Decorating homemade cakes for occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, childrens parties, christenings or weddings is a perennially popular subject. Nothing is nicer than receiving a cake that has that personal touch. The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Cake Decorating contains all the know-how and recipes needed to make and decorate cakes that are incredibly simple and quick-to-make yet look absolutely stunning. There are cakes for all occasions - Christmas, Easter, Halloween, birthdays and anniversaries. All the most popular methods of icing and decoration are covered, from buttercream, sugar paste (fondant) and chocolate, to royal icing and marzipan. Detailed, easy-to follow instructions explain the basics of preparing and using the different types of icing, followed by recipes for imaginative cakes for each method, all illustrated with step-by-step photographs. There are fantastic cakes to suit adults and children alike, all of which can be achieved for a fraction of the normal retail cost. Beginners will pick up the basics fast and even experienced cake decorators will find some inspirational new ideas.