Book Review: One Sweet Cupcake by Janell Brown

One Sweet Cupcake, by Janell Brown
2013, 160p, Cookbook
My Rating=4 stars
Source: Copy provided by publisher for an honest review

One Sweet Cupcake is the ultimate guide to baking, decorating, and presenting beautiful cupcakes. Janell Brown gives expert advice on what equipment you’ll need, how to add and mix ingredients just right, and what techniques to use. You’ll also learn the basics of cupcake decorating, along with ideas for themes, seasons and holidays and decorating with kids. Learn all these sweet secrets for making your cupcakes look and taste professional.

Janell Brown starts by giving some background into how she got started in the cupcake business. It all started as a hobby that she enjoyed so much that she turned it into a business and it has just grown from there! She then talks about the ingredients and the importance of using certain ones. For example, unsalted butter is a must. I have been a firm believer in butter over margarine for years but I didn't pay attention to whether it was salted or not. Well, I usually buy salted butter so I decided to get some unsalted butter to start using when I bake.

Then, she goes into tools for baking and tools for icing and decorating. This is an area where my supplies are quite limited. Next comes the good stuff--the recipes! What I love is that the ingredients are common and, if I didn't have something on hand, it was easy to buy without wondering what it was.

I have cupcakes from a mix down pat so I decided to try one of her cupcake recipes. With it being close to Thanksgiving, I chose the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. I did think it was a little odd that she didn't actually include chocolate chips in the ingredients. I made a batch with chocolate chips and one without. Then I read under her Finishing Touches notes to garnish with mini chocolate chips so I'm really not sure if that's what she meant or if she just left chocolate chips out of the ingredients. My daughter liked the ones better with chocolate chips and I liked them better without them. They tasted great but didn't fluff up so I'm not sure what didn't work out right (yes, I did put in the baking powder). I also made oodles of Cream Cheese Icing which, of course, tasted fantastic.

This is a great book for anyone interested in baking cupcakes since there are many varieties and decorating ideas. I have friends who would easily be able to make any of these and they would turn out well (I may be visiting them to get pointers). I will personally try some more recipes to see if I can improve but don't plan to open a cupcake shop any time soon.


Meet the Author:

Janell Brown began decorating cakes and cupcakes as a hobby. This natural talent was contained until she made the decision to open her first storefront. She has seen nonstop growth ever since. Winning the national TV program ‘Cupcake Wars’ has increased her brand awareness throughout Utah and the United States. She has also won multiple awards, including BEST Cupcakes and BEST Wedding Cakes in Salt Lake County.

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