Monday, November 24, 2008

Review: Confetti Cakes for Kids & Giveaway

Summary: Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes has created confections as elaborate as a platter of sushi, a wine bottle in a crate, and a designer handbag. Now she focuses her talents on her younger fans with this enchanting collection of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for kids. Strauss starts readers off with 20 delicious recipes and all the basic techniques needed to complete any project in the book. Then she offers step-by-step instructions for 24 jaw-dropping designs that can become the centerpiece of any celebration. Projects span the imagination--from a charming sock monkey, to an MP3 player, to playful hula gingerbread girls and boys--and will appeal to anyone looking for the perfect way to thrill a child with a delectable, spectacular creation. -- Little, Brown and Company

CONFETTI CAKES FOR KIDS by Elisa Strauss is one of the most incredible cookbooks that I've ever seen. I'm not sure if it's more like a cookbook or a work of art! My friend and I like to decorate cookies and cakes so I thought this cookbook might give us a few ideas. Well, I did get a lot of ideas from this book. I'm not sure that I could actually make anything in here except for a few lollipop cookies, but this book is gorgeous (and so fun to look at!)

It's hard to pick which cake, cupcake or cookie is my favorite because they are so many adorable ones. While most of the cakes are geared towards kids, a few of the patterns would work for anyone like the Christmas ornament cupcakes or Quinceanera Cake which could definitely double as a wedding cake. I love all of the animal and pajama party cut-out cookies (which I could probably make), but I think my very favorite work-of-art is the sock monkey cake -- it is just precious!

All of the cakes/cookies creations include step-by-step recipes as well as very detailed instructions on how to assemble and decorate them. I could probably bake them and mix the icing, but trust me when I say that these cakes are not for beginners. I am just blown away by Elisa Strauss, the cake designer and author of this book. I absolutely love her website (and her blog) and could spend hours on both of them. Make sure you take a look to get an idea of her amazing cake designs.

I think CONFETTI CAKES FOR KIDS would make a wonderful gift for anyone in your life who enjoys decorating cakes and cookies (or really even anyone with kids.) And guess what? I am going to giveaway up to five copies of CONFETTI CAKES FOR KIDS courtesy of Hachette Book Group USA. For one entry, all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address. For two entries, just blog about this contest with a link back to this post. I will give away one book for every 10 entries that I receive, so it definitely benefits you to tell everyone about this contest. The contest will be open until Tuesday, December 9th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will announce the winners the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. or Canada mailing addresses only (no P.O. boxes.) Good Luck!

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Juicebox.mom said...

Wow, I would love to win that, I've just signed up for a cake decorating class for January (level 1) thanks!!

Melanie said...

I'm sure those cakes are beyond my skill level - and I don't even have kids. But it would still be a neat book to have to look at the pictures and dream.

sheep#100 said...

Very cool. I took an intro cake decorating class but our stuff didn't look have so snazzy as the cover of that book.

RAnn said...

I'd like to win. I think my daughter would like this for Christmas. ruthjoec at aol. com I'm going to blog about the contest
http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/

Viola Crumble said...

Hi thanks for your helpful review. I should say I have the first Confetti Cakes book - which is a must for any fashionista - her designs are a work of art too. I am was just wondering what recipes (cake designs) does she include in her book - on her website there is a "charlie and the chocolate factory" style cake - and I am desperate to find this design!!!

This book is on my amazon wishlist so thanks for reviewing it.

VIOLA

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this. It's looks so cute.

Stacie said...

I have been wanting this book for awhile! Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

Renee said...

My dd has the opportunity to earn a Cake Decorating badge at AHG. This would be of great assistance

Bridget said...

I've posted on Win A Book. I love to bake cakes and decorate them. This time, please enter me in the contest! Thanks!

Lenore Appelhans said...

OMG - this is the coolest book I've seen in a long while. I'd be thrilled to win this, try out the recipes and then buy one for all my friends :)

traveler said...

