Baking and decorating a cake can be a challenge, and when the end result doesn't taste as good as it looks, a big disappointment! Author and seasoned baker Gesine Bullock-Prado has perfected a method for creating eye-catching spectacular cakes that measure up. Her step-by-step instruction for baking, piping, and making decorations make each bit manageable, whether it's baking layers ahead of time and freezing, or taking the time to crank out a slew of gorgeous frosting flowers that hold beautifully in the freezer until you need them. Her aim is to present a 'system' for cake decorating that carries you through from baking to finishing, no step skipped or left unexplained. Just remember BaDASS: Bake ahead, Dam, Assemble, Smooth coat, and Spruce it up. The layers are as easy as box mixes, and the smoothing and decorating instructions work the first time (not a thousand passes later). From custom shapes to complement a party theme to ultra-gorgeous cakes for special occasions, it's all within reach.