It's official: The cupcake craze has taken the world by storm. No longer are cupcakes solely for children — these handheld treats now must pass muster with taste — discriminating adults equally ravenous for the little frosted jewels. Big Book of Cupcakes sets a new standard with recipes for cupcakes that actually taste as great as they look. In addition to the traditional favorite flavors everyone craves, such as red velvet and carrot cake, this book offers fun, new flavor twists like Maple Bacon and Caramel Sea Salt Mocha, as well as easy decorating and serving ideas, from classic to creative. In this book, which is organized by season and the events readers want to celebrate with home-baked cupcakes — from New Years to Christmas, birthdays to "just-craving" days — author and cupcake-bakery owner Jan Moon shares her secrets and most requested recipes. Whether you're making the perfect batch of cupcakes for a child's birthday party or satisfying a very adult comfort-food craving, the nostalgic treats that fill this book are sure to delight and surprise. Plus, Jan's creative tips on how to serve and display cupcakes for parties are sure to be crowd-pleasers. With more than 10 years of experience honing her craft in the Test Kitchens of Southern Living magazine, Jan Moon has embarked on a venture of her own and opened a bakery in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to wedding cakes and custom made treats, Dreamcakes Bakery specializes in delectable cupcakes, and Jan's unique creations keep her loyal customers coming back for more.

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!

This new essential guide to entertaining is divided by occasion, offering a fresh lineup of menus and ideas from Oxford, Mississippi's go-to caterer for every celebratory scenario life serves up. In this update to the best-selling book of our mothers' and grandmothers' era, Elizabeth's tell-it-like-it-is voice provides a twist to the classic Southern advice that is a refresher for entertainers of any age or experience. Packed with delicious recipes from the original book like Smoked Salmon Canapes, Hot Cheese Squares, and Brandy Alexanders, the book also includes popular picks from the current pages of Southern Living as well as Elizabeth's treasured recipe box. The Southern Living Party Cookbook is an entertaining handbook loaded with lifestyle tips and hilarious Heiskell stories, along with lush photography to help you get the look from table setting to plated dish.

Let's face it, today we are inundated with articles about cooking, food, and wine in almost every part of our lives. From The Wall Street Journal to Playboy Magazine, you'd be hard pressed not to find a commentary related to the subject of food. At a time when I'm trying to figure out my best financial opportunities or determine which girl of the SEC is the best looking, why am I being told how to cook something? The simple answer is women. Don't get me wrong, a quick glance at any men's magazine will always yield the same redundant taglines; "Lose your Gut," "1001 Financial Solutions," or "Score your Dream Job" on the cover. However, by now the majority of writers have exhausted the subjects of health, wealth, and power as a means to attract women, and they realize that cooking is just another avenue that they can use to appeal to the wants and needs of their readers. Don't trust me? Take a stroll through the magazine aisle at your local grocery store, and you might find that even Field and Stream has gone haute-cuisine on your latest hunt. Confused by the last sentence? Good, this book is for you.

A giant collection of cupcakes from the classic to the contemporary What could be better than a cupcake? How about 150 cupcakes? In this new cupcake compendium from Better Homes and Gardens, you'll find tons of creative recipes and decorations for everyone's favorite little treat. From traditional cupcakes to fancy new ideas, you'll find a cupcake here for any and every occasion, from tried-and-true favorites to creatively decorated designs for celebrations and holidays. Beautiful full-color photos accompany every recipe while an entire section on cupcake basics covers simple recipes, converting cakes to cupcakes, and cupcake decorating tools and techniques. Includes 150 diverse and delightful cupcake recipes 200 beautiful full-color photographs offer plenty of inspiration and how-to instructions Features fun and informative tips and sidebars throughout Covers special occasion cupcakes for birthdays, showers, holidays, and more For anyone who loves cupcakes, this delicious cupcake cookbook offers tasty treats for any and every occasion.

Today, in addition to being chivalrous, honest, and generous, a Southern gentleman is socially connected, well-traveled, and has an appetite for life. In this part-cookbook and part-guidebook, Matt Moore embraces a fresh perspective on what it means to cook, eat, and live as a true Southern Gentleman in the 21st century. Moore takes readers on an entertaining walk through the life of a Southern gentleman using recipes for 150 distinctly simple Southern dishes for every meal of the day, plus tales from family and some well-known friends. Gorgeous full-color photography graces this culinary update on authentic Southern cuisine. Featured recipes include everything from Seafood Gumbo and Gameday Venison Chili to desserts like Grilled Georgia Peach Crisp and favorite cocktails like The Brown Derby and NOLA Sazerac.