Whether it’s their individual size, their pretty frosting, or just their ability to bring back fond memories of childhood — cupcakes really do have ultimate treat-appeal. Every generation loves them, and even the most curmudgeonly among us find it hard not to smile when presented with a plateful of cupcakes. Cupcakes come in many shapes and guises, but the one thing they all have in common is their small, individual size and the fact that they are baked in a muffin pan or cup-shaped moulds, which are often lined with a crimped foil or paper case. Almost any cake batter can be baked in a cup-shaped mould to make cupcakes. Classic yellow cake or pound cake mixtures are particularly popular, but gingerbread, carrot cakes, fruit cakes, yeasted cakes and brownies can all be transformed into cupcakes. Whether it’s a smear of cream cheese frosting or an intricately decorated cake topped with fondant decorations — it’s the topping that often provokes the greatest delight. Children and adults alike will love helping to decorate the cakes, and it can make a fun afternoon activity before you even get round to sitting down with a glass of milk to enjoy them. Once you get started on the recipes in this book, you’ll realize just how fun baking and decorating cupcakes can be — and you might just find yourself with a new hobby!

From the former Martha Stewart Living food editor: “A must-read for novices and experts alike . . . really gets the creative juices flowing” (Gastronomy). Cupcakes are everyone’s favorite little indulgences. They’re loved by kids and adults alike because they’re playfully sweet as well as utterly charming. These days, cupcakes can be found in bakeries everywhere, but with just a little know-how, you can easily bake your own tempting boutique-bakery cupcakes at home and decorate them with flair. Cupcakes contains recipes for every palate: Here you’ll find classic Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream for the traditionalist, Triple Chocolate Cupcakes for the chocaholic, PB & J Cupcakes for the kids, Salted Caramel Cupcakes for the epicurean, as well as seasonal holiday cupcakes, and dozens more. Whether you are a novice or experienced baker, inside these pages you’ll find friendly advice about ingredients and equipment, cupcake-making and baking tips, and a collection of ideas for decorating your cupcakes with either elegant minimalism or grand flourishes. With this book as your guide, cupcakes have never tasted—or looked—so good!

500 Cupcakes is replete with a variety of recipes, basic techniques, information about equipment, ingredients, and even troubleshooting for the best cupcakes in the world! Complete with mouthwatering images and ideas for gift packaging and labeling, this little book is inspiring!

Not Your Average Maths Book presents a fun and accessible look at numbers, filled with great facts and fascinating insights into numbers, their history and the mathematicians who made key breakthroughs in their fields. From how long it would take to count to a billion, to why bubbles are always round, to what the ham sandwich theorem is, this book answers all these questions and many many more! Not Your Average Maths Book looks at how maths is useful in our everyday lives, from how it is useful on the construction site to how algorithms dictate what music we listen to on our smart phones, as well as setting out a short history of maths, starting with the first written numbers, from 43,000 years ago, through all the major mathematical discoveries right up to the present day! Complete with a mathemetician's hall of fame, highlighting some of the brilliant minds who have advanced our understanding of numbers, to awards for the most special numbers as well as explanations of what makes them so great, this book will fascinate budding mathematicians or children keen to learn about more about the world around them. Filled with facts, and with fun illustrated layouts and graphics to help visualise the concepts, Not Your Average Maths Book is a perfect extracurricular companion to help inspire a love of maths and numbers in kids.

Spectacular cupcake recipes made from scratch or with a mix Get ready for adorably decorated and deliciously flavored cupcakes made easy! Betty Crocker The Big Book of Cupcakes features 175 delightful cupcakes, all using new and fun decorating ideas anyone can master and simple ingredients available anywhere. And as a unique feature, almost every cupcake can be made from scratch or with a mix: You decide which method to follow. Recipes include kids' party favorites like Double Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cupcakes, as well as sophisticated flavors like Mocha-Caramel Cappuccino Cupcakes. You'll find: More than 175 cupcakes, with a tantalizing full-color photograph of every cupcake, plus helpful how-to photos showing easy decorating techniques A special Kids' Party Cupcakes chapter with decorated treats like Puffer Fish Cupcakes, Monster Truck Cupcake Pull-Aparts and Campfire S'Mores Cupcakes Dazzling Holiday and Special-Occasion Cupcakes chapters including fanciful creations like Easter Egg Baskets, Almond-Filled White Christmas Cupcakes and Molten Caramel Apple Cupcakes Perfect for bake sales, birthdays, holiday parties or just an everyday treat, Betty Crocker The Big Book of Cupcakes is one book that really takes the cake.

There is no more fitting conclusion to a celebration, special meal, or a simple, soothing cup of tea or coffee than cake. 500 Cakes has the right recipe for absolutely any occasion: a birthday or anniversary party, an informal gathering of friends, a wedding reception - you name it. From easy refrigerator cakes to elaborate creamy gateaux, from delicious gluten-free cakes to sumptuous layered confections, this book covers all styles and flavors of cakes, for adults, children, 'tweens, and everyone else!