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!