in making these creations! A little girl’s birthday, an engagement party or wedding shower, or simply a “tea” would be perfect settings to showcase these treats.