10 Best Cake Decorating Books 2026 in the United States

'The Perfect Cake: Your Ultimate Guide to Classic, Modern, and Whimsical Cakes' could be a wonderful addition to your kitchen if you're looking to elevate your cake-decorating skills. This book is suitable for a wide range of skill levels, offering something for both beginners and more experienced decorators. With its comprehensive coverage of techniques, from basic to advanced, you'll find step-by-step instructions that make even complex designs manageable.

The book's design variety is impressive, featuring classic, modern, and whimsical cakes that can fit various occasions and preferences. One of the highlights is the author expertise, coming from America's Test Kitchen, known for their reliable and thoroughly tested recipes. This ensures you're getting tried-and-true methods that work. Additionally, the book is visually appealing, with high-quality illustrations and photographs that inspire and guide you through the decorating process.

On the downside, at 448 pages and weighing 3.4 pounds, it's quite a hefty book, which might be cumbersome for some users. Also, given its in-depth content and hardcover format, it might be on the pricier side compared to lighter, more casual cake-decorating guides. However, if you are serious about improving your cake-decorating skills and want a reliable, well-rounded resource, 'The Perfect Cake' is a strong contender.

The Wilton Decorating Cakes Book by The Wilton School is a comprehensive guide for those interested in cake decorating, suitable for various skill levels. It covers 103 different techniques, including borders, flowers, and fondant, which makes it a rich resource for learning. This book stands out with its step-by-step instructions and a variety of 30 exciting cake designs, catering to both beginners and more experienced decorators.

The inclusion of helpful recipes, a tip chart, serving and cutting charts, and a glossary of terms adds further value, making it a thorough reference guide. The product guide explaining the necessary equipment and ingredients is particularly useful for those new to cake decorating. Authored by the esteemed Wilton School, the book comes with a high level of expertise and credibility in the field.

Visually, the book is appealing, with over 400 photographs providing clear guidance and inspiration. Some might find the book's age (published in 1999) a slight drawback as more contemporary designs and techniques might be missing. Additionally, its softcover format might not be as durable for frequent use. Despite these minor cons, it remains a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their cake decorating skills.

The book 'Cake Decorating for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Decorating Like a Pro' is an excellent starting point for those new to cake decorating. It is tailored for beginners, offering easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions that help build skills gradually. The techniques covered are comprehensive enough to give new decorators a solid foundation, from basic piping and frosting to more advanced methods.

Design variety is another strong suit of this guide, featuring a range of styles and ideas to inspire creativity and cater to different tastes and occasions. The author’s expertise is evident throughout the book, presenting information clearly and confidently, which can help build the reader's confidence. Additionally, the book's visual appeal is notable, with well-illustrated pictures and diagrams that make the learning process engaging and easier to understand.

However, it is a relatively thin book with 168 pages, which might limit the depth of coverage on more advanced techniques. Also, those with some prior experience may find the content a bit too basic. The paperback format might not be as durable for frequent use in a busy kitchen environment. This book is best suited for absolute beginners who are eager to learn cake decorating from the ground up and enjoy visually stimulating instructional materials.