What a delightful and unique book that is attractive. It would be perfect for my daughter whose culinary and baking skills are good but would enjoy this resource.
Thanks for this lovely giveway.
elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

ellie said...

Enticing book which would definitely come in handy. Thanks.

pearl said...

I would love to learn from this beautiful book. Great giveaway.

anne said...

Those cakes are gorgeous and what a book. Just to drool over.

Unknown said...

This looks so cute! And my family loves baking so this would be a fun book. Thanks for entering me.
unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail DOT com

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

I would love to win this one. What a neat book. I blogged it too.

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2008/11/giveaways_19.html

darbyscloset said...

I would love to win this book for my neice....you know how Mother's are almost always the opposite of their daughters...well my sister in law doesn't bake and my neice of course loves to ..this would be so perfect for her!
thanks for the hope!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

cpullum said...

My daughter would love it! Count our family in!

Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

Asylumgirl said...

What a sweet book! This might actually convince me to try some of this stuff myself, instead of just wishing about it.

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Serena said...

This looks like a great gift for some people on my list. Count me in the contest

savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

Karlie said...

This sounds like a great book if you have kids. Please enter me.

Sheri S. said...

What a cute book, please enter me. Thanks!

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

I would love to be able to find inspiration in the book to decorate an amazing cake for my girls' next birthdays (and beyond). Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

I love to cook and am always looking for the unusual or interesting cookbooks. This looks like a book that would be a fun one to use and own
JWIsley AT aol DOT com

ckschaalma said...

I would love to win this!

ckschaalma(at)msn.com

Anonymous said...

I know a wonderful young lady, who is cupcake-crazy. Her wedding cake was cupcakes! I'd love to gift this to her for her upcoming birthday.
linda [at] contestgirl [dot] com

Mrs. Hemphill's Online Classroom said...

Wow! A fun book for moms and kids! The Media Center Momma

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love contests? Especially for books :-)

Unknown said...

I LOVE the cover! It's so cute! Please enter me in the contest!

datwater88 @ hotmail.com

Suzie Williams said...

The cake on the cover is so cute!! I'd love to make a neat cake for my son's first birthday in February!

Carol L. said...

This is great. I have 12 grandkids and unbelievably, 1 great grand daughter born 1 week ago. This would be an amazing win. Thanks for the chance to win. Have a Happy Holiday.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I've gotta have this book to make cakes for the grandkids!

blessedchick@hotmail.com

Marie said...

This book looks awesome. Please enter me. Thanks.

mparke[at]shaw[dot]ca

Misty said...

count me in.
mommy2skie@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

What a neat book! Gosh! It would be neat to win a copy of it!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Teri
bowlesw@uc.edu

ruth said...

What a sweet book to have. Love the cover. thanks.

ChristyJan said...

I'd love to win this for my daughter.

hawkes(at)citlink.net

MonieG said...

I would love to win this book. arc.reviews@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

Please enter me into this drawing. The book looks amazing & I'm sure my nephew will enjoy such a special cake for his birthday!

megalon22(at)yahoo(dot)com

Prairie Girl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Prairie Girl said...

Oh wow - these are gorgeous! They'd be almost too good to eat. Almost :)

I've blogged about the contest and would love to win a copy - fingers crossed. Thanks for the giveaway!

oh - my e-mail is lace-c@live.com (forgot to add that in the prior comment)

Marie said...

This book looks amazing. Please enter me. Thanks. mparke[at]shaw[dot]ca

Stephanie said...

What an adorable book! I'd love to win this (and I'm sure my son would love me to win too, lol!) Thanks. :)

Sue A. said...

I only make cakes without frosting. I never learned the art of decorating cakes. Count me in too!

magenta2 red [at] gmail [dot] com
(please remove all spaces)

The Giveaway Diva said...

cute!! this would come in handy!! so thanks!!

nicolemarielum(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Very cool book

luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net

Cheryl Vanatti said...

Pick Me! Please ;-)